The Games That Made Nintendo

Do you remember the first time a game truly surprised you? Nintendo has been creating those moments for decades, turning simple and refined gameplay into unforgettable memories. The games on this list didn't just help us pass the time. They meant something. Let's explore the titles that left a lasting impression on millions of players.

1. The Legend Of Zelda

It all began with a gray cartridge, though a rare gold version was released for promotions. In 1986, The Legend of Zelda transported players into a world where exploration felt deeply personal. Shigeru Miyamoto said he based the game on his childhood adventures in Kyoto's forests.

2. Super Mario Bros. 3

Mario flew before flight in games was even a thing. With its whimsical level design, hidden paths, and unforgettable Tanooki Suit, Super Mario Bros. 3 didn't just raise the bar. It launched it into the stratosphere. Its commercial was played in movie theaters.

3. Metroid Prime

When Metroid Prime dropped in 2002, it did more than switch Samus to first-person. It proved that the atmosphere could be as gripping as action. Critics were skeptical of the change until they weren't. Retro Studios created a masterpiece that pulled players into a lonely, hauntingly beautiful alien world.

4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

"You're all here." That tagline said everything. Every fighter, every stage, every moment from past titles packed into one absurdly massive brawler. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate became a love letter to fans and a celebration of Nintendo's universe.

5. Pokemon Red And Blue

Kids traded more than just digital monsters. They traded secrets, bragging rights, and link cables. Released in the late '90s, Pokemon Red and Blue sparked a phenomenon. It turned Game Boys into social hubs and lunch breaks into battlegrounds.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Breath of the Wild threw out the rulebook and then handed it to the player. Its world encouraged curiosity and joy in equal measure. It was big and alive. And whether you rode through a storm or glided off a cliff, the game always had one more surprise waiting.

7. Super Mario 64

In 1996, Super Mario 64 introduced analog controls and full 3D movement, and it actually worked. Peach's castle became a playground. The paintings? Portals to places that felt impossibly real at the time. It was a new language. And players were fluent in fun.

8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Tom Nook never forgets your debt. But somehow, we still love him. When New Horizons launched in 2020, it met the moment. Players planted trees and built homes with cozy chaos. It was a slower kind of satisfaction.

9. Fire Emblem: Awakening

Players either fell in love or fell in battle. Fire Emblem: Awakening wasn't supposed to save the series. But it did. Smart writing and heartfelt character bonds made it more than just a strategy game. It made you care.

10. Donkey Kong Country

Those pre-rendered graphics? Jaw-dropping in 1994. Rare pushed the Super Nintendo to its limits to give us a platformer that looked unlike anything else. But it wasn't just pretty. The gameplay was tight, and that mine cart level? Still a rite of passage. Donkey Kong got a second wind.

11. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mushroom boosts, blue shells, banana peels—each lap is a toss-up. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe perfected the formula with refined controls and a massive roster. It's the game that turns a quiet evening into shrieks and maybe a grudge or two.

12. EarthBound

"Don't care anymore" was a legitimate menu option. Quirky and surprisingly emotional, EarthBound was unlike anything else in the '90s. It mixed psychic kids and sentient piles of puke with honest themes about friendship and fear. Some didn't get it. Others never stopped thinking about it.

13. Splatoon 3

Welcome to ink-splat warfare, where fashion meets turf. Splatoon 3 turned multiplayer mayhem into a neon spectacle. It's not just who gets the most splats. It's who paints the town with style. Fast-paced and bursting with personality, this shooter broke the mold.

14. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Ghosts? Sure. But it's Luigi's charm that haunts you. Armed with a vacuum and nervous energy, Luigi explores a haunted hotel filled with puzzles and spectral shenanigans. Luigi's Mansion 3 blends spooky and silly in all the right ways.

15. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

With its pop-up book visuals and hilarious dialogue, this Paper Mario entry struck a perfect balance between charm and challenge. Battles had rhythm. The characters had a bite. Even Goombella had sass. It's a turn-based RPG where jokes hit as hard as the hammer.

16. Kirby Super Star

Kirby Super Star gave players variety within one game cartridge. From classic side-scrolling to multiplayer co-op, each mode offered a fresh twist. Kirby's copy ability wasn't just a gimmick; it was the key to the fun. Cute on the outside, clever underneath. That's Kirby at his best.

17. Xenoblade Chronicles

It starts with a sword that can see the future. Chaos ensues. Xenoblade Chronicles brought sweeping sceneries and real-time battles to the Wii in a way no one expected. It was grand and full of depth. And then there's Shulk, who knows what's coming but never backs down. That's courage, JRPG-style.

18. Pikmin 4

In Pikmin 4, you command a swarm of cute but capable Pikmin to solve puzzles, collect treasure, and fight time itself. There's strategy here, but also heart. Watching your Pikmin carry a battery across a battlefield? Weirdly touching. It's part garden, part survival.

19. WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Blink, and you've already lost. WarioWare: Smooth Moves took motion controls and turned them into pure mayhem. Microgames, each lasting a second, piled on chaos and humor. The Wii Remote morphed into anything from a samurai sword to a steering wheel.

20. Advance Wars: Dual Strike

Don't let the cartoony look fool you. Advance Wars: Dual Strike is all brains. Strategic battles and dynamic CO powers made each match a chessboard with tanks. The Nintendo DS touchscreen brought the tactics to life. And losing felt almost as fun as winning.