The 50 Best Nintendo Games Right Now (Wii U / 3DS)

Best Nintendo Games List – #28 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Developers: Nintendo EAD Tokyo Group No. 2, 1-UP Studio

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo Wii U

Release Date: December 5, 2014

Originally designed for an ongoing side adventure in Super Mario 3D World, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker brings an unprecedented focus for a Mario-offshoot platformer; strict x/y exploration by the player character. In Treasure Tracker, either Captain Toad or Toadette are making their way through multiple 3D courses to save one another. They cannot jump, and can only take two hits from enemies before restarting the map. Players can also use cannons (on occasion) to shoot turnips at enemies, pushing back obstacles and breaking them down to find goodies hidden on the map.

It’s a game that requires the GamePad, and it makes good use of the controller. Not only can you manipulate the camera to navigate better through the intentional layout obfuscation, but you can bring platforms up and down, left and right to solve brain teasers in a 3D space. While it could have benefitted from a timer to prevent brute forcing, it’s an excellent departure from the norm we experience as our jumping Mario friend.

Next: #27 Kid Icarus: Uprising