6 Hardest 3D Platformer Games Published By Nintendo, Ranked

Nintendo is one of the biggest and most well-known video game companies, and has created some of the most popular gaming franchises enjoyed by many over the years. Along with re-releasing some classic titles for newer consoles, such as Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo has created many 2D and 3D platformers that are enjoyed by children and adults alike.

However, not all the platformer games Nintendo has published are simple and straightforward. Some of their 3D games, both well-known and underrated, offer a more challenging gameplay experience for players. Whether it be due to poor camera issues, or requiring incredibly tough and precise platforming, the hardest 3D platformers published by Nintendo have surely challenged even experienced gamers at some point.

6 Super Mario 64 DS

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.1

The 2004 port of the groundbreaking Super Mario 64 added 30 new Power Stars for players to collect. The game also treated players to three other playable characters in Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario. All these characters have their own unique skills, from Yoshi’s Flutter Jump to Luigi’s High Jump. Super Mario 64 DS had new mini-games, missions within the Castle grounds, and playable courses, some involving collecting Silver Stars.

However, the lack of the N64’s analog stick is really felt here, making tricky levels from the original, such as Rainbow Ride, even more fiddly. The DS’s D-Pad doesn’t allow for those smooth controls, meaning it can be more difficult to pull off stunts, swim, and fly. Controlling certain characters can feel stiff, and the smaller screen coupled with its camera issues can make players exasperated.

5 Banjo-Tooie

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.19

Banjo-Tooie may not be remembered as very difficult, but certain elements make it a more challenging game than its 1998 predecessor, Banjo Kazooie. With larger locations to explore, Banjo-Tooie requires players to work harder to collect each ‘jiggy’. Worlds are also interconnected, which can be confusing at times, as some are discovered only via certain exits. Players are required to do a lot of backtracking to get the items they need and to navigate correctly towards their destination, especially if they’re aiming for 100% completion.

Some of the enemies and bosses are quite difficult, especially against Gruntilda, who requires players to be quick on their feet to answer her questions correctly whilst battling her. This sequel carries on the groundbreaking 3D platforming that its predecessor introduced, but overall, is more complex and longer, and therefore more tricky than the first game in this beloved series.

4 Donkey Kong 64

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.28

Donkey Kong 64 is often remembered for its tedious gameplay, though it received good reviews upon release. Similar to Banjo-Tooie, DK64 requires players to backtrack repeatedly to collect every necessary item, which is not all that surprising, since Rare was the developer behind both games. However, due to the lack of a map, and the game’s sprawling level design, it can be particularly difficult to find everything that’s needed to progress, and this often leads to getting lost. What does provide a unique platforming experience are the five playable characters, though some are more awkward to control than others. Their unique individual skills are shown in the iconic opening song.

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Reaching the final boss proves challenging, requiring the Rareware and Nintendo Coins. Players need to beat two original arcade titles, Jetpac and Donkey Kong, the latter two times over. Much like other early 3D platformers, players had to deal with an unresponsive camera and sluggish controls, but DK64 still remains beloved by fans today.

3 Bomberman 64

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.28

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Released: 1997-12-01
• Publisher: Nintendo
• How Long To Beat: 4 Hours
• Genre: 3D Platformer, Action

Bomberman 64 was the first fully-3D installment in the Bomberman series. As such, it brought a different kind of difficulty to the franchise. It undoubtedly had the hallmarks of every early 3D game, such as a very shaky camera and static controls. However, the tricky puzzle platforming, especially with the lack of a jump button, means players can spend hours wandering across the stages hunting for each hidden bonus.

With a big focus on exploration, the game requires players to collect at least 100 Gold Cards to reach the final stage: Rainbow Palace. There are 120 cards in total, some of which are extremely difficult to obtain, making 100% completion a frustrating challenge. In the notorious Hard Mode, the card locations are altered, and the enemies become even tougher to defeat.

2 Super Mario Sunshine

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.3

Super Mario Sunshine is often considered the hardest 3D entry in the Mario series. This title introduced a completely new mechanic in F.L.U.D.D., a sharp turn from its predecessor, Super Mario 64. F.L.U.D.D feels unfamiliar, seeing as it’s required for most levels and battles, although Mario still has his consistently iconic moves, like Triple Jumps and Ground Pounds. What makes matters even harder is that some secret courses then remove the F.L.U.D.D mechanic, and feature some very tricky platforming segments, involving unstable or disappearing ground.

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This game undeniably requires precise platforming, and players have to work against slippery controls and an infamous camera. Each course has a Red Coin mission, which requires players to hunt around the entire area, or even on the back of a giant Sand Bird in one level, to find it. The Pachinko game is particularly notorious for its controls, giving players a real challenge.

1 Snake Rattle ‘N’ Roll

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.92

• Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
• Released: 1990-07
• Publisher: Nintendo
• How Long To Beat: 2 Hours
• Genre: 3D Platformer, Action

Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll can easily be regarded as one of the most challenging NES platformers. With an infamously tough final boss and time limits on all courses, its unique isometric style further adds to the challenge. Though that isometric style creates a 3D illusion, this does not pair smoothly with the strong platforming elements. One slightly wrong move means players will fall back to ground level. This isn’t helped by the fact that the controls are very sensitive. To make things even harder, some levels have “power ups” that seem to work against the player, like reversing the controls.

To pass each level, the two snakes, Rattle and Roll, must be of a certain length, achieved by eating Nibbley Pibbleys. Any enemy attack causes the snakes’ size to decrease, eventually leading to losing a life, and unfortunately, the enemies are particularly hostile. Each level increases in challenge, and since there is a very steep spike in difficulty as players progress, just making it to the credits is a harrowing experience.

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