The Legend of Zelda - Softonic English

Top 10 Zelda games

What Zelda game is the best? Check to see if yours topped our list!

Take a look at any list of the best games on any Nintendo console. For each system, you can expect to see a Zelda game at or near the top of the list.

Why is that?

It’s because Nintendo knows that The Legend of Zelda series is special. Each entry in the franchise is a game-changer in terms of gameplay, puzzle-solving, and graphics.

With that being said, there is so much contention to which Zelda game is the best. Arguably, there is more debate as to which Zelda game is the best than any other series of games ever created. As lifelong fans of the series, we took this list very seriously, and we are open to further discussion in the comments below.

Top 10 Zelda games

10. The Legend of Zelda

It’s kinda crazy just how much the first Zelda game was able to cram in that NES cart. Along with a huge amount of power-ups, dungeons, and secrets, the game even had a save feature. Think about that: the Mario franchise (which was Nintendo’s golden child for years) have just as much to cram in its games but didn’t include a save feature.

As popular as the game was when it first came out, it’s still a jam today. There are even a ton of gamers who play the game with various challenges.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, you need to go back to where it all started. The Legend of Zelda is still just as fun today as it was back in the day!

9. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap has really fallen under the radar in terms of Zelda games. It’s definitely not a title you hear brought up often when people discuss their favorite Zelda games. However, that’s a crying shame because The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a phenomenal game.

The game takes elements from other Zelda games such as enemies, characters, and power-ups, but it tells a creative story and adds an original mechanic to the series. Link now has to solve puzzles both in his normal size and also while the size of a bug. Sometimes, in order to get to a boss’s weak point, you’ll have to shrink like Ant-Man to get past the armor to its weakness. The shrinking mechanic is a ton of fun. The best parts of the game are just exploring the world in your shrunken state and seeing how you can now interact with the world around you.

8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

The Nintendo DS received two Zelda games: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. When compared to other DS games, they’re not bad. When compared to other Zelda games, they’re trash. They employed heinous controls for Zelda standards paired with extremely sub-par stories and dungeons. Yeah, there’s a reason why they aren’t on this list.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds truly learned from the mistakes of its predecessors. A Link Between Worlds has great controls and great dungeons that all tie in with a great story!

7. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

There simply isn’t another Zelda game like Link’s Awakening. It has a story unlike any Zelda game and introduces characters extremely dissimilar from your typical Zelda game.

Link is trapped on an island and is planning his escape. While on the island, the community takes him in and treats him like one of their own. Unfortunately, the island is only an illusion in the mind of a giant flying fish. If that sounds weird it’s only because it is.

Link has to make the choice about whether he should live in this dream world with his new friends, or escape the island to return to his home. This wildly emotional story somehow fits entirely on a small GameBoy cartridge.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Let’s go back to E3 2005 really quick when we first saw the trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Oh man, this trailer is still incredible. When this trailer first dropped, fans went ballistic. The internet erupted with speculation about what Link would be facing, why he turned into a wolf, who the children were, and what on Earth was happening to Hyrule.

Unfortunately, Twilight Princess didn’t quite live up to the hype. Him transforming into a wolf was by far the weakest part of the game. The wolf mechanics weren’t as polished as they should have been, and the collecting missions you did while you played as the wolf were insanely boring.

However, beneath all of that, there is still a really good game. Some of the dungeons in this game are the best in the entire franchise. New weapons like the Double Clawshot and the Ball and Chain have become series favorites. Also, the game’s new character Midna is so beloved that fans are begging for her return.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

When we first saw trailers and screenshots of Wind Waker, fans were pretty upset. The more cartoony version of Link just wasn’t what anyone was expecting. The games always had a more adult and serious look, so seeing Link look like a cringey anime character was disheartening.

The hatred was so loud that a lot of fans boycotted the game and refused to buy it. However, those fans missed out on something truly great. Wind Waker has quite possibly the smoothest combat mechanics in all of Zelda. Link works his sword like an artist. It always seems like every time you get hit, there was something you could’ve done to parry it, or to avoid it altogether.

If you can look aside from the artistic choices the game made, you are in for one of the best games in the franchise.

4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Oh man, here comes the controversy.

No, we don’t think Link to the Past is the best Zelda game. We don’t even think it should make the top three. However, it is still a darn good game.

In many ways, Link to the Past set the framework for every game to come. At first, you think that the game is going to be relatively short. After beating only three dungeons, you go toe-to-toe with the game’s main villain. However, you then discover that you aren’t even close to being done. You now have to rescue seven maidens (one of which is Zelda) from being trapped in the Dark World, and then face the game’s true final boss, Ganon. No other Zelda game had that same shift in tone. However, so many other Zelda titles have followed that same formula since: (Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Wind Waker, and Skyward Sword just to name a few).

Link to the past is an incredible game. However, it missed the top three by just a hair.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

It’s so weird but Majora’s Mask feels both dead and alive at the same time. The game takes place in this extremely somber world where all of the characters are facing certain doom. There aren’t a lot of happy moments. Instead, there is an over-arching feeling of dread encroaching on this world. However, everyone still goes about their day like everything is normal.

The game runs on a schedule where everyone makes their in-game appointments. You always know that the Goron is going to make a reservation at a certain time, you know that there is a wedding scheduled mere minutes before doomsday, and you know that aliens are going to invade a farm at night!

The game is made with all of the same bones of Ocarina of Time, so sometimes it feels like you’re playing a really good ROM Hack. However, the completely original story, mechanics, and gameplay make for a truly refreshing game.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild isn’t just a Zelda game; it’s a celebration of Zelda. It takes pieces of core Zelda traditions and turns them into a masterpiece. There are only four main dungeons (minus the DLC), as well as a final battle in a castle filled with booby traps and easter eggs.

The game is centered on exploration and charting your own course. You decide the order in which you take down the dungeons, and you decide how you will tackle each obstacle. Do you want the Master Sword? Go get it! Do you want to skip all of the dungeons and go straight to Ganon? It isn’t optimal, but you can do that too!

On top of all of that, there are dozens upon dozens of mini-dungeons in the form of shrines throughout the game. You simply can’t play this game for just an hour. You will only be satisfied if you spend hours upon hours taking this monster apart.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

We had to. There simply isn’t a better game.

Not only can you see the change in the Zelda franchise from before and after Ocarina of Time came out, but you can also see it in the history of video games altogether. This is the type of game that makes other game studios go “What are we even doing with our lives?”

Ocarina of Time is the embodiment of everything that’s great about video games. It is universally loved and adored by gamers everywhere. It’s not just the greatest Zelda game, but it’s also the greatest video game ever created.

Mic drop.

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10 best video game heroes of all time

From the intergalactic spaceships to the fields of Hyrule, these video game protagonists are absolutely iconic!

No video game is complete without a good protagonist. Sure, cool settings and tense plotlines are great and all, but at the end of the day, all the best stories are about compelling characters. This is even truer in the case of video games; as players, we don’t just watch the stories of these characters, we experience them.

Over the years, the world of gaming has seen more than its fair share of strong heroes, and it’s hard to narrow down such a crowded field to the 10 best. That said, here’s our lineup of gaming’s 10 most iconic heroes.

10 best video game protagonists

Soap MacTavish- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

soap mctavish call of duty modern warfare — Image courtesy Infinity Ward

Soap beat out Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Dante from Devil May Cry by just a hair.

When Soap first arrives in the original Call of Duty 4, he’s about as green as it gets. Taken under the wing of the gruff, no-nonsense Captain Price, Soap soon grows into an elite veteran soldier.

In Modern Warfare 2, he’s the commander of his own special operations unit, no longer the raw recruit we first guided through a SAS training run.

By Modern Warfare 3, Soap is a hardened soldier; as players, one of the most gratifying parts of the Modern Warfare series is taking that journey along with Soap. Like him, we start as recruits and end up as hardened professionals.

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Gordon Freeman- Half-Life 2

Gordon Freeman is a man of many talents. Not only can he complete equations complex enough to make your head spin, but he can also stop an alien invasion almost singlehandedly using little more than a crowbar.

Gordon is a scientist-turned-reluctant warrior, and it’s that experience that separates Gordon from the typical gruff FPS protagonist. His background lets us experience different perspectives and encounter some even weirder science along the way.

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Mega Man- Mega Man Series

With more than 100 games spanning multiple systems, it’s undeniable that this intrepid blue adventurer has left his mark on gaming. Mega Man is an originally mild-mannered android that reluctantly takes up arms to defend the world from (usually robotic) threats.

With challenging levels, unique boss battles, and a host of different powerups, Mega Man takes a simple formula and perfects it. He’s a classic hero in every sense of the term.

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Ezio Auditore- Assassin’s Creed II

When we first met Ezio, it was hard to imagine that the mischievous playboy would one day become the most elite and respected assassin of all time. However, throughout several games, he becomes exactly that.

Though the Assassin’s Creed series has its share of strong protagonists, as players we essentially get to live out Ezio’s entire life, from youth to old age. He’s one of the richest and most well-developed characters in the series, and he left an indelible mark on fans around the globe.

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Big Boss- Metal Gear Solid

Big Boss is as much a philosopher as he is a warrior. Not content to merely fight the wars of others, Big Boss makes it his life purpose to change the world. Though he starts as a young idealist and a true hero, series veterans will know that he eventually ends up as one of the main antagonists of the series.

The Metal Gear Solid prequels allow players to experience Big Boss’s complicated and tragic backstory, and in true Metal Gear fashion, eventually, realize that he may not have been a villain after all.

Heck, his clone is Solid Snake who is another great character that almost made this list. Big Boss is the definition of an iconic character, and he’s a staple in gaming history.

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Commander Shepard- Mass Effect

Commander Shepard’s story is your story. Sure, there are a few things out of your control… but as a player, you have a whole galaxy’s worth of choices and decisions at your fingertips. From choosing your appearance, your squad, or how you act in a particular scenario, there are almost unlimited possibilities when it comes to how you want to experience Commander Shepard’s journey. Even though we’re still playing a character, we get to play them exactly the way we want to as players, which makes Commander Shepard an even more powerful and defining hero.

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Link- Legend of Zelda

legend of zelda link — Image courtesy Nintendo

Sorry Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, there is only room for one pointy-eared swordsman on this list!

Link has seen more than his fair share of action over the years, growing from a few green pixels to the blue-eyed hero we know today. This intrepid adventurer never gives up, no matter what the forces of darkness throw at him. He may sometimes come off as inexperienced, but that just makes him all the more relatable. His tenacity and courage leave an indelible mark on players and fans.

We were close to putting Samus Aran on this list, but Link and a certain someone else from the Super Smash Bros. roster won out overall!

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Nathan Drake- Uncharted

uncharted nathan drake — Image courtesy Naughty Dog

A modern-day Indiana Jones, Nathan Drake has a sharp mind, tenacious attitude, and a wise-crack for every situation. He’s not the typical stalwart hero. He’s got plenty of flaws of his own and is perhaps one of the most relatable characters in gaming. He’s just an ordinary guy facing down extraordinary (and sometimes supernatural) circumstance. That makes him all the more human… and a hell of a lot of fun to play.

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Arthur Morgan- Red Dead Redemption 2

arthur morgan red dead 2 — Image courtesy Rockstar

The tale of Arthur Morgan is a long one, but completely worth the journey. Despite a laundry list of characters you meet along the way, at the end of the day, Red Dead 2 is Arthur’s story. Arthur Morgan is an outlaw with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold despite his flaws. All he wants is to do what’s right for himself and those he cares about. His story is filled with betrayal, joy, heartbreak, and every emotion in between. When we start the game, Arthur is essentially a stranger to us, but by the time the credits roll, he feels like family, and it’s an exceedingly difficult goodbye.

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Mario

Was there ever any doubt? The king of gaming’s heroes retains his crown. With adventures spanning worlds, consoles, and many years, this red-shirted plumber does it all with a smile and unflappable positivity. No matter what new evil comes to bear, Mario will do anything to protect those in harm’s way. When you think about a video game character, Mario is probably the first one that comes to mind. Mario is, simply put, the best.

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Wrapping up

So, did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments, and check back with Softonic for more gaming-related goodness.

Top 10 Nintendo 64 games

When it comes to the N64, video games don’t get much better. However, which ones are the best?

Man, does this system even need an introduction?

The Nintendo 64 is one of the greatest systems of all time. While so many systems were struggling with the jump to 3D, Nintendo charged to the top creating games that set the industry standards.

Just look at how happy this kid was when he got an N64:

If you don’t feel like digging through boxes of your old Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers in your parent’s basement to find your N64, you can play these on your computer! We’ll tell you more about that later.

With so many amazing titles to choose from, some sadly could not make the list. If your fav didn’t make the cut, let us know in the comments below!

Top 10 Nintendo 64 games

10. Perfect Dark

Oh yeah, you can expect to see a bunch of Rare games on this list.

This game has a guided rocket launcher and a sniper rifle that can shoot through walls. Do we really need to say more?

Coming out three years after Goldeneye, Perfect Dark felt like the successor it deserved. This spy-shooter thriller had the player use futuristic weapons and technology to stop an alien conspiracy being played out by a rival agency.

Your unique arsenal of weapons mixed with the thrilling spy adventure made for a thrilling experience. There is a Perfect Dark game on Steam, so if you’re looking to dive into the franchise, this is a good starting point.

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9. Conker’s Bad Fur Day

Before kids lied to their parents saying that Grand Theft Auto was a fun racing game, we were telling them that Conker’s Bad Fur Day was a game about an innocent, little squirrel. What we didn’t tell them was that this innocent little squirrel was a drunk, foul-mouthed womanizer who fights a hangover the entire game.

The game was filled to the brim with hilarious pop-culture references as well as a ton of original humor.

And, of course, there was also the Great Mighty Poo:

The game had all of the same great components of other Rare 3D platformers like Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo Kazooie, but it was also so non-Nintendo. Nintendo had a reputation of being very innocent and typically deviated from adult content in games, and they still do. Conker’s Bad Fur Day wasn’t a step out of their comfort zone, it was a flying leap. And honestly, it’s a jump they need to take more often.

8. Diddy Kong Racing

While making this list, Mario Kart 64 was occupying this spot. However, the more we thought about it, there’s nothing about that game that makes it better than Diddy Kong Racing.

In this game, the levels just feel so much more alive as you maneuver through the jungle and around dinosaurs. You can also take to the skies for the trademark plane races.

In this game, you could also race as some of the characters from other Rare titles including Conker and Banjo.

Sure, Mario Kart 64 is a phenomenal game, but we struggle to find an area where the Italian plumber bests Diddy.

7. Banjo Kazooie

See what we meant? Lots of Rare games.

First off, let’s watch one of the greatest openings in video game history:

It killed us to not put Banjo Kazooie higher on this list. However, there are just too many other great games more worthwhile. That should be a testament to how amazing the N64 was.

There isn’t another 3D platformer like Banjo Kazooie. You control a bird and bear duo who traverse through different levels collecting jigsaw puzzle pieces until they can finally face down a witch. That might sound weird, but think of it as Super Mario 64 meets a Grimm fairy tale.

The game had so many amazing power-ups. You could use the bird, Kazooie like a Swiss Army knife. She can be used to shoot eggs like a machine gun, acts as your own personal airplane, or use her beak as a battering ram.

Banjo Kazooie was a weird fantasy story mixed in with incredible and unique mechanics. If you’re looking for something that feels totally fresh, you can’t go wrong with the bird and bear.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

There’s no game that has the same feel as The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.

Majora’s Mask follows Link on his quest to stop the moon from falling to the Earth, thus obliterating the world of Termina. However, even with their impending doom, the people of Termina just seem damaged beyond repair.

You come across tragic story after tragic story. When you finally find a moment with even a shred of joy you hold onto it as one of the few things that make Link’s mission worthwhile.

Who didn’t cry at this part?

Majora’s Mask has one of the most unique mechanics in any game. Termina is alive. The people all have schedules that they maintain. You can always expect the Goron with your name to arrive at the hotel at a precise hour. You can expect aliens to invade a farm on a certain day. And you can always expect a beautiful wedding to nearly fall apart just minutes before the moon destroys everything. This feature encourages you to want to save Termina even more. You want the wedding to happen. You want the Zora to get to raise her babies. Finally, you want the Skull Kid to atone, and find a way to live in a world without chaos.

If you can play through Majora’s Mask without feeling some sort of emotion pass over you, check your pulse because you might’ve met with a terrible fate yourself.

5. Star Fox 64

Back in the days of the NES, space shooters were everywhere and they all felt the same.

It’s not like they weren’t all fun, it’s just that the market was saturated with them, so they just felt like the same. When Star Fox 64 was released, it knocked us all on our butts and completely annihilated the space shooter genre. In certain levels, you can pilot your ship across the entire map, shooting down enemies as you fly like Luke Skywalker on Hoth.

The boss fights?

Phenomenal.

You can beat the game in about an hour, but you’ll need to be an expert of the game to figure out how to play each and every stage so that you can get to the true ending.

You play the game alongside fellow pilots Falco, Peppy, and Slippy. Rather than just hearing the pew-pew-pews of your laser, the game is filled with their banter as well as that of your enemies. Slippy is constantly getting into binds and asks you to save him. Falco is cocky is talks like he’s the best pilot in the galaxy. Peppy is the veteran pilot who is teaching you as your journey continues.

Plug this one in, and go show Andross who’s boss.

4. Goldeneye

While the Call of Duty franchise is trying to act like the standard for first-person shooters, Goldeneye is just running circles around it.

Nintendo somehow made a 3D first-person shooter where you run and aim all with the same control stick. You know what, it works incredibly well.

Goldeneye was a game that you could break out and play with all of your friends and family. Multiplayer with three other people was a wild time unless some jerk picked Oddjob.

Although we love this game, we have to admit that it plays so much better on mouse and keyboard. If only there was a convenient link you could click on to play this game online…

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If you’ve never played it before, it might take a while to get used to the unique control scheme. However, once you do, you’re in for a treat.

3. Super Smash Bros.

Super Smash Bros. seems like one of the most obvious ideas for a game: take the beloved characters from various titles and put them in a tournament fighter.

Often duplicated, never replicated, Super Smash Bros. was THE staple multiplayer game for the N64. You and your friends could settle debates like, “Who would win in a fight between Mario and Link?”

Also, it had one of the greatest commercials ever made:

Although Smash has gone on to bigger and better things since this title, we can still pick this one up any day of the week.

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2. Super Mario 64

Even at nearly 25 years old, Super Mario 64 is tapdancing around modern platformers. The game is all about control. Mario seems like he can move however you need him too.

Need to get on top of a steep ledge? Mario, can triple-jump into a wall-jump and then dive to make his way up there. The controls are so crisp and clean, that it is one of the most popular games to speedrun out there.

Mario 64 has so many memorable moments. How many of us dropped the baby penguin off the ledge after getting the Star from its mom? Who else, spent hours surfing around levels on a Koopa shell? Who else swore like a trucker at the screen as you failed to catch the bunny after your 20th attempt?

So many video games want you to play the game how the developers made it. They don’t encourage you to play the game like how you want, but how they want you to play it. Mario takes the concept and throws it out the window. You can complete the levels in whatever order you want, and collect Stars in whatever creative ways you can concoct.

Mario 64 is a phenomenal game. However, there is one clear winner that can even surpass this titan.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Look, there are a lot of game reviewers that will tell you that Ocarina of Time is actually overrated and that putting it at the top of the list is a pleb’s point of you.

They’re all wrong.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time deserves all the praise it gets. Calling something “the greatest game of all time” seems stupid given the sheer amount of games on the market, and different types of video games out there. However, saying it about Ocarina of Time just makes sense.

It’s one of the most incredible stories in all of video games. It has one of the best adventures in all of gaming, with some of the coolest weapons, and best combat. Even the soundtrack is one of the best in all of video games:

Call us basic or bandwagon for making this our number 1; we’ll wear that badge with honor. There just isn’t another game on the console that even comes close.

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Bring the experience to your desktop

A bunch of games that didn’t make this list that really hurt us to exclude. Donkey Kong 64, Mischief Makers, Wave Race 64, and All-Star Baseball 2001 are just a few of them. However, you can play all of these games and more through Project 64.

Click the link below to download the emulator. Finally, all of your favorite N64 games will be at your fingertips.

Project 64 Download Free ►

Did we omit some of your favorite titles? On this titan of consoles, what are your favorite games? Let us know in the comments below!

10 best Wii games

Wii would like to play! Check out the best games that ever graced the Nintendo Wii.

When the Nintendo Wii was first announced, it was quite possibly the most excited the world had ever been for a new console.

The Wii Remote was unlike any controller we had ever seen. Players were no longer going to be maneuvering around with an analog stick, but with motion controls. It truly felt like the wave of the future.

Too bad it really fell flat.

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Motion controls have been downplayed a lot since the days of the Wii. The motion controls worked well on maybe a handful of Wii games and were complete garbage on others.

For example: when Donkey Kong Country Returns was released for the Wii, somebody thought it would be a good idea to have players shake the controller in order to get DK to roll. Later on, the game was ported to the Nintendo 3DS and players could use a joystick and buttons. Once we were able to play it that way, it turned out the game was actually a lot of fun. However, it was virtually unplayable on the Wii.

To make matters worse, they were obscenely hard to buy when they first came out. For some reason, Nintendo didn’t supply many consoles to stores making so buyers had to camp out in front of the store before it opened to get one.

Look, the title of this article is “Top 10 Wii games,” so clearly we liked a few of them. When the motion controls worked, games could actually be a lot of fun. However, we’re glad that Nintendo eventually decided to put actual controllers back in our hands.

Top 10 Wii games

10. Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Before Yoshi made his way to the world of wool, Kirby’s Epic Yarn spun a pretty great adventure.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn wasn’t supposed to be a Kirby game at first. However, once developers saw how fun the game was and how beautiful it looked, Kirby was added to help boost sales.

Kirby is known for inhaling his enemies and then gaining their powers. However, Kirby has a new array of tools in this classic. Instead, Kirby spins yarn and morphs himself into whatever he needs to be to overcome challenges.

The platformer isn’t very difficult, and the more adept player can probably knock this out in a day or so. However, for those that have played it, they can assure you that you’re in a for a fun Warp Star ride.

9. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Most fans of Smash agree that Super Smash Bros. Brawl was a huge step down from Super Smash Bros. Melee. The game just isn’t as fast-paced as Melee, and the new mechanics that were added were atrocious. It was the first Smash game to have online matchmaking, but the online side lagged so incredibly bad that almost nobody played it.

You can slip and fall over. Who even thought of that?

However, Brawl did give us an epic story mode with Subspace Emissary. Subspace was absolutely incredible. It felt like an Avengers storyline, but with our favorite Nintendo characters. It was an incredible adventure that we, unfortunately, have not seen since in other Smash games.

Brawl also gave us a bunch of cool characters that are staples in the series now including Ike, Snake, Sonic, Meta Knight, Pokémon Trainer, and Zero Suit Samus.

Thankfully, the Wii allowed us to use our old GameCube controllers to play the game, so we weren’t forced to use the Wii Remote. Brawl might just be the worst Smash game, but it’s still a Smash game.

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8. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Much like Kirby’s Epic Yarn, New Super Mario Bros. Wii isn’t going to take you very long to beat. Even if you are casually playing through the game, you can get through the entire main story in just a few hours.

However, those are gonna be some of the most fun hours you’ve had in a while. The game takes Mario back to basics in a classic side-scrolling adventure. No 3D exploration. No maps where you hunt for stars. No bull.

You know what? It really works.

Get up to three other friends with you, and you can turn it this into a party game the likes of which you’ve never seen.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

All things considered, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a far better game. However, the GameCube version is better than the Wii version. On Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is much more fun.

Much like Brawl, this is a weak entry in its franchise as a whole, but it’s still a fun game nonetheless. Skyward Sword revolves around Link on his journey to save Princess Zelda from an evil force blah blah blah, it’s the basic story yet again. The game included a crafting portion to make new gear and upgrade existing weapons. In most other games it would work, but it just seems out of place here in Zelda.

Also, you have a new guide named Fi. If you thought Navi was annoying, wait until you get a load of her. Navi at least had personality; Fi feels like a lifeless zombie who takes away from the adventure.

That said, the game still is a lot of fun and has a lot of great Zelda moments. As far as boss battles in Zelda go, this game has some of the best.

If you’re looking for something on par with Ocarina of Time, this ain’t it, chief. However, if you’re looking for a decent entry in the series to eat up a few hours.

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6. Okami

Okami is one of the most beautiful games ever made.

You play as a wolf as you adventure through a painted tapestry. Your means of travel and attacks all coordinate with brush strokes, which make the game sometimes feel more like you’re painting a picture.

The art style mixes with Japanese culture to make a truly unique experience that you’ll never forget.

With all the characters that people want to see get added to Smash, Amaterasu from Okami is almost never brought up.

Come on, Sakurai. Make it happen!

5. Mario Kart Wii

While we got a below average Smash game and a below average Zelda game, we honestly got one of the best Mario Kart games with Mario Kart Wii.

Just listen to that music:

The Wii’s motion controls actually worked pretty well for this game. Even if you didn’t like them, the game allowed you to use a slew of other controllers to tickle your fancy.

Like Brawl, this game had online matchmaking, but the lag wasn’t nearly as bad. Sure, it paled in comparison to the online capabilities of the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, but we still got to show some elementary school kids who’s the boss.

4. Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenoblade Chronicles flew passed a lot of peoples’ radar. It was also a pretty rare find in the United States. After the game was discovered to be the absolute gem that it is, you’d have to dish out around $100 IF you could somehow find a copy.

Xenoblade Chronicles is considered to be one of the best RPGs of our time. It simply nails every aspect. The combat is fun. The crafting is addictive. The story is epic. The characters are intoxicating.

From start to finish, Xenoblade Chronicles will have you hooked.

3. Super Mario Galaxy 2

To be honest, Super Mario Galaxy 2 does not feel like its own game. It feels like DLC for the first Super Mario Galaxy.

Guess what? We are totally fine with that!

Super Mario Galaxy 2 brings all the elements that made the first Mario Galaxy great and adds a bunch more awesome mechanics. For instance, you can ride Yoshi in this game!

Sure, blasting through the cosmos is fun, but it’s even more fun on the back of your dino bestie!

With all that being said, it still couldn’t beat its predecessor…

2. Super Mario Galaxy

Super Mario Galaxy was the first Mario game that felt like a true successor to Super Mario 64. Mario didn’t just jump into the next generation of gaming; he launched himself from a star cannon and flew past planets along the way.

The music accompanying the game was extraordinary. Mario moved through the galaxy accompanied by an orchestra every step of the way.

Yeah, Super Mario Galaxy 2 added some more features. However, the developers clearly put their best ideas for bosses and levels into this gem.

As much as we loved this game on the Wii, we have to admit that the title begs for a remake. If Nintendo was able to make Mario work as well as they did on the Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, then they should be able to to do the same with Mario Galaxy.

1. Wii Sports

Hold on, before you go typing an angry comment down below, hear us out.

Wii Sports was the game played most by players and is probably the only Wii game that hasn’t had a suitable replacement made since.

Think about it. All the games on this list are fun, but would you really go through the trouble of hooking up your Wii, Wii Remote, and sensor bar just to play Mario Galaxy? We’re guessing you wouldn’t.

However, if you’re having a group of friends over, wouldn’t it be fun to break out bowling or tennis?

Wii Sports got the motion controls better than any other game on the Switch. It has aged quite well, and, just to cap it all off, it came free with every Nintendo Wii.

Wrapping up

Do you agree with our picks? What ones slipped past our radar, and deserve recognition? Let us know in the comments below!

10 best GameCube games

What games made the Nintendo GameCube legendary?

The early 2000s was a monumental turning point in video game history. Sony began the new millennium with the PlayStation 2, and Microsoft ended 2001 with the Xbox. These two systems were pillars in video game history.

However, we’re not here to talk about those two consoles. We are here to discuss the one that came out between these two, the Nintendo GameCube.

During this time, Nintendo was going through a weird era. Sure, they were definitely still doing well. The Nintendo 64 left a great legacy and the Game Boy Advance came out earlier that year and had phenomenal sales. Unfortunately, the Gamecube did not sell as well as the Xbox, and not nearly as well as the PlayStation 2.

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With that being said, that doesn’t mean the GameCube didn’t have great games. The GameCube had a rich library of games that set it up for success. The Xbox and PS2 just had a leg-up with revolutionary first-person shooters like Halo and regularly updating franchises like Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter.

For this list, we looked for the games that still made the GameCube worth buying. They didn’t win the console war, but they did win over the fans.

Top 10 GameCube games

10. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

A lot of the reason why people buy Nintendo’s mobile consoles like the Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance is so that they can play Pokémon games. While fans wanted Pokémon games on Nintendo’s home consoles, we never expected them.

Not only did the GameCube get a Pokémon game, but it got the best home console Pokémon game ever made. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness has some of the same mechanics as your typical Pokémon game, but it focuses more on the story rather than collecting mons and badges.

It’s also a much harder Pokémon game than what we were used to seeing. The final boss is so hard it just seems cruel. Also, rather than you getting the opportunity to hunt in the wild for whatever mons you want, you are at the mercy of using only the mons you snagged from other trainers.

If you’re a Pokémon fan, you can’t go wrong with this classic.

9. Soul Calibur 2

Soul Calibur 2 was on the PS2 and Xbox as well as the GameCube. However, what made it better on the GameCube was the inclusion of our favorite sword-wielding fairy boy, Link. Each game had its exclusive character depending on what console you played. Xbox got the comic book character Spawn, and the PS2 got Mishima from Tekken.

Both of those characters were fun, but they’re no Link.

Soul Calibur 2 is a tournament fighter game where the characters fight with swords, staffs, axes, nunchaku, and even magic. Sure, you can mash buttons and do fairly well, but the more experienced player plays the game like a chess match.

8. Mario Kart: Double Dash

If you were to ask the average Mario Kart fan which game in the series is their favorite, you probably wouldn’t hear anyone mention Mario Kart: Double Dash. However, the game is still a lot of fun.

Double Dash had a unique mechanic where you picked two characters instead of one. One character sits up front driving the kart while the other one sits in back throwing items at other drivers.

This made for some interesting decisions. Maybe you want to have a lighter character up front like Toad, and then throw a heavy character like Donkey Kong on the back to help balance it out.

This might not be our favorite Mario Kart game, but we can pop this one in any day of the week.

7. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle

First, let’s start this off right:

Ahh, if only Sonic’s transition to film went over as well as his transition to Nintendo.

After the demise of the Sega Dreamcast, Sonic the Hedgehog made his way over to the Nintendo GameCube. His stay had… mixed results. Sonic Heroes was a decent title, but the original Sonic Adventure had quite possibly the ugliest talking animation ever.

That said, the crown jewel was Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. The game was animated well for the time, and the gameplay had actual 3D platforming mechanics fitting for the blue hedgehog.

This was the first Sonic title to get the 3D formula right. It wasn’t buggy and game-breaking like future titles, and it was more polished and clean than its predecessor.

The game also introduced us to Shadow the Hedgehog who would go on to be a major anti-hero in the series. The game was divided into a hero and villain side where you could choose to play on the side of good or evil. Each side had three different types of levels. Sonic and Shadow had fast-paced 3D platforming levels. Knuckles and Rouge were treasure hunters in a race to collect all the pieces of the Master Emerald. Tails and Dr. Eggman drove their mechs through levels, shooting down everything in their paths.

One of the things that really makes this game stick out is the Chao Garden. Chao are blue fairy-like creatures that also look like onions.

In the game, you raise them from the moment they hatch. You feed them, train them, and take care of them. It definitely is not enough to merit its own game, but it’s definitely a fun break from the main game.

6. Super Mario Sunshine

Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 set the course for every 3D platformer thereafter. The essence of the game is in its control. Mario feels like he can move wherever you want him to go. His limits are not set by the game, but by your own limitations as a gamer.

That game set such a high standard that Super Mario Sunshine, unfortunately, did not entirely meet. However, that doesn’t mean that this game isn’t fun.

Super Mario Sunshine is an absolute jam. The same feeling of control from Super Mario 64 is still present here. Also, this time Mario has a water hose/water-powered jetpack called FLUDD. This tool gives Mario a whole new dimension to how he can maneuver through the world.

You might be thinking, “Okay, so why isn’t this game as good as Super Mario 64?” Its shortcoming lies in its level designs. When you think of Mario 64, your mind jumps to Bomb-Omb Battlefield, Shifting Sands Land, or Wet-Dry World. Mario Sunshine just doesn’t have the same memorable worlds.

Mario Sunshine is a great game, but it is far from being a legend.

5. Metroid Prime

Nobody thought this game was going to work out as well as it did.

While Link and Mario had 3D incarnations on the Nintendo 64, our favorite bounty-hunting baddie Samus did not get a game. Our thought process was that we couldn’t get a Metroid game was because a 3D Metroid game wasn’t possible. Thank God we were wrong.

Metroid Prime didn’t have the online multiplayer of the Halo franchise, but it had the best alien-hunting campaign of its time. The labyrinth of the original Metroid games is back in a 3D environment that translated so well to the GameCube.

You get to use Samus’s power-ups like the Morph Ball and Grapple Beam to navigate the 3D environment. Eventually, you get to take down some of the most challenging bosses in video game history.

4. Resident Evil 4

The video game era of the early 2000s was defined by graphics.

Nobody thought that the GameCube had the same graphics capabilities of the Xbox or the PS2. People thought GameCube games had such cartoonish graphics because they couldn’t make characters look realistic. Resident Evil 4 was the game that shut them all up.

Resident Evil 4 is about an agent named Leon who is sent into essentially a cultist’s dystopia where he needs to find and rescue the president’s daughter. While there, Leon encounters humans infected with a parasite that takes over their mind and makes them stronger.

Throughout the game, the bosses get harder as your arsenal of guns gets larger. The game isn’t about bringing the biggest, baddest gun to the fight, but bringing the right equipment for the job. Plug in this game, and you’re in for arguably the best Resident Evil game in the entire franchise.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

After the success of Ocarina of Time and Majora Mask, fans of the Zelda franchise were expecting another fantastic title just as dark as its predecessors. We were also expecting more realistic graphics. What we got wasn’t exactly dark:

So many fans wrote off “The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker” based on the graphics alone. Those fans missed out on an incredible game.

Wind Waker has some of the best sword-fighting mechanics in any video game. Link moves around like a Jedi, parrying blows while flipping through the air.

The story is also great. Link is on a journey to rescue his sister who was kidnapped by a giant albatross. From there, he gets roped into a mission by a talking boat to defeat the evil Ganondorf while unlocking secrets from Hyrule’s past.

Along the way, you meet a colorful cast of characters while you sail the high seas in one of the best adventures in the series.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess feels like the Zelda game fans wanted for the GameCube. The game is dark and abysmal. Everywhere you go, you encounter characters who just seem to have zero joy left in them. However, once you get to know them, they inspire you, even more, to conquer evil and save the land of Hyrule.

Also, we finally got the graphics we wanted:

Speaking of characters, Twilight Princess introduced us to Midna who is, without a doubt, the best companion to journey alongside Link in any Zelda game. Midna is charismatic, sassy, and, most importantly, flawed. Throughout the game, we see the chinks in her armor as she lets her guard down more and more to the player. By the end, you care about her making it out alive more than Link.

The game was released as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii as well as one of the final titles for the GameCube. Although the game is pretty fun on the Wii, the GameCube was the console that not only deserved it but made it a legend.

1. Super Smash Bros. Melee

The more we thought about it, the more we realized that there simply is not another GameCube game worth of this spot.

Super Smash Bros Melee is not only the best Smash Bros. game and the best GameCube game, but it’s quite possibly the best platforming fighting game ever created.

Three Super Smash Bros. games have been released since Melee, and yet this is the one you still see at tournaments.

The fighting is fast-paced and fluid in a way that Nintendo hasn’t been able to capture since. When you plug this in, hours fly by without you noticing.

Melee showed truly what the GameCube could be. It showed that it could have you and three friends huddle on a cramped couch that smelled like Cheetos and stale Dr. Pepper, and you’d be fine with it.

Wrapping up

Yeah, Pikmin didn’t make the list. We’re sorry, there just wasn’t enough room. What games do you think should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below? As for us, we have to go 1v1 Fox only on Final Destination.

10 best SNES games

How do you narrow down one of the greatest console libraries down to 10 games? Well, we’re gonna try!

Back in the days before the Xbox-PlayStation-Nintendo console wars, there was just the Nintendo-Sega console war.

Sega had a phenomenal advertising campaign that used the made-up term “blast processing” to sell the Sega Genesis.

Kids on the playground and buses would quote the commercials saying things like, “Genesis does what Ninen-don’t.” However, when it came to what games were better, they shut their mouths when they saw the Super Nintendo library.

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Holy mother of God, this console has some classics.

Sure, the Genesis had a few classics, but nothing even compared to the treasure trove of games the SNES had to offer. The Genesis simply could not compete.

Remember that commercial above that had the nerve to infer that Super Mario Kart was boring? Even if you think the game isn’t as high paced as a racing game on the Genesis, take a look at the SNES exclusive F-Zero:

Is that 16-bit action intense enough for you?

We could make a list of the top 50 SNES games, and even that would leave off some classic titles. Narrowing it down to 10 seems like a fool’s errand, but we’re willing to give it a try. Let us know in the comments below what games you think should have made it!

Top 10 SNES games

10. Street Fighter II Turbo

We were torn between putting this one and Mortal Kombat III on this list. As much as we love ripping the heads off our enemies, we love Hadoukens more.

Street Fighter II Turbo was the most fast-paced tournament fighting game of its time. At the arcade, we wasted quarter after quarter on this game. When we found out we could play this bad boy at home, we were thrilled.

Street Fighter II Turbo was fast but efficient. After a few goes, you could commit combos to memory, and watch your enemies cower in fear. It was a fighting game unlike any we had seen before, and, arguably, haven’t seen since.

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time

The Ninja Turtles are no stranger to Nintendo Games. The turtle-trilogy on the NES was decent but had room for improvement. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time gave the franchise the shot of adrenaline the franchise needed.

This time, the turtles must travel through time in order to stop Shredder and the Foot Clan. This brings them to different eras in history including the Jurassic Period where the turtles fight a “prehistoric turtlesaurus.”

Come on, do we really need to say more?

8. Yoshi’s Island

For many of us, Super Mario World was the game that introduced us to Yoshi.

In that game, Yoshi can fly, shoot fire, and cause the Earth to shake under him. That’s cool and all, but here’s the thing: Mario can do those things too. However, Yoshi’s Island gave Yoshi a whole new repertoire of moves. Now, Yoshi can turn eaten enemies into eggs, throw eggs at enemies, hover jump, turn into a whole assortment of vehicles, and even ground-pound.

Levels feel much different from what you see in a Mario game. Rather than being a typical sidescrolling platformer, levels feel more like small dungeons. You need to hunt for the exits, secrets, and fun power-ups to enhance your experience.

7. Mega Man X

Mega Man had quite a long stay on the NES. Six games, in fact. When the series came to the SNES, it certainly didn’t tip-toe into the 16-bit world.

Mega Man X was and is an absolute smash hit.

You go through the same spiel of fighting a slew of robot bosses while stealing their powers. However, even after six games on the NES, this title still feels fresh.

One of the bosses is named “Boomer Kuwanger.” You can’t go wrong with Boomer Kuwanger.

6. Super Mario Kart

There are three certainties in life: death, the inevitable extinction of us all, and that the red shells will always hit you.

Nowadays, the Mario Kart franchise is pretty crazy. We got power-ups that will turn you into a Bullet Bill, courses taking place on an erupting volcano, and now even Link from Zelda is a playable character!

Back in the day, we didn’t have any of that, but we didn’t need it. We need two things: the Grand Prix and balloon battles.

Dust off this cartridge, and you can play for hours without noticing.

5. Donkey Kong Country

Let’s start this off right:

He’s bigger, faster, and stronger, too. He’s the first member of the DK crew.

Donkey Kong Country was the first in a DK trilogy on the SNES. It is also the best one by a mile. Donkey Kong and his BFF Diddy Kong are out to thwart the evil King K. Rool who has stolen their entire banana horde.

If that sounds weird, it’s only because it is.

Donkey Kong Country celebrates its 25 year anniversary this year, and might we say this game has aged like fine wine. This sidescrolling platformer is still fun to pick up to this day. Donkey Kong and Diddy can bounce on tires, throw barrels at baddies, and ride an assortment of animals.

The soundtrack?

Perfection.

If you can track down a copy, get ready for one of the best adventures the franchise has to offer.

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4. Super Castlevania IV

Everything before this game on this list is a great game. However, we have now entered the realm of legends.

Super Castlevania IV is one of the best looking games ever created. You play as a whip-wielding hero on a quest through a gothic, horror landscape to find and kill Dracula.

Along the way, you fight Frankenstein’s monster, Medusa, and even Death itself. The game uses a password system, so if you want to jump to the best parts we’ve got you covered:

This game feels like it was created by the same people who made the classic Universal monster movies. There are so many creative enemies and stages that feel like they were ripped from the pages of a classic horror novel.

It’s a game for people who love horror, monsters, and just great side-scrolling action in general.

3. Super Mario World

Oh yeah, you know this list is serious business when Super Mario World only takes the number 3 spot.

There’s really nothing we can say about this game that hasn’t been said before. It’s side-scrolling Mario at his best. He has a slew of power-ups both new and old. You can break out the new Feather to become a cape-wearing Mario who can soar through the sky. You can also down the Fire Flower which will allow you to mow down enemies with fireballs.

The game encourages you to plot your own course. If you want, you can avoid all hidden levels and bonuses, and get through the game in a day or two. You can be a full completionist and beat the game in a week or so. Or, you could go crazy and take advantage of every warp zone and beat the game in less than 10 minutes like this guy:

Look, most of you reading this list have probably played this game. If you have, then you know firsthand just how awesome this game is. If you haven’t, then finish reading, and go track down a copy!

2. Super Metroid

The last Metroid is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace…

Super Metroid turns 25 this year. If you think Donkey Kong Country aged well, wait until you see this beast.

The first two Metroid games dealt with the hero Samus Aran destroying the parasitic Metroids from spreading across the galaxy. The games build these creatures up to be mindless, killing machines. At the end of Metroid II: Return of Samus, Samus almost uncharacteristically spares the life of the last Metroid.

In the events of Super Metroid, the last Metroid is kidnapped by space pirates who plan to use it to take over the galaxy. After making her way through their base, Samus is confronted by their leader, Mother Brain.

Mother Brain kicks. your. ass.

All hope seems lost. You just spent hours navigating this labyrinth while collecting power-ups and honing your skills. You thought you were a pro at this game who could handle whatever was throw at you, but you just lost and it wasn’t even close.

Suddenly…

In one fell swoop, the game throws a complete curveball at the player. It takes a huge risk by changing up the villains of the last two games in one of the biggest twists in video game history.

Super Metroid is one of the greatest non-linear platformers ever made. It transcends the realm of being a video game and turns into an experience.

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

When it comes to video game top 10 lists, it’s almost unfair if there is an eligible Zelda title. Zelda titles are some of the best if not THE best titles in every Nintendo console’s library.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is no exception.

This game introduced us to some of the best weapons in all of Zelda including the Hookshot, Pegasus Boots, and the Mirror Shield. It gave us an incredible story with some of the coolest boss fights in the entire franchise.

Link to the Past is one of the greatest Zelda games ever created, which makes it one of the greatest video games ever created.

Link to the Past captures all the things that make Zelda one of the greatest video game franchises of all time. It is also undoubtedly the greatest SNES game ever made.

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Best exclusive games for each console

Some people like Nintendo, some like Sony. But when it comes to the big three consoles, who has the best exclusives?

The grass is greener on the other side… or is it?

Some people buy consoles for the tech specs. They want the PS4 because the graphics look crisper They want the Xbox because the user interface works like a charm. They want the Switch because it’s portable and versatile.

When it comes down to it, tech specs aren’t always the game changer. In the end, whatever console you choose comes down to one thing — preferences.

This may be controversial, but we believe exclusive games are the real difference between consoles! In fact, they’re so important we almost find ourselves annoyed by the disparity. PS4 players are clearly hogging God of War and Spider-Man. Thank goodness Xbox has Halo and Forza!

So, to see where the grass grows greenest, we compiled each main consoles’ three best exclusives in one place.

Best exclusive console games

PlayStation 4

Sony’s PlayStation 4 appears to have some of the biggest exclusives by far. We were hard-pressed to sort through honorable mentions like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Bloodborne to choose the greatest among them.

We should note: these exclusives are suspiciously only single-player, story-driven games. It seems the best multiplayer exclusives lie elsewhere…

Okay, we’re just trying to be fair to the others; this lineup rocks!

god of war 4

God of War 4 received universal acclaim for its storyline, gameplay, graphics, and more. It was voted Game Award’s Game of the Year, a coveted title.

If you’re unaware, the story goes a little something like this: After the death of his wife, Faye, the god-killing Spartan warrior Kratos journeys with his son Atreus to the “highest peak of the nine realms.” From there, they plan to spread her ashes and complete her last wish.

On the way, they get into a bit of a tussle; the world serpent Jörmungandr shows up, Norse gods stop by to party, it’s a whole thing.

Kratos swings around his mighty ax, making you feel like Thor swinging around Mjolnir. If action games are your jam, this is the game for you.

This one is well worth the price, and you will not be disappointed.

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marvel’s spider-man

We loved Spider-Man games ever since we tried our first on the GameCube! Swinging through New York City, fighting bad guys, and inevitably jumping off the Empire State Building was a blast!

If you haven’t jumped off the ESB, have you really played Spider-Man?

Fast forward 16 years: in the midst of the MCU adventure, Insomniac Games creates a PS4 exclusive with all the majestic charm of the MCU. Swing through the streets of a Manhattan and fight bad guys!

This time, Peter Parker is dealing with a convoluted conspiracy that centers around the bioweapon Devil’s Breath. Naturally, everyone wants it: from Kingpin to Osborne to Doc Ock. Good luck with all that, Parker!

Marvel’s Spider-Man gives you all the tools you need for your web-slinging experience.

uncharted 4: A Thief’s end

Nathan Drake, the infamous thief, goes on one last journey.

Metal Gear games are known for being cinematic experiences that play out like a James Bond flick, where the player gets to be the spy. Uncharted thrusts the player into a similarly movie-like experience, However, rather than venturing into a military melodrama, you go on an adventure with all the swashbuckling excitement of Indiana Jones!

Drake’s brother, Sam, reappears after years of imprisonment and asks Nate for help. They must retrieve the treasure of the pirate captain Henry Avery or he will be killed by a drug lord. Together, they race to find the loot against their former financier and the cause of Sam’s imprisonment.

The epic end to a legendary story doesn’t disappoint! The story is thrilling, the combat is fluid is fast-paced, and the exploration has never been better!

honorable mentions

Horizon: Zero Dawn
Bloodborne
Shadow of the Colossus

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have as many exclusive titles as we’d like. However, we are excited for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, coming out later this year.

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The Switch is unlike anything on the market. Players can play games from home or on the go all on the same console. If you want, you can play something like the L.A. Noire remake or Saints Row: The Third remake at home, or race against friends in Mario Kart on the go!

The Legend of zelda: breath of the wild

Throughout time, many heroes by the name of Link fought to defend Hyrule and its princess, Zelda, from the evil Ganondorf. Each of them succeeded in warding off the darkness after a great journey…

Until now.

After 10,000 years of safety, Calamity Ganon reappears and turns Hyrule’s ancient, advanced robotics against them. Link falls in battle, and their heroes are killed. As a result, Zelda has to use the power of the gods to hold Ganon at bay for a long, long time…

Then Link wakes after 100 years of recuperation in a stasis chamber and begins his quest anew. Monsters roam the land, the robotics still control Hyrule’s capital, and Zelda’s power won’t hold much longer.

He failed once, but the hero is back in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a massive open world game. The developers allow the player to play the game however they want to. Players can complete dungeons in whatever order they want in this very non-linear game. If you want, you can grab the Master Sword and all of the best armor you can find. However, you can also collect all the tree branches and rusty swords you can find and challenge Ganon in your undies.

The choice is yours.

super mario odyssey

Yep: Mario loses Peach again.

In order to save her this time, he joins a sentient hat named Cappy, whose sister has been stolen by Bowser for use as Peach’s wedding tiara!

However, Cappy has a few tricks up his sleeve… if hats had sleeves.

Cappy has the ability to let Mario take control of nearby creatures. When under Mario’s control, you have full access to their abilities. You can become a T-Rex and destroy everything in your path. You can become a Hammer Bro and throw an onslaught of hammers at enemies. The choices seem nearly endless.

There are a ton of worlds to choose from and a ton of things to do. Cappy’s introduction adds a fresh level to the game, and the new worlds and enemies all have the familiar Nintendo charm.

This addition to the Mario Bros world holds up so well. In fact, many would argue it belongs higher than Breath of the Wild. If you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments!

Will Mario games ever go out of style? We hope not.

super smash bros: ultimate

This is the definitive party multiplayer. Got an argument? “Settle it in Smash.”

Oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate performs double-duty here. Not only does it reach the top 3 for Nintendo exclusives, it champions every single one of their other characters and games.

You can play as characters from Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Xenoblade Chronicles, Pokémon, Kirby, Animal Crossing, and more!

Smash Bros. players range from the pros who compete in huge tournaments, to newbies who mash buttons and hope for the best.

The game now also features customizable stages. However, those are another story…

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All of these characters blend perfectly in one of the greatest titles of our favorite fighting game series! (No offense to Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter fans.)

Honorable Mentions

Octopath Traveler
Splatoon 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xbox One

Xbox has some of the most surprising games. These are titles you wouldn’t immediately think of when someone says “exclusives.”

Except Halo. Everyone would think of Halo.

Xbox is a bit tricky. Most of their exclusive titles aren’t necessary console exclusive. They are exclusive to Microsoft but can be played on both home console and with Windows 10.

halo 5

Oh yeah.

When the super-soldier Master Chief, goes rogue in pursuit of his AI friend Cortana, an elite team called Spartan Locke goes on a mission to track him down. Through their collective adventures, we gain insight into the mysterious happenings surrounding the Guardians, huge beasts controlled by an artificial intelligence network known as the Domain.

Aside from quick-moving, futuristic, first-person shooter gameplay, you can find one of the greatest video game storylines here. We even like the book series, which continues to release novels yearly!

The world still feels great, and we’re excited for Infinite!

gears of war 4

Years after the defeat of the Locust, a new aggressor arrives: The Swarm.

Gears of War 4’s oddly emotional storyline shouldn’t mesh so well with the violent, chainsaw-borne violence. Somehow, it does, and it does really well.

This time, the Lancer falls in the hands of Marcus Fenix‘s son, J.D. The only appropriate response to a new invasion is to buckle down, crouch behind the ubiquitous shoulder-high walls, and keep firing!

forza: horizon 4

This is one of those games that your grandfather will confuse with a movie or real-life sporting event. In all honesty, it has tricked us, too.

Forza has long been lauded as an excellent, realistic driving simulator with all the safety benefits of being a video game. This basically means if you’re still too much of a kid at heart to drive between the lines, you can crash some of the nicest cars known to man!

Forza Horizon 4 Download now ►

honorable mentions

Rare Replay
Sea of Thieves
Crackdown 3

Wrapping Up

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Or, in this case, exclusives lead to jealousy, jealousy leads to hate, and hate leads to the console wars! Don’t be a console crusader, friend.

When it comes down to it, we wish every one of these titles were available for every console, even though such a move wouldn’t make any sense from a business standpoint for developers. Still, could you imagine playing Breath of the Wild with the controls and graphics the PS4 can offer?

Exclusives bring business. To play them all, you’ll just have to buy more consoles or borrow from friends. While you’re at it, whoop their butts at Smash Bros. real quick.

How games made the transition from 2D to 3D

The pivot from 2D to 3D gaming was a tricky transition for game companies. Discover how they pulled it off.

By the mid-’90s, the 16-bit era was coming to an end. The advancement in technology brought us some incredible games that looked, sounded, and played better than their 8-bit counterparts. Games like Super Mario World, Super Castlevania IV, and Mega Man X showed that developers had perfected 2D gameplay and level design.

But as gaming technology was advancing, gamers were looking towards the future for the next big thing: 3D. Some 16-bit games, like Star Fox or Pilotwings, simulated 3D gameplay, while others, like Donkey Kong Country and Mortal Kombat, imitated 3D graphics. Though these games were great, the unveiling of the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation truly gave gamers their first look at the potential of 3D video gaming.

The challenge of 3D game design

Creating 3D games brought an entirely new set of challenges for game designers. With only one plane to work with, it’s much easier to design levels and obstacles for 2D sidescrolling games. The ability to move in infinite directions in 3D makes for significantly more complex level design.

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Every part of a 3D level is much more spread out than it would be in a 2D level, causing poorly designed 3D worlds to feel empty. Empty levels were hardly ever a problem in 2D games because everything was designed to be tightly packed and compact. With infinite movement, exploration becomes a key part of 3D level design. In 2D levels, everybody knows that you’re supposed to head to the right, but 3D levels, in their resemblance to the real world, naturally encourage players to head off in different directions and explore. This makes designing linear levels a challenge, which could cause some players to get lost. Some 2D games were more natural conversions to 3D than others. It’s significantly easier to imagine a nonlinear game with a top-down perspective like The Legend of Zelda playing in 3D as opposed to a sidescroller like Mario. For games that didn’t transition as easily, the challenge for game designers was to create levels that incorporated elements of 2D games enough to retain fans while taking advantage of the 3D world to keep things fresh.

Nearly every major game franchise at least attempted to make the transition from 2D to 3D during this time. To show you how the transition was made from a game design perspective we’re going to look at two major platforming games and their first 3D entry: Super Mario 64 and Sonic Adventure.

Mario makes the jump to 3D

Nintendo knew right away that creating a 3D Mario game wasn’t as simple as changing the camera perspective. In the 2D Mario games, the objective was the same in every level: get to the end by running to the right. While this linear design was considered early on in Mario 64’s development, Nintendo quickly realized that moving around in 3D was fun enough on its own. 2D Mario basically had four moves: run, jump, crouch, and swim. The fun of 2D Mario games wasn’t in using those moves, but in avoiding obstacles to reach the end of the level.

In Mario 64, Mario’s moveset has been upgraded dramatically to match the more complex level design. Mario could now wall jump, triple jump, long jump, backflip, side jump, and more. This gave players significantly more options in choosing how to navigate a level, adding a high skill cap to the game without making it too complicated for more casual players. This moveset has proven so fun to use that it served as the base for every 3D Mario game since, including 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey.

The level design factored in this movement. It would be a waste to give Mario an expansive, in-depth moveset and have the goal be simply reaching the end of a level. Instead of having dozens of small levels, Mario 64 has 15 huge worlds, each with multiple objectives to complete.

There are two major reasons for this. First, 3D technology was in its early stages and development was expensive, so Nintendo saved time and money by creating 15 large varied levels as opposed to a huge number of small levels. Second, 3D level design is much more conducive to slower-paced, exploration-based worlds than tightly packed platforming challenges. Simply navigating a 3D world with Mario’s new moveset was fun enough, and having varied objectives allowed players to explore more lifelike worlds than were ever possible in 2D. The massive 3D worlds of Mario 64 blew people’s minds back in 1996, and their open-ended structure combined with Mario’s diverse moveset gave them a replay factor that was unmatched by 2D games in the series.

It’s pretty much unanimously agreed upon that Super Mario 64 is the best 2D to 3D transition in video game history. Nintendo made just the right adjustments to the popular Mario formula to help the game feel unique without overwhelming past fans. For being a first generation 3D game, Super Mario 64 holds up remarkably well today and is a shining example of Nintendo’s thoughtful game design.

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Sonic speeds into the third dimension

The story of Sonic Adventure is very different than that of Super Mario 64. For starters, Adventure wasn’t Sega’s first attempt at a 3D Sonic game. Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic R were both early attempts by Sega to make 3D entries in the franchise and unfortunately, both games are awful (despite their wonderful soundtracks).

The Sonic franchise mostly took a backseat during the 64-bit early 3D era as Sega studied its competitors’ attempts at 3D game design. Unlike 2D Mario games, 2D Sonic games had a momentum-based platforming design that allowed skilled players to fly through levels by chaining bounces and jumps. Early Sonic games had much more spectacle than 2D Mario games, as technically impressive segments had Sonic flying through loops and running through pipes. Though these segments took control away from the player, they were impressive enough at the time to make up for it. Because Sonic is a significantly faster-paced platformer than Mario, it was technically unfeasible for Sega to create huge cinematic levels with N64/PSX/Sega Saturn era technology. Sega’s first big attempt at creating a non-spinoff 3D Sonic game came with the Dreamcast, a console with power more comparable to a PS2 than an N64.

While Mario 64 was an attempt by Nintendo to move forward with the Mario series, Sonic Adventure was an attempt by Sega to totally reboot it for the new generation. Sega tried to create a Sonic experience that was only possible on (what were at the time) next-gen consoles, complete with fully-voiced cutscenes, revamped character designs, and a complex story.

This cinematic approach to the game influenced the level design. Sonic Adventure features multiple hub worlds that unite all of the game’s levels. These hubs are massive and filled with secrets and NPC’s, making them seem more like lived-in worlds and less like 3D obstacle courses. These worlds were big enough to actually get lost in, but a helpful hint system mostly alleviates this.

The actual levels of Sonic Adventure resemble 2D Sonic levels in design and structure, as the goal of each Sonic level is to reach the end of the stage. (Note: There are seven playable characters in the game, but for the sake of simplicity we’ll be focusing on Sonic’s gameplay and levels). While Sonic’s moveset didn’t receive the overhaul that Mario got in 64, he received a simple but crucial move: the homing attack. By pressing the jump button in midair, Sonic will home in on enemies, springs, and other interactable objects. This simple addition helped alleviate the depth perception problem that plagued many 3D platformers, though it did arguably take some control away from the player. The only other significant addition to Sonic’s moveset is the ability to spin dash while moving, allowing the player to build up an insane amount of speed.

Sonic’s levels are focused on momentum and moving fast just like the 2D games, but they have a much greater focus on spectacle this time around. Moving far beyond simple loop-de-loops, Sonic Adventure had the blue hedgehog flying through a tornado, outrunning a killer whale, snowboarding down a mountain, and speeding down skyscrapers. These segments are flashy and entertaining, but they almost completely strip control away from the player. Attempting to jump or move around during these sections often breaks their scripting, either slowing Sonic to a screeching halt or sending him flying towards his doom. While it feels great to be moving so fast in a 3D space, the lack of direct control can make the game feel too much like a movie rather than a game. Each level is carefully crafted to be beaten in a certain way, and attempting to complete levels in an unorthodox way causes the level design to break down.

While Sonic Adventure succeeds in translating Sonic’s trademark speed to 3D, its focus on tightly scripted cinematic segments, as opposed to freeform gameplay, hurts the game as its flashy sections get less impressive with age.

What early 3D games are your favorite? Do they still hold up? Let us know!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time turns 20. Here’s how it changed gaming forever

You could make a case it’s the greatest game ever made.

On November 21, 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time hit store shelves and became an instant phenomenon. When Nintendo’s acclaimed Zelda series made the leap to 3D, critics were dazzled; to this day, many consider Ocarina to be the greatest game of all time. The seminal game turned 20 years old last week, so we’re going to take a look at what made Ocarina special, and how it changed gaming forever.

How The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time changed video games forever

A Whole New Dimension

Younger gamers might not be aware of this, but the leap from pixelated 16-bit consoles to 3D, polygonal 64-bit consoles was mindblowing. It was perhaps the greatest technological leap the gaming industry will ever see. Developers had to assure people who watched gameplay footage that yes, they were watching an actual game and not a prerendered movie.

But the switch to 3D came with more than just fancy new graphics. The ability to move freely in 3D brought with it several new obstacles in game design never had to be considered in the 2D era. How should a player move around? Should the z-axis be taken advantage of? How big can and should the world be?

Nintendo first honed their 3D game design with Super Mario 64. Creating a Zelda game, however, was a whole new challenge. Zelda games are slow, immersive, and deeply atmospheric, unlike Mario. The games heavily rely on massive worlds and detailed environments that the players must observe in order to find solutions for puzzles.

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Designing the controls came first. The ability to move freely in 3D wasn’t enough to enthrall gamers, the movement had to actually be fluid and fun. Super Mario 64 proved that Nintendo knew how to create fun movement in a 3D space. Like Mario, they gave Link a set of basic moves, including rolling, running, and an adjustable camera. However, the wide variety of puzzles, obstacles, and gadgets present in a Zelda game meant that Link had to have a much wider variety of available actions than Mario did.

Nintendo solved this problem simply and gracefully with the contextual button. While the B-button always makes Link swing his sword, the A-button does whatever its icon says on screen. This gives Link a huge variety of available actions, including picking up and throwing objects, talking to people, climbing a ledge, or pushing blocks. While a contextual button with a wide variety of uses may seem like standard fare today, its ability to allow Link to seamlessly and naturally interact with the world around him was revolutionary back in the day.

Link’s gadgets also received an overhaul to fit their new 3D environment. In Ocarina Link gained the ability to assign items to three different buttons, allowing him to switch quickly between them as the situation demands. Returning gadgets like the hookshot, bow, and boomerang were updated to take full advantage of the new z-axis. Link could use any of his aim-able objects from a first-person perspective, allowing for precise aiming and adding a sense of verticality to the gameplay.

The game’s most enduring and imitated gameplay innovation is the Z-targeting system. The ability to lock onto enemies is an absolute must for any 3D action game worth its salt, and Ocarina was the first ever game to implement this system.

Basically, when an enemy is nearby, the player can lock onto enemies by pressing the Z-button. While locked on, Link will constantly face the enemy. While moving around, Link will strafe, constantly keeping the enemy in view and keeping track of its attacks. This revolutionary system led to intense sword fights with enemies and bosses, where careful footwork, shielding, and sword strikes were all necessary to emerge victoriously. If you enjoy the ability to lock onto enemies in 3D games, be sure to thank the Ocarina development team.

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A Vast World to Explore

Once players progress enough to leave Kokiri Forest and enter Hyrule Field, they see for the first time the massive scope of the game’s world. Through some clever visual tricks and tight game design, Nintendo made Hyrule field look absolutely massive while making it simple and quick to actually get to where you want to go. The field is very hilly, with various hills giving the player a viewpoint beyond the parts you can actually access. Being able to see a vast expanse over the horizon made the world feel open and alive rather than a giant 3D room.

The player can also see massive objects in the distance like Hyrule Castle and Death Mountain, incentivizing them to explore and progress the story so that they can visit these locations. The open-world game design philosophy of “Go anywhere, do anything” was started by Ocarina of Time and its large but densely packed world.

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The game’s day-and-night cycle and time travel mechanic (more on that later) kept the world feeling fresh and alive by changing it every so often without totally transforming it and making the player feel lost. Major locations like Kakariko Village, Lon Lon Ranch, and the Castle Market are populated by memorable characters who follow their own miniature stories as the game progresses. The characters react to the advancement of the story, which helps the player feel like they’re making a tangible difference in the world.

A Story That Crosses Time

The amazing world created by the developers help prop up the game’s story. The overarching story is relatively simple: The prophetic Link must do anything he can to stop the evil wizard Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule. Nintendo took this time-tested and simple premise and added enough twists to keep the story engaging.

The prominent twist that Nintendo puts on the good versus evil formula is the time travel system. When the game begins, you play as child Link. The world is cheerful and idyllic, with Link and Zelda’s quest to stop Ganondorf being portrayed more as a childlike game than a serious, world ending quest.

However, as the story progresses you eventually fall into a seven-year coma, waking into a changed world. The happy Kokiri Forest village you once called home is now infested with deadly monsters, forcing the once carefree villagers to isolate themselves in their homes. The formerly bustling Castle Market now lays in rubble and ruin. The crowds of energetic townsfolk are replaced with ReDeads, undead moaning monstrosities who paralyze Link with fear if they get too close. These bleak depictions were shocking and dark, especially considering Nintendo’s family-friendly image.

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Many games choose to build their world as either happy and whimsical or beaten down and apocalyptic. In adventure stories, an idyllic setting is used to show the hero the grand world they need to protect, while apocalyptic settings show ruined worlds that the hero must fight to restore. The problem with basing a world off of one of these settings is that the viewer has no point of reference for what the world would look like if it was ruined or saved.

Through its time travel mechanic, Ocarina fuses the two settings together, solving this problem and strengthening them both. When you see beloved locations you loved exploring as child Link get ruined by Ganondorf in the future, it gives you real motivation to take him down as an adult and restore the world to its rightful place.

The time travel mechanic adds to both the gameplay and the story, highlighting the game’s theme of growing up and the loss of innocence. As Link moves beyond Kokiri Forest, saying goodbye to his best friend Saria, he meets unimaginable conflict and a vast and confusing world. Ocarina of Time’s story excellently portrays the relatable feeling that comes with growing up quickly and being thrust into a world you don’t understand or trust. While the world is filled with people to meet and adventures to be had, you meet conflicts that you never could have dreamed of as a child. Still, through bravery and some help from your friends, these dark times can be overcome, culminating in a grand adventure.

Even though Link is sent back in time at the end of the game, he can never truly relive his childhood with the knowledge and world experience he now has. Ocarina of Time displays the unavoidable life step of growing older, and how it can be confusing and terrifying. But as draining as it can be, leaving childhood and going through the rest of your life is an adventure that’s worth having, because not knowing what’s is lurking around the corner is the most exciting journey any of us will go on.

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A Timeless Legend

Through all of its innovations, Ocarina of Time stands tall as one of the best video games of all time even 20 years after its release. The game’s blending of inventive game mechanics, layered story, and an unforgettable world would heavily influence future classics like Dark Souls, Half-Life, and even Minecraft. It’s nothing short of a miracle that Nintendo nailed the 3D Zelda formula on its first try, creating not only a worthy successor to the franchise but an amazing adventure that would thrill players for decades to come.

Have you played Ocarina of Time? Do you think it deserves the praise? Let us know!