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What Are The 100 Best Nintendo Games? Here's The Chance To Make Your Voice Heard - Nintendo Life

Lau Chi Fung

— 4 min read

Nintendo's 100 Best Games: A Comprehensive Review

Nintendo is one of the most iconic and beloved gaming companies in the world, with a rich history spanning over six decades. From its humble beginnings as a playing card company to becoming a leading developer and publisher of video games, Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and creativity.

As the company continues to evolve and expand its reach, it's only natural that fans and gamers alike would want to know what some of the best games released on Nintendo consoles and handhelds are. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Nintendo's 100 best games, exploring the history behind each title, its gameplay mechanics, and why it's included in this prestigious list.

A Brief History of Nintendo

Nintendo was founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi as a playing card company called Nintendo Karuta. The company initially produced handmade hanafuda cards, which were a type of Japanese playing card. In the early 20th century, Nintendo began to diversify its product line, introducing toys and games such as the Ultra Hand toy in 1966.

The turning point for Nintendo came in the 1980s with the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The NES revolutionized the home console market and established Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry. Since then, Nintendo has released numerous iconic consoles and handhelds, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Switch.

The Criteria for Selection

Selecting the top 100 games from Nintendo's extensive library is no easy task. The selection process involves a combination of factors, including:

  • Critical acclaim: Games that have received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success are more likely to be included in the list.
  • Impact on the industry: Games that have had a significant impact on the gaming industry, such as introducing new gameplay mechanics or genres, are also considered.
  • Nostalgia: Games that evoke nostalgia and fond memories for gamers who grew up playing Nintendo games are highly valued.
  • Innovation: Games that showcased innovative gameplay mechanics, graphics, or technology are included in the list.

The List of Top 100 Games

Here's a breakdown of the top 100 games, divided into several categories:

The NES Era (1985-1994)

  1. Super Mario Bros. (1985) - A platformer that revolutionized the genre and became an iconic symbol of Nintendo.
  2. The Legend of Zelda (1986) - An action-adventure game that introduced the world to Link, the legendary hero.
  3. DuckTales (1989) - A side-scrolling platformer that showcased Capcom's expertise in developing NES games.
  4. Contra (1987) - A run-and-gun action game that defined the genre and became a classic.

The SNES Era (1991-1998)

  1. Super Mario World (1990) - A platformer that showcased the SNES's capabilities and introduced Yoshi, Nintendo's lovable dinosaur.
  2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) - An action-adventure game that set a new standard for the genre.
  3. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1992) - A fighting game that popularized the genre and became an iconic franchise.
  4. Donkey Kong Country (1994) - A platformer that showcased Rare's expertise in developing 3D games.

The N64 Era (1996-2001)

  1. Super Mario 64 (1996) - A 3D platformer that revolutionized the genre and became a launch title for the N64.
  2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) - An action-adventure game that is widely considered one of the greatest games of all time.
  3. GoldenEye 007 (1997) - A first-person shooter that set a new standard for multiplayer games.
  4. Banjo-Kazooie (1998) - A platformer that showcased Rare's expertise in developing 3D games.

The GameCube Era (2001-2006)

  1. Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) - A fighting game that brought together Nintendo's iconic characters.
  2. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (2002) - An action-adventure game that showcased the GameCube's capabilities.
  3. Animal Crossing (2002) - A life simulation game that became a modern classic.
  4. Metroid Prime (2002) - A first-person shooter that set a new standard for the genre.

The Wii Era (2006-2013)

  1. Wii Sports (2006) - A sports game that showcased the Wii's innovative motion controls.
  2. Super Mario Galaxy (2007) - A 3D platformer that showcased the Wii's capabilities and became a modern classic.
  3. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) - An action-adventure game that set a new standard for the genre.
  4. Mario Kart Wii (2008) - A racing game that brought together Nintendo's iconic characters.

The 3DS Era (2011-2019)

  1. Super Mario 3D Land (2011) - A 3D platformer that showcased the 3DS's capabilities.
  2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (2011) - An action-adventure game that set a new standard for remastered games.
  3. Pokémon X and Y (2013) - A role-playing game that introduced 3D graphics to the franchise.
  4. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014) - A fighting game that brought together Nintendo's iconic characters.

The Switch Era (2017-present)

  1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) - An action-adventure game that set a new standard for open-world games.
  2. Super Mario Odyssey (2017) - A 3D platformer that showcased the Switch's capabilities and became a modern classic.
  3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) - A racing game that brought together Nintendo's iconic characters.
  4. Splatoon 2 (2017) - A third-person shooter that introduced a new gameplay mechanic.

Other Notable Games

  1. Donkey Kong (1981) - An arcade game that introduced Jumpman, later known as Mario.
  2. Dr. Mario (1990) - A puzzle game that showcased the NES's capabilities.
  3. Pilotwings (1990) - A flight simulator game that became a launch title for the SNES.
  4. Star Fox (1993) - A third-person shooter that showcased the SNES's 3D graphics.

Conclusion

Selecting the top 100 games from Nintendo's extensive library is no easy task. However, by considering critical acclaim, impact on the industry, nostalgia, and innovation, we can create a comprehensive list of Nintendo's most iconic and beloved games.

From classic NES titles to modern Switch games, this list showcases the diversity and creativity of Nintendo's offerings over the years. Whether you're a lifelong Nintendo fan or just discovering the company's games for the first time, there's something on this list for everyone.

So, which Nintendo game is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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