Ben Rosenthal
Written by Ben Rosenthal
A few weeks back I posted what I considerd to be the Top 10 WORSE games to appear on any Nintendo system. These ranged from 3rd party games such as Home Improvement and Wayne’s World, to abominations that came from the land of Nintendo itself – I’m looking at you Mario in Time and Donkey Kong 64 (great, now I have that damn DK Rap in my head again).
Not to be one to harp on the negative (my father does enough of that for the both of us…oooo Daddy issues), I have compiled what I believe to be the top 10 BEST Nintendo games to appear on any Nintendo system. So come with me as I don my flame resistant internet jacket, and give you the blog aptly titled – THE TOP 10 NINTENDO GAMES TO APPEAR ON ANY NINTENDO SYSTEM
10. Pokemon Red/Blue (Game Boy)
The cute little animals that have more in common with cock-fighting than I care to acknowledge are a phenomenon (or is that phenokemon?). THese two titles, which started the whole Poket Monster craze, were responsible for saving the somewhat flailing Nintendo. For those of you who have no idea what Pokemon is, nor ever played the game, I ask which vortex of Hell have you been sucked into for the past 15 years, and offer this quick description. Pokemon is an RPG, much like the original Zelda game, but is a turn-based fighter, much like the Final Fantasy series. However, in this world you collect cute little creatures by stuffing them in tiny little balls, then bringing them out to battle other people’s cute little creatures in order to become the number one Pokemon trainer in the world – well, region (as later games showed us).
One of the great appeals of the Pokemon games is the collecting and training aspect. With different types of Pokemon having different strengths and weaknesses (a fire-type Pokemon is strong agianst a grass-type, but weak against a water-type), combined with the surprise factor of not knowning which Pokemon you arte to battle, the series has some of the best replay value ever seen in an RPG. Oh, and it taught kids how to play the pokies. How Today Tonight missed THAT story I will never know.
The slogan was ‘Gotta Catch ‘em All’, with 150 (alright, 151 if you include Mew) Pokemon to catch in total. However, with the subsequent games, that number has now sprouted to just under 500 Pokemon. As such, the slogan was dropped. However, some dedicated few have still managed to ‘catch ‘em all’. Yes, it was me.
Both a fanastic game and series, Pokemon Red/Blue is an essential game to play on any system. Just stay away from the Anime, that sucks (Hey, Team Rocket, you’re looking for rare Pokemon to give to your boss? How about your Meowth that FREAKING TALKS!)
Yeahbuhwha?
9.Street Fighter 2 Turbo (SNES)
Personal aniqudote time! As a kid, there was this place called Skateline, where kids from all round Adelaide came weekend after weekend to rollerskate around a big rink. There was also a kick-arse arcade section, where people like myself went to play Street Fighter 2 on an arcade cabinet in stead of going around said rink. This explains why I cannot skate well, and also explains my totla kick-arsey at Street Fighter 2. However, then something bad happened, and I’m not talking about Killer Instinct. Skateline shut down, and with it went my beloved Low Boy Street Fighter 2 Cabinet.
A few years later, the greatest console to ever grace the planet came to fruition – the Super Nintendo. I was not allowed to get a SNES at first, as my parents did not think I needed another console, EVEN though Street Fighter 2 was released on it. However, once Street Fighter 2 Turbo came out, with fully playable bosses and a faster, closer representation of what I once played on my beloved Low Boy (that just sounded wrong), nothing could stop me – well, elephants probably could have…but they didn’t.
Street Fighter 2 on the the SNES was fantastic. As stated above, it was almost a complete cope of the arcade game, with only a few minor frame jumps during certain moves (Bison’s psycho-crusher, for example). The controls were easy to use, and in my opinion, could quite possibly be better than playing Street Fighter 2 on the arcade. What was even better, I could play it at home, without the need to go out and ‘socialise’ with the rest of the Nothern suburb scum, AND I had enough money left over to take up drugs! (I kid, I kid, only most of the Nothern suburb people were scum).
Street Fighter 2 is a classic arcade game, and the faithful SNES game allowed many a person to enjoy the best damn beat-em-up in the comfort of their own homes. Now if you will exscuse me, I’m off to play it on my Virtual Console, and then to rehab.
8. Super Mario Kart (SNES)
Possibly one of the most ripped-off games ever, the original Mario Kart was the beginning of all of those “Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Mario Lawn Bowls” games that we see today. And why do we see some any of these games? Becasue the orignal Mario Kart is awesome. Playing as Mario or one of his many friends (or enemies), you raced around various race tracks, each with it’s own different Mushroom Kingdom theme. The goal was to beat everyone else and finish first. Simple, yes? Well, to liven things up a tad, you are given items to throw at the other racers in order to improve your chances of wining, and also have your friend yell obscenities at you and the screen, before biting the controller and throwing it against the wall (I had some wierd friends).
Unlike it predecessors, there are no blue shells. The computer AI was fair, so that if you were good enough, you could possibly lap second place. This is unlike the game’s later incarnations, where for no reason at all second place zooms up behind you and wins just as you were about to cross the finish line (as opposed to the Danish line). No sir, there is no Super Mario Khance here. I only have one question – why is the best character in the game, Koopa Trooper, not available in any other Mario Kart? We have to deal with Toad? Toad sucks!
7. GoldenEye (Nintendo 64)
I can still watch the opening sequence of this movie and know exactly where Bond is coming from due to the layout of the first level. What made GoldenEye so great? The focus was on fun. Walking around, shooting people in the knees with a gun, and having them react. Jumping in a tank and running over Communists. Getting Natalya and Xenia to stand in certain locations so you could see up theri pixilated skirts (admit it, you all did it), this game was just FUN. Then if one became bored, you were able to play different modes in the game, such as Pain ball mode, where your gun shot pain balls instead of bullets, enabling you to write messages on walls (until they faded due to the sprite count) or DK Mode, where everyone was given long arms, big heads and an unsaciable urge throw barrels at you.
Unlockable content was a big part of this game, with villians from previous Bond films coming into play (Odd Job was such a cheap character to play as – didn’t stop me) as a part of the vast, exciting and fun mulitplayer section. In fact, GoldenEye was a must-by just for the multiplayer. Running around corridors, shooting at friends, planting landmines, setting up proximtry mines and sniping off other players just made this game a must have. The only negative thing I can say about this game is the box art;
I mean seriously, what the hell is wrong with his face?
6. The Legend of Zelda – A Link to the Past (SNES)
Billed by many as the greates tof Link’s Adventures, A Link to the Past (it’s a pun, geddit?) follows our hero from a simple lad who sleeps in to much, to becoming the true holder of the mystical Master Sword, and vanquishing Gannon from the land of Hyrule forever. A Link to the Past was huge game, taking many people well over 40 hours to complete. It also introduced the concept of different worlds to the Zelda universe, with Link travelling between the Light and Dark world’s in order to complete his quest.
Not only was A Link to the Past a big step up from its NES predecessors in terms of playability and graphics, but the soundtrack was also miles above from whence it came. Hyrule and it’s characters seemed to come alive, with the music adding to a characters tale. While many games before this has different themes fro different worlds and stages, A Link to the Past gave the player a look into the characters of the game by jerking around with their emotions through the vast array of musical compositions.
Not that this has anyting to do with the game, but I think you all should see how The Legend of Zelda SHOULD be;
5. Mario 64 (Nintendo 64…obviously)
Perhaps one of the most significant games in the whole of gaming history (Nintendo seems to produce a lot of those). Mario 64 was the VERY FIRST game to have a character exploring a 3D world. Bowser had once again kidnapped the Princess, locking her away in her own castle. It was Mario’s task to this time collect stars so they he may work his way through said castle, unlocking the doors with the ‘star power’, in order to beat down Bowser yet again and get some cake. Yup, Peach backed him some cake (on a side note, this is the very first time we are told the Princess’ first name – save that for your trivia comps).
What made this game fun was the way Mario moved about the stages. He was like a big bouncy ball, jumping off everyone and everything. We saw the implimentation of the wall jump, the tripple jump, and of course the butt pound. It was also the game where we heard Mario speak for the very first time. Who would have thought that a stereotypical portail of an Italian man would have such a realistic and non-stereotypical Italian voice?
Hidden levels, new powers-ups and a kick-arse sound track, this 3D adventure gave amazing replay value and is still one of the most reveared titles in games today.
4. Chrono Trigger (SNES)
“It’s About Time” was the catchphrase fo this game, possibly one of the best ever created – ever (it certainly is the best pun). You play mute hero, Crono, as he travels through time saving friends, killin bad dudes and learning magic – oh AND SAVING THE ENTIRE FREAKING WORLD/TIMELINE.
Until it’s DS release, Chrono Trigger had never officially been released in the PAL region. That did not stop many a gamer from importing it – even my local game leasing place at the time had Chrono Trigger to hire (provided you also hired the adapter…bastards).
The game is huge – as with many time travel stories, if you make a certain decision at at certain point in the game, it will have ramifications throughout the rest of the game – these can range from Glen returning to his human form, to Magus joining the crew, to the comoplete and utter destruction of the entire timeline. In all there are 13 different endings. Yup, 13,and to this day I have yet to encounter anyone who has finished it with each ending. If you have, get onto Twin Galaxies right now, my friend. Your name could be up there with Steve Weibe and Billy Mitchell (and wouldn’t THAT be something).
So popular that this classic was not only remade on the PlayStation, but to the DS too, with famed Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama’s Bird Studio animating some spectacular cut scenes throughout the game. Just check out this awesome, non spoileriffic cutscene
Overall, Chrono Trigger has it all – great graphics, fantastic RPG gameplay, huge sprawling storylines and catchy, snappy music. This game is pure awesome and insist that you purchase it immediantly – if you can find a copy.
3. Super Mario World (SNES)
“What the hell is wrong with Yoshis penis?” 
This launch title for the SNES took all the cool aspects of the previous 3 Mario Bros games, and multiplied them by a squillion. Hidden exits, the introduction of Yoshi, switch palaces – they all began here. The map system was teh key to the whole game, allowing players to choose their path, and guess as to which levels may have another exit (or two) within.
Much like the previous games, Mario World is a side scrolling adventure, with Mario attempting to battle through different stages of the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Peach…again. SHe should really get some pepper spray or something. With a slew of new characters, both there to aid and un-aid Mario in his quest, Mario World is quite possibly the quintessential Mario Bros title. The fact Luigi is nowhere to be seen is a massive plus.
Still need more convincing? Then have a look at the ad which originally advertised this great game. Now you’re playing with power – SUPER POWER. What?
2. The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)
Yes, it’s number 2 and A Link to the Past is not. Before you come at me with pitchforks, let me explain my reasoning. While it has many similarities to A Link to the Past, Ocarina was the first 3D Zelda adventure. Why is this so important – you can become more immeresed in your surroundings. Rather than the overhead view we were used to seeing of a Zelda game, Ocarina put us directly into Link’s world. Suddenly you could not see what threats were coming, or what awaited you in a room. It made the game feel much more ‘real’.
Together with a vast storyline, beautifly compsed music and TIME TRAVEL, Ocarina of Time clearly is the most impactful game in the Zelda series, and is still remebered by many to this day.
The only negative thing I can say about Ocarina of TIme? No classic Zelda theme anywhere in the game. Nope, nowhere. Oh, and some of you may bitch about these pictures being in Hyrule Castle:
To you few I say this: Get a life dude, seriously.
And now, here it is. The greatest, most awesomestgame to ever rock in the entireity of existance is (imagine a drum roll in your head right now for me – or better yet, do a drum roll on your belly)
1. Super Mario Bros (NES)
The original, and STILL the best. Name me one person who has not, nor still continues to play this game (which until very recently was the highest selling console game – damn you Wii Sports for your simple fun gameplay). So simple, yet so addictive, Mario Bros is truely the one game responsible for the current rise of the video game (sure, argue Pac Man or Donkey Kong, but it’s my blog and your wrong).
I’m not sure what else can be said about this fantastic game, other than I believe I could beat this 5 min speed run (and I could do it without a hack – damn cheaters trying to make themselves look good).
As always, there are some games that I could not fit into this list, and would like to make mention of them now –
Majora’s Mask – possibly the best time travel game out there. The only thing that prevented many people from fully enjoying (or playing through) this title was the fact that you were stuck as a crappy little Deku scrupfor the entire first temple. If you can stick out tedious jumping and no attacks to speak of, the rest of the game is very much worth playing. Even the side quests have something added to them with the time-travel element.
Donkey Kong Country – When this game came out, I was blown out of my freaking mind. When Stunt Race FX was the supposed ‘future’ of graphics (why didn’t I put that horrible game in my Worse List?), Donkey Kong Country gave life to a system that was rapidly falling under the might of the PlayStation.
Mario Kart 64 – took a fantastic game and made some more improvements to it
Smash Bros series – Fun fun fun – and the Wii version has a HUGE replay factor. Now we just need a version where Mario rips off Sonic’s head, with his spine dangling down and blood pooling from the wound. Just like the pictures I used to draw in primary school.
Wii Sport – the current Champion of the Most Units sold – nothing to do with it being bundled with the Wii. No sir, nothing at all.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – the last of the truly great SNES games. Sure, there was a 3rd in the series, but I’ll lump that into the same trash can as Donkey Kong 64.
There you have it – the Top 10 Nintendo Games to appear on any Nintendo system. Agree? Disagree? I don’t care, I’m off to grab a coffee.
Tell us your top 10 ‘bestest’ games of all time to appear on any nintendo system in the forums.