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If you want a co-op platformer on PC with the colorful, side-scrolling feel of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, start with Rayman Legends. If you are open to 3D platforming, try Sackboy: A Big Adventure; for a two-player mix of platforming and puzzles, consider LEGO Voyagers. It Takes Two is a broader co-op adventure, not a close mechanical substitute for Mario.
Which PC co-op platformer is closest to Super Mario Bros. Wonder?
Rayman Legends: the closest 2D match
Rayman Legends is the clearest choice if the part you want to recreate is side-scrolling platforming. PC Gamer describes it as a Mario-like 2D platformer, notes its co-op, and points to varied level motifs. That makes it the most direct match in this group for a colorful platforming adventure, though the games are not identical.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Kirby Star Allies - Nintendo Switch | $52.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - US Version | $53.67 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Rayman Legends Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch | $26.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Yoshi's Crafted World - Nintendo Switch | $52.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
Check the current PC edition and its co-op setup before buying or inviting friends; the available description does not establish detailed compatibility requirements.
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure moves away from Wonder’s side-on format and into a 3D platforming adventure. Steam describes it as a multiplayer platforming adventure and lists both Online Co-op and Shared/Split Screen Co-op. That makes it a useful option whether you want to play remotely or share a screen locally, subject to the current PC edition’s requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- Use friend hearts to charm enemies and they'll fight alongside you! drop-in/drop-out co-op: up to three other players can take control of Kirby's new friends
- Play through the entire game with up to four players or with CPU friends Kirby and his friends have fresh moves thanks to new and expanded Copy abilities
- Combine abilities with elements such as wind and water to create new friend abilities some bosses and enemies are weak to certain elemental attacks, so remember to Strategize
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence
Steam does not establish a player count in the cited listing, so check the store page for the setup that applies to your group before purchasing.
Which games focus on a pair solving platforming challenges together?
LEGO Voyagers: platforming and puzzles for two
LEGO Voyagers is explicitly a two-player co-op experience that combines platforming challenges with puzzles. LEGO describes it as “a 2-player cooperative LEGO play experience where players of all ages embark on a journey full of platforming challenges and puzzles.” It is a better fit for a pair looking for shared problem-solving than for someone seeking a direct 2D Mario-style substitute.
Rank #2
- Enjoy two Mario adventures solo or with friends
- In Super Mario 3D World, choose a character each with distinct playstyles as you dash and climb through dozens of colorful courses, collecting Green Stars and power-ups along the way
- Cooperate (and compete) with friends locally or online to reach each stage’s goal. A crown is awarded to the highest-scoring player, making for a friendly frenzy
- In addition to added multiplayer options, the Nintendo Switch version of the Super Mario 3D World game has been improved with faster character speeds and more
- Explore a seamless feline world in Lake Lapcat, complete objectives to collect Cat Shines, and defeat a giant Bowser in the new Bowser’s Fury adventure
LEGO says its Friend’s Pass lets one person who owns the game invite a friend to play the full co-op adventure without the friend making an additional purchase. LEGO lists the PC version on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Check the current terms and platform setup before relying on the pass.
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It Takes Two: a broader co-op adventure
It Takes Two is designed around cooperation, but it is a broader adventure rather than a close match for Wonder’s side-scrolling platforming. Choose it if the priority is a game built for two people to work together across varied gameplay, not simply a Mario-like platformer.
Rank #3
- Experience wireless local multiplayer with up to four friends
- Play new features in kung foot Tournament mode
- Use the touchscreen to take out enemies, manipulate platforms, cut ropes to clear a path, and more
- Jump to the beat of a drum, where timing and rhythm are the key to beating the game's maps set to music
EA lists a PC version and explains that Friend’s Pass allows an online co-op partner to join the full game when one player owns it. Check EA’s current access details for the applicable PC setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose
- Closest 2D, side-scrolling fit: Rayman Legends.
- 3D platforming, with local or online co-op listed on Steam: Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
- Two players combining platforming and puzzles, with a Friend’s Pass: LEGO Voyagers.
- A cooperation-first adventure that broadens the format: It Takes Two.
For any of these games, verify the current PC edition and co-op requirements on its store or publisher page before buying, especially if you need a particular local or online setup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Rank #4
- Explore each stage and then find even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side
- Overcome varied enemies and obstacles, like Zombie Guys, Skelesaurus, Ukiki, and Monty Mole as you seek out hidden collectables; ESRB Content: Mild Cartoon Violence; Genre: Action, Platformer
- Pass a Joy Con controller to a friend for 2 player cooperative exploration
- Clad Yoshi in collectable, protective, handicraft costumes as he makes his way through each stage
Sources
- PC Gamer on Rayman Legends
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure on Steam
- LEGO Voyagers on LEGO.com
- It Takes Two on EA.com
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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