Entertainment
10 Essential Nintendo Games Every Fan Must Play
Out of the three major video game companies, each has its own defining franchises. Xbox has Halo, and PlayStation has God of War. Nintendo also has its key titles and franchises, but they are better at diversifying its portfolio, which results in countless essential franchises for every niche, from Pikmin to Mario Party. And with so many consoles, Nintendo’s catalog only gets more and more impressive.
Every Nintendo console has its must-play video games, but all of them collect into one giant pool of masterpieces, and we will select from those games to create a list of the ten most essential Nintendo video games that every fan must play. Based on aspects such as influence, originality, innovation, design, narrative, gameplay, visuals, how well it defines Nintendo, fan opinion, and critical acclaim, these are the ten biggest Nintendo staples. However, since most of Nintendo’s essential games are from the same few franchises, this list will also take variety into consideration.
‘Splatoon’ (2015)
Nintendo has had many successful consoles, but the Wii U wasn’t one of them. However, it still featured a handful of great games, including the essential Splatoon. Players suit up with their best blasters and defend their turf to the best of their abilities, as they need to cover the most area with ink to win, but there is also a single-player mode where they need to rescue a stolen Great Zapfish.
The third game may be better, but Splatoon is the newest successful IP from Nintendo, so it is only right that the original earns the spot. Nintendo always tries to innovate and experiment in new genres, and this is their version of a shooter, and it was incredibly well received, not only being a fun and engaging game, but also turning into one of their most successful new franchises.
‘Super Metroid’ (1994)
Even if some Nintendo franchises are niche, they are still essential in some way, including Metroid, which is home to some critically acclaimed masterpieces, such as Super Metroid. When Samus Aran lands on the isolated planet Zebes to retrieve a stolen Metroid larva, she must learn how to survive the harsh world and prepare for a battle against Ridley.
Super Metroid is the definitive metroidvania, arguably the best of the genre and easily the most polished. The tutorial is among the best in video game history, giving players the tools and info to enjoy the rest of this flawless experience. Super Metroid was the blueprint for the genre because of its remarkable level design and atmospheric storytelling that innovated metroidvanias forever.
‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ (2020)
The beauty of Nintendo is that they have a game for every genre, whether that be open-world 3D adventures or life-simulators like Animal Crossing. After players move to a new town consisting of anthropomorphic characters, they take life at their own pace, from building a house and renovating it to fishing, catching bugs, and even paying off mortgages.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the most popular and arguably the best of the franchise, arriving in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and becoming an outright phenomenon during lockdown. By reinventing the genre through the addition of a real-time clock, it encouraged consistent but brief play sessions. Animal Crossing is low-stakes, relaxing, and completely engaging, proving it is one of the best Nintendo games.
‘Super Mario Galaxy’ (2007)
This list includes a variety of franchises, but as the figurehead of the company, Mario had to have multiple entries on this list, including Super Mario Galaxy. After Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, Mario sets off on a planet-hopping quest around the galaxy in order to find her. With the help of Rosalina, he can travel around the cosmos and rescue Peach before it is too late.
Honestly, any 3D Mario platformer is essential, but the best is arguably Super Mario Galaxy, which redefined the franchise with its spherical gravity gimmick that enhanced gameplay. It made every level more inventive, adding creative puzzles that resulted in a riveting platforming experience. It is a Game of the Year winner that has aged well, meaning fans can still enjoy it nearly 20 years later.
‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ (2017)
Nintendo has many best-selling video games, and while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn’t there yet, it could be their biggest in a couple of years. Players select from some of their favorite Mario characters and embark on an expansive Grand Prix around famous Mario locations with antigravity, with only the best of the best coming away on top to win the big prize.
While this Switch game was a simple port from the Wii U, the added DLC and booster courses made it the definitive way to play. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features the tightest racing in the franchise, and with a well-crafted kart system, intricately designed courses, and plenty of fun mini-games, it is the greatest Mario Kart game that is so polished and perfected it can only be essential for all fans.
‘Wii Sports’ (2006)
This list just mentioned how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe could be their best-selling game ever, but for now, that honor still lies with Wii Sports. Bundled with the Wii console, gamers use the intuitive motion controls to play a selection of immersive sports, ranging from boxing to golf, bowling, tennis, and baseball.
It is only the best-selling Nintendo game because it was bundled with the Wii, but that doesn’t take away from its legacy, which cemented itself not just as a game, but as a cultural icon that brought friends and family together to make timeless memories. Wii Sports isn’t just essential; it is important to the landscape of the company and gaming in general because of its simple, yet addictive gameplay that anyone and everyone can play.
‘Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver’ (2009)
Pokémon is and isn’t a Nintendo franchise, but considering how all their games are exclusive to their consoles, it is eligible for this list. There are many essential Pokémon games, but this list opted for Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. A remake of the classic Gold and Silver games, it has trainers journey around the Johto region to collect the eight Gym Badges, defeat the Elite Four, and conquer the Champion.
The best Pokémon video game is heavily debated, but HGSS is probably the most essential because not only does it feature the true classic vibe of the very first games that many grew up with, but it also has the perfected 2D formula that other fans grew up with. Almost everyone experienced the Johto region, and HGSS is the best way to play it, making it one of the best JRPG titles and the best game in a legendary franchise.
‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ (2018)
Fighting games reach a certain demographic, but they don’t usually expand outside that since they are so similar; Nintendo fixed that with Super Smash Bros. They have plenty of incredible titles, like Melee, but Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the go-to version. Gamers can pick through their favorite Nintendo characters and brawl in a chaotic side-scrolling fighting experience.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings every previous fighter, stage, and power-up, and puts them into one game alongside new additions for each. It is the definitive Super Smash Bros. game and nothing else comes close. Balancing through chaos is a genius design choice, and in terms of enjoyability and replayability, it is hard to beat this game, which is still one of the most played Nintendo games.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises, and while there are so many that deserve to be here, its best and most deserving is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. After the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, kidnaps Princess Zelda in order to have the Triforce for himself, Link must journey across the present and future in order to wake the Sages and defeat him.
Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as the greatest video game of all time, which obviously makes it an essential Nintendo video game. Besides influencing 3D adventure games with its design, layout, and mechanics such as ZR targeting, it is simply a well-made and fun game that is a rite of passage for every Nintendo fan to play. 1998 was a stacked year for video games, yet Ocarina of Time overshadows those classics.
‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1985)
This list is in no shortage of Mario games, but it obviously had to include the game that started everything: Super Mario Bros. Very similar to every Mario game, the titular plumber travels throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, jumping on Koopas and going to the wrong castle in order to find and rescue Princess Peach, who has been captured by the evil King Koopa, Bowser.
It may not be the best Nintendo video game, but that is only because the company has evolved, and so have their games. But that evolution wouldn’t be possible without the most important, influential, and essential video game, not just for Nintendo, but in history. Super Mario Bros is a classic known for saving the gaming industry and defining staple design techniques, showcasing why it is the most essential Nintendo masterpiece.
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