- 6 months ago
Two decades of Nintendo greatness! 🎮
In this video, we’re counting down the Top 25 Best Nintendo Games of Each Year from 2000 to 2024. From legendary classics to modern hits, these games defined generations of gamers and cemented Nintendo’s place in gaming history.
Whether you’re a Switch, Wii, GameCube, or DS fan, you’ll find your favorites here. Which one is YOUR #1 Nintendo game? Comment below!
Don’t forget to like, share & follow for more gaming countdowns!
In this video, we’re counting down the Top 25 Best Nintendo Games of Each Year from 2000 to 2024. From legendary classics to modern hits, these games defined generations of gamers and cemented Nintendo’s place in gaming history.
Whether you’re a Switch, Wii, GameCube, or DS fan, you’ll find your favorites here. Which one is YOUR #1 Nintendo game? Comment below!
Don’t forget to like, share & follow for more gaming countdowns!
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GamingTranscript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're showcasing the best Nintendo game of every year, from 2000 to 2024.
00:16We're only including games that were developed or published by Nintendo, and we're going off of North American release dates.
00:24Link! This is a huge discovery!
00:272000, The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
00:43Making a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time was always going to be tricky, but Nintendo managed to blend familiar with the unique for the phenomenal Majora's Mask.
00:53It put Link in the strange land of Termina, where the Skull Kid planned to bring the moon crashing down in just three days' time.
01:00New transformation mechanics of Link's Deku, Goron, and Zora forms provided varied gameplay that was also a blast.
01:08But what has stuck with fans over the years was the game's mature themes.
01:13Nintendo tackled grief, uncertainty, love, and fear in ways no Zelda game had before, or has since.
01:21Although some were thrown off by the time loop structure, Majora's Mask has amassed a passionate following over the years.
01:282001, Super Smash Bros. Melee.
01:40When there are still legions of players who insist on playing this game at tournaments, despite several sequels released since, you know you've made something special.
01:59Super Smash Bros. Melee was the game to have in the GameCube's first year.
02:04The roster expanded greatly with fan favorites like Bowser and Mewtwo, as well as more obscure inclusions like the Ice Climbers and Marth and Roy, the introduction to Fire Emblem for many.
02:15Everything was faster, smoother, and more enjoyable than everything in the N64 version.
02:22On top of incredible mechanics and visuals, new modes like the single-player adventure and event matches offered new ways to play and challenge ourselves.
02:31It really is a remarkable fighter.
02:342002, Metroid Prime.
02:56Since Metroid skipped the N64, fans were eager to see what Samus' first 3D game would be like.
03:03Needless to say, Prime blew away their expectations.
03:07Nintendo and brand new developer Retro Studios delivered an incredible sci-fi adventure through the corrupted planet Talon IV.
03:16Although a first-person shooter, it maintained the elements, style, and difficulty that made Metroid so captivating to begin with.
03:24Uncovering the planet's past, collecting power-ups, and dealing with hostile wildlife on top of space pirate forces, it was a mesmerizing hook that kept players digging.
03:36It remains one of the best transitions into 3D we've ever seen, and began one of the franchise's most highly praised eras with several sequels.
03:46The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
03:532003, The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
04:05Although some were initially against the cel-shaded art style of Wind Waker, there's no denying the game's beauty, or how well it's aged in the two decades since its release.
04:16Following a new version of the hero, players set out to sail the high seas to save their sister while unraveling the larger picture they unwittingly played a part in.
04:25Paired with the wonderful art style was some of the series' best music, and some of its most charming characters.
04:31Regardless of certain aspects that could test your patience, like the Triforce Quest, the game nailed its exploration.
04:38Discovering a new island and what it had in store for Link made the Great Sea worthy of sinking in time.
04:442004, Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door
05:09In what might still be the strongest entry in the series, the Thousand-Year Door took Mario on a lovely new journey to rescue Princess Peach.
05:18Only this time, it was from the vile alien group, the X-Nauts.
05:23This game has charm and whimsy bursting out of every scene.
05:28Its writing is delightful, from its classic characters like Bowser and Peach, to newcomers like Koops and Vivian.
05:35Its Papercraft visuals and mechanics, and its turn-based battles, are simply a joy.
05:40It's honestly hard to find something to dislike.
05:43There's a good reason it has been championed as the pinnacle of Paper Mario by the fanbase over the years.
05:48It's just that good.
05:512005, Mario Kart DS
06:03There are few Nintendo franchises that create a pure fun factor like Mario Kart.
06:17Being able to take it on the go was, and please forgive us for the pun, a game-changer.
06:22The DS version of Nintendo's Premiere Racer somehow packed all of the glory and addictiveness of its console counterparts into a smaller package.
06:31It controlled like a dream, and looked fantastic for its time.
06:35It also had incredible tracks that have stood the test of time, like Waluigi Pinball, Peach Gardens, and TikTok Clock.
06:43Additionally, it was the first game in the series to include online play.
06:47The ability to challenge friends and strangers only added longevity, and kept players coming back for more.
06:532006, The Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess
07:08A swan song for the GameCube and a launch title for the Wii, Twilight Princess was in a unique position.
07:27But, no matter where you played it, you were in for a treat.
07:30It took players back to Hyrule, where an invading leader of the Twilight Realm threatened to bring darkness to the kingdom.
07:37It was darker than Wind Waker, in more ways than one.
07:40While its slow start and forced wolf sections have been criticized, it was undeniably grander in scope, in the size of its world and its story.
07:49Also working in its favor were strong dungeons and boss fights, the best combat up to that point in the series, and Midna, who remains the best companion Link has ever teamed up with.
08:122007, Super Mario Galaxy
08:19Since Mario had saved the Mushroom Kingdom dozens of times, Nintendo took him somewhere new for his first outing on the Wii.
08:32Super Mario Galaxy saw the hero venture into space, and it was more magnificent than we could have hoped for.
08:38It once again saw him chasing after Bowser to rescue Peach, but with help from new characters, Rosalina and her Lumas.
08:46The level design here is still just as remarkable now as it was in 2007.
08:52Every galaxy overflows with fun and creativity, making for an experience that you simply never want to end.
08:59It's also one of the earliest instances of Nintendo using a live symphony orchestra, combining the catchiness of classic Mario with sweeping grandeur.
09:08Super Smash Bros. Brawl
09:182008, Super Smash Bros. Brawl
09:21Although die-hard fans don't look back on Brawl as fondly as Melee, it's still more than deserving of praise.
09:37Yes, tripping is a dumb mechanic, and its online functionality often struggled.
09:42But it was still tremendous fun to square off against your friends in tense matches, with new inclusions like Final Smashes just increasing the chaos.
09:52One of its biggest draws was the Subspace Emissary, an expansive story mode for single player or co-op, which featured varied level designs, boss fights, and character team-ups that Nintendo has yet to replicate.
10:05It was also when Smash began its focus on the history of gaming, highlighting a ton of video game music throughout the years, and including the first third-party fighters, Solid Snake and Sonic.
10:252009, Mario & Bowser's Inside Story
10:40Debuting in 2003, the Mario & Luigi series have a few installments worthy of the best entry title.
10:462009's Bowser's Inside Story is one of them.
10:50It follows the brothers after their sucked inside Bowser, who was tricked by Fawful, a mad scientist who also takes over the Mushroom Kingdom in their absence.
10:59Everything is just as cheerfully wacky as you'd expect with a premise like that.
11:04Puzzle and battle mechanics for Mario & Luigi were fine-tuned over previous entries, as they helped Bowser from the inside.
11:12And Bowser had his own set of skills for players to enjoy as he fought against Fawful's antics.
11:17The back-and-forth narrative brought endless delight, and is still one of the funniest adventures the Mario Bros have gone on.
11:262010 Super Mario Galaxy 2
11:33We know we already spoke about the first one, but when looking at Nintendo's output in 2010, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is simply the best.
11:51The developers somehow managed to catch lightning in a bottle twice.
11:55Galaxy design is just as pristinely crafted as it was the first time around, if not more so.
12:01Now within a succinct world map that made jumping into levels easier.
12:05It delivers joy and excitement at every turn.
12:09Not just through mechanics, scope, and design, but through music and art direction as well.
12:15Plus, we heartily welcomed the return of Yoshi, who was absent from the original, and came with new, fun-filled power-ups.
12:23It's hard to improve on perfection, but that's exactly what Nintendo did.
12:282011 Pokemon Black and White
12:49With Pokemon, you generally know what you're getting into.
12:52But in Black and White, Game Freak brought just enough new to make them stand out.
12:57This was primarily seen in the story, with the sympathetic villain N, who grew up alongside Pokemon, and wanted to separate them from their trainers.
13:06Even still, everything that works about the franchise was kept well intact.
13:10Battles still offered a wonderful hook, now with a few new features, and we still poured hours into training our monsters for glory.
13:18The Unova region came to life through crisp visuals that took full advantage of the DS.
13:24To this day, Black and White are still some of the most highly regarded entries in the series.
13:372012 Xenoblade Chronicles
13:40Although it was released in Japan in 2010, it took a massive fan campaign to get Xenoblade Chronicles in the West in 2012.
14:02And we are eternally grateful for those fans.
14:06Set in a fascinating world with deep lore, it followed Shulk, a boy on a quest to avenge his people following a brutal attack.
14:14Not only was its story extensive and profound, but its world was full of life.
14:21And it was a visually impressive powerhouse for the Wii.
14:25Playing it was also a joy, with the battle system walking a fine, well-balanced line.
14:31It was just complex enough to be enticing to long-time JRPG fans, but simple enough for new players to wrap their heads around.
14:40I'll take the next watch. You get some rest.
14:44Okay, I'll try.
14:462013 Super Mario 3D World
14:50In one of the best games for the Wii U, Nintendo blended the scope of Mario's 3D adventures with the chaos of his multiplayer 2D ones.
15:08Not since Super Mario Bros. 2 had the lineup offered different playstyles.
15:13Where Peach was the slowest but had the ability to briefly float, Toad was the quickest but couldn't jump as well.
15:20It added another layer onto the glorious level design that comes with every Mario game.
15:25And while playing alone was still a masterclass in delivering glee, playing together kicked everything up a notch.
15:32So long as your friends or siblings didn't drive you mad.
15:37Plus, the catsuit is one of the most useful power-ups in Mario's long career, and certainly his most adorable.
15:522014 Mario Kart 8
15:55While the Switch's deluxe version would end up surpassing it, that doesn't mean the original iteration isn't downright fantastic.
16:11Mario Kart 8 is such a strong foundation that Nintendo would coast off of it for years to come.
16:17Its visuals are immaculate, with colors that make every single course pop off the screen.
16:23And those courses are arguably the best the franchise has ever seen, whether you're racing down brand new ones, or impressive recreations of classics.
16:32It's an undeniable multiplayer juggernaut, including its strong online mode that could leave you raging, as per tradition with this series.
16:41Additionally, we have to mention the flawless soundtrack, composed of multiple toe-tapping groovy jams.
16:482015 Super Mario Maker
16:582015 Super Mario Maker
17:10Nintendo is clearly the master of platformer design, as seen in multiple Mario games.
17:16But, with Super Mario Maker, it gave players the opportunity and tools to create their own levels.
17:22And it was absolutely marvelous.
17:25Those who owned a Wii U flocked to the game, and we saw unbound creativity take off.
17:31From pleasant, breezy strolls to some of the most intense platforming known to man, players endlessly impressed us with their ideas.
17:40The UI for creating your own was so simple to use, too.
17:45It was just as much fun to navigate fan-made courses as it was to obsess over our own,
17:51delighting in the possibility of connecting with other players in a brand new way.
17:562016 Fire Emblem Fates
18:09With this 3DS installment, Fire Emblem took a page out of Pokemon's book and released a few different versions.
18:26But the story went in completely different directions depending on which you chose.
18:31It followed Korin, torn between two kingdoms at war.
18:35Birthright saw them side with the one they were born in, while Conquest saw them side with the one they were raised in.
18:42However, the third version, Revelation, denounced both while revealing who was pulling the strings behind the warfare.
18:49The strength of its story varied between the versions, but complex characterization was always impressive.
18:55The developers at Intelligent Systems refined the franchise's tactical battle mechanics
19:00and implemented great world building no matter which version you played.
19:052017 The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
19:19Not only is Breath of the Wild the best game Nintendo released in 2017, it's one of the company's best games, period.
19:39There had been plenty of open world action adventures before, yet this managed to take that formula and reinvent it,
19:47all while maintaining the allure of the Zelda franchise.
19:50Never before had we felt such freedom in a game to go anywhere, climb anything, and uncover Hyrule's many secrets,
19:59on the surface as well as what happened 100 years before.
20:03Each and every corner was packed with something to draw you in, whether it be a puzzle or shrine, an eccentric NPC, a combat encounter,
20:13or just a moment of pure bliss and beauty, accentuated by lovely visuals and serene music.
20:20And when the hero wielding the sword that seals the darkness delivered his final blow,
20:28the princess used her sacred power to seal away Calamity Ganon.
20:352018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
20:39In terms of video game celebration, it isn't likely we'll see something like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate again.
20:55Amid a plethora of Nintendo characters were icons from across the medium,
20:59a historical commemoration that continued in DLC.
21:03And in their own ways, they each offered unique, impressive movesets that made them viable combatants.
21:09That's not to mention all of the stages, music, and newly introduced spirits,
21:15which pleased the game historian in all of us.
21:18On top of paying homage to the decades of important games,
21:22Ultimate never ceased on what was most important.
21:25It's just damn fun to play.
21:28And with a multitude of modes and customization options, there are so many great ways to play it.
21:422019 Fire Emblem Three Houses
21:46Despite decades of renowned releases, many fans declare Three Houses to be Fire Emblem's finest.
22:02While the battle mechanics were as strong as ever, where it really succeeded was its story.
22:07It improved on the three-storyline structure of Fates, not through separate versions, but by giving players a choice.
22:14Beginning in a time of peace between three kingdoms, players chose which kingdom students to teach at a school,
22:20though you could recruit others to your class.
22:23Every character, from the quirkiest to the most headstrong, was superbly written.
22:29That made it so when war did break out between the three kingdoms, you felt the weight of your choices.
22:35Plus, that added a huge level of replayability.
22:40Yes, I thought the same.
22:43I am so sleepy once a year.
22:472020 Animal Crossing New Horizons
22:59Animal Crossing has long been a cozy go-to for Nintendo fans.
23:03With New Horizons, the formula was perfected.
23:06On an island devoid of much personality, it gave us the opportunity to build up a community of cute critters while restructuring our new home as we saw fit.
23:16With every addition to our house, every donation to our museum, and every landscape change, we built our islands into lovely digital abodes.
23:27The level of satisfaction we gained when it all came together was unmatched within the series.
23:32Not for nothing, it was also the perfect game at the perfect time, releasing during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and giving many players something much more positive to focus on.
23:442021 Metroid Dread
23:512021 Metroid Dread
24:03Nintendo could brainstorm for years and never come up with a better title than Dread, because that feeling is exactly what we felt throughout the entire playtime.
24:14And we wholeheartedly mean that as a compliment.
24:17Following the re-immersion of the X parasite, which can copy the form of whatever it infects,
24:23Samus braves the deadly planet of ZDR in search of answers.
24:28Adding to the trouble are government-issued robots that went rogue and now hunter with extremely deadly force.
24:35Metroid Dread is an incredible tool to test your skills against, tiptoeing right up to the line of being a grueling challenge while remaining fair and rewarding.
24:45Every boss fight and environmental obstacle is a pleasure to conquer, uplifted by flawless mechanics.
24:52The ability to be cute may not seem like an important selling point, but it certainly is for Kirby.
25:20The adorable pink puffball has largely stuck to 2D gameplay over the years.
25:25But with Forgotten Land, Nintendo took him to full 3D, and we loved every second of it.
25:32In a seemingly post-apocalyptic landscape, Kirby set out to rescue his kidnapped Waddle Dee pals.
25:38Popular power-ups from previous games returned with new, evolutionary features that made them more powerful.
25:45But Kirby could now suck up different objects to take on their form, like cars, light bulbs, and vending machines.
25:52Whenever these appeared, they offered some of the best aspects of their levels, heightening an already delightful adventure.
25:59The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
26:06The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
26:20Breath of the Wild was the biggest success Zelda had ever seen.
26:24So, naturally, Nintendo made a sequel.
26:27Tears of the Kingdom built upon its predecessor in wonderful ways.
26:31Sky Islands offered unique challenges you couldn't get on the surface.
26:35And while the depths below could grow a bit tedious, they were still a tense environment to encounter in moderation.
26:43Of course, Link's new bag of tricks stole the show.
26:46The ability to fuse materials to weapons made for a wealth of options when facing enemies.
26:51The power to reverse time in object and enemy movement saved us a hassle more times than we can count.
26:58And the focus on building different vehicles and devices let every player's imagination run wild.
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27:302024 The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom
27:46Many players had been begging to play as the franchise's namesake for years.
27:51With Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo finally relented.
27:54After Link is sucked into a mysterious rift and many more appear across Hyrule,
27:59Zelda takes center stage.
28:01This is far from the only thing that makes the game great, though.
28:04It's the first new top-down entry in years, which both surprised and satisfied older fans
28:10and brought the return of more traditional dungeons, most of which shine.
28:14Zelda's mechanics are also cause for celebration.
28:18Creating copies of various objects and enemies allowed for an untold number of solutions to any given problem, highlighting player choice.
28:26Plus, like the Link's Awakening remake before it, the visual style is endlessly charming.
28:43Is there a Nintendo gem you think should replace one of these games?
28:47Share your thoughts in the comments below.
28:49In the mood for more awesome gaming content?
28:59Be sure to check out this video here on MojoPlays.
29:02And don't forget to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
29:07We'll see you next time.
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