Top 10 Classic Nintendo Games That Would Still Beat the Next Gen

The Nintendo Switch is soaring. The console will turn 7 next year. It was considered underpowered from the very moment it launched. And yet it is home to some of the best games out there. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey can even be dubbed genre-defining by many.

But Nintendo has been doing this for a long time. They have been the industry’s trailblazers since the moment they invented the Plus D-Pad. To drive that point home, here are some of the classic Nintendo games that would still feel at home, even to this generation.

Pikmin 1 and 2

These two are the kind of strategy games that some can call the entry point for many gamers to the genre. But that does not mean they are bad. Pikmin 1 and 2 are two of Gamecube’s best-looking games to this day.

And with their re-release on the Nintendo Switch, their timelessness has been proven.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario games are unique in their own way. Just like Pikmin can be someone’s first strategy game, Paper Mario can easily be someone’s first RPG. This chill game is full of funny dialogues and exciting scenarios.

The story is mind-blowing, and its visuals are not polygon-heavy, hence making sure they look as good today as they did years ago.

Animal Crossing

The very first Animal Crossing title would feel right at home if Nintendo re-released it today. While some would say its visuals are outdated, its gameplay would be the perfect distraction.

It was a game that was ahead of its time even back then, and that’s why it’s on this list.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Shigeru Miyamoto once revealed that he sees Mario games as theatrical performances. And he saw all Mario characters as actors, and he then created a whole game portraying just that. The stage was set, and a new, vibrant game was born.

This game, to this day, can be played on any screen, and it would stand out without a doubt.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Every list of this nature is bound to contain a Zelda game, sometimes a couple. These games have been setting a standard for adventure games ever since their inception.

A Link to the Past is an unforgettable adventure that takes Link on a dark journey through time. It is a much-played game if one has yet to experience it.

Metroid Prime

Yet another game saw a re-release on the Nintendo Switch. Even though Nintendo and Retro Games decided to upgrade its visuals, it would have looked very good as it is. The first ever first-person Metroid game, a game that started a brand-new franchise,

Experiencing all of Samus’ powers and actions in the first person is an experience that cannot be taken lightly.

Star Fox 64

There is a charm to this game; like most games on this list, it was the first 3D title in the series. And it was a game that was like Super Mario 64, made to show off the power of the N64 console, and it was successful too.

It looked good enough, and it’s fun enough to play even today.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

This was the first-ever game where players got a chance to see Link in full 3D. This game was the first ever title to give him a horse to ride. A game with a day and night cycle, and one that had very detailed swordplay and some very exciting boss fights.

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Anyone who has played it might find it hard to forget that theme song. There are so many things to be said about it, but all one should say is that there’s a reason it has 99 Metacritic to this day.

Metroid Fusion

This GBA game is the definition of what a Metroidvania is. This vibrant installment brought the Metroid series to handhelds and is every bit as awesome as its home console counterparts.

Fusion is on this list for its unique story, where Samus’ DNA literally fusions with that of a Metroid. A premise cannot get any crazier than this. For those willing to try it today, it’s on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass GBA library.

Earthbound

This was an odd game for Nintendo to release back then, and it is odd today. This game stands out thanks to its weirdly dark and creepy storyline and its unique cast of characters. Imagine playing as kids who go on an adventure that takes them from aliens to some more weird stuff.

The game was unique and had such a fanbase that there is even a spiritual successor to it called Undertale.

This list might have some games that many fans may not agree with, but here’s hoping they understand that no two best games are the same. People have different preferences.

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