The Most Popular Game Made by Nintendo, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the game made by Nintendo you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:39
Imagine the thrill of discussing Nintendo's games with fellow enthusiasts. Each game not only offers unique adventures but also sparks debates about which is the best. By ranking these games, fans can engage more deeply with each other, sharing experiences and preferences that shape a collective view.
This dynamic ranking feeds on your input; each vote helps to adjust the position of games on the list, reflecting the current opinions within the community. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to Nintendo's worlds, your votes contribute to a larger conversation, making the ranking an exciting snapshot of what games are resonating the most right now.
What Is the Most Popular Game Made by Nintendo?
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141votes
Umweltschützen · CC BY-SA 3.0Super Mario Bros.
Shigeru MiyamotoThis classic platformer game is one of the most recognizable and iconic video games of all time. It has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and has appeared on numerous Nintendo consoles.Super Mario Bros. is a classic arcade platform game released in 1985. It features the iconic character Mario, a plumber, on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the villain Bowser. The game is known for its challenging levels, vibrant graphics, and catchy music, which have made it a beloved and influential title in the history of video games.- Release Date: September 13, 1985
- Genre: Platformer
- Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
- Number of Players: Single-player or 2-player co-op
- Controller: NES gamepad
Super Mario Bros. in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular kid video game
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229votesAnother classic Nintendo game, The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game that has been around since the 1980s. The game has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into various forms of media.The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo. It was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1986. The game takes place in the fantasy land of Hyrule and follows the main character, Link, on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat the antagonist, Ganon. Players traverse through dungeons, solve puzzles, acquire items, and battle enemies in an open-world, non-linear gameplay.
- Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
- Release Year: 1986
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Mode: Single-player
- Perspective: Top-down
The Legend of Zelda in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular AAA game
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular level in SMM2
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular game franchise
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315votesThe Pokemon franchise has been a huge success for Nintendo, with numerous games, TV shows, and movies released over the years. The games allow players to catch and battle with a wide variety of creatures, and have sold over 350 million copies worldwide.Pokémon is a popular franchise that originated from a video game created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori. It has expanded into an animated television series, trading card game, movies, merchandise, and more. The world of Pokémon features creatures called Pokémon, which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. The objective for trainers is to become a Pokémon Master by collecting and training as many different species of Pokémon as possible.
- Video Game Release Date: 26th February 1996
- Animated TV Series Release Date: 1st April 1997
- Number of Pokémon Species: 898
- Number of Pokémon Generations: 8
- Main Protagonist: Ash Ketchum
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419votes
Mario Kart
NintendoA racing game featuring characters from the Mario universe, Mario Kart has been a popular game since its debut in 1992. The game has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and has been released on numerous Nintendo consoles.Mario Kart is a popular racing video game series developed and published by Nintendo. It features a mix of characters from the Mario franchise and combines racing with karting elements. Players compete in colorful and imaginative tracks with power-ups and items to gain an edge over opponents.- Genre: Racing
- Platform: Nintendo consoles and handhelds
- First Release: Super Mario Kart - 1992
- Latest Release: Mario Kart Tour - 2019
- Players: 1-4 players (local multiplayer) or up to 12 players (online multiplayer)
Mario Kart in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
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514votes
Donkey Kong
Shigeru MiyamotoOne of Nintendo's earliest games, Donkey Kong is a classic platformer that has been adapted into various forms of media over the years. The game has sold over 17 million copies worldwide and has been credited with helping to establish Nintendo's dominance in the video game industry.Donkey Kong is a classic arcade game released in 1981. It is a platform game where the players control a character named Jumpman (later renamed to Mario) who must rescue a damsel named Pauline from the giant ape Donkey Kong. The game features multiple levels of increasing difficulty, with Donkey Kong throwing barrels towards Jumpman, who must navigate platforms to reach Pauline.- Release Year: 1981
- Genre: Platform
- Platform: Arcade
- Players: 1-2
- Controls: Joystick + Jump Button
Donkey Kong in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous monkey
- Position 3 of 10 in Most iconic video game character
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Smash character
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous donkey
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
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617votesA life simulation game that has been around since 2001, Animal Crossing has become a popular franchise for Nintendo. The game allows players to create their own characters and interact with other characters in a virtual world.Animal Crossing is a popular life simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. The game revolves around the player character, who becomes a resident in a village filled with anthropomorphic animals. The main objective is to live a peaceful virtual life, engaging in various activities such as fishing, bug catching, fossil hunting, gardening, and interacting with the villagers. The game has a real-time clock and calendar, with different events and activities occurring in sync with real-world time.
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: April 14, 2020
- Genre: Life Simulation
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Art Style: Cute and vibrant
Animal Crossing in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular game in Japan
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular GameCube game
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713votesA third-person shooter game that was released in 2015, Splatoon has become a popular game for Nintendo. The game has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and has been praised for its unique gameplay mechanics.Splatoon is an action-packed online multiplayer game developed and published by Nintendo. It was first released for the Wii U console in 2015 and quickly gained popularity in Japan and worldwide. In Splatoon, players control characters known as Inklings, who can transform between human-like forms and squids.
- Genre: Third-person shooter
- Platform: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
- Game Modes: Online multiplayer, single-player campaign
- Ink Color: Inklings can cover the environment with colored ink, each with its own team color (orange, blue, green, pink, etc.)
- Team-based battles: Two teams compete to cover the most territory with their ink within the time limit
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815votesA platformer game featuring a pink, fluffy character named Kirby, this game has been around since the early 1990s. The game has sold over 38 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into various forms of media.Kirby is a popular video game franchise developed by Nintendo. It features a lovable pink puffball named Kirby, who embarks on various adventures in Dream Land and beyond. The gameplay is typically centered around platforming, puzzle-solving, and Kirby's unique ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers.
- Genre: Platformer
- Platforms: Various Nintendo consoles
- First Release: Kirby's Dream Land (1992)
- Main Protagonist: Kirby
- Unique Ability: Copy powers of enemies
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99votes
Fire Emblem
Shouzou KagaA strategy game that has been around since the 1990s, Fire Emblem has become a popular franchise for Nintendo. The game has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been praised for its deep storytelling and complex gameplay mechanics.Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game (RPG) series that originated in Japan. It focuses on strategic battles between turn-based units on a grid-based battlefield. Each game in the series features a unique story and characters, often set in a medieval fantasy world. Fire Emblem games are known for their challenging gameplay, deep character development, and permadeath feature, where fallen units are permanently lost. The series has gained a dedicated following and has become one of the most popular video game franchises in Japan and worldwide.- Genre: Tactical role-playing game
- Platform: Nintendo consoles (primarily)
- First Release: April 20, 1990
- Total Games: Over 16 mainline titles (as of 2021)
- Main series: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Fire Emblem in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular game in Japan
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular JRPG
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107votes
Super Smash Bros.
Masahiro SakuraiA fighting game featuring various Nintendo characters, Super Smash Bros. has been a popular game since its debut in 1999. The game has sold over 62 million copies worldwide and has been praised for its fun and chaotic gameplay.Super Smash Bros. is a popular crossover fighting game series developed by Nintendo. The game features various Nintendo characters battling each other in intense multiplayer matches. It is known for its unique gameplay mechanics and fast-paced action.- Release year: 1999 (original game)
- Platforms: Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Fighting, crossover
- Number of playable characters: 80+ (varies between game versions)
- Game modes: Single-player, multiplayer, online multiplayer
Super Smash Bros. in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
Missing your favorite game made by Nintendo?
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Ranking factors for popular game made by Nintendo
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Sales figuresThe number of copies sold is a direct indicator of a game's popularity. Consider both the initial release and any subsequent re-releases or remastered versions.
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Critical receptionReview scores and critical acclaim can be a good indicator of a game's popularity and overall quality. Look for the game's Metacritic score and consider notable industry awards or recognition.
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Cultural impactA popular game often extends beyond just the gaming community, influencing popular culture or becoming a widely recognized brand. Consider merchandise sales, fan creations, and other forms of media inspired by the game.
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LongevityThe continued popularity of a game, even after its initial release, is an important factor in determining its overall popularity. Consider if the game still maintains an active player base, or if it has enjoyed continued success through sequels or spin-offs.
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AccessibilityA game that is widely available on multiple platforms and to people of all ages can contribute to its popularity. Consider the platforms on which the game is available and whether it appeals to a broad range of players.
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Online presenceConsider the size and activity of the game's online community, including social media engagement, Twitch viewership, and YouTube content. A popular game will have a strong online presence with dedicated fans.
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InnovationA game's impact on the industry or the platform it was developed for can be an indicator of its popularity. Consider whether the game introduced new gameplay mechanics, technology improvements, or influenced other games in the genre.
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NostalgiaMany Nintendo games are part of long-running franchises with a dedicated fanbase. Consider the nostalgia factor and its appeal to both new and returning players.
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Esports and competitive playA game's popularity in the esports and competitive gaming scene can be an indicator of its overall popularity. Consider the size and engagement of the game's competitive community, as well as any official or major tournaments.
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ReplayabilityA popular game often has high replay value, enticing players to come back for more. Consider the level of depth and variety offered by the game, as well as any post-launch content, such as DLC or expansions.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular game made by Nintendo. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Nintendo game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2168 views
- 175 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Nintendo game once every 24 hours. The rank of each Nintendo game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular game made by nintendo
Nintendo is a Japanese video game company that was founded in 1889. The company has a rich history of creating iconic and beloved video game franchises, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Nintendo has been a major player in the video game industry for over 30 years and has sold over 700 million units worldwide. With such a vast library of games, it's no surprise that Nintendo has produced some of the most popular and enduring video game franchises of all time. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the most popular game made by Nintendo, as voted on by the StrawPoll community.
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