Summary
Out of the big three companies dominating the gaming world,Nintendohas been active in the industry for the longest, and that’s part of the reason why it’s become so well-known for its signature polish in recent console generations.
However, there have always been stand-out titles on Nintendo systems from the beginning, with each console having at least a handful of fantastic titles. With a massive selection to choose from, it’s hard to choose the very best game on each Nintendo system, but here are the best.
Kirby has been seeing a bit of a renaissance on the Switch, but it’s important to remember that the pink puffball has had some amazing games ever since the NES era. WhileKirbystarted on the Game Boy, his first home console release introduced his copy ability.
The game still looks amazing on the NES, with the style of the game holding up to modern pixel art standards, and the light-hearted platforming gameplay is just as fun here as it is in the rest of the Kirby series. While any Kirby title is a good starting point, if you want to see where Kirby started to shine, this is the game.
So many titles on the SNES have aged spectacularly, and there is no shortage of titles that could be contenders for the best on the console, but one that was underrated for the longest time, but is now appreciated for its massive impact isEarthbound.
Also known as Mother 2, this JRPG has influenced hundreds of quirky RPGs that have followed in its footsteps, and even though it is now over 30 years old, the original version is still a joy to pick up, and is still just as good as new JRPGs releasing today.
It’s hard to discuss the best Nintendo games on each console without running into theZeldagames eventually, and while many might assume that Ocarina of Time is the clear choice for the N64, Majora’s Mask just has it beat.
This Zelda title stands out from the rest of the series, choosing to focus more on the struggles of the side characters amidst anapocalyptic time loop. Dropping series traditions in favour of taking a more emotional and dark approach has made this title one of the most memorable in the long-running series.
Seen as Nintendo’s awkward middle child, the Gamecube still has plenty of interesting titles that hold up incredibly well to modern standards, but a former cult classic that has found its way back into the limelight thanks to a timely remake on the Switch,Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris seen as the bestPaper Mariogame for a reason.
This RPG creates one of the most interesting settings featured in a Mario game, with plenty of engaging characters for our protagonist to befriend throughout his adventure. Hopefully, now this title is getting the attention it deserves, new Paper Mario entries will take more inspiration from it in the future.
The Wii is often overlooked as a gimmick console, only known for party games and casual titles that don’t hold as much value, but looking under the surface, the console features plenty of classics that are well worth returning to. However, one of the best is theMetroid PrimeTrilogy.
There’s a reason why the hype forMetroidPrime 4 is so intense, and that can be seen in this impeccable collection that not only ported the first two titles from the Gamecube, but added pointer controls to make the shooting even smoother than it was in the originals. While this collection is still quite rare, it’s one of the best ways to experience this fantastic trilogy.
The firstBayonettagame was released on both Xbox and Playstation, making it exclusive to every mainstream console except Nintendo’s, so it came as a massive shock that they helped bring the sequel to life, making it an exclusive to Nintendo’s controversial follow-up to the Wii.
While there is still plenty of debate over whether the first or second Bayonetta title is better among fans, the quality of action gameplay featured in the sequel is undeniable, and some of the most unadulterated fun you can have on the Wii U.
The Game Boy was the first portable console for many gamers, and with it having a massive lifespan, there is plenty of competition for its best game. In spite of this, the pure impact and staying power ofTetrison the Game Boy cannot be overlooked.
The puzzle game has changed surprisingly little over the years, and the challenge you’ll get on the Game Boy is still similar to the latest iterations of Tetris on modern consoles, and still worth trying out today.
Sometimes not considered a full new console since its main upgrade from the Game Boy was just adding colour (still pretty significant), that doesn’t change the fact that there are plenty of great exclusive titles on this handheld, and that includes the only existing pair of Zelda games, Oracle of Ages and Seasons.
Unlike its Pokemon counterparts, this duology of games are almost completely unique, with their own dungeons, enemies, worlds, andeven gimmicks with the abilityto travel time in ages, and change the seasons in Seasons. The only Zelda games to be developed by Capcom, this pair is still well-regarded as a worthwhile part of the Zelda series.
The last main console in the Game Boy family, as the name suggests, the Advance was a much more capable console, and nothing showed off what it could do better thanGolden Sun. With the full story of this massive JRPG split over two titles, this classic gaming adventure is one all RPG enthusiasts should experience.
Perfectly combining expert storytelling, engaging turn-based combat, and a believable setting, this title is highly recommended by everyone who has played it, and it’s a shame we haven’t seen more Golden Sun games since the unfortunately average reboot on the DS.
Perhaps seen as the best console forPokemon, with the DS housing two of the most beloved generations of the series throughout it’s lifespan, the best monster-catching adventure on the two-screen handheld was the last mainline addition, Black and White 2.
An unfortunately rare find, this sequel ironed out every flaw present in the first iterations of the Black and White story, while adding even more substantial new features to thestunning pixel-art worldof Unova.
