Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a 2014 puzzle-platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game was re-released for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS in 2018 with additional content. It is a spin-off of the Super Mario series and both a prequel to Super Mario 3D World (2013) and Super Mario Odyssey (2017). The game stars Captain Toad and Toadette as they complete levels, defeat enemies and save each other from the antagonist Wingo. Each level is contained within a miniature diorama-like environment that requires puzzle-solving and platforming challenges to complete. The player also uses the Wii U GamePad to rotate the camera and reveal new information and interact with the environment.

The game originated from the Captain Toad levels in Super Mario 3D World, which started as a prototype concept and were included as side levels in the final product. Captain Toad was selected as the main character because his large backpack would justify the lack of jump controls. The developers had wanted to make the concept levels into a full game since the start of 3D World's development, and upon Shigeru Miyamoto's request, development began after the release of 3D World. Plucking as an action was implemented for additional gameplay variation, and bonus challenges and collectibles were added to help with difficulty. The goal throughout development was to make the game enjoyable to as broad of an audience as possible, and help normalize the use of camera control in video games.

Treasure Tracker was announced at E3 2014, releasing November 13 in Japan, December 5 in North America, and the following January in PAL regions. The game received generally favorable reviews, being praised for its graphics and concept but criticized for its camera control and never fully leaning into its gimmick. The 3DS and Switch versions were praised for their utilization of hardware, though the multiplayer was considered lackluster. The Wii U version sold over 1 million copies, making it one of the highest-selling games on the console. The Switch version sold over 2 million copies, placing it inside the top 50 best-selling games for the system.

In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, the player controls Captain Toad, a Toad, or his companion Toadette, attempting to safely navigate through various obstacles and reach a star at the end of each level. As in Super Mario 3D World, Captain Toad and Toadette can walk and run, but cannot jump due to their heavy backpacks. They are able to pull plants out of the ground to use as projectiles, a feature that is also used to interact with other items in the level.

Each level is contained in a small environment, requiring the player to solve puzzles or complete platforming challenges to complete the level in a linear fashion. By using the thumbsticks or motion sensors on the Wii U GamePad, the player can rotate the diorama-like level to different orientations, revealing new paths and parts of the environment. The GamePad can also be used to interact with the environment in some levels, such as using the touchscreen to move platforms, blowing into the built-in microphone to move moving platforms, and using the motion controls to aim and throw objects at enemies. The player has two hitpoints that can be lost by being hit by enemies. If the second hitpoint is lost, the player must restart the level. However, if all lives are lost, the game is over. Mushrooms are hidden in levels that will restore a lost hitpoint when collected.

Collectibles are hidden in each level, and once a level is beat it can be completed with special conditions, such as completing the level without taking damage. When a Toad Amiibo is scanned the player is put into a random level and tasked with finding a hidden pixel art of Toad. In the Nintendo Switch port, the hide-and-seek pixel Toad challenges do not require a Toad Amiibo to play. The re-release for the Nintendo Switch in included co-op multiplayer; the second player controls a pointer that can interact with enemies and toss turnips. Additional Amiibo released featuring Super Mario Odyssey characters were also released and compatible with the Nintendo Switch version that unlock four bonus levels based on locations found within Odyssey. The levels can be unlocked by scanning the Amiibo or are made available after completing the game. 18 additional levels were also released the following year as paid downloadable content (DLC). With the removal of the Wii U GamePad the Nintendo Switch still retained some of its features when being used portably; if the player is playing Treasure Tracker while docked, a cursor will appear on the screen that the player controls using motion controls.

The game opens with Captain Toad and Toadette ascending a tower together to claim a star. The villainous giant crow Wingo appears and steals the star, taking Toadette along with him when she grabs hold of it. The player guides Captain Toad as he tracks Wingo down to his lair and rescues Toadette. Each following chapter sees one of the two captured, and the player controls the other Toad on their way to save them. In the final scene of the game, they defeat Wingo, and the introduction to Super Mario 3D World plays out, and Captain Toad is seen following a falling green star into the glass pipe. For the Switch/3DS versions, the final scene shows Captain Toad following the Odyssey.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo. Shinya Hiratake, the lead level designer of Super Mario 3D Land and Super Mario 3D World, served as the game's lead director, while Koichi Hayashida, who was a director for 3D World, served as a producer. Despite being in a position that was less hands-on, Hayashida said he was more involved with Treasure Tracker in its latter half than he was 3D World.