Best if you want polished 4-player platforming that balances accessible fun with tight challenge, whether you're teaming up with kids, competitive friends, or tackling creative stages solo.
Super Mario 3D World delivers the rare feat of making multiplayer platforming work brilliantly—chaotic enough to spark laughter, structured enough to maintain forward momentum. Each compact level fits in 5–15 minutes, designed with clear goals but layered with optional collectibles that reward exploration without gating progress. The core move set is simple—run, jump, butt-stomp—but power-ups like the Cat Suit (climb walls, swipe enemies) and Double Cherry (clone yourself) add tactical wrinkles that shift how you approach obstacles. The multiplayer magic lives in its controlled chaos. Four players can work together or race for the crown awarded to each level's top scorer, creating organic tension between cooperation and competition. Character differences matter: Peach glides farther, Toad sprints faster, Luigi jumps higher. The bubble system elegantly solves platforming's perennial problem—when one player falls behind, they float in a safe bubble until teammates rescue them, keeping everyone involved without trivializing difficulty. Inputs stay responsive even in crowded scenes, so deaths feel fair rather than camera-induced. Bowser's Fury, the bundled expansion, shifts gears entirely. It's an open-world playground where a giant Bowser periodically erupts into rampages, forcing you to scramble for collectibles or transform into a kaiju-sized cat to fight back. Sessions naturally break into 20–40 minute chunks as you explore islands, making it ideal for solo play or cooperative pairs. It's less polished than the main game—camera hiccups in tight spaces, pacing occasionally drags—but the sense of scale and freedom contrasts nicely with 3D World's tightly designed linearity. Difficulty curves gently through early worlds, then ramps in post-game content with precision platforming and puzzle-box challenge rooms. The generous power-up economy and optional invincibility assist (appears after repeated failures) mean families can reach credits together, while completionists face genuinely demanding tests. Solo players get a focused, creative platformer; groups get a couch co-op cornerstone that sustains multiple sessions without wearing thin. Level variety—haunted houses, candy landscapes, anti-gravity gauntlets—keeps the pace fresh across dozens of stages.
4 local • 4 online
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury does not support crossplay, supports up to 4 players online, features co-op campaign mode.
Single Player • Multiplayer • Co-op • Online Multiplayer • Local Couch Co-op • Shared Screen
Super Mario 3D World supports 1–4 players locally (shared screen) and 2–4 players online. Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Bowser’s Fury supports 1–2 players locally only (2nd player controls Bowser Jr.); no online co-op for Bowser’s Fury. No LAN mode and no split-screen. Cross-platform play not applicable (Nintendo Switch only).
Important details about which version to buy and where to play.
This Switch version includes faster movement speed compared to the Wii U original, plus the entirely new Bowser's Fury expansion. Both modes support online multiplayer, a feature absent from the 2013 release.
Runs at 60fps in docked and handheld modes. Online multiplayer requires Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Local wireless play supports multiple Switch consoles.
Simple, responsive controls with optional motion-control alternatives. Bubble system lets struggling players bypass difficult sections. Invincibility Tanooki Leaf appears after multiple failures. Clear visual language and color-coded collectibles aid readability. No dialogue-heavy sections or time-pressure requirements in most levels.
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If you enjoyed Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, you'll love these similar games. We've handpicked titles based on gameplay style, difficulty, atmosphere, and what players like you are enjoying. Whether you're looking for something with a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer features, these recommendations have you covered.
Local multiplayer games perfect for living room sessions, offering split-screen or same-device play similar to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.
Side-scrolling Mario built for the same-room vibe: drop-in/out local multiplayer, chaotic shared-screen moments, and approachable stages that suit mixed-skill groups.
Classic 2D Mario structure with true local 4-player support, quick stage-based progression, and helpful characters for newer players—great when your group wants simple rules fast.
Snappy 2D stages built around 4-player couch co-op, musical rhythm levels, and constant little goals—perfect when you want Mario-like momentum with more slapstick chaos.
Compact diorama stages emphasize clean 3D navigation and puzzle-like platforming. Local co-op lets a second player assist with hazards and collectibles without chaos.
Social multiplayer games perfect for game nights and group gatherings, building on the party-friendly aspects of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.
Chaotic co-op with short, score-chasing rounds. Like Mario co-op, it’s about coordination and recovery from mistakes—perfect for loud group nights on one screen.
Instant arcade energy: up to 6 players, simple move sets, and constant laughs. Ideal when your couch wants fast stages, teamwork, and big-button brawling.
The go-to couch competitive pick: quick races, accessible driving assists, and huge replay value. Great when your group wants instant fun between platforming sessions.
Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.
Bright 3D platforming with a buddy: simple second-player support, forgiving combat, and clear objectives make it great for families who want stress-free teamwork.
Co-op puzzle-adventure where one player can handle Gooigi support while the other explores. Great for shared problem-solving and playful ghost-busting set pieces.
Expansive alternatives to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury featuring larger worlds, deeper progression systems, and extended campaigns for players seeking more content.
Expands the 3D platforming fantasy into big, open sandboxes packed with secrets—still light and readable, but with far more exploration and long-term collection goals.
Bigger, tougher platforming campaign with dense level design and hidden collectibles. Co-op partners can support each other through precision jumps and enemy patterns.
More accessible alternatives to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury with streamlined mechanics, intuitive controls, and beginner-friendly onboarding.
A gentler platforming pace with optional mellow mode, easy co-op, and collectible hunting that rewards exploration without punishing deaths or tight timers.
We've included this game in 2 articles.
This bright 4-player platformer blends polished controls and clever level design with a co-op structure welcoming all ages. The bubble system and simple move set make it easy for beginners to stay involved while hidden secrets keep veterans engaged. The only drawback is camera struggles when everyone sprints in different directions, but for families it's a near-essential choice.
Four-player platforming balances playfulness with structure through short modular levels and quick resets. Character differences enable organic role specialization while competitive scoring nudges friendly rivalry without derailing progress. The port runs smoothly in crowded scenes keeping inputs precise, and the breadth of levels sustains multiple sittings with different squads.
Common questions about this game answered by our team.
Moderate difficulty with a gentle early curve. Easier than Galaxy 2 or Odyssey's post-game, harder than New Super Mario Bros. Late worlds and optional challenges offer genuine tests for veterans, while assists help newcomers reach credits.
Main story takes 10–15 hours; 100% completion stretches to 25–35 hours. Bowser's Fury adds 4–6 hours for core content, longer if collecting everything. Levels are short, so progress feels steady across multiple sessions.
Excellent solo—levels are designed for one player first, with multiplayer adding chaos rather than being required. Some post-game challenges are actually easier alone due to tighter camera control and predictable pacing.
Yes, the bubble system is perfect for this. Less experienced players can float safely when overwhelmed, while skilled players push ahead. Everyone contributes, and the power-up economy means even frequent deaths don't stall progress.
3D World is linear, level-based platforming (dozens of short stages). Bowser's Fury is open-world exploration with a giant boss that interrupts periodically. Different pacing and structure; both included on one cartridge.
