Nintendo has had an interesting decade. They started it off still riding the wave of the Nintendo Wii's success, then released the Wii U in 2012, which disappointed many and significantly underperformed due to its poor marketing and uninspiring gimmick of the GamePad.
Fully aware of their missteps with the console, the company came back with vengeance in 2017 by releasing the Nintendo Switch, a hybrid system allowing owners to play either on the go or in the comfort of their own home. To celebrate the legendary company and their triumphs of the 2010s, the following list will rank the ten best Nintendo games of the decade based on their Metacritic score. (This list won't include remasters, so the Ocarina of Time 3Ds remake and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe won't make the cut.)
10 Super Mario 3D Land (2011) - 90
The 3DS' ability to present three-dimensional graphics without glasses didn't excite gamers as much as its stellar lineup. Super Mario 3D Land's levels weren't the big open areas of the mainline 3D Super Mario titles, but instead presented smaller stages purely focused on platforming goodness. The early parts start off easy, but the second set of worlds truly tests one's mettle. Both players and critics responded positively to the new format, which differentiated itself from all other games in the series.
9 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013) - 91
Touting itself as a sequel to the iconic A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds had some big shoes to fill. By all accounts, the game does justice to its top-down brethren. The added mechanic of going into walls was highly praised along with other changes it made to the formula. Players can also tackle the variety of dungeons in any order of their choosing, making for a more open-ended experience.
8 Super Smash Bros. Wii U (2014) - 92
Every generation needs its Super Smash Bros., and 2014's Super Smash Bros. Wii U heeded the call. Despite the Wii U's small install base, the game still managed to sell about five million units. Critics appreciated the improvements made to the core gameplay, but were less kind to its online component.
Nintendo consoles have always had less-than-stellar internet capabilities, so it makes sense for the game's online multiplayer to suffer. For the first time in the series, up to eight people could duke it out at one time on select stages.
7 Fire Emblem: Awakening (2012) - 93
The tactical role-playing franchise was always somewhat of an underdog until 2013's Awakening significantly elevated the series' profile. Fire Emblem was at risk of disappearing for good if the title hadn't turned out the way it did. Critical success doesn't keep the lights on, but this entry managed to knock it out of the park in both respects. The only complaint anybody really had with it was the sometimes unfair enemy AI.
6 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) - 93
The Nintendo Switch's iteration of the popular series truly lives up to its title. Ultimate includes every fighter from series' past and a few more to boot. As if that wasn't good enough, more characters have been added with DLC, and the developer isn't done with it yet. Over one hundred stages are available as well. This wealth of content coupled with the tightest gameplay yet seen by the series ensured its place as one of the highest-rated Nintendo games and the best-selling fighter across all consoles.
5 The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011) - 93
In hindsight, most view The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword as one of the weaker entries in the iconic series. At the time, though, it received the same rave reviews most Zelda games get. Despite the complaints some fans lob towards it, there is still a lot to appreciate from this Wii game.
Unfortunately, anyone who despised the Wii's control scheme had no alternative way to play, unlike Twilight Princess, which also came out on the GameCube. If they ever rereleased the title on modern hardware, whoever ported it would need to alter the controls to make them work without the Wiimote and Nunchuk.
4 Super Mario 3D World (2013) - 93
Super Mario 3D World takes its cues from Super Mario 3D Land, presenting straightforward levels with traditional platforming challenges. The more powerful hardware allows for longer, more complex levels and the ability to play with three other friends simultaneously. Like its 3DS predecessor, anyone up for a more pure platformer will have the time of their lives with Super Mario 3D World. Cooperative play also works well, with the 3D perspective giving each player their own space, preventing people from distracting and jumping all over each other.
3 The Legend Of Zelda: The Breath Of The Wild (2017) - 97
The Nintendo Switch launch title reinvented The Legend of Zelda while also recapturing the magic that made the premier entry so special. The unprecedented level of exploration presents countless gameplay opportunities, ensuring every player has a different experience on their journey to save Hyrule. The sequel is set to take place on the same landmass, which is so large and varied, it won't feel redundant as fans trek through it a second time.
2 Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) - 97
Super Mario Galaxy's development team had so many ideas after finishing the first game, it was easy to fill up a sequel with more ideas and ensure nothing felt redundant or tired. Many third party developers had trouble adapting the Wii's atypical control to their franchises, but the Italian plumber controls like butter using the Wiimote and Nunchuk. The first game holds a similarly impressive score, but isn't on the list because it came out in 2007. Together, they make a solid one-two punch and are a reason to still keep a Wii hooked up.
1 Super Mario Odyssey (2017) - 97
After more than thirty years impressing gamers time and time again, it was impossible to imagine what Mario could do next to wow fans, yet Super Mario Odyssey impressed both fans and critics alike with its many innovations on the genre. The large worlds, each with their own unique look and feel, encourage exploration in a way never seen before by the series. The early parts of the game are admittedly easy, especially for veteran fans, but the difficulty ramps up exponentially after saving Peach in what is the series' most bombastic finale.