Nintendo's Most Important Games

Highlights

Nintendo’s influence on the gaming industry is far-reaching, with the NES and Tetris paving the way for popular genres.
Pokemon Red and Green revived the Game Boy, setting the stage for monster-catching games and inspiring future titles.
Super Mario Kart’s accessible gameplay and enduring popularity established the mascot-inspired kart racing genre.

As a child of the late 90s and early 2000s, I was fortunate enough to grow up with some truly groundbreaking video games that shaped not only my childhood but also the entire gaming industry. Among these game-changers were three titles that left an indelible mark on me: Super Mario Kart, Wii Sports, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Nintendo can be thanked for bringing the industry back on its toes once they launched the NES. After the NES did so well, there were other consoles on the market like the Sega Master System, which means Nintendo had a big influence on the console market. They have also made plenty of games that others would later go on to borrow ideas from to put it nicely.

As an avid fan of the gaming world, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant impact that “Super Mario Bros.” has had on the platformer genre. However, it’s important to remember that platform games existed long before this Nintendo classic graced our screens. While there may not be a direct link between most platformers and “Super Mario Bros.,” engaging conversations can certainly be had about the influence. Instead of focusing solely on a one-to-one relationship, it’s more productive to draw parallels and similarities between various examples in the genre.

8 Tetris

It Made The Game Boy A Hit

I discovered the addicting world of Tetris thanks to Alexey Pajitnov in Russia, but it was Nintendo that introduced me to this game on a larger scale. It was the launch title for the Game Boy system that Nintendo fully developed. My parents might not have initially considered buying a Game Boy for themselves, but with Tetris bundled in, they couldn’t resist – giving their kids a chance to experience this captivating puzzle game as well. The Game Boy may have still been successful without it, but Tetris certainly made a significant difference. Inside Nintendo, Tetris paved the path for other popular puzzle games like Dr. Mario and even competition from rivals such as Sega’s Puyo Puyo series to thrive.

7 Pokemon Green/Red

The Arise Of The Monster-Catching Boom

In 1996, Japanese gamers were introduced to two groundbreaking versions: Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green. These games breathed new life into the Game Boy as it approached the end of its lifespan. While befriending monsters in video games was not a novel concept – Shin Megami Tensei offered demon contracts, and monster companions were a feature in Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride – the Pokemon games popularized this idea on a massive scale. The phenomenon they sparked is still evident today, with influences in titles like Cassette Beats, Palworld, and Temtem. So far, nothing has managed to replace the popularity of the Pokemon franchise.

6 EarthBound

The Quirky RPG Is Born

Earthbound didn’t become a blockbuster hit on the SNES when it was initially released in 1995 in North America. Instead, it gained a dedicated following over time, eventually earning the title of a cult classic. This enthusiastic fanbase likely influenced Nintendo to make the first Mother game available outside of Japan, which they did by releasing Earthbound Beginnings on NES. However, fans are still eagerly anticipating an official English translation of Mother 3 or a new installment in the series.

As they patiently anticipate, supporters have worked together on potential follow-ups like Undertale, which some consider even more impressive than the original. Notable alternatives include Eastward, Citizens of Earth, and the upcoming Oddity. Originally conceived as unofficial sequels, Mother 4 being one of them.

5 Super Metroid

1/2 Of The Metroidvania Formula

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the second part of the Metroidvania duo, with Super Metroid having been released beforehand. Although they offer distinct gaming experiences, both titles feature power-ups hidden in a connected environment. Super Metroid can be considered more of an action-shooter game with a brooding ambiance. The indie gaming community appears to be heavily influenced by these two pioneering games, resulting in popular genres like Metroidvanias and roguelikes. Notable examples of modern Metroidvania titles include Axiom Verge, Hollow Knight, and Ori and the Will of the Wisp, which have been significantly inspired by these groundbreaking classics.

4 Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars

Adding An Active Element To Turn-Based Combat

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was a co-effort between Nintendo publishing it and Nintendo giving Squaresoft the room they needed to get weird with Mario. It was Mario’s first RPG adventure which blossomed into two separate franchises: Mario and Luigi and Paper Mario. Both kept the active element of reactionary turn-based combat. Nintendos owes a lot to Squaresoft for paving the RPG way forward but some games owe a debt of gratitude to Nintendo too for allowing this oddity to transpire. Non-Mario games would reuse this timed combat feature too including Sea of Stars, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, and South Park: The Stick of Truth.

3 Super Mario Kart

A More Accessible And Fun Racing Game

As a longtime fan of Mario and video games in general, I can’t help but be excited about the upcoming releases in the iconic franchise. However, I have to admit that I was taken aback when I heard that the Mario train is not yet complete with the announcement of “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” coming soon.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring appeal of Nintendo’s crown jewel, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Despite being available on the Switch for quite some time now, and having previously graced the Wii U platform for nearly a decade, it continues to draw in players with its irresistible charm.

2 Wii Sports

The Perfect Embodiment Of The Motion-Control Craze

The excitement for Wii Sports is akin to the interconnected triumphs of the Game Boy and Tetris. Each relied on the other’s success. Launching alongside the Wii, Wii Sports served as its showcase title, demonstrating the functionality and accessibility of motion controls. It transformed individuals of all ages into gamers in a flash, thanks to savvy advertising and extensive media attention, such as on The Today Show. The Wii and Wii Sports were instant bestsellers, forcing Sony and Microsoft to attempt replicating their success with their own motion-controlled games. Sony’s PS3 introduced the PS Move controllers, which later contributed to PSVR development. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 offered Xbox Kinect, a component that made it to the Xbox One before being discarded swiftly.

1 The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

The Open-Air Genre

I strongly believe that when Nintendo’s team was developing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, they drew inspiration from my all-time favorite open-world game, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Released in 2011, Skyrim set the bar high for immersive exploration and freedom that resonated deeply with gamers like me. Six years later, Nintendo raised the stakes by introducing the “open-air” concept in Breath of the Wild, revolutionizing travel through Link’s glider and enabling us to climb any surface. I’ve noticed that many other action games have since adopted climbing and gliding mechanics, such as Genshin Impact, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and Rise of the Ronin, inspired by Breath of the Wild’s success.

2024-07-17 07:04

Nintendo’s Most Important Games