The Highs and Lows of Nintendo
As one of the most well-known and prolific names in gaming, Nintendo has consistently shown itself to be one of the greatest video game developers of all time. However, that’s not to say the famed Japanese game maker hasn’t had its fair share of bombs. Even the most seasoned developer occasionally stumbles and puts out a complete dud. So let's take a moment to explore some of the worst Nintendo games ever made as well as some of the best.
1. Urban Champion (NES, 1984)
Urban Champion is notorious for being one of Nintendo’s worst games. This rare misfire for the beloved developer was its first attempt at a 2D fighting game. Plagued with simplistic and tedious gameplay, as well as a severe lack of depth and charm, this side-scrolling brawler was a disappointment straight out of the gate.
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2. Donkey Kong Jr. Math (NES, 1983)
Although certainly a commendable effort, Nintendo’s woeful attempt at creating a fun edutainment game missed the mark completely. Often cited as one of the least enjoyable NES games ever, Donkey Kong Jr. Math failed to engage players by offering repetitive and bland challenges with no excitement whatsoever.
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3. Metroid: Other M (Wii, 2010)
By no means a complete flop, Metroid: Other M is often seen as one of the weaker mainline Nintendo releases, particularly due to its underwhelming sales and lackluster reception among fans of the franchise. While several aspects of the gamer were praised including its graphics and action-oriented gameplay, fans of the series were dismissive of its storytelling and portrayal of protagonist Samus Aran.
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4. Wii Music (Wii, 2008)
This failed attempt at a music game underwhelmed gamers with its bland and overly simplistic gameplay. With far more popular and well-received rhythm game titles like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, Wii Music failed to capture the magic and charm of other Nintendo titles that could have helped it stand out among its contemporaries.
5. Star Fox Zero (Wii U, 2016)
This highly-anticipated Wii U title fell short of expectations in a major way. Intended to be Star Fox’s triumphant return to a Nintendo home console since the GameCube era, Star Fox Zero was met with poor reception mostly due to its awkward control scheme and forced use of the Wii U GamePad.
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6. Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival (Wii U, 2015)
A panned attempt at capitalizing on the popularity of Nintendo’s toy peripheral amiibo, Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival was nothing more than a shallow and redundant party game. Lacking all of the charm and depth the celebrated Animal Crossing franchise is known for, this spin-off was heavily criticized for its tedious gameplay and poor amiibo integration.
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7. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (Wii U, 2015)
Many fans were left underwhelmed and highly disappointed by this low-effort release, especially when compared to previous entities in the series. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash simply offered far too little in the way of content, innovation, and engaging gameplay, leaving most players disappointed in the game’s limited scope.
8. Yoshi's New Island (3DS, 2014)
Plagued with an uninspired art style and bland, overly simplistic gameplay, Yoshi's New Island proved to be a major letdown for fans of the series. Although not a complete dud, Yoshi's New Island simply failed to attract the fanfare that most Nintendo titles tend to garner, with many critics viewing it as just a basic, middle-of-the-road platformer.
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9. Mario Party: Island Tour (3DS, 2013)
Suffering from a clear lack of engaging gameplay, Mario Party: Island Tour is nothing more than a serviceable addition to the Mario Party series. Despite the general acclaim of its predecessors, Mario Party: Island Tour failed to capture the fun and charm that many were hoping for.
10. Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash (3DS, 2015)
A failed attempt at expanding the Chibi-Robo! series to a new genre as a way to garner a large fanbase, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash proved to be nothing more than a generic side-scrolling platformer with some novel mechanics. Cited for its uninspired and repetitive gameplay, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash was both a commercial and critical failure upon release.
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1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch/Wii U, 2017)
Easily one of the most beloved and acclaimed titles in recent memory, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the perfect grand entrance for the Nintendo Switch and a venerable swan song for the Wii U. Its vast, open world and immersive exploration was immediately praised upon release, with many calling it a masterpiece.
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2. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, 2017)
This return to form for Nintendo’s most beloved flagship series was instantly praised for its open-world level design, catchy soundtrack, and vibrant art style. Nintendo fans and gamers alike rejoiced to see the undeniable king of 3D platformers return to the throne after a prolonged sabbatical.
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3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64, 1998)
This landmark action-adventure title is often cited as one of the best games of all time. Known for its revolutionary 3D gameplay and narrative depth, Nintendo 64 players were treated to one of the most impressive gaming feats of the era, with Ocarina of Time’s legacy continuing to influence the industry to this day.
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4. Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996)
Cited as one of the most pivotal titles in 3D gaming, this beloved platformer set the standard for how 3D games should look and feel on a home console. Its refined controls, open-level design, and innovative camera system served as the blueprint for 3D platformers going forward, easily making it one of Nintendo's most celebrated and influential titles.
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5. Super Metroid (SNES, 1994)
This undeniable SNES classic is widely recognized for its atmospheric world, complex level design, and unmatched sense of exploration. Super Metroid left its mark on the gaming industry as a cornerstone of the Metrovanian genre due to its masterful blend of action, exploration, and a rewarding progression system.
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6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, 1991)
Often hailed as one of the greatest 2D action-adventure games of all time, this beloved SNES masterpiece was hugely influential at the time of its release. Its novel dual-world level design, polished gameplay, and memorable story have ensured that The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past continues to uphold its status as a timeless classic.
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7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch, 2017)
Serving as the definitive version of Nintendo’s beloved kart racing series for almost a decade now, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is among the most celebrated and commercially successful Nintendo games of all time. With its tight controls, vibrant graphics, and hugely popular online multiplayer, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an undeniable homerun for the Japanese game developer.
8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch, 2020)
Nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released at a time when a charming and cozy simulation game was just what the world needed. Garnering a broad audience due to its status as a comfort game, this light simulation game was rife with engaging gameplay, deep customization, and quirky characters.
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9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch, 2018)
Although Nintendo’s popular crossover platform fighting game has seen several widely praised releases, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the unquestionable pinnacle of the series. Featuring a massive roster of playable characters, varied stages, and engaging modes, this mainline entry in the Smash Bros. series exceeded all expectations and helped cement the Nintendo Switch as a major player in the home console war.
10. Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy, 1996)
This highly beloved handheld classic unleashed a cultural phenomenon that the world is still reeling from to this day. Pokémon Red and Blue won the hearts and minds of an entire generation of gamers with its simple yet addictive gameplay and strategic depth, paving the way for a multi-billion-dollar franchise that has successfully expanded across various forms of media.
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