Nintendo games that were ahead of their time

Key recommendations

• Nintendo's innovative gameplay loops revolutionized the gaming landscape with titles like Super Mario 64 and Zelda: A Link to the Past.
• The unique fighting mechanics of Super Smash Bros. spawned an iconic franchise acclaimed for innovative gameplay and crossover appeal.
• Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow kicked off the most valuable entertainment IP, with its monster-catching formula being 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 by forming many IPs that became video game royalties for numerous reasons.

The company has always prioritized innovative gameplay loops in its primary titles, clearly showing why most of its games are known for revolutionizing the gaming landscape. From fun platformers to amazing adventure games, Nintendo has stretched its hand across numerous genres to great results.

8 Super Mario 64

Nintendo's first attempt at a 3D platformer was a gaming revolution

Super Mario 64 is one of the most important 3D platformers ever made. As the gaming landscape evolved, fans wanted their titles to shed their 2D roots as the hardware allowed for complex visuals. Mario's rival, Sonic, caused quite a stir upon its release Sonic adventurea game that needed more time in the oven.

Meanwhile, Super Mario 64 wowed everyone with its smooth motion mechanics, excellent over-the-shoulder camera, and innovative level design that made the most of this 3D landscape. It showed developers what 3D games could achieve and served as the template for most video games to build 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 needed to make a major splash on the SNES to allow players to enjoy a grand adventure for the ages. This was accomplished with A link to the pastan amazing video game that featured 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 to the past it feels very much like a segmented open world, which provides a much-needed sense of scale to hammer home the epic nature of this adventure. Until today, A link to the past it is loaded with charm and technical excellence.

6 Super Smash Bros.

They debuted 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 tough sell on this console. However, Masahiro Sakurai released an irresistible presentation that spawned one of the most iconic fighting game franchises of all time.

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

5 Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow

It started the rise of the most valuable entertainment IP of all time

• 	Pokemon Red and Blue	Pokemon Yellow
  System	Nintendo	Nintendo
  platform	Nintendo Game Boy	Nintendo Game Boy
  ISSUED	28-09-1998	18-10-1999
  Genre(s)	JRPG	JRPG, Adventure, Strategy

Pokémon is the most valuable entertainment IP of all time, but this franchise had to start somewhere. Back in the days of the Game Boy, Nintendo funded the development of a monster-catching title by Game Freak that quickly established itself as one of the greatest JRPGs ever created.

The idea of ​​capturing 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. PokémonHis modern reputation may not be as bright, but fans still remember the magical days when he played Pokemon Red, Blue & Yellow and assembled a team of powerful Pokemon that could destroy the toughest trainers in a flash.

4 Wii Sports

Popularized and enabled motion controls for fun party game experiences

Wii Sports is a video game that broke new ground when it came to showing what motion controls could bring to a gaming experience. He single-handedly turned the Nintendo Wii into a party console that fans could turn on to have a blast with their friends.

Featuring a series of simple yet addictive games that players could play through, Wii Sports broke new ground for motion control in video games. It forces 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 genre of games that fans can't get enough of

It's just a given 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 uncover secrets they couldn't reach before.

It's a simple but great way to reward players for progressing and following the map and every nook and cranny they couldn't explore before. This formula helped them both Super Metroid and Castlevania creates the Metroidvania genre.

2 Super Mario Bros.

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

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

One of the most popular video games that has entered the history of video games is Super Mario Bros.a game that almost everyone has played at least once. This retro platformer was a breath of fresh air at the time, letting players go through several challenging levels before finally rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser's nefarious hands.

1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

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

With the release of the Nintendo 64, it was clear that the company had to do something magical to help its fans The Legend of Zelda series is gaining a major foothold on this home console. However, no one expected Nintendo to blow everyone's expectations out of the water with a game that sits comfortably as one of the greatest action-adventure games of all time.

Ocarina of time It really feels like an open world game at times, 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 was released, there is something about Ocarina of time that keeps players coming back for more.