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Top 10 - The Best Games on Each Nintendo Platform Go Head-to-Head! [top ten]
 
Andrew N
With the Nintendo Switch on the way, I thought it’d be fun to revisit Nintendo’s previous platforms and see which games Negative World thought were the cream of the crop. This isn’t exactly a traditional top 10 list, instead I am going to take the single highest rated game from each Nintendo platform and compare them against each other, because uh... well, it won’t really make a very strong point, but it’ll be fun nonetheless, no?

Rules:
1. I will only select original games (no remakes / re-releases, compilations, etc.)
2. I will only select games that have at least 10 ratings.

Let’s go!
Posted: 12/20/16, 18:18:42  - Edited by 
Zero
  on: 12/20/16, 19:32:30
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Pokémon Black Version (DS) - 9.17 (16)
The DS is a beloved platform, but it is often said that it doesn’t have that one killer game that defines it. The fact that it ended up in 10th on this list despite coming in 5th in our Nintendo platform survivor polls adds some weight to that view. Still, it’s hard to argue with the power of Pokémon, still cranking out great games many years after it was introduced to the world.

NOTE: White Version was rated highly as well, but not quite as highly as Black Version.
 
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (GB / GBC) - 9.48 (41)
I decided to just combine the Game Boy and Game Boy Color into one entry, in large part because the Game Boy Color was a bit of a stop-gap platform. And although it defeats my “original games only” rule, Link’s Awakening is by far our highest rated game on the GBC as well. And because the Game Boy Color’s next highest rated game wouldn’t have made the top 10 list anyway. Whatever, the point is that Link’s Awakening was an excellent game on whatever platform it was played on.
 
Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) - 9.5 (42)
I’m going to spoil things a bit here and tell you that Super Mario 3D World is not the highest rated 3D Mario game on this list. It didn’t release to quite the same level of fanfare as another 3D Mario game did. However, it still got a ton of love, and introduced some new things to 3D Mario, most noteable the ability to play through all of the stages in full multiplayer.
 
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS) - 9.51 (41)
It was tough to know what to expect from a sequel to Link to the Past after so many years, but A Link Between Worlds won over Nintendo fans pretty quickly, and sits atop our list of the best 3DS games. A nice combination of old and new made it a fan favorite on Negative World.
 
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) - 9.53 (107)
A classic game that took the Mario formula and added way more to it than we would have ever expected, Super Mario Bros. 3 is to this day one of the best sequels ever made, and a pretty predictable choice for our best on the NES. To be honest it wasn’t even particularly close. What was close, however, is how much it barely nudged out A Link Between Worlds, and barely missed overtaking our next entry...
 
Mother 3 (GBA) - 9.54 (18)
A bit of a shocker for a title that was never even released in the West to end up so high on our list, but Mother 3 has such a great reputation with Nintendo fans that importers and emulators found a way to play it nonetheless, and they loved it. Here is hoping that Nintendo will finally bring this gem over in the near future!
 
Metroid Prime (GC)- 9.59 (115)
Certainly one of my personal favorite games of all-time, and Negative World appears to feel the same way about it. I remember being very skeptical of the ability of this unknown Western developer to make a great 3D Metroid game, but Retro Studios pulled it off, creating a modern masterpiece of gaming.
 
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 9.62 (152)
Super Mario Sunshine was a great game but a tad bit disappointing to many after the mind-blowing Super Mario 64, so many of us were unsure whether Nintendo still “had it” when it came to their Mario games. Super Mario Galaxy is the game that came along and showed us that yes, Nintendo definitely still had it. Some found it a bit too linear for their tastes, but most loved the vast amount of creativity and compelling gameplay found here.
 
Chrono Trigger (SNES) - 9.66 (61)
The only game on the list not developed by Nintendo or one of their subsidiaries, Chrono Trigger was one of the defining RPGs in an era where great RPGs flourished. The Super Nintendo was a pretty spectacular console as a whole, and Chrono Trigger barely nudged out games like Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past to make this list, but it’s hard to say that it doesn’t deserve it.
 
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64) - 9.67 (134)
While one might say this was a predictable choice to top the list, it beat out Chrono Trigger by a mere 0.01 points. Still, beat out Chrono Trigger it did, and thus it sits on top of a very great list of games. Ocarina of Time is one of those monumental games that single-handedly redefined gaming, and it was a lot of fun to boot. Admittedly it’s not my personal favorite Zelda game, but I get why it is held in such esteem. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is nothing less than a legendary game.
 
Andrew N
So there you go, the highest rated games from each Nintendo platform put up against each other.

But wait Zero… aren’t you missing a platform? Well, yeah, the ol’ Virtual Boy. The thing is, even if I included it, it doesn’t have a single game with at least 10 ratings. And even if I made an exception for it, it still wouldn’t have made the top 10. With that said, Virtual Boy Wario Land has an 8.77 between 9 ratings here at Negative World, so it’s worth mentioning. There you go Virtual Boy, I didn’t ignore you.

Are there any of our picks that you strongly agree or disagree with?

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Posted: 12/20/16, 18:18:42  - Edited by 
Zero
  on: 12/20/16, 19:32:30
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TriforceBun
Fun list! I'm a little surprised that SM3DW tops the Wii U's lineup here, to be honest. I'm curious if BOTW can beat it out.

Totally agree with the GB, GBA, Wii and N64 picks.
Posted: 12/20/16, 19:15:14
Zero
While my personal picks would be a little different, the only one way off from my tastes is Pokémon Black Version (which to be fair, I've never played, but I never got into the Pokémon that I have played.) As I said above, the DS is a bit odd in that it never got that single game that really stood out for most users, so we probably all have much different picks for that one. But more or less I loved all of the other choices (except Mother 3, which I haven't played, but probably would love.)

Here is where I differ from NW:

10. DS - Advance Wars: Dual Strike probably. Or The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
9. AGREE.
8. AGREE.
7. Pushmo or Super Mario 3D Land.
6. AGREE.
5. Advance Wars for sure. Though WarioWare: Twisted! would be close.
4. AGREE TIMES A THOUSAND.
3. Super Mario Galaxy 2, though it's a close one.
2. Super Metroid or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
1. Super Mario 64
Posted: 12/20/16, 19:39:48  - Edited by 
Zero
  on: 12/21/16, 00:25:37
GameDadGrant
@Zero

Ooh, I like this idea of stating whether we agree or disagree with the NW rankings. Here's where I sit:

10.) DS: DISAGREE: - Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
9.) Gameboy: AGREE/DISAGREE - Solid pick, and I bounce between Link's Awakening and Pokémon Silver as my faves.
8.) Wii U N/A
7.) 3DS: DISAGREE - SUPER Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
6.) NES: DISAGREE - Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
5.) GBA: N/A...DISAGREE - Never played Mother 3, but my fave is Street Fighter Alpha 3
4.) GCN: DISAGREE - Animal Crossing (Prime is great, but I played AC for like, two years straight. Every. Day.)
3.) Wii: DISAGREE - Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
2.) SNES: AGREE - times a thousand. Best. Game. Ever.
1.) N64: AGREE - I got a lot of play time out of this, and it's a classic game. Yup.
Posted: 12/20/16, 23:17:52
J.K. Riki
Only one I'd have major disagreements with would be Mario 3D World. Pikmin 3 is better, Yoshi's Woolly World is better, Xenoblade is better, Splatoon is better (and I didn't even like Splatoon!), Mario Kart and Smash Brothers are better...

The others I can accept a lot easier, even if I would have chosen differently. (Mario 64 trumps all of it across every console, let alone N64, for example.)
Posted: 12/20/16, 23:44:11
TriforceBun
10) DS: Pokemon Black I hadn't even played. I'd pick Daigasso! Band Bros, or if we're talking US games only, Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations, Dragon Quest V...or even Advance Wars: Dual Strike which I just discovered this month!
9) Game Boy: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for certain. It's a magical game.
8) Wii U: Super Mario 3D World wouldn't get my nod above the impeccable DKC: Tropical Freeze.
7) 3DS: A Link Between Worlds is really great, but is a close second to my fave, Kid Icarus Uprising.
6) NES: Super Mario Bros. 3 makes up the holy trinity behind the original game and The Legend of Zelda. Zelda is my favorite.
5) GBA: Mother 3 is glorious! Happy to see so many fans of it here.
4) GCN: Metroid Prime is an exemplary game and in my top 10 of all, but the GCN tops it with Resident Evil 4, and my controversial fave, The Wind Waker.
3) Wii: Super Mario Galaxy did justice to Nintendo's mascot.
2) SNES: Chrono Trigger is a stellar RPG but I prefer Final Fantasy III, EarthBound, and my favorite game of all, Super Metroid.
1) N64: Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes a deserved win.
Posted: 12/20/16, 23:53:41  - Edited by 
TriforceBun
  on: 12/20/16, 23:53:58
Shadowlink
10.) DS: DISAGREE The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglas best useage of the DS features and a great game to boot. Haters have been comprehensively proven wrong.
9.) Gameboy: AGREE - Although Grant is probably correct about Pokemon giving Link a run for his money.
8.) Wii U N/A I'll take Grant's cue here too. Zelda is likely to take this spot.
7.) 3DS: DISAGREE - Kid Icarus Uprising So much depth. So much love.
6.) NES: AGREE - Eh..sure why not. I don't feel that strongly about the NES. Maybe a shout out to Zelda I
5.) GBA: DISAGREE - Advance Wars 2. Closely followed by Metroid: Zero Mission
4.) GCN: AGREE - What an amazing game.
3.) Wii: DISAGREE - Ugh. So overrated. I'll go with Twilight Princess myself. Also props to Zack and Wiki attempting to do something unique.
2.) SNES: DISAGREE - Probably A Link to the Past. Maybe Donkey Kong Country.
1.) N64: AGREE - Well duh.
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:05:48
Zero
I'm curious if there is anyone who would put Pokémon Black Version as their favorite DS game. Probably, but I doubt too many. I'm sure that vote is split.
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:26:47
DrFinkelstein
This list made me smile. Nintendo is so awesome.
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:37:42
Stephen
10. DS - Disagree, but then again I don't really have any title I would label as clearly the best. Advance Wars Dual Strike was pretty good.
9. Gameboy - Disagree. I love Zelda but Link's Awakening didn't appeal to me at all. Probably give the nod to Pokemon Red/Blue.
8. Wii U - Disagree. Mario Kart 8 gave me way more enjoyment.
7. 3DS - Disagree. It was an alright game but I felt like its identity was compromised due to LttP so heavily influencing it.
6. NES - Agree. SMB3 is amazing and still holds up amazingly well.
5. GBA - Disagree. Metroid Zero Mission would get my pick here. If that wasn't eligible due to being a remake I'd go with Fusion.
4. GCN - Agree. It's close but if I had to pick only one Gamecube game it would probably be Metroid Prime.
3. Wii - Agree I guess. I'm not as crazy about Galaxy but it's not like there's much competition on the system relative to others.
2. SNES - Disagree. Link to the Past probably takes my top spot here.
1. N64 - Disagree. Good game but outdone by Majora's Mask.
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:49:50
Mr_Mustache
@Stephen

Majora's Mask doesn't even have adult Link. aka COOL LINK
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:54:42
Shadowlink
@Mr_Mustache

*handwaves* It has Oni-Link. Who is arguably even cooler than regular Adult Link. Look at that badass figure 8 sword. And it shoots energy blasts.


Ocarina is still the better game though
Posted: 12/21/16, 00:57:24
Stephen
@Mr_Mustache

But it doesn't have Shadowlink so it gets points there.
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:02:56
Mr_Mustache
@Shadowlink

Yeah, I guess he was alright..but when did you get to use him? Close to NEVER?

@Stephen

Hmm.. I know you're making a Tim joke, but that fight was terrible. I had to watch the Mrs_ struggle for like 10 minutes. It was brutal. (I struggled, too, don't get me wrong. And I still struggle in Zelda II against Ironknuckles. And in TP..and every game that Ironknuckles -- and sometimes Darknuts -- live.)
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:12:53
TheBigG753
That's a really great list. Console-wise, I'm very close to being 100% in agreement. Since I didn't really play on handhelds before the 3DS, I can't really comment on those.

But I am definitely in agreement on #1, #3, #4, #6, #7 and #8. I would have ALTTP and Super Metroid over Chrono Trigger, personally, but it's not a bad choice by any means.
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:24:14
GameDadGrant
@Mr_Mustache

Get the Biggoron Sword first then cut Shadow Link down to size by button-mashing. Easy-peasy.
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:28:06
Shadowlink
@GameDadGrant

Interestingly enough, Shadowlink's health is directly related to your own. Hence he can seem 'harder' if you've been vigilant in your heart piece collection.

When I did my 3-Heart Run, all I had to do was bust out Din's Fire a couple of times and down he went. Because he likewise had a piddling health level.
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:32:36
Mr_Mustache
Shadowlink said:
@GameDadGrant

Interestingly enough, Shadowlink's health is directly related to your own. Hence he can seem 'harder' if you've been vigilant in your heart piece collection.

Huh. Didn't know that. (And my, am I vigilant when it comes to heart containers..) I used the Hammer, but I remember struggling.
Posted: 12/21/16, 01:42:04
Zero
@Shadowlink @Mr_Mustache Bad design choice, Ocarina of time inferior to Link to the Past confirmed.
Posted: 12/21/16, 15:18:48
GameDadGrant
@Shadowlink

Oh wow, I had no idea about that! Neat!
Posted: 12/21/16, 16:55:50
Mop it up
I'm a little surprised that a Smash Bros. game isn't on this list...!

10. DS - Nope! But I haven't played my copy of Black or Black 2 yet. I'm not sure what I would place as number one on DS, and I still have more to play. At this point, maybe Etrian Odyssey III or Advance Wars Dual Strike or Rune Factory.
9. Game Boy - Nope! Well technically I did not play the original version, but since it's lumping in the GBC then it would be the DX version for me. But I do still think it's a great game and can see why it's the highest. For regular Game Boy my fave is Final Fantasy Adventure, and for GBC it's probably Pokémon Gold.
8. Wii U - Nope! It would probably be in my lower top ten, but not the top three, which are Super Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pikmin 3.
7. 3DS - Nope! This game is too rehash-y to be held in high-regard by me, it's fun but certainly no highlight. My fave is probably still Luigi's Mansion 2.
6. NES - Yup! This game felt above and beyond most other NES games so I really took to it as a kid.
5. GBA - Nope! Mother 3 was a letdown compared to previous games, but it has its moments and is still a good game. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga would be my fave though.
4. GCN - Nope! Though it places second for me, so no qualms here. Super Smash Bros. Melee is still tops for me.
3. Wii - Nope! But it's certainly high on my list, great game. My fave is Mario Kart Wii.
2. SNES - Nope! It's in the running, but I would probably place Earthbound and Final Fantasy III / VI ahead of it. Now, if we were just talking soundtrack, then it'd be number one.
1. N64 - Nope! But it's of course close. Perfect Dark" is my fave.

I'm almost surprised that even one was a "Yup!"
Posted: 12/21/16, 22:27:35
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