The Super Mario games are generally defined as a platforming adventure starring Mario and friends: Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, and more.
✕ Remove Ads
Sometimes, however, Mario himself is absent from these games. Maybe he's off busy playing sports or having a party.
Mario needs some time off for whatever reason, but that doesn't mean these games are worse for it. Sometimes, they're just as good, or even better, than most Super Mario Games.
Today, we're celebrating the best Mario games without Mario.
10 Yoshi's Story
Pop-up platforming
Arcade
Adventure
Strategy
Systems
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii , Nintendo Wii U , Nintendo 64
- Released
- December 21, 1997
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- iQue, Ltd. , Nintendo
- ESRB
- Everyone
- How Long To Beat
- 2 Hours
- Number of Players
- 1
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 10.5 Hours
Nintendo has never been shy about experimenting with their non-Mario Mario games, and Yoshi's Story is a perfect example of that.
Its gameplay is less similar to that of a traditional Super Mario title. Instead, it aims for a more accessible, straightforward approach than Yoshi's Island.
What wins people over with Yoshi's Story is its charm. It's an adorable game that presents itself as a children's pop-up book.
✕ Remove Ads
As a result, this is a great choice for an introduction to Nintendo gaming or a simple way to spend a day with an easy game, but don't expect any serious meat on the bone here.
9 Princess Peach: Showtime!
Lights, camera, action
Action-Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:75/100 Critics Recommend:61%
- Franchise
- Super Mario
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
- e
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Peach has had two starring roles now, this and Super Princess Peach for the Nintendo DS, but we're giving the nod to the Switch entry.
Not only does it present Peach as a protagonist worthy of a starring role, but it does so with the backing of a strong story and solid gameplay.
While its difficulty may not compare to some of the other games we'll discuss, don't let that dissuade you from enjoying it. There's still plenty to see and do, and Princess Peach: Showtime! is well worth the admission.
8 Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Wario time!
✕ Remove Ads
Action
Platformer
Systems
- Franchise
- Super Mario
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy
- Released
- March 13, 1994
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D1
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- ESRB
- e
- How Long To Beat
- 4 Hours
After his introduction in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Wario is given his own game in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 for the original Game Boy.
The game is a culmination of everything Nintendo learned and refined from the past Super Mario Land games, combined with plenty of new and unique ideas to help it stand out from other Mario games.
Super Mario Land 3 is a faster-paced, more action-packed experience that feels familiar and unique. Its style of play is still inspiring the genre today, with games like Pizza Tower and Antonblast.
7 Donkey Kong 64
Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells
Platformer
Systems
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 64 , Nintendo Wii U
- Released
- November 24, 1999
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Engine
- NEC VR4300
- ESRB
- e
- How Long To Beat
- 27 Hours
- Metascore
- 90
To call Donkey Kong 64 a massive game is an understatement. This is an absolute beast of a game, brimming with expansive levels and infinite collectibles.
✕ Remove Ads
Some argue that the game is too big, but unlike the bloated nature of Banjo-Tooie, Donkey Kong 64 never feels like it lets the game get out of reach.
The one drawback is the lack of quality-of-life enhancements; being unable to switch between characters on the fly requires a lot of backtracking.
Despite this, Donkey Kong 64 is a massive achievement in platforming that perfects 3D controls and provides hours upon hours of entertainment.
6 Luigi's Mansion 3
Boo
Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:85/100 Critics Recommend:91%
- Franchise
- Luigi's Mansion
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Released
- October 31, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Next Level Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 13 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
$60 at Nintendo eShop$60 at Walmart$60 at Best Buy$55 at Amazon
The most recent entry in the Luigi's Mansion franchise not only refines what works from the first two Luigi's Mansion games but also pushes the series forward.
While it may be more linear than its predecessors, it creates a gameplay experience that constantly keeps things feeling fresh and well-paced throughout.
✕ Remove Ads
The linear experience also allows for greater attention to detail. This is not only one of the best-looking games on Nintendo Switch but also one of the more well-thought-out ones.
Luigi's Mansion 3 is a tighter experience that removes some of its predecessors' bloat and down moments, delivering an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
5 New Super Luigi U
The year of Luigi
Platformer
Systems
- Franchise
- Luigi's Mansion
- Platform(s)
- Switch , Nintendo Wii U
- Released
- August 25, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- ESRB
- e
- How Long To Beat
- 5 Hours
Nintendo declared 2013 "The Year of Luigi," with New Super Luigi U as one of its marketing centerpieces.
The game is an expansion of New Super Mario Bros. U. While the gameplay feels familiar to its 2012 predecessor, New Super Luigi U does what other New Super Mario Bros. games fail to do: offer a unique, fresh experience.
Nintendo capitalizes on Luigi's unique characteristics, particularly his ability to jump higher than Mario. This results in a familiar yet new experience that's ultimately a much-needed breath of fresh air.
✕ Remove Ads
4 Yoshi's Wolly World
Well-crafted
Yoshi's Story was all about style and not enough substance. Yoshi's Wolly World is the balance of style and substance that is desperately needed.
It's one of the more accessible Nintendo platformers on the market, but plenty of challenges are still available for those seeking them out.
Yoshi's Wolly World capitalizes on its unique look and feel, combining the yarn aesthetic with gameplay elements that make sense and showcase its creativity.
Don't let its looks deceive you. While its visual style is the draw, Yoshi's Wolly World will win you over with its unique ideas.
3 Donkey Kong Country
Kong
✕ Remove Ads
Platformer
Systems
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong Country
- Platform(s)
- SNES , Nintendo Game Boy Color , Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Released
- November 24, 1994
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- ESRB
- e
- How Long To Beat
- 4 Hours
- Metascore
- 78 (GBA)
With its iconic theme, cutting-edge 3D graphics, and exceptional gameplay, Donkey Kong Country is a breakthrough platformer that showed the world the genre doesn't belong solely to Mario.
With its wide variety of levels, excellent environmental design, impressive challenge, and precise controls, Donkey Kong Country is the gold standard for the Super Nintendo-era platformer.
It provides an excellent change of pace from the Super Mario franchise, constantly throwing new ideas and challenges at the player.
Best of all, despite its difficulty, it never feels impossible, meaning once you finally complete a level, it's an enriching experience.
2 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Cold as ice
Platformer
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:87%
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong Country
- Platform(s)
- Switch , Nintendo Wii U
- Released
- February 21, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- Metascore
- 86
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Before the release of Super Mario Odyssey, you can argue the Donkey Kong Country franchise was the better platformer.
✕ Remove Ads
Exhibit A is Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which retains the foundation of the Donkey Kong Country franchise's various levels and platforming challenges in a modern gaming experience.
Tropical Freeze avoids the pitfalls of the New Super Mario Bros. games by offering an excellent balance of challenge and accessible platforming gameplay, all while keeping things fresh and constantly changing.
It knows how to push the genre forward rather than relying on nostalgia.
1 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Puzzle platforming perfection
Puzzle
Platformer
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:82/100 Critics Recommend:84%
- Platform(s)
- Switch , Nintendo Wii U , 3DS
- Released
- December 5, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
What began as a playable level in Super Mario 3D World eventually became the best Mario game without Mario.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a delight in every sense of the way. Its puzzle platforming is an absolute treat, and its level design is some of the best seen in a Nintendo game.
✕ Remove Ads
Each level's diorama style allows for an impressive amount of exploration. This includes traversing the level and utilizing the game's camera to discover secrets.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a simple idea that's executed flawlessly. If you missed out on the game for whatever reason, you owe it to yourself to go back and play through it.
