LFG Presents: Part 1 of 2 “Top 20 Nintendo Console Games Of All Time” (By Hiro)

20. The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker (Gamecube)

The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker is set on a group of islands in a vast sea—a first for the series. What lies beneath this sea are the ruins of the kingdom of Hyrule from Ocarina Of Time. The player controls Link, the protagonist of the Zelda series. He struggles against his nemesis, Ganondorf, for control of a sacred relic known as the Triforce. Link spends a significant portion of the game sailing, traveling between islands, and traversing through dungeons and temples to gain the power necessary to defeat Ganondorf. He also spends time trying to find his little sister.

The Wind Waker follows in the footsteps of Ocarina Of Time, retaining the basic gameplay and control system from the N64 title. A heavy emphasis is placed on using and controlling wind with a baton called the Wind Waker, which aids sailing and floating in air. Critics enjoyed the similarity to Ocarina of Time, but often complained that the large amount of sailing became tedious.

My greatest memory: I picked this game up as a present for my little nephew at the time. I personally never thought I was going to like this cartoony type of Zelda game. 20 minutes into playing with my nephew I fell in love with it. As soon as my nephew fell asleep, I told my sister I’m borrowing the game for the night.

Rating: 9.1 Excellent

19. Duck Hunt (NES)

Duck Hunt is a video game for the (NES) game console system in which players use the NES zapper to shoot ducks on screen for points. The game was developed and published by Nintendo, and was released in 1984 in Japan. The ducks appear one or two at a time, and the player is given three shots to shoot them down.

The game has three modes: one and two-duck variations on the above formula, and a third mode called “Clay pigeon shooting”. The clay pigeons are much smaller sprites than the ducks, and, in later rounds, require faster reaction time to shoot down than in comparably numbered duck modes.

My greatest memory: I used to try and shoot the ducks down from across my living room, a good 25 feet away, but I was never able to do so because the game did not allow me (at the time I didn’t know because I was so young). Boy did I try. though.

Rating: 9.1 Excellent

18. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Super Mario Galaxy is a 3D platform game developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo and published by Nintendo for the Wii.

The game follows Mario on his quest through space to save Princess Peach from his arch-nemesis Bowser. Levels take the form of galaxies filled with a variety of planetoids and worlds while gameplay is updated with a variety of gravity effects and new power-ups.

The game’s main hub is the Comet observatory, a spaceship which contains six themed domes that provide access to the forty-two galaxies available in the game.

My greatest memory: I’m not the biggest Wii fan, but this game is by far the most I’ve played on it. I would spend countless hours at work trying to beat it, which totaled somewhere around 40 or 50. That’s 40 or 50 less hours spent working. Thank you, Mario.

Rating: 9.2 Excellent

17. Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)

Super Mario Sunshine is a platform game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Gamecube.

The game takes place on the tropical Isle Delfino, where Mario and Princess Peach are taking a vacation. A villain identical to Mario, known as “Shadow Mario”, vandalizes the entire island, and Mario gets blamed for the mess. Later on, Mario is ordered to clean up Isle Delfino, while saving Princess Peach from Shadow Mario.

Super Mario Sunshine shares many similar gameplay elements with its predecessor, Super Mario 64, but it also introduces new features, like the ability to spin while jumping. FLUDD, a water-squirting accessory, is a new element in Super Mario Sunshine, which Mario uses to complete his mission.

My greatest memory: Playing all night the day I bought it. I was so addicted (and tired) I skipped work the next day and then cleared all plans the following weekend just so I could lock myself in my house and play this game.

Rating: 9.3 Ground Breaking

16. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

Donkey Kong Country is a video game developed by Rare, featuring the popular arcade character, Donkey Kong.

In this game, Donkey Kong must recover his stolen hoard of bananas from King K. Rool and the Kremlings. His banana hoard is located in a cave just underneath his house. He has the special help of his nephew and best buddy, Diddy Kong, who idolizes DK. Cranky Kong lends some advice along the way. Funky Kong and Candy Kong also lend a hand. For the first time, Donkey Kong’s home environment, Donkey Kong Island, is unveiled to the player.

My greatest memory: My cousin who is a huge Donkey Kong fan used to make me stay up to all hours of the morning on school nights with him just to play and keep him company. At the time I was more frustrated for being up so late, but now that I look back on it, I’d love to have those days back.

Rating: 9.3 Ground Breaking

15. Metroid Prime (Gamecube)

Metroid Prime is a video game developed by retro studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Gamecube.

Metroid Prime is the first of the three-part Prime storyline, which takes place between the original Metroid and Metroid 2: Return Of Samus. Like previous games in the series, Metroid Prime has a science fiction setting, in which players control the bounty hunter Samus Aran. The story follows Samus as she battles the space pirates and their biological experiments on the planet Tallon IV.

My greatest memory: Playing multiplayer tournaments at work with other co-workers during lunch hour as well as hours we were supposed to be working. Sometimes we would stay after work on Fridays and play while enjoying a beer or two. Good times.

Rating: 9.3 Ground Breaking

14. Paper Mario (N64)

Paper Mario is the first installment of the Paper Mario series which came out on the N64.

Paper Mario is probably best described as an RPG platformer. Mario travels through various lands, from desert to rainforest, on land, water and air, platformer style, jumping on objects, breaking blocks, and uncovering hidden items. But he interacts with characters, enemies, and storyline development RPG style. The game begins as Mario sets out to save the Princess from the evil Bowser, who has stolen a magical artifact called the Star Rod and made himself invincible. Jealous of Mario’s popularity and wanting desperately to be favored by the Princess, Bowser has kidnapped her against her will and taken her to his floating castle high in the skies above the land. Mario quickly finds that the only way he can beat Bowser and rescue his main girl is to retrieve seven Star Spirits, magical entities that grant wishes, and use them against his evil foe.

With stunning graphics, excellent sound, and extremely solid gameplay, Paper Mario is a quality game on all fronts for it’s time.

My greatest memory: I was home miserable all weekend with a cold. My dad stopped by and dropped me off this rented version of Paper Mario I was yet to know anything about. I played it all weekend and fell in love with. Every Paper Mario after this one has never been as good.

Rating: 9.3 Ground Breaking

13. Perfect Dark (N64)

Pefect Dark is a first person shooter for the N64.

Spiritual sequel to GoldenEye. Starring special agent Joanna DarkT, the storyline, is brought to life by outstanding cinemas and surprisingly good voice-acting. Shooting, with some snazzy new weapons, is still the primary focus of the game, but with all of the tasks and puzzles to get through, you’ll have to use your brain as well as your trigger finger to get by. It is in this way, that Perfect Dark, pays the ultimate respect to GoldenEye. Rare took so many steps to differentiate this game from its three year old predecessor, but the one thing that is consistent over both games, is the extraordinary depth and rich gameplay. If you didn’t play GE, you might have a hell of a time learning how a game like PD thinks and what kind of behavior is rewarded.

My greatest memory: I planned a weekend around this game because it had a lot of hype surrounding it. I pigged out all weekend on potato chips, mini Baby Ruth’s and Twizzlers while beating it.

Rating: 9.4 Ground Breaking

12. Super Mario World (SNES)

Super Mario World is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo Co.

Super Mario World is a side scroller as in previous Mario games, and it takes advantage of the Super Nintendo’s 16-bit graphics and stereo sound. The game consists of a journey through levels in seven worlds: Yoshi’s Island, Donut Plains (later a series of tracks in Super Mariokart, Vanilla Dome, Twin Bridges Area (including the Cheese & Butter Bridges and Soda Lake) terminating in Cookie Mountain, Forest of Illusion, Chocolate Island, and the Valley of Bowser. There are also two secret worlds – Star Road and Special Zone (accessed via the Star World) – which can be found by finding a key and a key hole in certain levels. Experienced players can utilize the Star Road to reach the end of the game in only 12 levels.

My greatest memory: My sister who is not a big gamer was in love with this game. It’s one of the few games in my life I remember enjoying with my sister.

Rating: 9.4 Ground Breaking

11. Super Mariokart (SNES)

Super Mario Kart is the first video game in the Mariokart series, released in 1992 for the SNES.

In Super Mario Kart the player takes control of one of eight Mario series In single player mode players can race against computer controlled characters in multi-race cups over three difficulty levels. During the races, offensive and speed boosting power ups can be used to gain an advantage. Alternatively players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode. In multi-player two players can simultaneously take part in the cups or can race against each other one-on-one in Match Race mode. In a third multiplayer mode – Battle Mode – the aim is to defeat the other player by attacking them with power ups, destroying balloons which surround each kart. characters, each with differing capabilities.

My greatest memory: Playing daily after school at a local community center with a bunch of my friends. This game stayed in the SNES for so long because it was all we played, and really the only video game there. One day when my friend tried to take it out, it would not come out. From there on the it was no longer the SNES, it was renamed the Mario Kart system.

Rating: 9.5 Earth Shattering

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