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The Nintendo Switch 2 has been around for a little over a year, and in this time frame a good amount of 3D platformers have been released for it, either as standalone releases or as enhanced Switch 2 Editions.
However, with so many games being released on the eShop each day, it’s easy to miss these, and that’s why I decided to write this list.
While I’ve played most 3D platformers available on Switch 2, there are a few of these I didn’t know or forgot were available on this platform. And this is one of the main reasons I always love writing these; there’s always new games to discover and buy immediately (rip my wallet, seriously).
Now, with this said, let’s go over the best 3D platform games on the Nintendo Switch 2 — grouped by free updates, paid Switch 2 Editions, and brand-new Switch 2 games:
Free Updates
1. Super Mario Odyssey: The Modern Classic, Now Switch 2-Enhanced
I really need to make a list of the best Nintendo Switch games I’ve played. And when I do, I know Mario Odyssey will be up there with the best.
I might be a Nintendo fanboy since I was a small child, but Super Mario was never my cup of tea since I preferred Sonic the Hedgehog. So, Mario Odyssey was the first 3D Mario game I played, and I loved completing it 100%
And just like Super Mario 3D World, it got a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 free update that also sharpened its visuals, added HDR support, and also GameShare! Now you can play as Mario while your friend plays as Cappy on a different system.
Honestly, this is still the best 3D platformer on Switch, and I’ll easily pick this over Donkey Kong Bananza, and the reasoning is simple.
Finding Moons in Mario Odyssey doesn’t get as repetitive as finding all other collectibles in Bananza. It never felt like a chore.
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2. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: Still One of the Best Co-op Picks
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is one of my favorite Mario games of all time, especially for co-op play.I’ve played it on release with my girlfriend to completion, and our journey was full of chaos and laughter.
On Switch 2, it got a well-deserved patch that offered this already fantastic game with sharper visuals, smoother frame rates, and also GameShare for local and online play!
The latter is my most welcomed addition since playing Bowser’s Fury in co-op wasn’t as great as playing the main game.
It’s not a new game, but the optimizations it got make it relevant as one of the best 3D platformers you can buy today on Switch 2.
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Switch 2 Editions
3. Kirby and the Forgotten Land—Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World: The Real Deal
I avoided Kirby and the Forgotten Land when it first launched, but once I saw a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition would be releasing, I apologized to my wallet and got the game.
I will say that the price is the only thing that I don’t like about this game. Sure, it has new content and more challenging content attached to the main game, but even so, it does not justify paying full price. Especially since the added content is mostly reskinned levels.
But I will give them credit because this is my favorite platform released on Switch 2. It’s beautiful with its sharp visuals, runs fantastically at 60 fps, the levels are super fun to go through, there are actual tough boss fights, and I loved experimenting with all of Kirby’s old and new abilities.
The lore on this game is also whack, and what starts as a happy-go-lucky adventure devolves into a Sonic Adventure 2 plot.
And even after beating the game, there is more content to tackle, with a ton of collectibles to find. Although collecting them never felt like a job either, and I was happy to scour through levels multiple times without relying on guides.
I don’t think I can fully recommend it to someone who has played the Switch version, but if you find it at a decent price, I’d say go for it!
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4. Sonic X Shadow Generations: Two Games, One Native Switch 2 Release
Remember when I said I didn’t buy Bubsy 4D because of another game? Well, this was the one.
I’ve been gawking over Sonic X Shadow Generations since it originally launched on Switch 2, and I was just waiting for the right price. So, once I saw this below the $20 mark the other day, I plunged at it and have been having a blast. Although it’s currently competing with Pokopia and Final Fantasy XIV for attention, which means I haven’t gone that far into it.
I already played through Sonic’s story years ago when this first launched and even played through the Nintendo 3DS title, so for this version alone I think I will be just focusing on Shadow’s story, unless I feel like playing through the rest of the game.
I will say that I was expecting more out of this port, since you can clearly see it struggles on Quality Mode… The only way to play this is in Performance Mode, where it seems to maintain a solid 60 fps.
I think this is still a great title to play today if you haven’t before, but if you already own the game, unfortunately there is no upgrade pack available, and you’ll have to purchase the game yet again…
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5. Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition: The Open-Zone Sonic Comeback, Rebuilt for Switch 2
I think Sega has been fumbling these Switch 2 ports a bit. Yes, they run and look better than their Switch 1 counterparts, but at the same time, it feels like they are not truly reaching their true potential. And let’s not forget the lack of upgrade packs.
Sonic Frontiers was one of the games I desperately wanted to see having a Switch 2 Edition. I still think the Switch 1 version was a miracle port, even though it looked like a blurry mess filled with pop-in elements.
Still, I knew what I was getting myself into when I bought it, and I had no issues playing it with these limitations.And mind you, I bought it after already owning it on my Series S and having gone through the entire game.
The Switch 2 Edition sits in the middle of these 2 versions for me, and having a more optimized quality mode would’ve made this a joy to play.
With this said, I think it’s a game I’ll be skipping for a while until I finally see a good discount.
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New Switch 2 Games
6. Donkey Kong Bananza: The Switch 2’s Native 3D Platformer
Here’s my biggest confession about Donkey Kong Bananza. I never finished it.
I’m 25 hours in on the Storm Layer, and I’m completely burned out. Not only that, but I can’t spend another minute punching the ground in hopes of finding another banana or fossil map so I can finally move on to the next layer.
Part of the problem is in me, I know. I’m dead set on 100%ing each layer before moving on, and while this was fun at first, it got too repetitive, and I don’t remember feeling this way with Mario Odyssey.
Right now I’m trying to enjoy other games so I can come back to DK Bananza with a fresh mind since I really want to finish it because I truly think this is one of the best games you can play on Switch 2
Being able to destroy and use the surrounding environments in a 3D platformer is genius, and it felt so satisfying!
The way Donkey Kong moves was also surprising, and there are so many little jump tricks you can do to bypass certain parts that would require other solutions, and being able to do them is so rewarding.
The Bananza transformations are weird but super fun to use. Especially the ostrich, since being able to fly is such a game changer. But I have to admit that Zebra has the best song so far, and you can fight me on that.
There’s also a good story to follow; Pauline is the best companion DK could ask for, and I can’t wait to see what lies in the core of the planet.
But I just wish finding collectibles was more fun, or less in total. Do we really need 600+ fossils to collect on top of all those bananas?
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7. Yooka-Replaylee: The Definitive Collect-a-thon, Rebuilt for Switch 2
I played Yooka-Laylee years ago when it released, and I remember having fun, despite how it looked and ran on Switch. It wasn’t on my list of games that desperately need a Switch 2 Edition, but it would’ve benefited from one a lot. In the end, we got something even better, a full-blown remake called Yooka-Replaylee.
Even if you’ve never played the original one, I urge you to jump to the eShop right now and just try the demo. If you’re a fan of games like Donkey Kong or Banjo Kazooie, then you need to give this one a try.
I immediately noticed the difference in visuals, although I wish quality mode was a bit more optimized. Since movement is always the most important part for me in a 3D platformer, the smoother the frame rate is, the more satisfying it is to alternate between all the different movement options.
One of my biggest complaints from the first game was how clunky this was, but here everything works and connects so much better that I truly think it’s as satisfying to play as other big 3D platformers like Mario Odyssey.
Even if you’ve played the original game, this is a version you cannot miss on Switch 2.
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8. Junkster: The Budget Switch 2 Exclusive Nobody’s Talking About
Now here’s a game I don’t see anyone talking about, and I don’t know why since it’s super cheap and good. And somehow it slipped under my nose when I made my list of cheap Nintendo Switch 2 games.
Junkster is a Switch 2 title from an indie studio called Stormcloud Games, which developed a free-to-play game also available on Switch called Island Saver that I completely forgot existed.
What differentiates this game from all the other 3D platformers in this list is its building mechanic, which you can use to build your own platforms and also other functional deadly machines, all using the scraps of junk scattered around.
While it’s not the strongest when it comes to character movement, it’s one that allows your creativity to fully run loose.
9. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Universally Fantastic
Out of all the games on this list, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the most difficult sell for me.
On one hand, it’s 2 of the best Mario games of all time in a single package completely remastered with HD visuals and 60fps gameplay. And in the other one, it’s $70, and I’ve already played through Mario Galaxy not that long ago in Super Mario 3D All Stars for the Switch.
It’s that 3D Mario collection that weirdly left out Super Mario Galaxy 2, and I think we know why now… I’d be buying this just for Galaxy 2, and honestly at this price point I could buy 2 or 3 games on this list.
I don’t doubt the quality of this port or the game, but for now I’ll just wait for the right price tag.
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10. Bubsy 4D: The Comeback Nobody Expected
This is one that’s still sitting on my wishlist, and I almost purchased it a few days ago; however, another game on this list got the upper hand.
We all remember Bubsy as a wannabe Sonic the Hedgehog/Super Mario from the era of console mascots. From 3D to 2D platformers, Bubsy has had an extensive journey in gaming, but unfortunately it never had a hit game.
Bubsy 4D is the best release it ever had, despite having received average reviews from critics. This is where I tell you to not listen and go download the demo on the eShop.
The freaking movement options and platforming in this game are surprisingly satisfying and not as clunky as I’ve read in some reviews. It’s not as polished as Mario Odyssey, but it’s still wonderful. That’s why I will be playing this on my Switch 2 in the near future, even if I know the game is a bit on the shorter side.
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One More Coming Soon: Duskfade
I’m including this one here for now despite only realizing it next week, August 13.
I’ve played the demo on Steam Deck, and I have high hopes for it, although I’m concerned about how it will perform. This is a heavy action-platformer with tight movement that takes clear inspiration from famous PS2 titles such as Kingdom Hearts and Jak & Daxter.
It’s on my watch list for now, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it next week!
So, What Are the Best 3D Platformers on Nintendo Switch 2?
If we’re talking about what’s the absolute best new platformer on Switch 2, then I think Donkey Kong Bananza is the best overall, despite my current burnout.
For games that received a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is my absolute favorite, despite its ridicule.
And for games that have received a Switch 2 free patch, then Mario Odyssey will forever be the top choice. The Mario Galaxy games and Mario 3D World are fantastic, but none of them have the same control and movement that Mario Odyssey offers with Cappy.
There are more 3D platformers on the horizon, and once I see one that should be on this list, I will gladly update it.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll be seeing you next time with brand-new content!
