Entertainment
8 Nintendo Games That Are Amazing From Start to Finish
For decades upon decades, Nintendo has been one of, if not the top dog, in video games. It’s hard not to be when the company created some of the greatest video game characters of all time in the form of Mario, Link, Kirby, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Pikachu (the entire Pokémon roster, really), and so, so many more—it feels like countless, honestly.
With a track record of characters like this, it only makes sense that the video game company has some of the greatest video games out there as well. No one’s got a batting average like them, and that can also mean that there’s huge discussion surrounding what games could be considered the best of the best. This isn’t to say that these 8 are the greatest in their long-running catalog, but they’re certainly some of the best and are all amazing from start to finish.
8
‘Super Mario 64’ (1996)
There are few games out there that have the sauce that Super Mario 64 has. Being one of the first video games to transition a 2D-centric video game character into a 3D-roaming one. The controls Nintendo pulled off in Super Mario 64—the precision and camera, specifically—are phenomenal. What makes it even better is the fact that, alongside the cultural significance that this game holds, it’s also a simply amazing video game that has gone down as one of the best out there.
The non-linear game progression was unheard of for Mario in the 90s—2D games did not allow for such a format—and that is a huge thing that set Super Mario 64 apart from the rest. The ability for players to go about their journey in whatever order they want, with whatever skills they want, makes Super Mario 64 such a great journey.
7
‘Super Mario Odyssey’ (2017)
In 2017, Nintendo released one of the best modern Mario video games of all time, Super Mario Odyssey. This 2017 title took everything that worked with past 3D Mario titles like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, and improved upon it significantly. Some have even considered Super Mario Odyssey to be the pinnacle of 3D Mario gaming.
The world of Super Mario Odyssey is gigantic, somehow being even bigger than the likes of the massive Super Mario Galaxy—which literally takes place across multiple planets. There’s a reason people considered it a serious contender for Game of the Year, and that’s thanks to simply how great of a game it is from minute one to the final second. There’s also plenty of post-game content to consume. While the player only needs 124 Power Moons to complete the game, there are a whopping 999 Power Moons out there in the game.
6
‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)
The year 2017 was a gigantic year for Nintendo. Not only did they have the likes of Super Mario Odyssey release—one of their most successful Switch titles—but they also had another release that same year that also was one of the most successful launches of that entire year: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Legend of Zelda series itself has always been a popular brand. However, it found its most recent explosion in popularity via this 2017 game. It’s considered one of the best open-world titles out there and completely redefined The Legend of Zelda franchise as a whole. Many even consider it the best Switch game, which is very high praise.
5
‘Super Metroid’ (1994)
While the Super Metroid franchise is popular, it’s actually relatively niche when comparing sales numbers to Nintendo’s other franchises like Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon. This doesn’t mean that the series isn’t worth playing, though. Actually, it’s great fun and incredibly well-made, especially when it comes to 1994’s Super Metroid itself.
Super Metroid is a 2D game that manages to still, somehow, be non-linear. It’s got some awesome exploration opportunities, making the environment that the players are adventuring through feel very established, beautiful, and, most of all, intriguing. The combat mechanics are great, and the upgrades that are acquired throughout the runtime add so much consistently that it keeps everything so engaging.
4
‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
The name The Legend of Zelda can’t be brought up without the 1998 title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, being brought up as well. This game is quite easily one of the most popular games in the series, and for very good reason—being so good that it’s also getting a Nintendo Switch 2 remake coming out later this year. This game is the first 3D The Legend of Zelda title, and that not only makes it amazing, but historical, as well.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of those projects that has stood the test of time—evident by the upcoming remake—and that makes it easily the most recommended game in the series. It really defined what makes a good The Legend of Zelda project, and that’s thanks to how much the developers put into it. It’s consistently considered one of the greatest video games ever made.
3
‘Super Mario Bros. 3’ (1988)
There are some amazing Mario games in the world—clear by half of this list being Mario titles—and while his modern works are astonishing in every way, his classic titles are where it all began. Of the originals, one of the greatest comes in the form of Super Mario Bros. 3. This third title finds itself taking what worked about the very first game that started it all, and uses these improvements to push the modern hardware at the time—the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)—to the limits.
The theme of this game is that it’s a stage play that applies itself to the levels, giving them a unique look compared to those that came before. It introduces new items like the Super Leaf, Hammer Suit, and Frog Suit, which give brand new gaming-changing upgrades. This also acts as the debut of Bowser’s children, the Koopalings, as the bosses at the end of each world. The map between each level is also explorable with tons of goodies like never before, such as the Toad Houses.
2
‘Super Mario World’ (1990)
The true pinnacle of Mario gaming, however, is, without a doubt, the likes of 1990’s Super Mario World. Truly being the peak of what side-scrolling Mario gaming is, Super Mario World seemingly does everything right, and still acts as the defining light of what the perfect Mario game can be. Also being the introduction to the iconic character Yoshi, this 1990 project took leaps and bounds in new directions in comparison to previous ones featuring the underdog of a plumber-hero.
Super Mario World is truly an unforgettable experience. The platforming gameplay is unlike any other—even in comparison to modern-day titles—with great physics and level design. Inventive stages, hidden goodies that reward the player for exploring, new item upgrades, and more make Super Mario World one of the best platforming video games out there.
1
‘Pokémon HeartGold’ and ‘Pokémon SoulSilver’ (2009)
The Pokémon franchise has been, and will most likely always continue to be, one of the greatest franchises in gaming. Even people who’ve never played Pokémon have a favorite little pocket monster. This series is known for consistently remaking old titles for modern hardware to give newer players a chance to experience old games, and for veteran gamers to replay their favorite titles with new upgrades—often giving them a more streamlined experience. One of the best Pokémon remakes also happens to be what are also some of, if not the best, Pokémon games ever made: Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver. The two games are considered one on this list because they’re—like most Pokémon games—two versions of the same game.
These two titles for the classic and now-nostalgic Nintendo DS are absolute marvels in Pokémon gaming. They not only adapt the older games they’re based on—Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver—but improve on them tenfold, adding more content to them in so many different ways. The massive amount of content in these games is profound. Players not only get to re-explore the game’s original region, Jhoto, but the very first games’ region, too, Kanto. They get to tackle all those previous gym leaders, too—making for a whopping 16 gym leaders to take on with their new team of Pokémon. Speaking of Pokémon, this also means they can add any and all of their Kanto Pokémon to their new team, too. Players can now also have their lead Pokémon follow them around in-world. There’s so much more about these games that make them the best of the best, and that’s proof of why it’s one of the best video games of all time.
Pokémon
- Release Date
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1997 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
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Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
- Writers
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Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku
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Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
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Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
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