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.
"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."
"First true Wario solo adventure. Heavier than Mario, shoulder charge, transforming helmets (Jet, Bull, Dragon). Kitchen Island to explore for lost fortune. More demanding than Mario Land 2, secrets everywhere. An excellent platformer, the foundation of the Wario franchise. Essential for GB platform fans."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"A cornerstone of the 3D platformer, courtesy of Rare. The sparkling writing, the nine worlds bursting with secrets and the chemistry between bear and bird build an absurdly generous adventure. Three decades on, the duo's freshness and the level design hold up beautifully."
"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."
"Metroid Fusion on GBA, absolute masterpiece of the genre. Samus vs the X parasite in an infested space station. Oppressive atmosphere, perfect gameplay, exceptional narrative. A timeless classic."
