Best Nintendo games of all time
Nintendo has spent decades crafting worlds, characters, and gameplay that shape childhoods and fuel arguments among gamers of every generation. From Mario's first jump to Link's latest quest, the debate over which title truly stands above the rest is as fierce as any boss battle. Now it's your turn to weigh in — cast your vote and help crown the greatest Nintendo game of all time.
What counts: Seeded with approximate figures where shown — the crowd's votes decide the order.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The moment you stepped out of the Kokiri Forest into Hyrule Field, gaming got a horizon it never had before, and the click of a lock-on target reinvented 3D combat overnight. Its time-travel structure, Water Temple dread, and that ocarina soundtrack turned a tech demo into mythology, and three decades of "best game ever" debates still start here.},{
Year: 1998Critic score: 9.9/10
added by IJRin 9 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
66The NES masterpiece that introduced the world map, power suits like the Tanooki, and a sense of scale no platformer had attempted. Its influence on level design is still felt, and it remains a touchstone for 'best Mario game' debates decades later.
Year: 1988Critic score: 9.7/10
added by IJRin 6 rankingsSuper Mario Bros. 3
49Mario's hat-possessing sidekick Cappy turned a straightforward platformer into a sandbox of transformation gags, from riding a T-Rex to becoming a Bullet Bill. Its joyous, moon-stuffed kingdoms made it an instant Switch-era classic beloved for pure gameplay creativity.
Year: 2017Critic score: 9.7/10
added by IJRin 8 rankingsSuper Mario Odyssey
32The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Building on Breath of the Wild's foundation, this sequel added Ultrahand building mechanics that let players engineer vehicles, weapons, and absurd contraptions in the sky and depths of Hyrule. Its ambition and physics-driven creativity earned it near-universal critical acclaim on release.
Year: 2023Critic score: 9.6/10
added by IJRin 6 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
31The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo tore up the Zelda rulebook and let players climb any surface, cook random ingredients, and approach Hyrule Castle from any direction. Its launch alongside the Switch redefined open-world design and is frequently cited as the moment Nintendo proved it could out-innovate the entire industry.
Year: 2017Critic score: 9.7/10
added by IJRin 9 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
28A licensed movie tie-in that somehow became the blueprint for console first-person shooters, introducing objective-based missions and a legendary four-player split-screen multiplayer mode. Its Facility and Bunker maps became cultural touchstones for a generation of N64 owners.
Year: 1997Critic score: 9.6/10
added by IJRin 8 rankingsGoldenEye 007
9Launching alongside the SNES, this game gave Mario the cape and Yoshi, expanding platforming possibilities while crafting some of the most memorable secret-filled levels in the series. It's often ranked as the pinnacle of 2D Mario design.
Year: 1990Critic score: 9.6/10
added by IJRin 8 rankingsSuper Mario World
2This SNES classic perfected atmospheric, non-linear exploration and gave the genre its very name via 'Metroidvania.' Its haunting sound design and interconnected map design are still studied by developers as a masterclass in environmental storytelling.
Year: 1994Critic score: 9.6/10
added by IJRin 7 rankingsSuper Metroid
-2The game that proved 3D platforming could work, turning Mario's jump into a joy of physical space with Bob-omb Battlefield and beyond. Its camera and movement systems became the template every 3D platformer since has had to answer to.
Year: 1996Critic score: 9.4/10
added by IJRin 10 rankingsSuper Mario 64
-6The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The SNES entry that codified the top-down Zelda formula with its light and dark world duality, dungeon puzzle design, and item progression. It's routinely cited by developers and fans as the series' most influential and tightly designed adventure.
Year: 1991Critic score: 9.5/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
-8The culmination of the crossover fighter series, packing in every fighter from Smash history alongside a sprawling roster spanning Nintendo, Square Enix, and beyond. Its 'Everyone is Here' promise and deep competitive scene made it the definitive party and esports title on Switch.
Year: 2018Critic score: 9.3/10
added by IJRin 5 rankingsSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
-17The Game Boy phenomenon that launched a global media empire, built on the simple hook of catching, training, and trading creatures with friends. Its link-cable trading feature turned the game into a social experience that reshaped what a handheld RPG could be.
Year: 1996Critic score: 9.4/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsPokémon Red and Blue
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