Nintendo has a long and successful history, and quickly recognized the potential of video games in the 1970s. Since then, it has become a leading developer of both video game hardware and software, with a worldwide reach. Early on, Nintendo partnered with Mitsubishi to enter the home console market and soon began branding its own products. We’ve reviewed the company’s past to select the best games from each console generation. These winners were chosen based on how well they were received by critics when they first came out, their lasting impact on the gaming industry, and how popular they’ve remained over the years.
1st) Computer Othello
1st Gen: Color TV-Game | Computer TV-Game
Nintendo started making video games in the 1970s. They worked with companies like Magnavox, even putting their light-gun technology into the Magnavox Odyssey. However, Nintendo also created its own consoles, the Color TV-Game and Computer TV-Game, which came with built-in games like different versions of Pong and Breakout. They also made a home version of their arcade game, Computer Othello. This home release was a direct copy of the arcade version—something unusual for the time—and it became quite popular in Japan.
2nd) Mario’s Bombs Away
2nd Gen: Game & Watch
Nintendo didn’t release a home video game console during the early days of gaming, but they did create handheld devices called Game & Watch. These simple LCD games, which also included digital clocks, were incredibly popular, selling over 43 million units. The biggest hit during that time was Mario’s Bombs Away, a game where Mario plays a soldier. Players guide Mario to collect bombs and deliver them to a teammate while avoiding enemy soldiers. Even with basic programming, the game is surprisingly challenging and enjoyable.
3rd) Super Mario Bros. 3
3rd Gen: Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo truly made its mark on the video game world with the Famicom (in Japan) and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America. The NES quickly became the most popular console, boasting a huge library of incredible games. While many titles stand out, Super Mario Bros. 3 is widely considered the best and most beloved. This game was a major step forward for the series, setting the standard for future platforming games and remaining a top Mario title to this day.
4th) Donkey Kong Country
4th Gen: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo, Nintendo’s contribution to the 16-bit console generation, lived up to the success of its earlier systems. The SNES boasted incredible games that really showcased the console’s power, with hundreds of fantastic titles to choose from. But when it comes to the very best, it’s hard to beat Donkey Kong Country. This game cleverly transformed the villain into a hero, featured groundbreaking pre-rendered graphics, and remains one of the most enjoyable platformers ever made.
5th) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
5th Gen: Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 revolutionized gaming when it launched, bringing 64-bit graphics and a new level of 3D gameplay to home consoles. It featured groundbreaking titles like Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, and GoldenEye 007. However, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time stands out as the system’s masterpiece. Widely considered one of the greatest Zelda games of all time, it’s also frequently ranked among the best video games ever made.
6th) Metroid Prime
6th Gen: GameCube
The Nintendo GameCube didn’t sell as well as its competitors, the Xbox and PlayStation 2, but it still had a fantastic library of games. Some of the best included exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Sunshine, and Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader. While all are highly regarded, Metroid Prime is often considered the GameCube’s greatest game. It successfully transitioned the series to 3D graphics and a first-person viewpoint, exciting existing fans and attracting a new audience with its excellent gameplay.
7th) Super Mario Galaxy
7th Gen: Wii
After a dip in sales with the 6th generation of consoles, Nintendo rebounded spectacularly with the Wii. The Wii became a huge success, enjoyed by players of all ages, and boasted a large collection of enjoyable games, innovative motion controls, and many exclusive titles. While everyone has their personal favorites, most agree that Super Mario Galaxy is the best game on the system. It revolutionized the classic Mario platforming experience with incredible new worlds and gameplay mechanics, taking the franchise to unprecedented levels of success – and even served as a major inspiration for the second animated Mario movie.
8th) Mario Kart 8
8th Gen: Wii U
The Wii was incredibly popular, but its successor, the Wii U, didn’t fare as well. Although it sold better than the Virtual Boy, the Wii U had limited success and was discontinued relatively quickly. The best-performing game of the 8th generation was Mario Kart 8. Nintendo refreshed the Mario Kart formula with new features and characters, attracting a huge audience of both longtime fans and new players. Mario Kart 8 was the bestselling game on the Wii U and has become the second-best-selling Nintendo game ever, with over 79 million copies sold across different platforms. Only Wii Sports has sold more, at 82.9 million copies.
9th) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
9th Gen: Nintendo Switch
Released on both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild really took off on the Switch. The game dramatically changed what players expected from action-adventure games and breathed new life into the Zelda series. After five years in development, it was quickly hailed as one of the greatest games of all time, earning Game of the Year in 2017. Since its release, Breath of the Wild has had a huge impact on game design and is frequently considered among the best video games ever created – a testament to its ambitious and expansive world.
10th) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
10th Gen: Nintendo Switch 2
It’s still unclear when the 10th generation of consoles officially began, though some consider the Nintendo Switch 2 to be the starting point. As of now, the best Nintendo game on that system is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While it was originally released on the Nintendo Switch and plays great there, the Switch 2 doesn’t have many games available yet. Choosing between Tears of the Kingdom and Donkey Kong Bananza was difficult, but Tears ultimately won due to its exceptional design and how well it was made.
What’s your favorite Nintendo game of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/6-best-nes-rpgs-that-still-hold-up-today/embed/#
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2026-04-02 19:15