Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid: Nintendo is the home of the biggest franchises and a unique standard of play. RomWize re-ranks the publisher's best games by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"The Game Boy Zelda, and one of the greatest games ever released. Link washed up on Koholint, eight dungeons, dreamlike writing that haunts. Level design mastered to perfection, OST burned into collective memory. Shorter than a console Zelda but absolutely elegant. Essential, full stop."
"The game that changed everything. Mario in the Mushroom Kingdom, from warp zones to Bowser's castles. Revolutionary level design, immediate and universal fun. The most important video game ever made."
"Fire Emblem Fates Limited Edition on 3DS, bundle including Birthright, Conquest and the secret Revelation route. The complete version of the Fates saga with all narrative routes available. For fans who want everything."
"Skyward Sword tells the genesis of the Zelda legend, before canonical Hyrule. Watercolor art direction, Motion Plus controls essential for angled sword swings, impeccable level design between puzzles and dungeons. Soar your Loftwing between floating isles, descend to the Surface, comb Faron Woods. Moving story with Zelda as central character. Matured masterpiece of the Wii Zelda formula."
"Direct Mario 64 sequel, tropical playground to scrub with the FLUDD water pack. Wild idea, vertiginous gameplay and tough secret stages to crack. Not the purity of its forebear but a genuine invention. Nintendo's 3D platform peak on the console."
"Excellent 3D Mario platformer with co-op up to 4 players. Inspired and varied level design in each world, fun costumes. Perhaps the best multiplayer Mario before Odyssey. Slightly too accessible for experienced solo players but a genuine treat."
"The culmination of the saga. The class and Interlink systems offer enormous tactical depth, and the story about mortality lands more truly than ever. The vast world demands its own pace, but the narrative ambition is remarkable."
"Pokémon X/Y on 3DS inaugurates the franchise's 3D polygon visuals and France-inspired Kalos. Mega-Evolutions, trainer customisation and Wonder Trade. A major visual turning point for the franchise."
"Monolith Soft JRPG of rare ambition, directed by Tetsuya Takahashi. Shulk wields the Monado sword against Mechon machines in a world built on the bodies of two giant gods. Massive open world in free exploration, real-time MMO-like combat without transition, fifty-hour epic narration. Imaginative fantasy art direction, memorable Yasunori Mitsuda soundtrack. Absolute Wii JRPG peak, essential."
"A remaster that does justice to a classic. The verticality of its open world is still impressive for its era, and the visual overhaul rejuvenates it noticeably. The somewhat dated combat takes adjusting to, but the epic is well worth the trip."
"Collector bonus bundling Ocarina of Time with its dungeon-flipped Master Quest. The great Zelda 64 classic in GameCube garb, plus a tougher variant for veterans. Faithful emulation, massive content. A Nintendo gift fans still dream about."
"Pokémon X/Y on 3DS inaugurates the franchise's 3D polygon visuals and France-inspired Kalos. Mega-Evolutions, trainer customisation and Wonder Trade. A major visual turning point for the franchise."
"Mario Tennis from Camelot, with exemplary handling and surprising depth. Sixteen characters, positional play and spin shots executed with delightful precision and a doubles mode worth its weight in gold. Tennis that can be festive and demanding at once, if you don't mind sweat behind Mario's moustache."
"Wario Land 3 on GBC is the best of the portable Wario series. Explore a musical world with powers gained from chests. Non-linear structure, humorous tone and abundant secrets. A GBC masterpiece."
"Sora Ltd. platform fighter with a Nintendo roster plus guests like Sonic and Snake. Stage-based combat, four-player local multi, scripted Subspace Emissary mode. One of the Smash series' peaks and an essential Wii multiplayer pick."
"The level editor is still ridiculously deep, and stage sharing keeps the community buzzing. The solo story mode finally gives a reason to play without building. Tools feel intuitive, but the real magic comes from diving into other people's wild creations."
