Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a puzzle-packed adventure starring the mushroom-headed explorer, Captain Toad (and Toadette, because we all love her ). The gameplay is all about navigating bite-sized, rotatable 3D levels to collect stars while avoiding enemies and solving puzzles. Oh, and Captain Toad can’t jump, so you’ve gotta get creative. It’s like a mix of exploration, strategy, and pure Nintendo charm.

This game is a straight-up delight. It’s not your typical Mario spin-off, it’s more like a cozy, brain-tickling puzzle game that’s perfect for quick sessions and long playthroughs. The levels are small but packed with secrets, and the puzzles are clever without being rage-inducing. Plus, the game’s aesthetic is adorable, it’s like playing through a storybook filled with vibrant colors and quirky details.

The 3DS version is a solid effort to bring the game to a handheld, but it’s not without its quirks. The biggest change is the addition of the Super Mario Odyssey inspired levels, which are also in the Switch version. These levels are a fun nod to Mario’s globe-trotting adventure, and they fit surprisingly well into the Captain Toad universe. You’ll spot familiar landmarks and even some Odyssey-themed puzzles, which is a nice touch for fans of the series.

However, the graphics take a hit compared to the Wii U and Switch versions, everything’s a bit more pixelated and less vibrant, which is expected given the hardware. The 3D effect is a cool addition, though, and it adds some depth to the diorama-style levels. Controls are also a bit different since the 3DS doesn’t have motion controls like the Switch. Instead, you’ll use the touchscreen or buttons to interact with the environment, which works fine but isn’t as smooth as the Switch’s motion controls. Still, the core gameplay is intact, and it’s just as fun as ever.

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