@Tendoboy
Challenge is usually a good thing. I can see Retro beating Rare but it sucks everyone overlooks Intelligent Systems. It's always about Rare and Retro. Intelligent Systems have been my favorite developer at Nintendo (I believe they call them 2nd parties), since... forever.

Actually Intelligent Systems is wholly owned by Nintendo.

Here's a list of developers that are owned by Nintendo:

Nintendo Worldwide R&D Divisions

Nintendo Software Planning & Development (Nintendo SPD)
The development group includes several of the original development officers from the old software and hardware development sectors. While the group leaders are decade old veterans, the bulk of the development teams working alongside are mainly newer employees. The development teams are minuscule compared to the average larger staffed Nintendo EAD project teams. The division is divided into three groups, one that develops in-house software, while the other two mainly co-develop and produce Nintendo Co. software with outhouse or external development teams.

Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development (Nintendo EAD)
The premier development team at Nintendo. The group is the largest concentration of R&D, housing more than 500 engineers and designers. The division is rather large and currently broken into six different subdivisions, each led by a designated producer. The overseeing managers are Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. Currently, five divisions are located in the central Kyoto R&D building, while the sixth division resides in the Tokyo offices.

Nintendo Software Design & Development (Nintendo SDD)
The experimental team that created the Touch Generations line of software. The team is responsible for creating several Nintendo DS retail software and downloadable applications. Most of the Wii Channels are also developed by this R&D group.

Nintendo Network Service Development (Nintendo NSD)
Originally operated under Nintendo Special-Planning & Development. The division is described as an interesting mix of a hardware team coupled with a design team. The team creates both hardware peripherals, gadgets, toys, and software.

Nintendo Integrated Research & Development (Nintendo IRD)
Nintendo's hardware group specializing in all engineering and technological aspects of Nintendo's console development. The division also houses industrial designers who design peripherals such as the WaveBird, Wii Zapper, and Wii steering wheel. The group was originally known as Research and Development Department 3 (R&D3),[6] with the same primary functions, with the exception that manager Genyo Takeda enjoyed moonlighting by developing console and arcade games.

Nintendo RED
Nintendo's hardware group specializing in all engineering and technological aspects of Nintendo's handheld development.

Nintendo Business Technology Development
The group in charge of producing and overseeing Nintendo Co. published software developed by other developers that need little development assistance other than funding and marketing. Examples of the software are games like Ogre Battle 64 and Kuru Kuru Kururin.

NSTC
American-based software development arm with a direct connection to the Nintendo-funded DigiPen University. The development team also features several employees who were transplanted from Nintendo Co., Ltd, Rockstar Games, and Electronic Arts among others.

NTD
American-based technology development arm.

Nintendo 1st Party Developers (Worldwide)

Retro Studios
Software development studio located in Austin, Texas, United States. Former Nintendo of America employee Michael Kelbaugh was appointed president of the branch. It is 100% owned and directed by Nintendo of Japan.

Nd Cube
Software development studio located in Tokyo, Japan. Nintendo and Nintendo advertising firm Dentsu co-ventured this software studio which is 98% Nintendo owned, and 2% 3rd Parties

Project Sora
Software development studio located in Tokyo, Japan. Nintendo and former Nintendo/HAL Laboratory employee Masahiro Sakurai founded this group to develop unique software possibly aimed at the core market.

Brownie Brown
Nintendo-funded and owned software development studio located in Tokyo, Japan.

Monolith Soft
Software development studio located in Tokyo, Japan. This studio was previously owned by Namco Bandai, until 2007 when Namco-Bandai transferred 80% of its 96% stake to Nintendo. The company is currently 80% Nintendo owned, 16% Namco-Bandai, and 4% 3rd Parties

Intelligent Systems
Software Development Studio located in Kyoto, Japan. This studio primarily focuses on the Fire Emblem series, and has worked with Nintendo since the launch of the NES. It is 100% owned and directed by Nintendo of Japan.

HAL Laboratory
Software Development Studio located in Tokyo, Japan. This studio is 100% owned by Nintendo.

Yay for c/ping from Wikipedia.

What'chu talkin' about Willis? I wrote all that by hand off the top of my head.

Paper Mario

WarioWare Touched! is my favorite of the games they've made, and my favorite of the WarioWare entries. Pushmo has left a strong impression on me, so there is room for that one to become a favorite of mine as well. Super Metroid is one of their best, but I personally don't feel it's Top 5 in the Metroid Series. Still great, I just don't see it as special as Touched! and Pushmo.

I guess everyone has their own opinions. I either have Super Metroid as first, or tied with Prime 1. It is at the least one of the best games on the Super Nintendo, my favorite system of all time.

Wow, only one 2011 game by Intelligent Systems? Shame. They had 13 games in 2009. Oh well, at least Pushmo is good, as it is my favorite Intelligent Systems game. (See profile picture.)

I'm pretty sure Intelligent Systems didn't make Super Metroid...

They developed it

also: my favorite Intelligent Systems game might be WarioWare Touched or INC for GBA (thank you EPICTENDO for these free ambassador titles)

Huh? I thought Yoshio Sakamoto's team at Nintendo R&D1 made it?

How much proof do you want? IS developed it...

co-developed