The 12 best Nintendo consoles of all time
We count down Ninty's greatest hits
Ranked: the 12 best Nintendo consoles of all time
Every debut of a new Nintendo console is undoubtedly a big deal, but some Nintendo systems have been much more successful, impactful, and absolutely memorable than others. Nintendo’s earliest cartridge-based platforms all helped define console gaming and launched some of the most beloved franchises of all time, while the company’s more recent efforts have been a bit more hit or miss as Nintendo has explored experimental ideas. From home consoles to portable gamers, here’s how the Big N’s best models rank in our view.
12) VIRTUAL BOY (1995)
Nintendo saw the future of gaming in virtual reality… but released this hunk of junk instead of waiting two decades for the tech to mature. The Virtual Boy is what you get when you have a good idea, but aren’t willing to invest – or charge – the kind of money needed to do it right. The black-and-red graphics were hard on the eyes, the unit itself was awkward and uncomfortable, and there weren’t even two dozen games released for the thing.
11) WII U (2012)
It’s been a rough few years for the Wii successor, from initial confusion over what it was to the clunky hardware, limited use of its unique features and an often-barren release schedule. We appreciate the Wii U for bringing Mario and other greats into proper HD resolution, and will remember it fondly for the likes of Super Mario 3D World, Bayonetta 2, and Mario Kart 8. But, mostly, we’ll recall its massively missed potential.
10) NINTENDO 3DS (2011)
The Nintendo 3DS was built primarily around a gimmick – and that gimmick, the ability to display glasses-free 3D with some success, quickly lost steam with developers. What remained? Well, still a pretty good little handheld device in an era of smartphone and tablet dominance. The 3DS didn’t have the broad appeal of the original DS, and it seemed awfully dated compared to the PlayStation Vita – but it did give us plenty of great games.
9) NINTENDO DS (2004)
Can we make this pick solely for the Nintendo DS Lite and the DSi? The original model was terribly designed, but Nintendo thankfully bounced back with better builds and the DS lived up to its billing as the spiritual successor to the Game Boy. The dual-display approach enabled new kinds of experiences, and Nintendo wisely shepherded a wide array of games onto the DS to appeal to adults and non-traditional players in a way we’d never seen before.
8) GAMECUBE (2001)
The GameCube got creamed by the PlayStation 2 and was in many ways an awkward, underwhelming console. And yet it had some really amazing games. Check out this roster: Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and so many more.
7) GAME BOY ADVANCE (2001)
Nintendo’s other 2001 hardware release takes the higher spot here, as the great Game Boy Advance essentially put a Super Nintendo-quality device in your pocket – and developers packed it with stellar, stellar stuff. Granted, the original hardware wasn’t wonderful (that dim screen!), but the SP revision fixed most woes.
6) WII (2006)
For many, the Wii will always be the hype train that lost steam. Nintendo’s motion-controlled console was the hottest thing around for a couple years, and then, once the buzz faded, many players realized they’d rather have the power and library of an Xbox 360 or PS3. Still, the Wii helped expand gaming in ways we hadn’t seen before, delivered some truly fun motion games amidst the junk, and was in many ways as delightful as it was weird.
4) Nintendo Switch (2017)
Ninty’s 2-in-1 machine was easily its most versatile, offering the option to play at home or on the go, alone or with friends. By going all-in with a 2-in-1 machine, Nintendo captured people’s imaginations in a way it hadn’t done since the Wii – and a raft of stellar titles shored up its efforts: Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey remain essential Nintendo titles.
4) NINTENDO 64 (1996)
Coming off of the 16-bit era, the Nintendo 64 looked like pure magic: stunning 3D gaming and all new kinds of genres and experiences. It might seem awfully rudimentary now – and, sure, the PlayStation ultimately won out that generation – but at the time it was pretty incredible. Launch leader Super Mario 64 remains one of the most amazing and influential games of all time.
3) NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (1986)
Why did millions covet the NES Classic last Christmas? Because it’s the original Nintendo – the console that started it all. The NES established the company as a gaming juggernaut, almost singlehandedly saved the industry, and spawned some of the greatest franchises of all time. Super Mario? The Legend of Zelda? Final Fantasy? Mega Man? Castlevania? The list goes on and on.
2) GAME BOY (1989)
The Game Boy took full-fledged cartridge gaming portable and, even though it had a green-and-grey screen, it handily trounced the colour-screened Game Gear and Lynx. Why? Simplicity. Solid battery life. Affordability. And yes, Tetris. The pack-in puzzler was the ultimate time-killer and paired perfectly with the portable.
1) SUPER NINTENDO (1992)
Bumping up to 16 bits unleashed the creativity of developers, taking decent and so-so 8-bit genres and elevating them to greatness, and the Super Nintendo has an all-time-amazing lineup of games. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and Final Fantasy VI are just the tip of the iceberg. This was Nintendo – and some traditionalists would argue, gaming on the whole – at its peak.
