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.
"A darker and far more ambitious follow-up to Banjo-Kazooie. The ten interconnected worlds, the split abilities and the depth of its puzzles place it among the N64's true high points. Denser and at times labyrinthine, but generous and intelligent in ways the platform rarely matched."
"The absolute console FPS benchmark from Rare. Twenty Bond-licensed missions with multiple objectives, AI behaviour that was revolutionary for its day and a four-player multiplayer that became outright myth. A genuine genre revolution that redefined what a first-person shooter could be in the living room."
"A unique Mario Kart with two drivers per kart and item swapping mechanics. Speed more measured than today's entries but the level design is top-notch and local multiplayer is a riot. The only Mario Kart with built-in co-op, an experiment never repeated. Essential GameCube cart."
"The first Bayonetta offered free with Bayonetta 2, a royal gift. Spectacular action, deep and satisfying combat system, Bayonetta herself is an icon. The WiiU version remains the best way to own both episodes in one."
"The first Western Animal Crossing, a real oddity in the GameCube library. Quiet village life, a Tom Nook mortgage to repay, letters, fishing, fossils and lovable neighbours. The kind of game that slowly settles into your daily routine. Unmatched in its niche."
"Yoshi's Island + Mario Brothers on GBA, Japanese version of Super Mario Advance 3. Yoshi's enchanting island in its original version, Mario Bros. included as bonus. Just as wonderful as the Western version."
"Nintendo compilation of the big 3D and NES Zeldas on a single GameCube disc. Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and both NES Zeldas, a tidy bundle for fans and newcomers. No modern comfort options, just the essentials. A precious Nintendo gift for collectors."
"Expanded Japanese edition of Animal Crossing, basis for the Western release. More villagers, more items, more seasonal events with a Japanese flavour. For true series fans, a treat to revisit the original in its native habitat."
"Unquestionably one of the best Mario Karts. Spectacular anti-gravity circuits, sublime WiiU graphics, excellent online. DLC adds very good tracks. Still a safe bet very enjoyable today. Indispensable."
"The best entry in the series: a haunted hotel explored floor by floor, packed with gadgets for Luigi and inventive bosses. The humor, visual richness and co-op ScareScraper mode make for an irresistible ghost hunt."
"Conclusion of the Prime trilogy, first Wii-native release with Wiimote controls from the ground up. Samus joins an interplanetary war against Phazon, equipped with a dangerous but powerful Hyper Mode. Multiple planets to explore, personal mobile ship, more present narration. Wiimote aiming precise and natural, combat fluid, exploration still brilliant. Trilogy peak for many, epic finale."
"Superb HD remake of the GameCube classic. Cell-shaded art direction remains breathtaking, maritime navigation is enhanced. Welcome improvements to the original pacing. One of the best WiiU games and unmissable Zelda saga entries."
"Super Mario Advance 3 Yoshi's Island on GBA, port of Nintendo's enchanting island. Unique watercolor universe, perfect egg mechanic, overflowing creativity. An absolute GBA masterpiece."
"Essential compilation of the three Metroid Primes on Wii, with uniform Wiimote controls and retouched visuals. Prime 1, Prime 2 and Prime 3 on a single disc, over a hundred hours of play. Shared trophies across all three, central hub. Exemplary collector edition that elevates the original GameCube experience. If you need one reason to own a Wii, this trilogy is it. An absolute reference."
"Kirby's first true leap into 3D delights with the Mouthful Mode that lets him swallow cars and vending machines whole. The colorful post-apocalyptic world brims with charm, and its gentle difficulty makes it an ideal platformer to share."
"The action leaning half of the twin adventure, where Link bends the four seasons of Holodrum to save the sage Din. More combat driven than its sibling, with inventive dungeons and a link to Oracle of Ages for the true ending. Top flight portable Zelda."
"A port of a platforming high point from Retro Studios, with fierce difficulty and exquisitely crafted level design. Every stage overflows with ideas and secrets, and David Wise's soundtrack ranks among the finest in the genre."
