Nintendo games that were ahead of their time

Key things

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

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

The company has always favored innovative gameplay loops in its first-party titles, so it's clear why most of its games are known for revolutionizing the gaming environment. From fun platformers to amazing adventure games, Nintendo has dipped its hands across many genres to stellar results.

8 Super Mario 64

Nintendo's first attempt at creating 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, struggled with the release A sound adventurea game that needed more time in the oven.

Meantime, Super Mario 64 captivated everyone with its fluid movement mechanics, excellent over-the-shoulder camera and innovative level design that made the most of this 3D landscape. It showed developers what 3D gaming could achieve and served as a template 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 in the genre

The The Legend of Zelda they needed to make a big splash on the SNES so gamers could enjoy a great adventure for the ages. This was achieved using 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 may be divided into zones, but A link to the past it feels very much like a segmented open world, which adds a much-needed sense of scale to drive home the epic nature of this adventure. to this day A link to the past it is full of charm and technical excellence.

6 Super Smash Bros.

A unique combat mechanic that has become iconic debuted

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 delivered an irresistible level that spawned one of the most iconic fighting game franchises of all time.

Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 was a joy to behold as it served as a crossover fighting game with minor platforming elements that was an instant hit. Kicking enemies off the stage instead of just beating them to a pulp was something fans couldn't get enough of and helped Super Smash Bros. stand out as one of the most unique fighting games available thanks 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
  Platforms	Nintendo Game Boy	Nintendo Game Boy
  Released	1998-09-28	1999-10-18
  Genres	JRPG	JRPG, Adventure, Strategy

Pokemon is the most valuable entertainment IP of all time, but the franchise had to start somewhere. Back in the days of the Game Boy, Nintendo funded the development of Game Freak's monstrous title, which quickly established itself as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made.

The idea of ​​capturing Pokémon of all shapes and sizes for players to use in battle was amazing and helped create a formula that was replicated in future games with a few innovations added to the mix. PokemonHis modern reputation may not be sparkling, but fans still remember the magical days when they played Pokemon red, Blue & Yellow and assembled a team of powerful Pokemon that could take down the toughest trainers in a flash.

4 Wii Sports

Popularized by motion control and enabled for fun gaming experiences

Wii Sports is a video game that broke new ground in terms of showing what motion controls can bring to a gaming experience. In one way, it turned the Nintendo Wii into a party console that fans could fire up and have a great time with their friends.

With a litany of simple yet engaging games for players to play, Wii Sports broke new ground for motion control in video games. This prompted other rivals to try motion-controlled games, with mixed results.

3 Super Metroid

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

It goes without saying that a game known for coining the name of the genre was ahead of its time in many ways. Super Metroid was a classic evolution of the 2D action platformer, introducing new abilities along the way that players could acquire to unlock paths and uncover secrets previously unattainable.

It's a simple but great way to reward players for progressing and exploring the map and every nook and cranny they couldn't explore before. This formula helped both Super Metroid and Castlevania to 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 assumed that the gaming industry was dying and that this form of entertainment would soon be a thing of the past. However, Nintendo proved everyone wrong when it made waves in the Western market with its innovative gaming offerings.

One of the most popular video games to go 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 at the time, allowing players to 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 of all time that brings many innovative mechanics

With the launch of the Nintendo 64, it was clear that the company needed to do something magical to help its famous The Legend of Zelda series are getting a prime position 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 truly 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 that has passed since this game was released, there is something here Ocarina of Time it keeps players coming back for more.