Nintendo Games With 90+ Scores On Open-Critic

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Nintendo is a leading video game company that has been incredibly successful for many years. They’ve released a huge number of popular, exclusive games – some of which have fundamentally changed the way we play games.

Nintendo has had a huge impact on the world of video games, and OpenCritic is a great resource to see how their games have been received recently. Many Nintendo titles appear on lists of the highest-rated games, and here are some of the very best – all have scores of 90 or higher.

Super Mario Odyssey – Score: 97

The Best Nintendo Game Of All Time (According To Open-Critic)

Super Mario Odyssey consistently ranks as the top-rated Nintendo game and the highest-rated video game ever on Open-Critic. This incredibly fun, well-made, and creative 3D platformer truly earns that title, and it’s even convinced many people to buy a Nintendo Switch just to experience it.

After some criticism that recent 3D *Mario* games felt too restrictive, *Super Mario Odyssey* returned to the open-world exploration style of the beloved *Super Mario 64*. But it took things even further with huge, detailed levels. The game also introduced the unique “Capture” ability, letting Mario take control of enemies and objects to overcome obstacles. This combination of freedom, innovation, and fun makes *Super Mario Odyssey* a truly exceptional game and one of Nintendo’s finest achievements.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild – Score: 96

The Game That Single-Handedly Redefined The Open-World Genre

Only slightly behind *Super Mario Odyssey* is *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*. Many Nintendo fans expected it to be number one, and it certainly deserves its spot as one of the top five games on OpenCritic. This groundbreaking game was a major reason why so many people purchased a Nintendo Switch when it first launched, even months before *Super Mario Odyssey* was released.

Released in 2017, *Breath of the Wild* quickly became a gaming phenomenon thanks to its incredibly open world. Players had unprecedented freedom to explore and tackle challenges in any order and using creative solutions. The game’s massive success both with critics and players significantly influenced the gaming industry, inspiring titles like *Elden Ring* and *Sonic Forces*.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom – Score: 95

An Incredible Sequel That’s On Par With Its Predecessor

Despite receiving a slightly lower score than its predecessor, *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* is a remarkably high-quality and ambitious game. While some players were disappointed that it reuses the map from *Breath of the Wild*, the sequel compensates with compelling new content and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Okay, so *Tears of the Kingdom* isn’t just about running around Hyrule anymore – they’ve added these amazing Sky Islands and a whole underground world called the Depths, which is a *huge* deal because it gives you so much more to do and keeps things fresh. But honestly, the coolest part is all the new abilities Link has. The Ultrahand is a game-changer – it lets you grab stuff and build anything from vehicles to crazy machines. Seriously, it totally changes how you get around, fight enemies, and solve puzzles. It’s like, the possibilities are endless!

Metroid Prime Remastered – Score: 94

The Perfect Way To Re-Experience This GameCube Classic

As a huge Nintendo fan, I was completely blown away when they suddenly released *Metroid Prime Remastered* back in February 2023! We’d been hearing whispers about a possible remaster ever since the Switch first came out, but nobody expected it to be *this* good. Seriously, it’s now the absolute best way to play the original GameCube classic – the game that really brought *Metroid* back to life.

What *Metroid Prime Remastered* does best is create a captivating atmosphere. The environments Samus Aran explores were already impressive in the original game – eerie, beautiful, and unsettling – but this remaster takes them to another level with stunning modern graphics and a polished presentation. However, that’s just the beginning. The game is nearly perfect overall, boasting fast-paced combat, a deep and intriguing story, and challenging boss battles.

Super Mario 3D World – Score: 93

One Of The Most Underrated Games In The Entire Mario Franchise

It was surprising to see *Super Mario 3D World* ranked among the highest-rated games, considering many people found it to be less open-ended than other 3D *Mario* games. However, it’s a fantastic platformer in its own right, and when it was released, the Wii U really needed excellent, exclusive games. This likely explains the overwhelmingly positive reviews it received back then.

Even though it came out a while ago, *Super Mario 3D World* is still a fantastic game that many *Mario* fans have overlooked. The levels are bright, cheerful, and packed with creative ideas that keep the gameplay interesting. It’s really enjoyable to play on your own, but it’s even better with up to three friends in local co-op. While reviews mostly cover the original Wii U version, the Nintendo Switch version is the one to get – it has helpful improvements and includes a brand-new adventure called *Bowser’s Fury* that adds a fresh twist to the gameplay.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Score: 92

This Fun Fighting Game Is A Beautiful Celebration Of The Entire Gaming Industry

It’s no surprise that *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* has received such high praise on Open-Critic – it’s one of Nintendo’s most beloved games. The developers, led by Masahiro Sakurai, truly lived up to the game’s “Ultimate” name by including every character who had ever been playable in a *Super Smash Bros.* game, like Pichu, Ice Climbers, and Solid Snake.

The fighting mechanics are a significant step up, making the action feel faster and more precise compared to *Super Smash Bros. for Wii U*. While *Ultimate* offers tons of extra content like different modes, stages, and items, the biggest draw is its huge selection of playable characters. This roster grew even larger with two downloadable content packs that included popular figures from other games, such as Steve from *Minecraft*, Sephiroth from *Final Fantasy*, and Sora from *Kingdom Hearts*. The game truly feels like a tribute to the world of gaming, and it’s amazing that it even exists.

Super Smash Bros. For Wii U – Score: 92

A Delightful (Albeit Controversial) Entry In The Super Smash Bros. Series

It’s surprising that *Super Smash Bros. for Wii U* and *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* have the same score on Open-Critic, as the earlier game doesn’t feel as good as its sequel. That said, *Super Smash Bros. for Wii U* is still a really enjoyable fighting game. It improved on many things from *Super Smash Bros. Brawl* and included a lot of characters fans had wanted for years, such as Rosalina, Greninja, Little Mac, Villager, and Mega Man, among many others.

Although the sequel is a clear improvement, it’s important to remember when *Super Smash Bros. for Wii U* first came out. Like *Super Mario 3D World*, it was released when the Wii U didn’t have many standout games of its own. This meant it was well-received because it finally gave Wii U owners a fantastic multiplayer experience. Plus, *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* wouldn’t have been possible without this earlier version, so *Super Smash Bros. for Wii U* still holds a special place for many gamers.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Score: 92

The Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Game Is An Enhanced Port Of A Wii U Exclusive

With over 68 million copies sold, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* is the most popular game on the Nintendo Switch and consistently receives high praise. It’s a fantastic kart racing game that’s provided endless, fun multiplayer experiences for Switch owners and their friends.

The original *Mario Kart 8* for Wii U was a great-looking game with a cool new way to race, but it had a few weaknesses, like not enough playable characters and a lackluster Battle Mode. *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* addressed all of those problems while still keeping everything players loved about the first game, and it added even more content, including new tracks and characters from other Nintendo franchises. Then, in 2022, Nintendo released the *Booster Course Pass*, adding a whopping 48 more courses for a good price, making an already content-rich game even bigger.

Donkey Kong Bananza – Score: 91

The Main Reason To Own A Nintendo Switch 2 Right Now

Donkey Kong Bananza was a huge hit for the Nintendo Switch 2 when it first launched and is quickly becoming known as one of the best games of 2025. Although Mario Kart World was a strong launch title, Bananza offers a uniquely creative and memorable experience that truly showcases what the console can do, making it a worthwhile purchase. Created by the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, this is the first 3D Donkey Kong game in over two decades, and it’s so good it feels like a fresh start for the series.

The way Donkey Kong can break apart levels is a key feature, carefully crafted to open up new ways to explore and solve puzzles. Beyond that, the charming relationship between Donkey Kong and Pauline introduces the unique Bananza Forms, which add exciting variety to the platforming. *Donkey Kong Bananza* is full of personality, and its incredibly fun and addictive gameplay keeps players coming back for hundreds of hours on their Switch 2 consoles.

Bayonetta 2 – Score: 91

A Bombastic Character Action Game That Wouldn’t Exist Without Nintendo’s Involvement

The *Bayonetta* series is created by PlatinumGames and owned by Sega. However, Nintendo funded and released *Bayonetta 2*, which is now widely considered a top-tier action game. This sequel built upon everything fans loved about the first *Bayonetta* – its fast-paced combat, stylish presentation, diverse weapons, and compelling characters – and took it to an even grander, more unforgettable level.

As a huge fan, I have to say the combat in *Bayonetta 2* is just amazing – it’s so smooth and feels really good to play. You get to use tons of different weapons, combos, and powers as Bayonetta fights angels and demons. And like you’d expect from PlatinumGames, the boss battles are incredible! They’re epic, cinematic fights against huge monsters and really tough enemies. It’s a shame the original Wii U version didn’t sell well, even though critics loved it. Luckily, it got a second chance on the Switch when they released it with the first *Bayonetta* game in 2018, and now more people can enjoy it!

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2025-10-13 13:57