Nintendo games that were ahead of their time

Key points

• Nintendo's innovative gaming circuits have revolutionized the gaming landscape with titles like Super Mario 64 and Zelda: A Link to the Past.
• Super Smash Bros.' unique fighting mechanics created an iconic franchise revered for its innovative gameplay and crossover appeal.
• Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow kicked off the most valuable entertainment IP, with its monster-catching formula replicated in future games.

Nintendo is known by many as one of the greatest video game companies of all time. The company single-handedly brought video games back from the brink of extinction, forming many IPs that have become video game royalty for numerous reasons.

The company has always prioritized innovative gameplay loops in its first-party titles, making it clear why most of its games are known for revolutionizing the gaming landscape. From fun platformers to fantastic adventure games, Nintendo has dabbled in numerous genres and achieved stellar results.

8 Super Mario 64

Nintendo's first attempt at a 3D platformer was a revolution in the world of video games

Super Mario 64 is one of the most important 3D platformers ever made. As the gaming landscape evolved, fans wanted their titles to abandon their 2D roots as the hardware allowed for complex visuals. Mario's rival, Sonic, failed with the launch of Sonic adventurea game that needed more time in the oven.

In the meantime, Super Mario 64 it amazed everyone with its fluid movement mechanics, excellent shoulder-mounted camera, and innovative level design that made the most of this 3D landscape. It showed developers what 3D games could achieve and served as a blueprint for most video games to build on in this new generation.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

An adventure game that broke new ground for the genre

THE The Legend of Zelda it had to make a big hit on the SNES to allow players to enjoy a great adventure for the ages. This was achieved with A link with the pasta fantastic video game featuring an iconic art style, simple yet engaging combat, and exploration that rewarded players for finding secrets.

The world can be divided into zones, but A link with the past it feels very much like a segmented open world, which lends a much-needed sense of scale to hammer home the epic nature of this adventure. Until today, A link with the past it is full of charm and technical excellence.

6 Super Smash Bros.

Debut unique combat mechanics that have become iconic

Nintendo prided itself on developing games for all ages. So, it was easy to see why a fighting game would be a hard sell on this console. However, Masahiro Sakurai made an irresistible proposition that gave birth to one of the most iconic fighting game franchises of all time.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64 was a joy to behold, serving as a crossover fighting game with minor platforming elements that was an instant hit. Knocking enemies off the stage instead of beating them to pulp was something fans couldn't get enough of, and it helped Super Smash Bros. stands out as one of the most unique fighting games available, thanks to its innovative gameplay mechanics.

5 Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow

It kicked off the rise of the most valuable entertainment IP of all time

• 	Pokemon Red and Blue	Pokémon Yellow
  System	Nintendo	Nintendo
  Platform(s).	NintendoGameBoy	NintendoGameBoy
  Released	09-28-1998	10-18-1999
  Gender(s)	JRPG	JRPG, Adventure, Strategy

Pokemon is the most valuable entertainment IP of all time, but this franchise had to start somewhere. During the Game Boy era, Nintendo funded the development of a captivating Game Freak title that quickly established itself as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made.

The idea of ​​catching Pokemon of all shapes and sizes that players could use in battle was amazing and helped establish a formula that was replicated in future games with a few innovations added to the mix. Pokemon's modern reputation may not be shining, but fans still remember the magical moments when they played Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow and has amassed a team of powerful Pokemon capable of wiping out the toughest trainers in a flash.

4 WiiSports

Widespread motion controls enabled for fun group gaming experiences

WiiSports is a video game that broke new ground when it came to showing what motion controls could bring to a gaming experience. It single-handedly turned the Nintendo Wii into a party console that fans could boot up to have fun with their friends.

Featuring a litany of simple yet engaging games for players to try their hand at, WiiSports it opened up new avenues for motion controls in video games. It forced other rivals to try their hand at motion control games with mixed results.

3 Super Metroid

This game, along with Castlevania, coined the name of a game genre that fans can't get enough of

It's a fact that a game known for coining the name of a genre was ahead of its time in more ways than one. Super Metroid was a classic evolution of 2D action platformers, introducing new powers along the way that players could acquire to unlock paths and discover secrets they couldn't reach before.

It's a simple but excellent way to reward players for making progress and keeping track of the map and every nook and cranny they couldn't explore before. This formula helped both of us Super Metroid AND Castlevania create the Metroidvania genre.

2 Super Mario Bros.

He helped restore the gaming industry's reputation after the video game crash of '83

After the video game crash of 1983, most people thought that the gaming industry was dying and that this form of entertainment would soon become a thing of the past. However, Nintendo proved everyone wrong by making waves in the Western market with its innovative gaming offerings.

One of the most popular video games that went down in video game history is Super Mario Bros.a game that almost everyone has played at least once. This retro platformer was a breath of fresh air for its time, allowing players to tackle several challenging levels before finally saving Princess Peach from the evil hands of Bowser.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

One of the greatest video games ever made, featuring many innovative mechanics

With the launch of the Nintendo 64, it was clear that the company needed to do something magical to help its illustrious The Legend of Zelda they gain an important position on this home console. However, no one expected that Nintendo would blow away everyone's expectations with a game that sits comfortably as one of the greatest action-adventure games of all time.

Ocarina of time at times it truly feels like an open-world game, inspiring other developers to create adventure games that try to channel the magic of this title. Even after all the time that has passed since this game came out, there's something about it Ocarina of time that keeps players coming back for more.