Nintendo existed long before its video game home consoles, but in 1983, it made a huge leap with the Famicom in Japan, which later became the NES in North America in 1985. Between home consoles and portables, Nintendo has continued to dominate video games with its iconic franchises that so many video game fans know today, even if they don’t play on Nintendo consoles.
Celebrating Gaming History With The 10 Oldest Official Nintendo Games
After decades of domination in the video game scene, Nintendo has become a legacy brand name, and their story began with these old-school games.
Of the twelve major platforms, which games are the ones that helped lead to the success of their respective consoles? Even though some of these games may not hold up, their importance cannot be overlooked. From Mario to Splatoon, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Nintendo’s history.
NES: Super Mario Bros.
The System Seller For The NES
Super Mario Bros. has to be part of the reason why the NES did so well initially in North America, as it was a pack-in title and thus cemented the name Nintendo with Mario. It’s not the best Mario game on the NES by far, but it is the one most have probably played, including parents who were trying to connect with their children in the 80s. Now, Mario, as a character, is the mascot for Nintendo and has gone on to become a moneymaker, all thanks to the NES, even though technically he did appear in arcades first.
Game Boy: Pokemon Red/Blue
A Late Addition To The Game Boy And Game Boy Color Generations
The Game Boy was sold with Tetris, which was a great pack-in title that a lot of people loved, but the real phenomenon would come at the end of the portable’s life cycle via Pokemon Red and Blue. Thanks to their boom in popularity, it helped revitalize interest in the Game Boy, leading to different versions like the Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light, and the Game Boy Color successor. Like the Mario franchise, Pokemon exploded in a way the developer, Game Freak, couldn’t have possibly predicted, getting new players into the idea of RPGs.
SNES: Super Mario World
The SNES Experience In One Perfect Game
Super Mario World was a launch title for both the Japanese and North American debut of the SNES, the successor to the NES. It reinvented the Mario formula in a big way by giving players a world map and levels that they could play on repeat, and there were even secrets to discover, which led to extra levels. Among all the 2D Mario games out there, Super Mario World is the one that holds up the best and is an easy recommendation to give to anyone new to the idea of platformers or games in general.
Virtual Boy: Wario Land
The Only Good Virtual Boy Game
The Virtual Boy defined itself, as the console is pretty much the only thing that people actually remember. Still, if we are talking about legitimately decent games released for Nintendo’s bizarre side quest, Wario Land would have to be it. While games like Mario’s Tennis and Jack Bros are fine Virtual Boy games, Wario Land is just an all-around solid platform that actually makes smart use of the hardware’s extra depth. Should anybody buy a Virtual Boy just to play this platformer? Honestly, no, but it is the only game that warrants even asking that question.
Nintendo 64: The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Worth The Wait On N64
It’s debatable as to which N64 game is the most important, but The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time truly transfixed a generation like no other Zelda game before it. It was the first 3D entry that invited the idea of adventure into the lives of players, going between dungeons in a semi-open world, and then having their minds blown when the time-travel element came into play. Regarded as one of the best-reviewed games of all time, it is the very blueprint that 3D adventure games will use going forward, including the Zelda franchise.
Game Boy Advance: Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
A New Generation Of Pokemon On The Game Boy Advance
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
The GBA didn’t have that one game that really defined itself, unlike a lot of other Nintendo platforms. If one, or technically two, had to be nominated, it would be Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire.
10 Classic GBA Games That Feel Unplayable Today
The GBA is still a great system, but these games just don’t hit as hard anymore and are probably best left in the past.
Between all Nintendo platforms, the Pokemon franchise always does well, and this was the third Generation, which came with some big leaps in technology, like the graphics, the Pokemon included, and how the battle system worked. So, these games were definitely important stepping stones.
GameCube: Super Smash Bros. Melee
The GameCube’s Defining Fighter
Even among the many franchise updates on the GameCube, like Mario and Zelda, the one game that stands out is a crossover fighting game: Super Smash Bros. Melee. Despite the success of future installments, this is the one many fans go back to as the peak in the franchise, as they brought it to sleepover parties and tournaments for decades. It was a big improvement over the N64 title regarding the character roster, the mechanics, the stages, and the visuals.
Nintendo DS: Nintendogs
The DS Opened The Gate For Casuals
Nintendogs
- Released
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August 22, 2005
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
The DS was seemingly designed as a way to get more people interested in gaming devices, and one of the smart ways Nintendo did that was by releasing Nintendogs. The game overall came in different versions, each highlighting different breeds of dogs, which would then lead to cats being implemented in the 3DS generation. While these games were more like digital pets than video games, allowing players to play with their pets, wash them, feed them, and so on, no one can deny how much they meant to the DS line.
Nintendo Wii: Wii Sports
Playing The Wii With The Family
Wii Sports
- Released
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November 19, 2006
- ESRB
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E For Everyone due to Mild Violence
Wii Sports made the Wii a phenomenon as a pack-in title and also a great demonstration of how motion control games work. The Wii became a sensation across all ages, and because of this, it was hard to find for a time. Most people understood how to play games like bowling and golf in real life, which translated well into the simplistic controls of Wii Sports. It’s hard to say if the Wii had been as successful without it.
Nintendo 3DS: Find Mii
The StreetPass Games 3DS Games Were Amazing
The 3DS was not successful at launch due to the high price point and lack of killer apps, but Nintendo eventually righted the ship. Once Nintendo fans got one, it became a great companion for walking around or going to conventions thanks to the SpotPass functionality and the built-in StreetPass games like Find Mii and Puzzle Swap. Players could create their Mii for their system, and when another person walked past, they would exchange info, which would help in little mini-games, and it’s sad that Nintendo never tried this idea again.
