Incredible Nintendo Games Turning 10 Years Old In 2026

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As a Nintendo fan, I remember 2016 being a really important year. It felt like the end of an era for the Wii U and 3DS – though they did get a few more games after that, mostly on the 3DS. Things definitely started to wind down as everyone knew the Switch was coming in 2017. It makes me wonder, looking back ten years, did Nintendo really go all-out with a ton of amazing games that year?

2016 didn’t have any games quite as revolutionary as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but it still offered a lot of great exclusive titles that people remember fondly. These games will be a decade old next year, and Nintendo might consider bringing them to the Switch 2 with a port or remaster. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in 2026.

Pokemon GO

Beware Of Cliffs

Although not a traditional Nintendo game, Pokémon GO was a massive success for the brand in 2016, demonstrating its popularity on mobile platforms. The app was free to download on Android and iOS, allowing players to use augmented reality to catch Pokémon in the real world.

In 2016, Pokémon GO was the most popular game across all platforms, and it remains widely played today. That same year also saw the release of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon for the 3DS, and both games will celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2026.

The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Wolf Link Reborn

Originally launched for GameCube and Wii in 2006, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess received an updated HD version on the Wii U in 2016. While the graphics and controls were improved, the main gameplay experience stayed largely the same.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess tells a strange story of Link transforming into a wolf and teaming up with Midna, a mischievous imp who accompanies him in battle. Many Nintendo Switch owners are surprised this popular Wii U game hasn’t been re-released on newer consoles, but with the game’s 20th anniversary approaching in 2026, a port might finally happen.

Kirby: Planet Robobot

Domo Arigato, Kirby Roboto

Kirby: Planet Robobot, a game for the 3DS, introduced a unique feature: Kirby spent most of the game piloting a mech! While he could still use his classic abilities like inhaling enemies and flying, the core gameplay revolved around controlling this robotic suit.

This game is a fast-paced entry in the Kirby series. It was a welcome addition to the 3DS, which didn’t have many action games at the time. With its cool robot designs, creative levels, and vibrant colors, it’s a fun platformer that deserves more recognition.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Too Many Marios

Released in 2015 in Japan (and 2016 in North America) for the 3DS, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a special game in the Mario RPG series. It uniquely blends the styles of the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games.

This game was fundamentally a Mario & Luigi adventure, but it introduced Paper Mario as a playable third character during battles. Though not the strongest game in the series, it had some memorable moments and is best known for its unusual combination of elements.

Fire Emblem Fates

Torn Between Families

Fire Emblem Fates launched on the 3DS in Japan in 2015, and came to North America in 2016. This was the first time in the Fire Emblem series that two different versions of the game were released simultaneously. In Conquest, players side with the family they’ve chosen, battling against their biological relatives. Birthright, on the other hand, has players remaining loyal to their birth family.

The two campaigns offer very different experiences, with unique missions and characters. In late 2016, a downloadable episode called Revelation was released to connect the stories of both games.

Dragon Ball Fusions

Do The Fusion Dance

While many fans have overlooked it, Dragon Ball Fusions is a surprisingly strong entry in the Dragon Ball series. Unlike most games based on the anime, Dragon Ball Fusions boasts an original story and a fresh way to play.

Players build a unique character and jump into fast-paced, strategic battles in a dynamic 3D environment. Characters fight automatically, team up with allies for powerful combo attacks, and can even merge with each other, leading to a huge range of attack possibilities and exciting combat.

Project X Zone 2

A Tactical Fighter

Project X Zone 2 came out in Japan in 2015 for the 3DS, and then in North America in 2016. It’s the final installment in a brief series, notable for bringing together a huge and unexpected group of characters from Sega, Capcom, and Bandai Namco games. Characters from Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Awakening, Chrom and Lucina, are also included.

Beyond its guest appearances, the game is a strategy RPG played on a grid. Battles involve positioning units and chaining together attacks to launch enemies into the air before your turn finishes. It feels like a fighting game, but with a greater emphasis on planning and tactics.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

Japan’s Next Top Idol

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is a unique crossover game that’s celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. It combines the style of the Persona series with a world inspired by Japan and characters from Fire Emblem. Originally released in Japan for the Wii U in 2015, it later came to North America in 2016 and was then ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2020.

During battles, players can call upon characters from the Fire Emblem series – like Chrom and Tharja – as powerful allies to exploit enemy weaknesses. The game has a bright, pop-music focused atmosphere, with characters even aiming to become idols. Longtime fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series might recall that Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse was previously released on the 3DS in 2016.

Dragon Quest 7: Fragments Of The Forgotten Past

Time After Time

Originally launched for the PlayStation in 2000 in Japan (and 2001 in North America), Dragon Quest 7 has seen a few releases. A remake for the 3DS, titled Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, came out in Japan in 2013 and North America in 2016. Now, a brand new remake, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, is scheduled for a global release on February 5, 2026.

Honestly, the 3DS version was a massive upgrade. One of the biggest things for me was how much easier it made finding those time-travel tablets – it wasn’t such a grind anymore! Plus, I loved that you could actually see the enemies on the map. No more random battles popping up out of nowhere! It made the combat flow way better and exploring felt so much fairer, honestly. It just wasn’t tedious anymore.

Monster Hunter Generations

The Best In The Series

Okay, so this gets a little confusing. When this Monster Hunter game first came out on the 3DS in 2015, it was called Monster Hunter X in Japan. But when it came to the West, they renamed it Monster Hunter Generations. Then, when it came to the Switch, Japan and the West flipped the names again in 2017 and 2018! It’s honestly a bit of a naming mess, but it’s still a fantastic game.

As a longtime Monster Hunter fan, this game was really special! It was basically a celebration of all the monsters from across the series. The gameplay was still the classic zone-based hunts we all know and love, which meant it could be pretty tough for anyone new to Monster Hunter. But for us veterans, it was an amazing experience and one of my favorites!

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2025-12-15 01:07