Top 10 Nintendo Franchises

What started as a tech demo for the SNES’s Super FX chip turned a beloved, if slightly underdeveloped franchised. Taking control of the dashing Fox McCloud, gamers have explored and fallen in love with the Lylat system, home to the many galactic adventures of the Star Fox mercenary fleet. Players have gotten to pilot the high-speed Arwing in fast-paced, intense, shooter sequences, and even run around exotic planets on foot. Some of the later editions have received mixed feelings from fans, but the series has been confirmed to be coming the Wii U in the future.

Though it’s disappointing that half of the games in the series haven’t been released outside Japan, players with a craving for a turn based strategy and role-playing experience should look no further than the Fire Emblem series. With its fantastical swords-and-sorcery setting and its addictive tactical gameplay, the series has a lot to sink your teeth in. Its also one of those franchises that keeps getting better with its strongest release to date being its most recent on the 3DS.

When not running around as heroic plumbers and lumbering gorillas, who do Nintendo fans turn to for their platforming fix? That’s right, this little galactic pink ball. Kirby’s trademark ability to absorb the powers of his enemies makes him stand out among the unusual platforming adventurers, and puts a new meaning to the phrase ‘you are what you eat”. He’s cute, sure, but don’t be fooled – this lil’ guy packs a punch… or a fireball. Or a laser beam. No one knows what exactly Kirby’s packing, and that’s what makes him so adorable, yet deadly.

Hanging out with anthropomorphic animals all day has never been more fun than in the addictive Animal Crossing series. Whether you’re running around doing errands for your villagers, or trying to catch every bug and every fish for your town’s Museum, this little life-simulation game will keep you busy every day of the week. The series has only gotten bigger and better over time, with the most recent addition featuring online play, design sharing, and more ways than ever to make your town truly original. You can get lost for weeks … even months in this addictive series.

To think, Mario’s first ever foe would later star in his own incredible platforming series that often rivals the king of platformers himself. Donkey Kong went beyond his roots as a puzzle-platformer on the Gameboy before finally getting his own full-fledged platform-adventure game with Donkey Kong Country. DK and his furry friends have been running, jumping, and swinging across some of the most beautifully-crafted levels seen to the platform genre, finding secrets, and, of course, grabbing bananas along the way.

What do you get when you combine the addictive platforming of Mario, the non-linear exploration of Zelda, the varied and kick-ass assortment of weapons of Megaman, and wrap it up in one dark, atmospheric, mysterious Sci-Fi package? That’s right: you get Metroid. From its roots on the NES, to the incredibly timeless Super Metroid on the SNES, all the way to the epic 3D saga of the Metroid Prime Trilogy. The adventures of Samus Aran are an action-packed exploration-based romp through alien territory, and one of Nintendo’s most epic franchises.

One day, someone at HAL Laboratory known as Masahiro Sakurai had an idea: why not push every big Nintendo character out there into an all-out brawl? And that idea changed Nintendo forever, sparking one of its most popular by combining all of the others, as well as a few extras. With Smash Bros., Nintendo proved that it could take on any genre and make it unique, fun, and accessible for everyone. In more recent years the later titles began including iconic 3rd party characters, with the likes of Solid Snake, Mega Man, and Mario’s classic rival: Sonic the Hedgehog, joining the brawl.

If you grew up in the 90s, you definitely remember the year or two where the world was swept up in the craze that is Pokémon, both on everyone’s Gameboy, and on TV. The franchise is still going strong, thanks to its addictive team-building, exploration-based, competition-heavy gameplay. From its humble beginnings in the grayscale Kanto region to the exhilarating 3D world of Kalos, Pokémon’s had gamers running around tall grass searching for powerful critters for years now, all in the hopes of becoming the ultimate Pokémon Master.

Another NES gem that truly blossomed with every Nintendo console that followed, no gamer has truly tasted adventure until they’ve played through any Zelda game. The large, immersive world of Hyrule filled with fairies, talking trees, magical spirits, fearsome beasts, and pointy-eared swordsmen has been home to some of the most memorable adventures yet, with more to come. The only misstep in the franchise’s history may have been its title – for the hundredth time, the main character is Link not Zelda!

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:

Kid Icarus
F-Zero
Pikmin
Wii Sports/Party/Music (2006-)

Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be – almost any Nintendo fan can tell you that Mario’s various adventures are addictive, charming, and masterfully-made, earning him this #1 spot. This brave overall-clad hero doesn’t just stomp on Koopas and rescue princesses, he also stars in games that span almost every genre: Racing, Boardgame, RPG, Sports, Puzzle, and more. Whether he’s lobbing blue shells at his opponents, or turning paper-thin, Mario’s is inarguably, the most iconic video game character ever, and this robust and varied franchise is at the heart of every gamer.


Do you agree with our list? Which Nintendo franchise can’t you get enough of? For more fantastic Top 10s posted daily,be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.