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The short version
- Find out if they have a Switch 2. Mario Kart World, Mario Tennis Fever, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book only run on Switch 2.
- Mario Kart World is the safest big pick for a Switch 2 household, with up to four players on one system.
- LEGO's big Mario Kart sets are in stock on LEGO.com right now, but several smaller sets are sold out or retiring soon.
- The new LEGO Mario minifigure sets don't arrive until January 1, 2027, so they won't be under the tree.
- Switch 2 Edition games cost more than original versions; an upgrade pack can be cheaper if they already own the Switch game.
The best Mario gift for most people this year is Mario Kart World if they have a Switch 2, or a LEGO Mario Kart set if they already have all the games they want. Both are easy to buy, easy to wrap, and loved by kids and adults alike.
The catch is the console. Nintendo now has two Switch systems, and several of the newest Mario games only work on the newer one. Five minutes of checking saves you a return trip.
First, figure out which Switch they have
Nintendo sells the original Nintendo Switch and the newer Nintendo Switch 2. They look similar, and that's where most Mario gift mistakes start.
- Look at the box or the system settings. The Switch 2 is noticeably larger than the original, and its box and system information say "Nintendo Switch 2." If you can't sneak a look, our guide to figuring out what console they have has a few low-key ways to find out.
- Check the game boxes they own. Switch 2 games are labeled "Nintendo Switch 2" across the top of the case. If every box just says "Nintendo Switch," they probably have the original.
- Know the one-way rule. A Switch 2 can play most original Switch games. An original Switch can't play Switch 2 games. When in doubt, a game made for the original Switch is the more flexible choice, but you'll miss this year's newest releases.
Mario Kart World, Mario Tennis Fever, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are all Switch 2 exclusives. They will not run on the original Switch.
The best Mario games on Switch 2
All prices below are the digital list prices from Nintendo's US store. Retail prices for physical copies can differ, and sales are common in November.
| Game | Released | Players (one system) | Nintendo list price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | June 5, 2025 | 1-4 | $79.99 |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | July 17, 2025 | 1-2 | $69.99 |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree: Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV | July 24, 2025 | 1-4 | $79.99 |
| Mario Tennis Fever | February 12, 2026 | 1-4 | $69.99 |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park | March 26, 2026 | 1-4 | $79.99 |
| Yoshi and the Mysterious Book | May 21, 2026 | 1 | $59.99 |
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart is the rare game that works for a six-year-old, a grandparent, and a competitive teenager in the same living room. Nintendo's listing supports up to four players on one system and up to 24 online, and free updates have added more courses since launch.
- Great for families and parties
- Free updates keep adding content
- Switch 2 only, and already included in some Switch 2 bundles
One warning: Nintendo sells a Switch 2 bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World. If the person got their console in that bundle, they already own it. Check their home screen before buying.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park
This is a classic side-scrolling Mario game, the kind most adults remember, with up to four players on one system. The Switch 2 Edition adds the Bellabel Park content, according to Nintendo's store page.
- Easy to pick up for non-gamers
- Co-op on one couch
- If they own the original Switch version, an upgrade pack is the cheaper route
Good picks for specific people
- The kid who's still learning: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is single-player and the gentlest pick on this list. Nintendo lists it at $59.99, the lowest price of this group.
- The sports fan: Mario Tennis Fever supports four players on one system and online play, per Nintendo.
- The adventure fan who's done everything Mario: Donkey Kong Bananza is Nintendo's big 3D Donkey Kong adventure, and Nintendo sells a $19.99 expansion if they already own it.
- The party host: Super Mario Party Jamboree works without extras, but its camera minigames need a USB-C camera sold separately, so don't promise those features unless you add one.
For more Switch 2 ideas beyond Mario, see our best Switch 2 games of 2026.
What about the original Switch?
If they still have an original Switch, the newest releases are off the table, but older Mario games are still sold. Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 came to Switch on October 2, 2025, per TechRadar's report on the announcement. The original version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is also a Switch game.
Those are smart picks for a home that might upgrade later, since a Switch 2 can play most original Switch games.
Should you buy the Switch 2 itself?
If the Mario fan doesn't have a Switch 2 yet, the console is the big-ticket option. Nintendo raised the US price of the standard Switch 2 to $499.99 in September 2026, up $50 from launch, according to Zelda Universe's report.
Nintendo's own Switch 2 page lists two bundles at MSRP:
- Switch 2 + Mario Kart World: $549.99
- Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort: $529.99
Both include a digital game and a three-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership. For a Mario fan, the Mario Kart bundle costs $50 more than the console alone and includes an $80 game, so it's the better buy.
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
The console, the best Mario game for groups, and three months of online play in one box. If you're buying a Switch 2 for a Mario fan anyway, there's no reason to skip the bundle.
- Cheaper than buying the game separately
- Includes three months of online play
- The game is a digital download, not a cartridge to unwrap
Before buying a console as a gift, read our Switch 2 gift guide for the accessories that make the first day go smoothly.
LEGO Super Mario sets you can actually buy
LEGO is the best Mario gift for someone who doesn't need another game. The theme has shifted toward big display models and Mario Kart sets, and availability is patchy right now. Here's what LEGO's US store showed when we checked.
| Set | Number | LEGO price | Status on LEGO.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Arcade | 72051 | $199.99 | Backorder |
| Mario Kart: Luigi & Mach 8 | 72050 | $179.99 | Available |
| Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart | 72037 | $169.99 | Available |
| Game Boy | 72046 | $59.99 | Available |
| Mario Kart: Interactive LEGO Mario & Standard Kart | 72043 | $54.99 | Retiring soon |
| Adventures with Interactive LEGO Luigi | 71440 | $49.99 | Retiring soon |
| Adventures with Interactive LEGO Peach | 71441 | $49.99 | Retiring soon |
| Party at Toad's House | 72041 | $29.99 | Retiring soon |
Several other sets, including Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi and Captain Toad's Camp, were listed as out of stock. Amazon and big-box stores may still have them, sometimes at a markup.
LEGO Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart (72037)
A large display build of Mario in his kart, made for a shelf rather than a toy box. It's available on LEGO.com now at $169.99, which makes it easier to find than some of the sold-out sets.
- Looks great on a desk or shelf
- A long, satisfying build
- Expensive; check the age rating on the box for younger kids
The new minifigure sets are coming in 2027
LEGO has announced a new wave of Mario sets with regular minifigures, ranging from a $9.99 Mario's Pipe Jump to a $99.99 Fire Mario & Bowser's Castle. They go on sale January 1, 2027, per Nintendo Wire. If you see listings for them now, they're pre-orders and won't arrive by Christmas.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a Switch 2 game for an original Switch. It won't run.
- Buying Mario Kart World for someone who got the bundle. They already own the digital copy.
- Paying full price for a Switch 2 Edition they could upgrade to. If they own the original Switch version of a game, ask whether an upgrade pack exists.
- Ordering the 2027 LEGO sets as a Christmas gift. They ship in January.
- Paying a big markup on retired LEGO sets. A set that's in stock on LEGO.com is usually the better value.
Quick decision guide
- Switch 2, plays with family: Mario Kart World, unless they got the bundle; then Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition.
- Switch 2, young kid: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book.
- Original Switch only: Super Mario Galaxy or the original Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
- No Switch at all: the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle.
- Adult fan with every game: a LEGO Mario Kart display set or the LEGO Game Boy.
Shopping on a tighter budget? Our gaming gifts under $50 list has more small picks that pair well with a Mario theme.
Frequently asked questions
Can the original Nintendo Switch play Mario Kart World?
No. Mario Kart World is a Nintendo Switch 2 game. The original Switch can't run Switch 2 games, though the Switch 2 can play most original Switch games.
Is there a new 3D Mario game this Christmas?
Not that we could find. Nintendo's US news page, as of late October 2026, shows no new mainline Mario game dated before Christmas. The newest Mario-branded releases on Switch 2 this year were Mario Tennis Fever in February, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition in March, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in May.
Are LEGO Super Mario sets good for young kids?
Some are, and some are built for adults. The large Mario Kart display models and Donkey Kong Arcade are aimed at older builders. Smaller sets like Party at Toad's House are better for kids, and the new minifigure sets arriving in January 2027 start at $9.99.
Should I buy a physical or digital Mario game?
Physical is easier to wrap and can be traded or lent. Digital is instant but requires the person's account and console. If you're unsure, a physical copy or a Nintendo eShop gift card is the safer choice. Our guide to physical vs. digital games covers the trade-offs.
What Mario gift works for an adult who doesn't play much anymore?
A LEGO display set, such as the LEGO Game Boy or a Mario Kart display build, is a good fit. It celebrates the character without asking them to sit down and play a new game.
Sources
- Mario Kart World — Nintendo
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park — Nintendo
- Yoshi and the Mysterious Book — Nintendo
- Mario Tennis Fever — Nintendo
- Nintendo Switch 2 — Nintendo
- Nintendo announces new Switch 2 bundles following the console's recent price hike — Zelda Universe
- LEGO Super Mario — LEGO
- LEGO Super Mario minifigure sets revealed — Nintendo Wire
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