14 Melee games like New Super Mario Bros. that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to New Super Mario Bros. down to the 14 that fit the “Melee” category. Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 2 and Rayman Origins top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to New Super Mario Bros..

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

The best melee games like New Super Mario Bros.

14 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to New Super Mario Bros.. Each one has been evaluated across 8 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Metal Slug 3

iRank82

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDark2D

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2D

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and fantasy world, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world and offline, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#4Kirby's Dream Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Year 1997Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with offline, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Nintendo

#5Sonic the Hedgehog 2

iRank87

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Steam👍 86%· 37IGDB90· 2

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi, offline and visual pixel, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam Nintendo

#6Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

iRank70

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB70· 1

Year 2002Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: dark, oppressive atmosphere.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2DThird Person

Steam👍 62%· 5.5KIGDB58· 14

Year 2013Dev Sonic Team · NintendoOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with visual third person, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 16IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev Treasure · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and co op

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, combat tactical and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

#9Kirby: Squeak Squad

iRank65

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2DOffline

IGDB65· 2

Year 2006Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: offline, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Nintendo

#10Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2DOffline

Year 2000Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: offline, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Nintendo

#11TowerFall Ascension

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2D

Steam👍 95%· 3.6KRAWG👍 74%· 291MC87IGDB87· 6OC84· 42

Year 2013Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#12Sonic Mania

iRank90

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, offline and visual pixel, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Steam👍 59%· 8.5KIGDB57· 11OC56· 95

Year 2017Dev Sonic Team · Sega GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and combat tactical, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-opMelee2DTactical

IGDB50· 1

Year 2003Dev Noise Factory · SNK PlaymoreOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter and combat tactical, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

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