Best Sci-Fi Games By Nintendo

Highlights

Some of Nintendo’s sci-fi titles are hidden gems, showcasing rich, complex worlds in various genres, like shooters, action games, and RPGs.
Games like Custom Robo, F-Zero GX, Astral Chain, and Metroid Prime Remastered offer unique experiences in the realm of sci-fi gaming.
The Xenoblade Chronicles series showcases phenomenal JRPG storytelling, innovative worlds, and top-tier combat mechanics, making them must-play titles.

As a seasoned video game enthusiast with over three decades of playing under my belt, let me tell you that these two games are nothing short of extraordinary. If I were to rank them based on my personal gaming journey, I’d say they both stand tall among the giants.

For more than five decades, Nintendo has delved into an expansive range of video game genres and playstyles. Their portfolio spans from role-playing games in fantasy realms to sports games, action titles, and even virtual farming experiences. Originally known for producing playing cards and toys, they’ve grown to be a renowned figure within the gaming industry. One additional genre they’ve successfully ventured into is sci-fi. Although not their primary focus, Nintendo’s dedication to developing engaging sci-fi games has proven fruitful.

Be it the continuous escapades of spacefaring bounty hunter Samus Aran in the Metroid series or the aerial fights of the Star Fox squadron, Nintendo consistently excels at creating intricate, layered sci-fi terrains. They’ve mastered the art of developing thrilling shooters, grand action games, and expansive role-playing games, many of which unfold in fascinating and immersive settings.

8 Custom Robo

Allows Players To Customize Robots And Battle With Them

Platform: GameCube
Release Date: May 10, 2004
Developer: Noise

To date, a total of five games have been developed under the series “Custom Robo”. Among these, only two have been released in the west, with the game for Nintendo GameCube being one of them. In Japan, it was known as “Battle Revolution”, but was named simply “Custom Robo” for its western release. This game is often overlooked, but is considered one of the most underrated treasures for the Nintendo GameCube.

In the realm of gaming, I’ve found myself immersed in the world of Custom Robo, a GameCube gem that revolves around creating, managing, and dueling with robots. This title offers an engaging single-player story mode, where I navigate a futuristic setting to take down the menacing entity called Rahu. On the multiplayer side, it’s all about pitting my robots against friends in the Holloseum, a virtual reality-esque battlefield that plays host to epic clashes.

7 F-Zero GX

This Futuristic Racer Is F-Zero’s Greatest Entry

The original F-Zero series gained significant traction with its releases on SNES and N64 during the 90s, but it was the GameCube version, specifically F-Zero GX, that set an unmatched standard for this adrenaline-pumping futuristic racing franchise. By fully utilizing the power of the GameCube, Nintendo crafted one of the most exhilarating and heart-racing racing games ever produced.

The F-Zero universe is wonderfully captured in this GameCube gem, where the futuristic designs of the initial spaceships and tracks from the original game are brilliantly brought to life through stunning visual direction. With its engine developed by their previous competitor, Sega, F-Zero GX continues to deliver breathtaking speed and a stylish sci-fi environment that desperately needs a revival on the Nintendo Switch.

6 Astral Chain

A Spectacular Sci-Fi Team-Up With Nintendo And Platinum Games

Following the strong partnership between Nintendo and Platinum Games, sparked by the publication of “Bayonetta 2” and “3”, they collaborated to develop a completely original intellectual property exclusively for the Switch. The product of their joint efforts was “Astral Chain”, an outstanding sci-fi action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk universe. In this game, players assume control of one of two playable twin characters, who can link with creatures and monsters from other dimensions known as Legions through a tether connection.

Featuring intense and demanding battles that Platinum Games is renowned for, Astral Chain stands out as one of the Nintendo Switch’s finest exclusive games. The game’s cyberpunk, anime-inspired setting is a joy to traverse, and its visual aesthetic is nothing short of stunning. Despite creating numerous masterpieces in the past, Astral Chain represents one of Platinum’s most impressive collaborations with Nintendo to date.

5 Star Fox Adventures

A Rare-Developed Star Fox Game That Sees Fox McCloud Go On Foot For The First Time

Back in the day, when I was still a young gamer, I found myself deeply engrossed in the first two installments of the Star Fox series. These awesome rail shooters, pioneered by Nintendo using groundbreaking tech, offered an immersive sci-fi universe centered around ship combat. However, with the GameCube’s release, things took a surprising turn. Instead of more space battles, Nintendo decided to venture into uncharted territory – action-adventure! Star Fox Adventures felt like a fusion of The Legend of Zelda and Star Wars, providing an exciting new experience. Initially, this game was conceived as “Dinosaur Planet” on the N64, but Rare’s remarkable development caught the eye of Shigeru Miyamoto. Intrigued, he combined it with a struggling Star Fox project that Nintendo was working on at the time.

In Star Fox Adventures, instead of being limited to the cockpit of an Arwing, players experience a mix of ground exploration and space combat. The planet Cerinia, with its rich, vibrant landscapes, showcases the powerful capabilities of the GameCube’s hardware and boasts stunning visual aesthetics. The space battles remain captivating, as these on-rails shooter segments offer spectacular particle effects and piloting an Arwing through space continues to be thrilling.

4 Metroid: Zero Mission

An Outstanding Remake And One Of The GBA’s Best Sci-Fi Games

To maintain the original essence of the Metroid franchise amidst the transformations brought by Fusion and Prime, Nintendo crafted a full remake of the initial game within the series for Game Boy Advance. In Metroid: Zero Mission, the harrowing debut journey of interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran is recreated in an impressive manner, detailing her first steps.

Playing Samus in Zero Mission is a delightful experience, as she glides smoothly and effectively through the levels. Familiarizing oneself with Zebes is essential, since this intricate alien world teeming with monsters and traps demands mastery of all skills and weapon upgrades earned during the journey to confront Mother Brain. The game Zero Mission can be easily accessed on Nintendo Switch Online, and it stands out as one of the top games available on the platform.

3 Xenoblade Chronicles X

A Stunning Wii U Title That Offers An Amazing Sci-Fi Story

The game known as Xenoblade Chronicles X was initially developed with an aim to surpass the achievements made in the original version launched for Wii in 2011 by Monolith Soft. They wanted to maximize the potential of the Wii U and construct a vast world suitable for storytelling. Announced at E3 2013, Xenoblade Chronicles X quickly became one of the most eagerly awaited games for the Wii U. The final product, after much anticipation, proved to be well worth the wait.

On the planet Mira, following mankind’s departure from war-ravaged Earth, we find X, an enormous and astonishingly large JRPG. This epic game continues to boast the series’ renowned combat system, seamlessly blending traditional turn-based battles with a touch of MMO style for an exhilarating experience. The world of Mira offers numerous activities and a variety of creatures to engage with. Despite being confined to the Wii U, it’s high time for an update on the Switch, as this game remains a captivating adventure that should not be missed.

2 Metroid Prime Remastered

A Beautiful Remaster Of An Iconic Sci-Fi Game

Samus Aran left a significant mark on the GameCube with the release of Metroid Prime, a breathtakingly good sci-fi first-person shooter. It expertly transformed what made the Metroid series so exceptional in 2D into a compelling 3D experience, resulting in one of the greatest games ever crafted. For the first time, Samus’ battles against the universe’s most malevolent forces were experienced through her tinted visor. This timeless classic was remastered for the Nintendo Switch in 2023, and it continues to captivate players today just as effectively as it did back in 2004.

On the alien world Tallon 4, the game Metroid Prime follows Samus Aran on a tough adventure, where she confronts Space Pirates and the terrifying Meta Ridley among others. This intricate, challenging universe is teeming with secrets, formidable foes, and remains one of the GameCube’s most celebrated titles to date. Compared to other games in the Metroid series, it significantly expanded its lore and mythology, elements that have continued to shape the franchise.

1 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

The Ultimate Way To Play One Of The Wii’s Best Sci-Fi JRPGs

Following a year’s stay in Japan, the highly anticipated game, Xenoblade Chronicles, made its western debut on the Wii in 2011, generating one of the most passionate fan bases in the gaming industry. This outstanding JRPG is set in an exceptionally creative world and offers exceptional combat mechanics. The game’s popularity was so immense that Nintendo re-released it in 2020 for the Switch with updates.

Nestled upon the colossal backs of warring titans named Bionis and Mechonis, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition unfolds an exhilarating story about Shulk and his companions as they strive to reshape their destiny and safeguard their world simultaneously. This edition offers enhanced facial expressions, a remastered soundtrack, and fresh post-game content named Future Connected. The Definitive Edition undeniably provides the optimal experience for enjoying this masterwork. The vast world is captivating to traverse, while the combat remains one of the finest you’ll encounter on a Nintendo Switch.

2024-08-17 15:34