Nintendo has had an interesting decade. They started it off still riding the wave of theNintendoWii’s success, then released theWii Uin 2012, which disappointed many and significantly underperformed due to its poor marketing and uninspiring gimmick of the GamePad.
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Fully aware of their missteps with the console, the company came back with vengeance in 2017 by releasing theNintendo Switch, a hybrid system allowing owners to play either on the go or in the comfort of their own home. To celebrate the legendary company and their triumphs of the 2010s, the following list will rank the ten best Nintendo games of the decade based on their Metacritic score. (This list won’t includeremasters, so theOcarina of Time3Ds remake andMario Kart 8 Deluxewon’t make the cut.)
10Super Mario 3D Land (2011) - 90
The3DS’ability to present three-dimensional graphics without glasses didn’t excite gamers as much as its stellar lineup.Super Mario 3DLand’slevels weren’t the big open areas of the mainline 3DSuper Mariotitles, but instead presented smaller stages purely focused on platforming goodness. The early parts start off easy, but the second set of worlds truly tests one’s mettle. Both players and critics responded positively to the new format, which differentiated itself from all other games in the series.
9The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013) - 91
Touting itself as a sequel to the iconicA Link to the Past,A Link Between Worldshad some big shoes to fill. By all accounts, the game does justice to its top-down brethren. The added mechanic of going into walls was highly praised along with other changes it made to the formula. Players can also tackle the variety of dungeons in any order of their choosing, making for a more open-ended experience.
8Super Smash Bros. Wii U (2014) - 92
Every generation needs itsSuper Smash Bros., and 2014’sSuper Smash Bros. Wii Uheeded the call. Despite the Wii U’s small install base, the game still managed to sell about five million units. Critics appreciated the improvements made to the core gameplay, but were less kind to its online component.
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Nintendo consoles have always had less-than-stellar internet capabilities, so it makes sense for the game’s online multiplayer to suffer. For the first time in the series, up to eight people could duke it out at one time on select stages.
7Fire Emblem: Awakening (2012) - 93
The tactical role-playing franchise was always somewhat of an underdog until 2013’sAwakeningsignificantly elevated the series' profile.Fire Emblemwas at risk of disappearing for good if the title hadn’t turned out the way it did. Critical success doesn’t keep the lights on, but this entry managed to knock it out of the park in both respects. The only complaint anybody really had with it was the sometimes unfair enemy AI.
6Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) - 93
The Nintendo Switch’s iteration of the popular series truly lives up to its title.Ultimateincludes every fighter from series' past and a few more to boot. As if that wasn’t good enough, more characters have been added with DLC, and the developer isn’t done with it yet. Over one hundred stages are available as well. This wealth of content coupled with the tightest gameplay yet seen by the series ensured its place as one of the highest-rated Nintendo games and the best-selling fighter across all consoles.
5The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011) - 93
In hindsight, most viewThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordas one of the weaker entries in the iconic series. At the time, though, it received the same rave reviews mostZeldagames get. Despite the complaints some fans lob towards it, there is still a lot to appreciate from this Wii game.
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Unfortunately, anyone who despised the Wii’s control scheme had no alternative way to play, unlikeTwilight Princess, which also came out on theGameCube. If they ever rereleased the title on modern hardware, whoever ported it would need to alter the controls to make them work without the Wiimote and Nunchuk.
4Super Mario 3D World (2013) - 93
Super Mario 3D Worldtakes its cues fromSuper Mario 3D Land, presenting straightforward levels with traditional platforming challenges. The more powerful hardware allows for longer, more complex levels and the ability to play with three other friends simultaneously. Like its 3DS predecessor, anyone up for a more pure platformer will have the time of their lives withSuper Mario 3D World.Cooperative playalso works well, with the 3D perspective giving each player their own space, preventing people from distracting and jumping all over each other.
3The Legend Of Zelda: The Breath Of The Wild (2017) - 97
The Nintendo Switch launch title reinventedThe Legend of Zeldawhile also recapturing the magic that made the premier entry so special. The unprecedented level of exploration presents countless gameplay opportunities, ensuring every player has a different experience on their journey to save Hyrule. The sequel is set to take place on thesame landmass, which is so large and varied, it won’t feel redundant as fans trek through it a second time.
2Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) - 97
Super Mario Galaxy’sdevelopment team had so many ideas after finishing the first game, it was easy to fill up a sequel with more ideas and ensure nothing felt redundant or tired. Many third party developers had trouble adapting the Wii’s atypical control to their franchises, but the Italian plumber controls like butter using the Wiimote and Nunchuk. The first game holds a similarly impressive score, but isn’t on the list because it came out in 2007. Together, they make a solid one-two punch and are a reason to still keep a Wii hooked up.
1Super Mario Odyssey (2017) - 97
After more than thirty years impressing gamers time and time again, it was impossible to imagine what Mario could do next to wow fans, yetSuper Mario Odysseyimpressed both fans and critics alike with its many innovations on the genre. The large worlds, each with their own unique look and feel, encourage exploration in a way never seen before by the series. The early parts of the game are admittedly easy, especially for veteran fans, but the difficulty ramps up exponentially after saving Peach in what is the series' most bombastic finale.
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