Super Mario is a flagship of Nintendo, and there are plenty of its titles available on Nintendo Switch. As a whole, the franchise is pretty accessible, with easier mechanics than some other AAA games; but there are still some titles that are better entry points to the series than others.
It can be hard to pick what the best Super Mario game is, and most people have their own personal favorites that resonate with them. For players looking what Mario game to get on the Nintendo Switch, there are many to choose from even before adding in all the retro titles available through the Nintendo Switch Online catalog of games from the NES, SNES, and other classic consoles. People should always look at what might appeal most to them, but just in of accessibility and looking for a Mario game with a classic platformer vibe, there are a couple that could be good to start with.
Super Mario 3D World Is A Great Starting Point On Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D World originally was released for the Nintendo Wii U and later re-released for the Nintendo Switch. The game provides a very traditional feeling Super Mario experience in a 3D environment, with the classic enemies and types of puzzles that are common for the series. The story is a bit different from the usual Mario games because players can choose from among several characters to play instead of being limited to Mario, and for once Princess Peach is not the damsel to be rescued. Despite being 3D, controls for the game are pretty straightforward and the mechanics of the game are not difficult to learn.
Super Mario 3D World On Switch Includes Bowser's Fury
The Nintendo Switch release of Super Mario 3D World includes Bowser's Fury as part of its package. For people trying out the Super Mario experience, having the bonus content of Bowser's Fury provides them with a different type of gameplay. It offers a bit of a collect-a-thon experience to its adventure as players try to collect 100 suns with cat faces on them called Cat Shines. The short game still has a fun Mario feel to it and is not difficult to understand the controls.
Super Mario 3D World also caters to more inexperienced players. If there's a point someone finds themselves stuck on a puzzle or repeatedly dying because of difficult enemies, the game will offer a very powerful power-up. This Invincible Super Leaf power-up gives the player a white Tanooki suit that grants invincibility to finish the level. The downside in accepting this optional boost is that while the player will be able to get past the level, the scores on the level will be set to 0.
The Best Character To Start With On Super Mario 3D World
Each of the characters in Super Mario 3D World has slight differences in how their game mechanics will work. For the easiest initial playthrough, players should start with Princess Peach. She still has the same speed and jump height as the baseline, classic Mario has, but her dress provides a slowfall mechanic that can safeguard against falling through gaps, and helps when needing to line up landings on goomba heads. Ideally, the easiest character to use is Rosalina who can also do a double jump and attack without power-ups, but Rosalina must be unlocked before she can be used in the game.
Super Mario 3D World Is A Classic Feeling Mario Game
Players who may have not played a Mario game for a while, or who are new to gaming would appreciate that Super Mario 3D World provides a very typical feeling experience for a Super Mario game. Some games like Mario + Rabbids and even Mario Galaxy can end up with a very different mood and impression than the traditional Mario is generally perceived to hold. Super Mario 3D World has many things that make it stand out, yet the overarching ambiance and game mechanics are unequivocally Super Mario.
Multiplayer Co-Op Play Can Make Super Mario 3D World An Even Better Entry To Video Games
Super Mario 3D World's option for cooperative multiplayer makes the game even more fun and inviting. Whether or not someone has played Mario games before, the chaotic silliness of teams attempting to help each other in this platformer adventure can help to create a more lighthearted environment, depending, of course, on the players. It's hard to not laugh and just enjoy the situation when player characters are dressed in Cat suits while trying to make it through this world.
Honorable Mention: Super Mario Odyssey
Although the motion controls can be slightly more complex than in Super Mario 3D World, and the multiplayer option is not nearly as enjoyable, Super Mario Odyssey is another good contender for a Mario game to play first on the Nintendo Switch. The game offers a great open-world environment and tons of variety in the different worlds that Mario can travel to with his companion, Cappy. Some even consider Super Mario Odyssey the best Mario adventure ever.
When looking for a Mario game to start with on the Nintendo Switch, the choices can range from classics of the NES era on Nintendo Switch Online to a variety of sports adventures and Mario Kart. Super Mario 3D World is a fun modern example of the traditional Mario platformer in a 3D environment and is very easy to learn the controls even if someone is not experienced in gaming. Of course, the entire franchise of Super Mario is designed to be not only family-friendly but accessible to players of a wide range of skills, so it's hard to go wrong with any of the titles.
