The very best of Nintendo (to date).

[Christopher]

Hey guys, what do you think has been the very best, of course in your own opinion of each of the following Nintendo franchises thus far, and why:

1.) Mario

2.) Zelda

3.) Kirby

4.) Donkey Kong

5.) Star Fox

6.) Metroid



Mario: Super Mario 64

In my opinion, the epitome of the  plat-forming genre.  This game top to bottom was easily one of the most fun I’ve ever had as a kid growing up on games.  The transition to 3D combined with the excellent variety of obstacles, levels, and enemies just made this feel like such a complete package.  If there was anything I’d ever want was for there to be a Super Mario 64 sequel (no gimmicks such as Sunshine and Galaxy) I just want there to be a vast huge world again that breaks off into sub worlds…just such an amazing game, when you got the 120 stars, it just felt like a complete gaming experience. 

The Legend of Zelda: The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
Cliché in response, but nothing will ever trump this monster IMO.  Such a meaty and complete transition of Zelda into the 3D world, everything was just so perfect, the one thing this game had that made it feel awesome was the charm.  Everything top to bottom was just great, I think no nostalgia bears weight on how it has aged at all, and is still considered IMO to be one of the best Zeldas in every aspect; NPC, score, depth, everything is just here and then some.

Kirby: Kirby Super Star
I remember as a kid that me and my buddy Matt use to play the shit out of this game.  It felt like such a complete package, 6 or so Kirby titles were amazing.  It was also the first time I was introduced to the Kirby genre, sucking up your enemy and stealing his powers, awesome concept.  I’ve (tried my best) to play every Kirby title to date, and IMO nothing just matches the quality and variety found here.  Truly one of the best Kirby titles to date, a real classic.

Donkey Kong: Donkey Kong Country 2
Wow talk about an amazing plat-former, Donkey Kong Country 2 will still always be one of my favorite titles.  The sheer difficultly the title had on it alone still makes it one of the toughest enjoyable games to play on even today.  For the SNES this was really breaking new limits in terms of gameplay, and how graphics can enhance the overall gameplay experience.  It was just a very good looking game that STILL holds up today, never mind when it was released.   This was Rareware at its best, the gameplay, the music, the settings, just fucking amazing. 

Star Fox: meh.
I haven’t really played much of Star Fox out of Star Fox Adventures because it promised to be an on par Zelda game…which sucked a nut, so that left a sour taste in my mind for Fox McCloud, but I wouldn’t hesitate to run through the classic Star Fox games when released on Virtual Console.

[The Fake Shemp]

They peaked with the N64.

[Christopher]

sadly

[CajoleJuice]

They peaked with the N64.

I didn't have a SNES, so...

AMEN

But why the fuck don't you have Metroid on your list, Chris?

[Van Cruncheon]

1. Yoshi's Island.
2. Oracles, made by CAPCOM who always does Zelda better.
3. Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (aka Kirbtroid).
4. Donkey Kong '94 (GB/GBC)
5. the original Starfox, which hasn't held up well. Furries suck!

[Christopher]

Oh shit Cajole I forgot all about that, well I only personally played Metroid Prime (ZzzzZz) and Fusion (which was really good).  I'll add it, make a list then duder.

[CajoleJuice]

1. Super Mario Bros. 3 - The game I grew up loving. It will never get old either.
2. The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time - Basically what you said.
3. Kirby's Dream Land - Only Kirby I've played
4. Donkey Kong Country? - Haven't beaten any of them.
5. Starfox 64 - Pretty much the only one I've played a significant amount of time.
6. Fucking SUPER METROID 

[Van Cruncheon]

Metroid Fusion > Super Metroid, LOL IN UR FACE

[CajoleJuice]

Metroid Fusion > Super Metroid, LOL IN UR FACE

OMG I JUST GOT OWNED 

[Vizzys]

Metroid Fusion > Super Metroid, LOL IN UR FACE

I concur.

[CajoleJuice]

Well, at least can all agree that Chris sucks for leaving Metroid off the list. 

[Van Cruncheon]

yeah, he's a fratfag

[CajoleJuice]

I'd defend you Chris, but leaving Metroid off this list is a pretty big fuckup sir.

[Van Cruncheon]

and including starfox -- wtf, the original and 64 aside, did ANYBODY other than obese furries care about that shitty f-grade franchise

[CajoleJuice]

and including starfox -- wtf, the original and 64 aside, did ANYBODY care about that shitty f-grade franchise

STAR FOX ADVENTURES LOL

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I beat it. 

[close]

[Van Cruncheon]

too much yiff and too little spliff

[Vizzys]

Starfox sucks overall.

[FlameOfCallandor]

1.) Mario Super Mario World Lots of power ups, levels and baddies. Tons of stuff to do here.

2.) Zelda Link to the Past, Chocked full of shit to do! I loved every second of this, please bring back the hyrule field music.

3.) Kirby Who gives a shit about this guy.

4.) Donkey Kong Who gives a shit about this guy.

5.) Star Fox the 64 one was fun, but I wan an RTS around this universe.

6.) Metroid Really like metroid prime.

[jaelblade]

Super Mario RPG for the SNES is still one of my favorite games to date.

Mario Party, Super Smash Brothers, and Mario Kart are some of the best multi player games I've seen

[Itch]

All the best versions of those games were on the SNES. Seriously. Metroid Prime? Are you fucking kidding me?

We should just forget that the Gamecube ever existed because every iteration of the classic Nintendo franchises on that console smoked pole.

If Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island counts as a Mario game then that's by far my favorite of that series.

[The Sceneman]

1.) Mario Super Mario World Lots of power ups, levels and baddies. Tons of stuff to do here.

2.) Zelda Link to the Past, Chocked full of shit to do! I loved every second of this, please bring back the hyrule field music.

3.) Kirby Who gives a shit about this guy.

4.) Donkey Kong Who gives a shit about this guy.

5.) Star Fox the 64 one was fun, but I wan an RTS around this universe.

6.) Metroid Really like metroid prime.

Anyone who likes badass games maybe? You ever played Jungle Beat? Fucking amazing next level shit.

[Himu]

1.) Mario - YOSHI'S MOTHER FUCKING ISLAND

2.) Zelda - Twilight Princess, although I love every Zelda in the series (except Zelda 2)

3.) Kirby - Kirby's Canvas Curse

4.) Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong is a pretty average series.

5.) Star Fox - lol SF sucks

6.) Metroid - Super Metroid, although Metroid Prime was THE BOMB.

[etiolate]

1.) Mario
Super Mario World
This one is my favorite.  I am not sure if I can qualify it as best, because Super Mario 3 is close as is m Mario 64, but due to personal bias SMW wins. If you make it the Super Mario All Stars version then it's no contest.

2.) Zelda
Wind Waker
I will admit something shameful for a Nintendo fan here.. I've never played more than 5 minutes of LTTP. I just skipped it during the SNES era and haven't bought any of the gb versions. I need to play lttp, but as it is I prefer Wind Waker to OoT and MM. Oh and I haven't played TP yet either.

3.) Kirby
Canvus Curse
Just cool gameplay design.  Not a normal Kirby, but I didn't play much of the other Kirbys.

4.) Donkey Kong
DKC2
All the DKCs kind of mix together for me, so I'm just picking one of them randomly.

5.) Star Fox
StarFox 64
LOVED this game.

6.) Metroid
Super Metroid
Still the best game of all time. As awesome as Prime was, it didn't have all the things Super did. (like speed boost)

Oh and I like the GC version of every major N franchise better than the 64 version except for Mario and StarFox.  WW > OoT, SSBM > SSB, DKJB > DK64, MKDD > MK64.

[etiolate]

Metroid Fusion > Super Metroid, LOL IN UR FACE

I knew you had no taste!

[Vizzys]

I blame adventures. It was beyond horrible. It took the meaning of horrible to the next level.

[Tigerriot]

1.) Mario - YOSHI'S MOTHER FUCKING ISLAND

2.) Zelda - Twilight Princess, although I love every Zelda in the series (except Zelda 2)

3.) Kirby - Kirby's Canvas Curse

4.) Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong is a pretty average series.

5.) Star Fox - lol SF sucks

6.) Metroid - Super Metroid, although Metroid Prime was THE BOMB.

I TOTALLY agree with your choices, except for Star Fox, and Metroid.  I thought StarFox 64 was awesome, and still do.  I also think Metroid Prime was the best Metroid ever. 

Yoshi's Island is one of my favorite games of all time.  It's crazy that the best Mario game ever doesn't even have Mario in the title.  I cannot wait til this game comes to the Virtual Console.

[Cheebs]

1.) Mario: SMB 3

2.) Zelda: LTTP

3.) Kirby: Super Star

4.) Donkey Kong: DK '94

5.) Star Fox: SF 64

6.) Metroid: Super Metroid

[Himu]

Fuck the best of Nintendo.

Sega >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nintendo

(when they were a game console maker atleast)

[Oblivion]

1. Super Mario World- Loved every goddamn thing about this game. The world was awesome and varied, and unique, level design was fucking ace, and the cape owns all.

SM3 is super super close, though. Haven't played  NSMB yet. :/

2. Zelda- Still in the middle of TP, and although it may be no. 1, I'll just say right now it's OoT. Excellent transition into 3D, great music, great art, great writing, and it was just fucking EPIC.

3. Donkey Kong- Donkey Kong Country 2- Fun platformer, with fuck awesome music. David Wise rox my box.

4. Kirby- That Kirby game on the SNES.

5. Starfox- SF64. I haven't played a lot of 3D air shooters, but I found it fun.

6. Metroid- Super Metroid.


Also, I was having this convo on GAF, but I dunno if YI should be counted as a Mario game. I mean, it rocks and all, but it doesn't even star Mario, and the Mario moniker was added by NoA to help bolster sales. Just sayin.

[Tigerriot]

Also, I was having this convo on GAF, but I dunno if YI should be counted as a Mario game. I mean, it rocks and all, but it doesn't even star Mario, and the Mario moniker was added by NoA to help bolster sales. Just sayin.

Well, you have Nintendo to blame for that.  They considered it part of the franchise, so it's only fitting that the consumers are going to as well.  That said, the game does have Baby Mario in it, and Yoshi, from the Mario games.  So it's really not that hard to see it as being part of the franchise.

[cloudwalking]

1.) Mario
Super Mario Bros 3
Grew up with this one, still one of my most favourite games ever

2.) Zelda
Ocarina of Time
This game just blew me away, it was so amazing and epic and everything about it is just luvluvluv

3.) Kirby
Kirby 64
The game was short, but I love how you can combine powers, the music is just too cute, and it was fun as hell.

4.) Donkey Kong
DKC2
This game just kicks ass, badass music, the levels rocked (it has a pirate ship for fucks sake)

5.) Star Fox
Star Fox 64
It's the only one I've played, but I remember sitting around spending hours playing it with my friends. It's alright.

6.) Metroid
Super Metroid
Haven't played much Metroid games, but this one I had a lot of fun playing although I didn't beat it

[CajoleJuice]

I love Cloud. 

[The Fake Shemp]

From everybody's list, it looks like I was right in that Nintendo peaked as a development studio with the N64.

They should make game good games again.

[whiteACID]

1.) Mario
Super Mario Bros 3
Grew up with this one, still one of my most favourite games ever

I feel old, I grew up on original Mario Bros. I remember going Toy's R Us with my dad and picking it up the day it came out.

[CajoleJuice]

1.) Mario
Super Mario Bros 3
Grew up with this one, still one of my most favourite games ever

I feel old, I grew up on original Mario Bros. I remember going Toy's R Us with my dad and picking it up the day it came out.

Well, I pretty much grew up with all three at once and I'm not quite 21. But 3 was the one that reigned supreme.