Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a relaxing puzzle game with a plethora of levels spanning different themes and challenges. While nearly all of the levels are pretty fun in one way or another, there are some levels that stood out above the rest in theming or puzzles, making them perfect to share with you all in a top 10 list. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that I am not including the four Super Mario Odyssey levels in this ranking. Frankly, they are easily some of the best levels in the game, and it almost seems unfair to list them here because my great love for Odyssey is going to sway my opinion far too much. So without further ado, my top 10 favorite levels in books 1-3!
10: Retro Ramp-Up – I would be quite remiss not to include this level on my list, as it’s a clear reference to the original Donkey Kong arcade game, complete with red girders and a Spike tossing spiked balls at you in place of the famous ape bombarding you with barrels. And instead of Jumpman’s trusty hammer, Toad can find a pickaxe to destroy the blocks and uncover new paths on the reverse side of the level! Nostalgia at its finest!
9: Clear Pipe Puzzleplex – This whole level consists of one clear pipe that branches off in all directions. I just had a fun time attempting to navigate these clear tubes as I searched for gems and, eventually, the star on the other side. Just watch out for roaming Fuzzies!
8: Floaty Fun Water Park – All of the tropical/water-themed levels in this game were pretty charming, but I’d have to pick this one as my favorite because of, well…Goombas riding in floaty rings. It’s just too adorable! When you get close, the Goombas paddle towards you with their little feet, intent on murdering you (okay, I guess that’s not the cute part…)! But when you keep your distance, they just chill in their red and white-striped inflatable rings of cuteness, eyes closed as they bask in the sun!
7: Pop-Up Prairie Town – One of the fun things about Captain Toad is being able to find secret rooms as you search for hidden gems. So that’s probably why I had an especially fun time with this level, which progressively changes every time you pull on a switch, revealing new secret rooms and nooks in the process. It’s just a simple and fun concept that is utilized well.
6: Spooky Specters of Shadow Manor – I really liked the levels where you had to navigate in the dark. Shy Guy Shadow Den was another contender for this spot, but ultimately, I settled for Shadow Manor, where you must explore a dark level infested with Boos with the help of your headlamp. It’s simple, but fun!
5: The King of Pyropuff Peak – There are three dragon levels in this game, and this one’s my favorite. Because it’s the easiest. Sure, you still have to run and hide between barriers to avoid Draggadon’s fire breath, but at least you don’t have to do too much puzzling in the process. It’s just a straightforward level with an awesome theme. Because who doesn’t like dragons, especially when they appear in an otherwise chill and relaxing game such as this!
4: Bizarre Doors of Boo Mansion – I tend to enjoy spooky levels, and this one also incorporates a rather simple, but fun, puzzle. You’ll need to navigate this level by passing through doors, some of which are on blocks that can be moved by tapping. In order to progress, you’ll need to figure out where the doors should be located and which ones to enter. Not much to say here except, sometimes, a fun theme and an interesting puzzle is all you need for a level to be one of my favorites.
3: Wingo’s Watchtower – This level has a more difficult variation in the form of Wingo’s Whackdown. And while I wasn’t fond of that particular level, I did enjoy its easier counterpart, Wingo’s Watchtower (I just wish I didn’t have to do a boss fight at the end). Wingo will swap between the four sides of the level and flap his wings to blow strong winds at you. This can be a hindrance if you’re out in the open, but it will also aid you by moving platforms about. Careful planning will allow you to use Wingo’s winds to your advantage, a concept that I just found very interesting and quite fun.
2: Double Cherry Palace – This game has multiple levels utilizing the Double Cherry, but my favorites are those that require both Toads (or Toadettes) to work separately, but in unison with each other. Split between choosing Double Cherry Palace or Spires, I just picked the first one, in which two Toads must navigate a hedge maze, after which they must work together to progress across various floors in the back of the level. Controlling two characters at once is a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to it, it’s a whole lot of fun!
1: Blizzard on the Star Express – This level is just so charming, as it takes place on a train in the middle of a snowstorm! You start by crossing over the top, while the second half of the level has you backtracking through the inside, avoiding enemies and solving a moving block puzzle along the way. This level is pretty easy and straightforward. But sometimes, theming is everything!
