Nintendo Franchise Tier List 2023: List of Nintendo franchises

Nintendo series

Nintendo has a long list of beloved franchises that have become icons of the gaming world. The most famous of these is the Super Mario series, which follows the adventures of the iconic plumber Mario and his friends in various fantasy worlds. The Legend of Zelda is another cornerstone series known for its epic quests, rich storylines, and heroic Link’s battles against the forces of evil.

Pokémon has captured the hearts of millions around the world with its creature collecting and fighting gameplay. The Metroid series offers immersive sci-fi action starring bounty hunter Samus Alain as he battles threats from space. The Kirby series, meanwhile, is known for its charming and accessible platformers centered around the adorable pink puffball Kirby. Nintendo’s franchise spans a variety of genres and gaming styles, each contributing its own unique flavor to the gaming landscape.

2023 Nintendo Franchise Tier List

S-Class Nintendo Series (Best of the Best):

  • Mario: Without a doubt, Mario is Nintendo’s premier franchise, with its enduring popularity spanning more than four decades. The series is constantly evolving, with each new installment offering a fresh experience.

  • The Legend of Zelda: With a few exceptions, the Zelda games are widely considered masterpieces. The series continues to push boundaries, especially in the open world and action-adventure genres.

Nintendo A-Series (Some of the Greatest Games of All Time):

  • Pokemon: A sales juggernaut, Pokemon’s recent entries have been criticized for technical issues and a lack of innovation, but it’s still a strong franchise.

  • Super Smash Bros.: Continuing to improve with each iteration, Super Smash Bros. continues to succeed. However, the formula has changed very little since its debut in the late nineties.

  • Animal Crossing: While Animal Crossing doesn’t have universal appeal, it has carved out a niche among cozy gaming enthusiasts. Expanded support for games like New Horizons is welcome.

  • Metroid: Although occasionally overlooked, Metroid excites fans with every new version. Anticipation for Metroid Prime 4 reflects the series’ consistently high-quality adventure.

  • Mother (EarthBound): Mother is a unique role-playing game series that holds a special place in gaming history. While fans want to see new entries, many appreciate the series as it stands.

B-level Nintendo series (good but niche):

  • Fire Emblem: Originally a niche game, Fire Emblem has become popular in the West, although it remains a relatively specialized genre.

  • Pikmin: Shigeru Miyamoto’s beloved franchise Pikmin is innovative and unique, although it can’t match the profitability of other Nintendo franchises.

  • Splatoon: Transforming the traditionally violent genre into a wholesome experience, Splatoon’s charm meshes well with Nintendo’s family-friendly focus.

  • Xenoblade Chronicles: The Xenoblade Chronicles series originated on the PlayStation, and Xenoblade Chronicles in particular competes with other JRPG giants in terms of sales and critical acclaim.

  • Kirby: Kirby was born out of ease of use, and its simplicity remains today thirty years later, while its complexity has increased for those looking for a challenge.

C-rated Nintendo series (left to rot):

  • Donkey Kong: Once a platform juggernaut, Donkey Kong has had limited releases since Microsoft acquired Rare, leaving fans hopeful for its revival.

  • Star Fox: In the more than three decades since its stellar launch, Star Fox has struggled to recapture its past glory, in part due to changes in the rail shooter’s popularity.

  • Game & Watch: Recognizing its historical significance, Nintendo has largely abandoned the Game & Watch in the past, avoiding an unnecessary revival.

  • F-Zero: Although F-Zero is a great racing series, it has gone through a hiatus of nearly two years. Recently released games, such as the Switch Online-exclusive battle royale game, have reintroduced the series to new audiences.

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List of Nintendo franchises

Franchise

initial input

Latest entries

1080°

February 28, 1998

November 28, 2003

ANIMAL CROSSING

April 14, 2001

March 20, 2020

another code

February 24, 2005

February 5, 2009

arms

June 16, 2017

School of Art

September 14, 2009

May 13, 2016

Art style

September 29, 2008

May 28, 2010

Balloon fight

September 1984

April 12, 2007

combat conflict

October 1992

December 1993

Brain Academy

June 30, 2005

December 3, 2021

bit generation

July 13, 2006

July 27, 2006

Box boy!

January 14, 2015

April 26, 2019

brain age

May 19, 2005

December 27, 2019

card hero

February 21, 2000

December 20, 2007

Chibi robot!

June 23, 2005

October 8, 2015

Clubhouse games

November 3, 2005

June 5, 2020

word puzzle

May 5, 2008

October 1, 2012

Custom robot

December 8, 1999

October 19, 2006

Dacasso!band brothers

December 2, 2004

June 26, 2008

Dillon

February 22, 2012

April 26, 2018

Donkey Kong

July 9, 1981

May 3, 2018 (Nintendo Switch)

Donkey Kong Country

November 18, 1994

May 3, 2018 (Nintendo Switch)

Donkey King Kong

December 12, 2003

March 17, 2005

Dr. Mario

July 27, 1990

July 10, 2019

Journey to Earth/Mother

July 27, 1989

April 20, 2006

excitation

November 28, 1984

Famicom Detective Club

April 27, 1988

May 14, 2021

fire emblem

April 20, 1990

January 20, 2023

fluidity

December 6, 2010

fossil warrior

April 17, 2008

F-1 Competition

November 2, 1984

F-Zero

November 21, 1990

September 14, 2023

golden sun

August 1, 2001

October 28, 2010

Hyrule Warriors

August 14, 2014

November 20, 2020

Nintendo

Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game company headquartered in Kyoto, founded in 1889 by craftsman Bojiro Yamauchi. Nintendo originally made handmade Hanafuda playing cards, then transformed into various businesses and then became a public company. In 1977, it released its first gaming console: the Color TV Game. Notably, Nintendo achieved global recognition with Donkey Kong in 1981, followed by the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros. in 1985.

Nintendo is best known for consoles such as the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, DS, Wii, and Switch, and for creating beloved franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. As of March 2023, Nintendo has sold more than 5.592 billion video games and 836 million hardware units worldwide, making it one of the most successful companies in the gaming industry. The company has several subsidiaries and partners and has received prestigious awards for its contributions to technology and gaming.

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