Top 3D Platformers On Nintendo Switch

Hey guys! Are you ready to jump, flip, and dive into some amazing adventures? The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console for 3D platformer fans. With its portability and impressive library, you can experience incredible games on the go or on your TV. So, let's explore some of the best 3D platformer games you can play right now on the Nintendo Switch. Get ready for a wild ride!

Super Mario Odyssey

Okay, let's kick things off with a game that’s practically a system-seller: Super Mario Odyssey. This game isn't just good; it's a masterpiece. Nintendo took everything we love about Mario and cranked it up to eleven. In Super Mario Odyssey, Mario embarks on a globe-trotting adventure to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Bowser, who's planning a forced wedding (how rude!).

But here’s the twist: Mario isn’t alone. He's joined by Cappy, a sentient hat who can possess enemies and objects. This capture mechanic is a game-changer, allowing Mario to take control of everything from Goombas and T-Rexes to taxis and even a giant slab of meat. Each capture offers unique abilities and perspectives, making exploration and puzzle-solving incredibly fun and creative. The sheer variety of gameplay experiences is mind-blowing. One minute you're piloting a tank, the next you're swimming as a Cheep Cheep, and then you're bouncing around as a T-Rex. It’s this constant stream of new mechanics and challenges that keeps the game feeling fresh and exciting.

The level design in Super Mario Odyssey is top-notch. Each kingdom is a vibrant, sprawling sandbox filled with secrets, challenges, and collectibles. You'll explore everything from bustling cities and tropical islands to ancient ruins and snowy mountains. The game rewards curiosity and exploration, encouraging you to venture off the beaten path to discover hidden Power Moons, which are essential for progressing through the game. And trust me, finding all those Power Moons is incredibly satisfying.

What truly sets Super Mario Odyssey apart is its sense of joy and wonder. The game is bursting with charm, humor, and personality. Mario's animations are expressive and endearing, and the world is filled with quirky characters and memorable moments. Whether you're racing Jaxi, playing beach volleyball, or simply admiring the stunning vistas, Super Mario Odyssey is a game that will put a smile on your face. If you own a Nintendo Switch and haven't played Super Mario Odyssey yet, you're missing out on one of the best 3D platformer games ever made. Seriously, go play it now!

A Hat in Time

Next up, we have A Hat in Time, an indie darling that pays homage to the classic 3D platformers of the Nintendo 64 era. Developed by Gears for Breakfast, this game is a love letter to titles like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, capturing their sense of adventure, humor, and collect-a-thon gameplay. In A Hat in Time, you play as Hat Kid, a space-traveling girl with a magical hat that can sew new hats with special abilities. When her spaceship is damaged, scattering her precious Time Pieces across a colorful planet, Hat Kid must embark on a quest to recover them and return home.

A Hat in Time stands out with its charming art style, quirky characters, and imaginative level design. Each world is a unique and vibrant playground filled with secrets, challenges, and collectibles. You'll explore everything from a mafia-controlled movie studio and a spooky forest inhabited by ghostly children to a bird-run train and a seaside town hosting a murder mystery. The levels are designed with a clear sense of fun and creativity, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny.

One of the key mechanics in A Hat in Time is Hat Kid's ability to sew new hats, each granting her different powers. The Sprint Hat allows her to run faster, the Brewing Hat lets her create explosive concoctions, and the Ice Hat enables her to freeze water. These hats add a layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing you to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and access new areas. Experimenting with different hats and abilities is part of the fun, and it keeps the gameplay feeling fresh and engaging. Moreover, the plot revolves around Hat Kid, a silent protagonist that, with her charm and determination, is someone you can root for.

What makes A Hat in Time special is its sense of humor and personality. The game is filled with quirky characters, witty dialogue, and memorable moments. From the eccentric Mafia Boss and the mischievous Snatcher to the bird-like Conductor and the flamboyant Mustache Girl, the cast of characters is endearing and hilarious. The game never takes itself too seriously, and it's always ready to throw a gag or a silly situation your way. If you're a fan of classic 3D platformers and you're looking for a charming and lighthearted adventure, A Hat in Time is a must-play on the Nintendo Switch. It's a delightful game that will bring a smile to your face.

New Super Lucky's Tale

Don't overlook New Super Lucky's Tale if you are looking for a charming and family-friendly 3D platformer on the Nintendo Switch. This game is a re-imagining of the original Super Lucky's Tale, with improved gameplay, enhanced graphics, and new content. In New Super Lucky's Tale, you play as Lucky, a lovable fox on a quest to rescue the Book of Ages from the villainous Jinx and his mischievous Kitty Litter. Lucky must jump, burrow, and tail-swipe his way through a series of colorful worlds, solving puzzles, collecting clovers, and battling enemies along the way.

New Super Lucky's Tale is a simple and straightforward platformer, but it's also incredibly polished and enjoyable. The gameplay is easy to pick up and play, making it perfect for younger players or those new to the genre. Lucky's moveset is simple but effective, with a focus on jumping, burrowing, and tail-swiping. The level design is varied and creative, with a mix of 3D platforming, 2D side-scrolling, and puzzle-solving challenges. You'll explore everything from lush forests and sandy deserts to spooky haunted houses and snowy mountain peaks. Graphically, the game takes you into a world with vibrant colors and high-quality textures, allowing players to enjoy the experience even more.

One of the unique features of New Super Lucky's Tale is Lucky's burrowing ability. He can dig underground to avoid enemies, find hidden secrets, and solve puzzles. This adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, encouraging you to explore the environment and think creatively. The game also features a variety of collectibles, including clovers, letters, and hidden pages, which add replay value and encourage completionists to seek out every last secret.

What sets New Super Lucky's Tale apart is its wholesome and optimistic tone. The game is filled with charming characters, positive messages, and a sense of fun. Lucky is an endearing protagonist, and his quest to save the Book of Ages is both simple and heartwarming. The game never takes itself too seriously, and it's always ready to offer a cheerful and uplifting experience. If you're looking for a family-friendly 3D platformer that's easy to pick up and play, New Super Lucky's Tale is a great choice on the Nintendo Switch. It's a delightful game that will appeal to players of all ages.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

For those of you who appreciate a blend of 2D and 3D platforming, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a fantastic option. This game, developed by Playtonic Games, is a spin-off of the original Yooka-Laylee, with a greater emphasis on 2.5D platforming and a unique overworld map. In Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, you play as Yooka and Laylee, a chameleon and bat duo, as they attempt to rescue Queen Phoebee's Royal Beettalion Guard from the clutches of the evil Capital B.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair stands out with its clever level design, challenging gameplay, and charming characters. The game features a series of interconnected 2.5D levels, each with its own unique theme and mechanics. You'll explore everything from lush jungles and pirate coves to factories and underwater labs. The levels are designed with a high degree of challenge, requiring precise platforming, clever puzzle-solving, and quick reflexes. Each level also has a unique alternate state, which can be unlocked by finding and solving a puzzle in the overworld.

The overworld map in Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a key element of the game. It's a 3D environment that connects all the 2.5D levels. You can explore the overworld to find secrets, solve puzzles, and unlock new levels. The overworld also plays a role in the game's difficulty. You can attempt to tackle the Impossible Lair, a super-challenging final level, at any time. However, the more Royal Beettalion Guards you rescue, the easier the Impossible Lair becomes. This gives you the option to customize the game's difficulty to your liking.

What makes Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair special is its blend of classic platforming gameplay with modern design sensibilities. The game is challenging but fair, rewarding skill and perseverance. The characters are charming and memorable, and the story is lighthearted and fun. If you're a fan of challenging 2D platformers with a touch of 3D exploration, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a great choice on the Nintendo Switch. It's a delightful game that will test your skills and keep you entertained.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Let’s not forget a classic that made its way to the Switch. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy brings back the beloved purple dragon in a stunning collection that includes Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. These games have been completely rebuilt from the ground up, with enhanced graphics, improved gameplay, and modern features. In the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, you play as Spyro, a brave and adventurous dragon, as he embarks on a series of quests to save the Dragon Realms from various threats.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy retains the charm and gameplay of the original games while adding a fresh coat of paint. The graphics have been completely overhauled, with vibrant colors, detailed textures, and expressive character models. The gameplay has been tweaked and refined, with smoother controls, improved camera angles, and added features like a minimap. The games also include a variety of quality-of-life improvements, such as autosaves, optional difficulty settings, and a remastered soundtrack.

Each game in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy offers a unique and engaging experience. In Spyro the Dragon, you must rescue the Dragon Elders from the clutches of the evil Gnasty Gnorc. In Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!, you must help the inhabitants of Avalar defeat the tyrannical Ripto. In Spyro: Year of the Dragon, you must recover the stolen Dragon Eggs from the Sorceress and her minions. Each game features a variety of colorful worlds to explore, challenging enemies to defeat, and collectibles to find.

What makes the Spyro Reignited Trilogy special is its nostalgia factor and its ability to introduce a new generation of players to the Spyro franchise. The games are faithful to the originals while offering a modern and polished experience. The characters are endearing, the worlds are vibrant, and the gameplay is addictive. If you're a fan of 3D platformers and you're looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a must-have on the Nintendo Switch. It's a collection of classic games that will bring a smile to your face.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks! These are just a few of the best 3D platformer games you can find on the Nintendo Switch. Whether you're a seasoned platforming pro or a newcomer to the genre, there's something here for everyone. Grab your Switch, pick a game, and get ready for some unforgettable adventures. Happy gaming!