I noticed that IGN ran a list of their Top 125 Nintendo games to celebrate Nintendo's 125th anniversary (although their choices were clouded by the games' influence at the time of their releases), and I thought I'd like to choose my favorite game of each Nintendo franchise with which I'm familiar enough and has had multiple releases (so no Xenoblade entry until I can try X, for example). I invite others to do the same, although I ask that you keep your judgments of sound and graphics relative as to what was possible on the systems for which the games were released.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl - While I do prefer Melee's stronger gravity and fewer random elements, it's not enough to make up for all the improvements made in Brawl such as the expanded character roster, Final Smashes, the Subspace Emissary (which I really liked), and the limited online play capabilities and stage customization options are still better than none at all. Although, this entry will probably change in two days and again when the Wii U version comes out.
Mario Kart: Double Dash - While there is only a very limited means of online play, this entry does everything else right with good graphics, excellent course design, one of only two entries (along with 64) that has a good Battle Mode, All-Cup Tour, none of those stupid bikes, and the exclusive to this entry and very fun double kart riding and individual power-up mechanics.
Super Mario World - This game along with "Sonic 3 and Knuckles" represent the pinnacle of 2D platformers. It took everything good about the previous games and turned it up to 11. While there are also some very good 3D entries, they each have their flaws between 64's primitive (by modern standads) design and controls, Sunshine's oddball mechanics, and Galaxy 1 & 2's annoying shifting camera views. I haven't tried 3D Land or 3D World yet, so they may be more my style.
Super Metroid - Another exceptional example of 16-bit genius, this improved greatly on the first two games and hasn't been matched since. I hate being followed around by an invincible enemy in Fusion. I prefer Other M's gameplay, but it's held back by terrible dialogue. The Prime games are also great but still not quite up to par.
Pokémon G/S/C or Pokémon X/Y - I haven't quite decided between these entries. G/S/C took R/B/Y as a base and nearly perfected it by including improved graphics, two whole regions, 66% more Pokémon and attacks, two new types with massive balance improvements and glitch removal, and expanded game mechanics including breeding, hold items, and time cycles. Later editions had their own bright spots but were held back in some ways such as the stupid contests, lousy monster design in R/S/E, overloading with legends, and some lackluster stories. This brings us to X/Y which includes more recent improvements like abilities, type-specific physical/special split, and loads of online play options with new things like a shiny new 3D engine, the Fairy type, avatar customization, Mega Evolutions, and some excellent new monsters.
Star Fox 64 3D - The original Star Fox was a excellent game limited by primitive hardware, and the remake on the N64 proved to be the game it was meant to be. Adventure was a great game but still not up to par, Assault was a mixed bag, and Command was let down by a confusing story and awkward touch screen controls, so the game had yet to be surpassed until its remaster on the 3DS, which includes improved graphics with stereoscopic 3D, an extra medal challenge mode that allows you to instantly replay any level you've previously beaten, and an alternate gameplay mode that lets you save in between missions.
Kid Icarus Uprising - The first game was okay, the second game was better, but this new entry just blows them out of the water. Sakurai did an amazing job reinventing this long dormant series.
Kirby's Return to Dreamland - The Kirby series is a strange mixed bag with fun, straightforward entries like the original Dream Land, Adventure, and Super Star mixed in with various interesting spinoffs like Dream Course, Pinball Land, and Air Ride along with gimmicky entries that just aren't very fun like Canvas Curse, Mass Attack, and Epic Yarn. "Return to Dreamland" is the latest and greatest of the traditional titles (Triple Deluxe is mostly just another gimmicky entry although better than most of them) with the usual excellent Kirby gameplay improved with super power-ups, up to 4 player coop, and the ability to play as Dedede, Meta Knight, or Waddle Dee in coop, along with it's own fun set of minigames.
Fire Emblem: Awakening - This entry is admitted to being something of all all-star entry, including basically every popular game mechanic in the series. It also has excellent graphics, a riveting story, loads of extra content, and an option to turn off permadeath.
Pikmin 2 - Sorry to fans of the other entries, but the lack of a time limit cinches the choice for me. I just don't like being rushed in my video games.
Wii Sports Club - This updated version includes some excellent new additions such as HD graphics, online play, MotionPlus functionality, and revamped Baseball mechanics. It could be argued that Boxing was made worse, but I never liked that one to begin with.
Ash: Professor Oak, how's your Bulbasaur?
Prof. Oak: Oh, it only hurts when I sit.
...
Prof. Oak: It's only Chansey if Krabby won't let go. Bye, now.
Ash: I don't think I'm going to call him anymore.
Super Mario Galaxy—It has loads of variety in levels and power-ups while retaining most of what I love about 64 and Sunshine.
Mario Kart: Double Dash‼︎——Not the best mechanics, graphics, or sound, but the last great local multiplayer Mario Kart. (Unless you actually knew someone who had a GBA, Super Circuit, and a link cable or could manage to get five to seven other people to play MK7… And I bet Mario Kart 8 is great fun with four players, no CPUs, and the items set to frantic mode, but I haven't tried this. But I digress.) This game had the best battle mode and the items weren't “balanced” to a boring extent, so even 2-player versus was fun.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker—The stylish visual design, dramatic moments, novel gameplay ideas, strong and varied atmosphere, and broad scope come together to form a surprisingly impactful adventure.
Kirby Mass Attack—A fully realized, cohesive action game built on the solid foundation of the DS's bottom screen. It feels like the DS was made for this game.
Pikmin 2—More variety and, ironically, greater challenge make this a substantial improvement over its great predecessor. As for Pikmin 3, I haven't played much of that yet.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes—It takes a while for the game to get meaningfully good, but by the time you get the Dark Visor it's really good, and it only gets better from there.
WarioWare: Twisted!—Funnest, coolest microgames and extras. Plus I draw childish pleasure from the sound effects/samples.
Super Mario - Super Mario Galaxy 2
Zelda - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Pokemon - Pokemon Black Version
Kirby - Kirby Squeak Squad
Pikmin - Pikmin 2
Mario Kart - Mario Kart 8
WarioWare - WarioWare Twisted!
Animal Crossing - Animal Crossing New Leaf
Kid Icarus - Kid Icarus Uprising
Paper Mario - Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door
Punch-Out!! - Punch-Out!! (Wii)
Wii Fit - Wii Fit U
Mario - Yoshi's Island (if you don't count that, Mario Galaxy)
Mario Kart - Mario Kart DS
Mario RPGs - Paper Mario
Zelda - Tie between Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess (but Link's Awakening DX for 2D games)
Metroid - Metroid Prime (obviously)
Kirby - ...actually was Kirby's Adventure but slowdown has ruined it for me in recent playthroughs so I have no idea. I guess either DL2 or Superstar Ultra.
Pokemon - Either the original or remakes of S/G/C
Smash Bros - Melee
Star Fox - Star Fox 64
Mother - Mother 3
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country 2
Wii - Wii Sports Resort
Kid Icarus - Kid Icarus Uprising
Animal Crossing - Animal Crossing
Advance Wars - Advance Wars DS
Warioware - The original
Rhythm Heaven - The DS one
Pikmin - couldn't decide (at least not until I replay the first 2 games someday)
some other series for fun and profit!
Sonic - Sonic 2 (Colors for 3D games)
Castlevania - Dawn of Sorrow (3 for older games)
Megaman - Legends (Megaman 3 and X1/2 for those series)
Assassin's Creed - 2
Rayman - Legends
Final Fantasy - IV (would be IX if I ever played IX)
Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
If I don't mention an IP, it's because I don't have enough experience with it to pick a favorite. Or it's like Kid Icarus or Yoshi where the choice is obvious.
Mario: 3D World. Yes, really. Best local multiplayer in a Mario game and that's what matters in platformers. Mario Kart: DS. Best of old and new with tons of variety. Donkey Kong: Donkey Kong Country 2. Zelda: Ocarina of Time. A Link Between Worlds for 2D games. Metroid: Metroid Prime. Fire Emblem: Awakening. Pokemon: Leaf Green/Fire Red. Great remake of my favorite generation. Star Fox: Star Fox 64, though the competition is pretty weak... F-Zero: F-Zero GX.
Mario Kart DS
Kirby's Canvas Curse
Ocarina of Time/Wind Waker draw
Donkey Kong Country 2
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Warioware: Twisted
Metroid... umm... Prime
New Super Mario Bros WiiU
Pokemon Gold/Silver
Super Mario - Super Mario Sunshine Super Mario Bros. - New Super Mario Bros. Mario Kart - Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Zelda - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Metroid - Metroid: Other M Kirby - Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Pikmin - Pikmin 3 Animal Crossing - Animal Crossing Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Pokémon - Red / Blue / Yellow
Mario - Yoshi's Island (if you don't count that, Mario Galaxy)
Mario Kart - Mario Kart DS
Mario RPGs - Paper Mario
Zelda - Tie between Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess (but Link's Awakening DX for 2D games)
Metroid - Metroid Prime (obviously)
Kirby - ...actually was Kirby's Adventure but slowdown has ruined it for me in recent playthroughs so I have no idea. I guess either DL2 or Superstar Ultra.
Pokemon - Either the original or remakes of S/G/C
Smash Bros - Melee
Star Fox - Star Fox 64
Mother - Mother 3
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country 2
Wii - Wii Sports Resort
Kid Icarus - Kid Icarus Uprising
Animal Crossing - Animal Crossing
Advance Wars - Advance Wars DS
Warioware - The original
Rhythm Heaven - The DS one
Pikmin - couldn't decide (at least not until I replay the first 2 games someday)
some other series for fun and profit!
Sonic - Sonic 2 (Colors for 3D games)
Castlevania - Dawn of Sorrow (3 for older games)
Megaman - Legends (Megaman 3 and X1/2 for those series)
Assassin's Creed - 2
Rayman - Legends
Final Fantasy - IV (would be IX if I ever played IX)
Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
Your taste is darn near flawless! Well done! Only game on this list that I personally don't rate is Twilight Princess.
Mario - Super Mario 64
Mario Kart - Mario Kart Double Dash
Zelda - Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country 2
Metroid - Metroid Zero Mission
Smash Bros - Super Smash Bros Melee
Starfox - Starfox 64
Kirby - Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards
F-Zero - F-Zero GX
Pokemon - Pokemon Stadium (never got much into Pokemon)
More....
Sonic - Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Streets of Rage - Streets of Rage 2
Shinobi - Shinobi 3 Return of the Ninja Master
Crash Bandicoot - Crash Bandicoot 2 Cortex Strikes Back
Star Wars - Star Wars Battlefront 2
Resident Evil - Resident Evil 2
Silent Hill - Silent Hill 2
Megaman - Megaman 4
FInal Fantasy - Final Fantasy X
Indiana Jones - Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Halo - Halo Comabt Evolved
Where my friends and I usually get stupid:
https://www.twitch.tv/MUDWALLHOLLER - Come by hang and visit our Discord. The link for Discord is on the Twitch page.
Nintendo:
Zelda - Skyward Sword or Twilight Princess
F-Zero - F-Zero X
Metroid - Metroid Prime (1)
Fire Emblem - It's a toss up between Radiant Dawn and Awakneing
SSB - Brawl
Starfox - Assault
Mario Kart - Wii (though I would probably like 8 more if I had it)
Not Nintendo:
Uncharted - Uncharted 3
Batman - Arkham City
inFamous - Second Son
Transformers - War for Cybertron
Sly Cooper - Sly 2
James Bond - Blood Stone
Star Wars - A toss up between KOTOR and Battlefront 2
Warriors - Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
Rune Factory- Rune Factory 4
Shinobi - Shinobi 3
Need for Speed - Rivals
I'll edit my comment to add my list later but I must say I'm so happy to see so many Shinobi 3 fans! I played that game to pieces growing up and still regularly replay it.
Taiko is good for the soul, Hoisa!
Japanese NNID:RyuNiiyamajp
Team Cupcake! 11/15/14
Team Spree! 4/17/19
I'm a Dream Fighter. Perfume is Love, Perfume is Life.
Mario Kart - MK8
Fire Emblem - Radiant Dawn
Mario Bros - Super Mario World
Mario Sports - Mario Golf Toadstool Tour
Zelda - OoT
Metroid - Super Metroid
Final Fantasy - FFIV
Turok - Turok 2
Star Fox - Star Fox 64
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country
Rogue Squadron - Rogue Squadron II Rogue Leader
Animal Crossing - Animal Crossing
DK - Donkey Kong Country Returns
Kirby - Kirby Air Ride
Mario - Super Mario Sunshine
Mario Kart - Mario Kart Wii
Mario Party - Mario Party 3
Pokemon - Pokemon Diamond
Super Smash Bros. - Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Wario - Game & Wario
Yoshi - Yoshi's Story
*Luigi's Mansion (I just couldn't leave out Luigi's Mansion. Maybe my favorite game of all time.)
Mario Kart - MKW (soon to be overtaken by MK8 but probably 2000 hours of catching up to do)
Wars - Advance Wars
2D Mario - Super Mario World
3D Mario - Galaxy 1
Wii series - Wii Sports Club
Zelda - OoT or LttP
F-Zero - X (better music and difficulty than GX)
Metroid - Metroid Prime Trilogy
CoD - Modern Warfare 1
Star Fox - Star Fox 64
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country
Pilotwings - 64
Rogue Squadron - Rogue Squadron II Rogue Leader
Football - ISS98
Street Fighter - Super Street Fighter 2
Mortal Kombat - 2
Civ - Civ3
Syndicate - Syndicate Wars
Sim City - Sim City SNES
Counter Strike - Counter Strike Source
Medal of Honor - MoH:H2
Tomb Raider - the original
Sega Rally - Sega Rally Championship
I only posted this to get my avatar as the forum's thumbnail.
Fire Emblem - Awakening
Zelda - A Link Between Worlds
Mario - 64
Metroid - Fusion
Yoshi - Yoshi's Island
Wario - Warioware Mega Microgames
Mario Kart - DS
Not Nintendo:
Professor Layton - Curious Village
Dragon Quest - V
Mario - Super Mario 64
Zelda - The Wind Waker
Metroid - Metroid Prime
Mario Kart - Super Circuit
F-Zero - F-Zero GX
Starfox - Starfox 64
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze
Kirby - Kirby's Power Paintbrush
Forums
Topic: Favorite Game of Each Franchise
Posts 1 to 20 of 28
This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.