Over the course of
the last 30 years Nintendo has left its mark on the Game Industry. I
think we all can agree on that fact. Big N has created and defined
genres. They made mobile gaming popular and lead the leap into 3D.
Many of us grew up with Nintendo Games, but even for those who didn't
it can be an interesting experience to go back and take a look at
those defining games from the past.
And it's safe to
say that no other company has as many of those games under its belt
as Nintendo. So today I want to introduce you to the five games from
Nintendo that everyone needs to play. This games defined their Genre
or brought it to the next level. And even today you can see their
influence in the modern gaming industry.
But before we take
on those five defining games, let me first present you some honorable
mentions that didn't make the cut.
Donkey Kong
Country: This Game brought the graphics of 2D Plattformers to a new
level and ushered in the age of rendering. Coupled with excellent
Gameplay this secured Donkey Kongs immortality.
The Legend of
Zelda A Link to the Past: What the first Zelda Games started A Link
to the Past perfected. Let a stranger play the game and watch him
become a Zelda Fan.
Super Mario Bros.:
The Game that saved the Video Game Industry. It is so iconic that
even your grandparents probably know who Mario is.
Metroid Prime:
After Mario and Link Samus was the last big Nintendo character, who
jumped into the 3D Age. But by God what a Jump it was. Even today
this game looks good and plays phenomenal.
Yoshis Island: The
Perfect Jump'n' Run (This Opinion may be subjective)
So now that we
have the honorable mentions out of the way, let us jump right into
the list.
5: F-Zero GX
On the Super
Nintendo F-Zero started the Genre of High-Speed future racing. On the
N64 it took it to the next level. And on the GameCube it perfected
it. This Game is hard and it's unforgiving, but god damn is it good.
It's not considered as one of the best racers ever without a reason.
F-Zero GX marked
the first collaboration between Sega and Nintendo after the end of
their Console War.
F-Zero GX
introduced a Story Mode to the series and also further upped the
already high challenge level of the games. It is probably the hardest
racing game you'll ever play. But it's also a damn good one.
Even though only a
handful of players may be able to complete it, I recommend everyone
to at least try it. Even today it looks good with varied course
design and a feeling for speed you won't find anywhere else.
If you enjoyed
Fast Racing Neo on the Wii-U you need to play this game. It is one of
the fastest and best racing games out there and set the standard how
such games have to look and play.
Sadly the genre
has seen better days, but that is no reason to not appreciate this
classic. In fact it's quite the opposite.
Star Fox 64: Lylat
Wars
It's testament to
a games quality when even its own successors are only retelling of
the Original. With Star Fox Myamoto proved again that he can create
great games in about every genre and with Star Fox 64 he pushed the
genre to perfection.
“Do a Barrel
Roll” isn't iconic without a reason.
Star Fox 64 was
simply groundbreaking. From the intense Dog Fights to the open
mission structur and several different vehicles to control This Game
was pure Arcade Feeling at home. Also the gameplay was polished to
perfection. The Graphics may seem pretty outdated today, but the core
is still as good as in 1997.
During a time were
there was hard competition Star Fox managed to become the got to game
for space fights on console. And while some fans lamented that it
never escaped its Arcade roots and became the grand Space Opera it
could have, this focus on the basics has made the game a timeless
classic. And the 3DS remake is even better.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
You don't get
called the best Video Game of all time and don't appear on this list.
After Mario showed the world how to excel in 3D Link was next to
prove himself. With a Link to the Past the team had perfected the 2D
experience, so there was a huge pressure on them for Links first
fully 3D adventure.
And the knocked it
out of the park from the get go. Even more so than Super Mario 64
Ocarin of Time defined how such games had to look and work. From RPGS
to Action Adventures to Open Worlds. The influence of this game can
be felt everywhere. Ocarina of Time set so many standards... it's
mind boggling how Nintendo did this on the first try.
By todays
standards Hyrule may seem small but seeing the endless seeming Hyrule
Field stretch out before you as a kid was a feeling that can't be
described. For the first time you truly had the feeling of an endless
world do explore. No restricted courses or levels, but a truly open
field and the adventures awaiting you. This giant world coupled with
eight huge dungeons made this game the adventure of a lifetime.
And even today it
holds up really well against current game releases. The combat still
is as good as 1998 and while the graphics are clearly outdated the
Nintendo 3DS remake did a great job of updating them.
Ocarina of Time is
(one of) the best game of all time and even if you're not a Nintendo
Fan you owe it yourself to play it.
Super Metroid
For many people
the era of the Super Nintendo was the absolute High Point of Video
Games. Many series put out their best outings. And while I personally
prefer the Prime games I have to admit that Super Metroid is probably
the best Metroid title. It is pure 2D perfection and most certainly
the best Super Nintendo Game of all time.
Samus third
adventure is a guide book in how to design a interconnected world.
It's level design is simply incredible. Planet Zebes is one of the
most coherently designed worlds in the history of video games next
only to Dark Souls Lordran. Just watch one of the many great
speedruns of Super Metroid to truly understand the greatness of it's
world building.
But the technical
side of the Planet Zebes isn't the only thing admirable about this
great game. The Atmosphere created is still one of the greatest
gaming experiences I ever had. It's hard to put into words, but I've
never felt as alone as I did exploring the depths of Zebes. It's a
testament to this games greatness.
And now for the
final part that cements Super Metroid as one of the best games of all
time. Samus Aran. After the first two games gave us a rought outline
of what the legendary Bounty Hunter was all about, Super Metroid
cemented her legacy. Even though the atmosphere surrounding you was
threatening you never felt helpless. You always have the feeling that
you're in control. Even with the sparse tools available in 1994 they
managed to nail the characterization of Samus through Gameplay alone.
Super Metroid is a
game that everyone has to play at one point in their life. It is the
kind of game that you can play again and again and still gain
something new each and every time.
Super Mario 64
Groundbreaking is
the only word that can describe the feeling of turning on your N64
for the first time and stepping into a new era of gaming. This game
was the first cornerstone that left an everlasting imprint on future
game design. The use of a dynamic camera and 360 degree control were
simply groundbreaking. While many other games failed their transition
and some even claimed it to be impossible, Mario nailed it on the
first try.
Today it is hard
to understand, but many things that are standard nowadays have been
introduced by this game. It defined how games had to look and play in
a 3D space. You can let anyone pick up the controller and he will get
the game in a couple of minutes. Even today it still plays fine and
is a lot of fun, even though the graphics have taken quite the hit.
Super Mario 64,
even more than 20 years after its initial release, is still one of
the best 3D Platforming games you could play. It is a piece of gaming
history that you simply should not miss, if you appreciate the
industry.
So what Nintendo
games do you think are must plays for any fan of video games? What
groundbreaking games would you recommend? Let me know in the
comments.
And as always
thanks for reading
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