The 11 Best Nintendo 3D Platformers of All Time (Ranked)

The Top 11 Best Nintendo 3D Platformers

Let’s be honest: when it comes to 3D platformers, Nintendo is the undisputed king of the castle. Other franchises might have tried to replicate the magic, but few can match the precision, charm, and imagination Nintendo pours into each new leap. And with Donkey Kong Bonanza dropping in July 2025, now's the perfect time to revisit the greats that paved the way.

So, grab your mushrooms, power stars, and pink puffballs—here’s our ranking of the Top 11 Nintendo 3D platformers, from the bottom of the barrel to the tip-top of Mount Awesome.

🦍 11. Donkey Kong 64 – The Collectathon Overload

We’ve gotta start with Donkey Kong 64. For many, it’s a nostalgic gem. For others, it’s a sprawling mess of bananas, backtracking, and bad camera angles. It packed nearly 4,000 collectibles (yes, really), but not enough memorable moments. The novelty of switching Kongs fades when you realize you’re playing the same areas five different ways. If DK64 taught us one thing, it’s that more isn’t always better.

🍄 10. Super Mario 3D Land – Smooth, Simple, Slightly Forgettable

3D Land was a technical marvel for the 3DS and a delight to play. The movement is tight, the platforming is clean, and it makes great use of the handheld’s 3D effect. But… it’s also a little too easy. You can breeze through it in a weekend. Fun? Definitely. Memorable? Not really. Still, it’s a super solid Mario snack.

🔥 9. Bowser's Fury – Small Game, Big Ideas

Bundled with the Super Mario 3D World Switch port, Bowser’s Fury feels like Nintendo giving us a peek into the future. One giant, ever-changing open world. A monstrous kaiju Bowser. Mario in a catsuit going full Super Saiyan. It’s short and sweet, but man, it packs a punch. If Odyssey was the revolution, Bowser’s Fury is the evolution.

🌞 8. Super Mario Sunshine – Wet, Wild, and Weird

Ah, Sunshine. The most divisive Mario game? Maybe. But the FLUDD backpack deserves some love—it’s a creative gadget that turns Mario into a water-slinging acrobat. Isle Delfino is still one of the most iconic Mario locations, even if the game itself wobbles between brilliant and broken. Love it or hate it, Sunshine tried something wild—and we respect that.

💖 7. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Pink Puffball Goes 3D

It took decades, but Kirby finally made the leap to 3D—and nailed the landing. Forgotten Land is adorable chaos, blending platforming with puzzle-solving and crazy power-ups. Mouthful Mode (Kirby as a vending machine? A car?!) brings endless laughs and surprises. It’s not as tight as a Mario game, but it’s bursting with charm and creativity.

🐱 6. Super Mario 3D World – A Hidden Gem Perfected on Switch

Originally a Wii U title, 3D World got its second life on Switch—and became a platforming clinic. Every level feels like a perfectly crafted playground. The Cat Suit adds a whole new movement layer, and Champion’s Road might be the hardest final level in Mario history. The only drawback? Movement is a bit stiff compared to its peers. Still, it’s platforming joy, pure and simple.

🍄 5. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – Brains Over Brawn

No jumping? No problem. Captain Toad strips platforming down to its puzzle core. You rotate adorable diorama-style levels and guide Toad to the star using brains, not brawn. It’s light, clever, and irresistibly charming. A total underdog in the 3D platformer world—and a game that proves you don’t need flashy moves to leave a lasting impression.

👑 4. Super Mario 64 – The One That Changed Everything

Super Mario 64 isn’t just a game—it’s a landmark moment in gaming history. Peach’s Castle is still the most iconic hub world in platforming. The control? Revolutionary. The design? Genius. Sure, the camera is a bit wobbly now and the graphics have aged, but this game still plays better than some modern platformers. Respect the legend.

🌌 3. Super Mario Galaxy – Platforming Among the Stars

Nintendo wanted to go bigger. So they went galactic. Super Mario Galaxy takes you on a cosmic ride full of dizzying gravity mechanics, soaring soundtracks, and some of the most jaw-dropping visuals of the Wii era. Rosalina’s story even added a rare touch of emotion. This is cinematic Mario, and it’s breathtaking from start to finish.

🦖 2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – More Galaxy, More Greatness

And just when we thought Galaxy couldn’t get better, Galaxy 2 dropped. It built on everything from the first game—and then gave us Yoshi. Riding the green dinosaur added a new level of depth to platforming, and every galaxy felt like its own mini-masterpiece. This isn’t just a sequel. It’s an upgrade in every way. And it still holds up beautifully.

🎩 1. Super Mario Odyssey – The Pinnacle of Platforming

Odyssey is the culmination of everything Nintendo learned over decades of making platformers. The controls? Absolute perfection. The level design? An explorer’s dream. Cappy’s hat-throwing and capturing mechanic opens up wild gameplay possibilities. Whether you're triple-jumping across New Donk City or controlling a T-Rex, Odyssey makes you feel like a genius. It's pure joy in game form. The best 3D platformer Nintendo—or anyone—has ever made.

🌟 Honorable Mention: Banjo-Kazooie & Banjo-Tooie

Technically not Nintendo first-party, but we couldn’t leave out these Rare classics. Banjo and Kazooie defined N64-era collectathons alongside Mario 64. Their blend of exploration, goofy humor, and unique mechanics still hold up, and we’re all still dreaming of a proper modern sequel. One day, maybe.

And that’s our list of Nintendo’s top 3D platformers! Whether you’re a newcomer hopping into Mario for the first time or a lifelong fan still chasing moons in Odyssey, these games are shining examples of what platformers can be when crafted with love, precision, and a little Nintendo magic.

Keep soaring through the stars with more Nintendo deep dives right here at Land of Geek Magazine!

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