Nintendo series
Nintendo has a long list of beloved franchises that have become icons of the gaming world. The most famous of these is the Super Mario series, which follows the adventures of the iconic plumber Mario and his friends in various fantasy worlds. The Legend of Zelda is another cornerstone series known for its epic quests, rich storylines, and heroic Link’s battles against the forces of evil.
Pokémon has captured the hearts of millions around the world with its creature collecting and fighting gameplay. The Metroid series offers immersive sci-fi action starring bounty hunter Samus Alain as he battles threats from space. The Kirby series, meanwhile, is known for its charming and accessible platformers centered around the adorable pink puffball Kirby. Nintendo’s franchise spans a variety of genres and gaming styles, each contributing its own unique flavor to the gaming landscape.
2023 Nintendo Franchise Tier List
S-Class Nintendo Series (Best of the Best):
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Mario: Without a doubt, Mario is Nintendo’s premier franchise, with its enduring popularity spanning more than four decades. The series is constantly evolving, with each new installment offering a fresh experience.
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The Legend of Zelda: With a few exceptions, the Zelda games are widely considered masterpieces. The series continues to push boundaries, especially in the open world and action-adventure genres.
Nintendo A-Series (Some of the Greatest Games of All Time):
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Pokemon: A sales juggernaut, Pokemon’s recent entries have been criticized for technical issues and a lack of innovation, but it’s still a strong franchise.
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Super Smash Bros.: Continuing to improve with each iteration, Super Smash Bros. continues to succeed. However, the formula has changed very little since its debut in the late nineties.
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Animal Crossing: While Animal Crossing doesn’t have universal appeal, it has carved out a niche among cozy gaming enthusiasts. Expanded support for games like New Horizons is welcome.
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Metroid: Although occasionally overlooked, Metroid excites fans with every new version. Anticipation for Metroid Prime 4 reflects the series’ consistently high-quality adventure.
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Mother (EarthBound): Mother is a unique role-playing game series that holds a special place in gaming history. While fans want to see new entries, many appreciate the series as it stands.
B-level Nintendo series (good but niche):
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Fire Emblem: Originally a niche game, Fire Emblem has become popular in the West, although it remains a relatively specialized genre.
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Pikmin: Shigeru Miyamoto’s beloved franchise Pikmin is innovative and unique, although it can’t match the profitability of other Nintendo franchises.
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Splatoon: Transforming the traditionally violent genre into a wholesome experience, Splatoon’s charm meshes well with Nintendo’s family-friendly focus.
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Xenoblade Chronicles: The Xenoblade Chronicles series originated on the PlayStation, and Xenoblade Chronicles in particular competes with other JRPG giants in terms of sales and critical acclaim.
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Kirby: Kirby was born out of ease of use, and its simplicity remains today thirty years later, while its complexity has increased for those looking for a challenge.
C-rated Nintendo series (left to rot):
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Donkey Kong: Once a platform juggernaut, Donkey Kong has had limited releases since Microsoft acquired Rare, leaving fans hopeful for its revival.
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Star Fox: In the more than three decades since its stellar launch, Star Fox has struggled to recapture its past glory, in part due to changes in the rail shooter’s popularity.
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Game & Watch: Recognizing its historical significance, Nintendo has largely abandoned the Game & Watch in the past, avoiding an unnecessary revival.
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F-Zero: Although F-Zero is a great racing series, it has gone through a hiatus of nearly two years. Recently released games, such as the Switch Online-exclusive battle royale game, have reintroduced the series to new audiences.
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List of Nintendo franchises
Franchise |
initial input |
Latest entries |
1080° |
February 28, 1998 |
November 28, 2003 |
ANIMAL CROSSING |
April 14, 2001 |
March 20, 2020 |
another code |
February 24, 2005 |
February 5, 2009 |
arms |
June 16, 2017 |
– |
School of Art |
September 14, 2009 |
May 13, 2016 |
Art style |
September 29, 2008 |
May 28, 2010 |
Balloon fight |
September 1984 |
April 12, 2007 |
combat conflict |
October 1992 |
December 1993 |
Brain Academy |
June 30, 2005 |
December 3, 2021 |
bit generation |
July 13, 2006 |
July 27, 2006 |
Box boy! |
January 14, 2015 |
April 26, 2019 |
brain age |
May 19, 2005 |
December 27, 2019 |
card hero |
February 21, 2000 |
December 20, 2007 |
Chibi robot! |
June 23, 2005 |
October 8, 2015 |
Clubhouse games |
November 3, 2005 |
June 5, 2020 |
word puzzle |
May 5, 2008 |
October 1, 2012 |
Custom robot |
December 8, 1999 |
October 19, 2006 |
Dacasso!band brothers |
December 2, 2004 |
June 26, 2008 |
Dillon |
February 22, 2012 |
April 26, 2018 |
Donkey Kong |
July 9, 1981 |
May 3, 2018 (Nintendo Switch) |
Donkey Kong Country |
November 18, 1994 |
May 3, 2018 (Nintendo Switch) |
Donkey King Kong |
December 12, 2003 |
March 17, 2005 |
Dr. Mario |
July 27, 1990 |
July 10, 2019 |
Journey to Earth/Mother |
July 27, 1989 |
April 20, 2006 |
excitation |
November 28, 1984 |
– |
Famicom Detective Club |
April 27, 1988 |
May 14, 2021 |
fire emblem |
April 20, 1990 |
January 20, 2023 |
fluidity |
December 6, 2010 |
– |
fossil warrior |
April 17, 2008 |
– |
F-1 Competition |
November 2, 1984 |
– |
F-Zero |
November 21, 1990 |
September 14, 2023 |
golden sun |
August 1, 2001 |
October 28, 2010 |
Hyrule Warriors |
August 14, 2014 |
November 20, 2020 |
Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game company headquartered in Kyoto, founded in 1889 by craftsman Bojiro Yamauchi. Nintendo originally made handmade Hanafuda playing cards, then transformed into various businesses and then became a public company. In 1977, it released its first gaming console: the Color TV Game. Notably, Nintendo achieved global recognition with Donkey Kong in 1981, followed by the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros. in 1985.
Nintendo is best known for consoles such as the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, DS, Wii, and Switch, and for creating beloved franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. As of March 2023, Nintendo has sold more than 5.592 billion video games and 836 million hardware units worldwide, making it one of the most successful companies in the gaming industry. The company has several subsidiaries and partners and has received prestigious awards for its contributions to technology and gaming.
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