Mario Kart 8 Deluxe vs Zelda vs Mario Odyssey vs Smash Bros vs Wonder vs Animal Crossing: Choose your flavor of digital escapism.

Nintendo Switch games6 products

Quick verdict

Because you can't play everything at once

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Smash Bros take the crown for multiplayer mayhem, while Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey offer the best solo adventures. If you want something fresh, Mario Wonder is a brilliant 2D reinvention, and Animal Crossing is your go-to for stress-free digital gardening.

Side by side

FeaturePhoto of Mario Kart 8 DeluxeMario Kart 8 DeluxePhoto of Zelda: Breath of the WildZelda: Breath of the WildPhoto of Super Mario OdysseySuper Mario OdysseyPhoto of Super Smash Bros. UltimateSuper Smash Bros. UltimatePhoto of Super Mario Bros. WonderSuper Mario Bros. WonderPhoto of Animal Crossing: New HorizonsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons
Price€46.99€46.92€45.26€51.99€43.06€43.99
Primary Gameplay FocusThe genre defines your experience, so pick based on whether you want to race, fight, explore, or build.Competitive RacingOpen-world Adventure3D Sandbox PlatformingFighting/Brawler2D PlatformingLife Simulation
Multiplayer CapabilityMario Kart remains the gold standard for couch multiplayer chaos.Up to 8 playersSingle-player onlyLimited 2-playerUp to 8 playersUp to 4 playersUp to 8 players online
Age Rating (USK)Check these ratings if you are buying for younger gamers.USK 0USK 12USK 6USK 12USK 6USK 0

Product by product

Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOur pick

Couch multiplayer fans

The definitive racer for the Switch. It is essential for every library.

What We Liked 👍

  • Perfect local multiplayer chaos
  • Includes all previous DLC

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Rubber band AI is annoying

Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Open-world explorers

A masterpiece of exploration and freedom. Still looks gorgeous today.

What We Liked 👍

  • Groundbreaking open-world design
  • Total player freedom

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Weapon durability system frustrations

Super Mario OdysseyBest value

Platformer fans

The most creative 3D Mario game yet. Pure joy in every world.

What We Liked 👍

  • Brilliant sandbox level design
  • Creative capture mechanic

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Can feel too easy sometimes

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Competitive brawlers

The most bloated, chaotic, and satisfying fighting game on the system.

What We Liked 👍

  • Massive character roster
  • Endless replayability

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Steep learning curve

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

2D platformer lovers

A trippy, innovative take on classic 2D Mario. It is visually stunning.

What We Liked 👍

  • Incredibly creative level design
  • Excellent co-op mode

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Short campaign length

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Relaxation seekers

A slow-paced life sim for people who hate stress. Perfect for winding down.

What We Liked 👍

  • Deep creative customization
  • Extremely relaxing pace

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Repetitive daily tasks

The battle of the heavyweights

Nintendo is basically a factory for games that demand your entire weekend, and these six are the usual suspects. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Smash Bros. Ultimate are the kings of the living room, designed specifically to test how long you can remain friends with the person sitting next to you on the couch.

On the flip side, we have the solo journey crowd. Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are the heavy-hitting adventures that actually justify the existence of the console. While Zelda is all about getting lost in the wild, Odyssey is about finding secrets in every nook of a sandbox world. They are two sides of the same brilliant coin.

What really matters for your wallet

If you want pure mechanical innovation, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the freshest experience here, tossing 2D platforming conventions right out the window. Animal Crossing, meanwhile, is the outlier; it is less of a game and more of a digital sedative. If you want high-octane adrenaline, steer clear of the island life.

Ultimately, spec sheets do not mean much when the game is actually good. Choose based on your mood. Do you want to scream at your friends while drifting, or do you want to quietly decorate a room in a virtual house while the world burns outside?

The final call

If you only buy one, get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the sheer utility of having a game that everyone can play. For the solo gamer who needs a life-changing adventure, Breath of the Wild is the only answer.

If you are feeling burnt out, Animal Crossing is the therapy you need, while Mario Wonder is the best bet for a classic platforming fix.

Prices on amazon.de as of November 6, 2026. Prices may change.

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  • Nintendo Switch
  • Gaming
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  • Essential