Nintendo has made a lot of great games over the years, with one of them being Super Mario Galaxy. There’s plenty to admire about the game, including its beautiful soundtrack, its gorgeous world design, its creative level design, and, most importantly, fun gameplay mechanics that one will not have a hard time figuring out.
However, one can make the argument that there are even better Nintendo games that came before and after Super Mario Galaxy. Such examples include action-adventure romps like Astral Chain and unique RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles.
Kid Icarus: Uprising Marks the Return of a Cult Classic Nintendo Favorite
Gameplay from Kid Icarus UprisingImage via Nintendo
Kid Icarus: Uprising was the first new installment in the Kid Icarus series since Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters in 1991 for the original Game Boy. With such a long gap between the installments, not to mention the vast evolution in gaming technology in that time, Kid Icarus: Uprising faced the arduous task of completely remaking the Kid Icarus formula for the 3DS. Thankfully, developers Project Sora managed to do just that and more.
Parts of Kid Icarus: Uprising play like a 3D version of earlier Kid Icarus installments, with the protagonist, Pit, being able to shoot or strike enemies, along with sequences where he does some basic platforming. One innovation on this front is the sheer variety of weapons at Pit’s disposal. Whereas earlier games had Pit work only with a bow and arrow, this installment allows him to make use of swords, clubs, and other powerful melee weapons.
Meanwhile, what made Kid Icarus: Uprising stand out compared to its predecessors is its rail shooter levels. During these levels, Pit has to rapidly take on all sorts of enemies. He is able to manually target specific enemies or objects he wants to shoot down. In all, between the revamped ground gameplay mechanics and the rail shooting segments, Kid Icarus: Uprising should’ve been the start of something incredible for the franchise.
Xenoblade Chronicles Is a Very Sharp RPG
Xenoblade ChroniclesImage via Nintendo
Xenoblade Chronicles is technically part of the Xeno series of role-playing games; it was developed by Monolith Soft, makers of the Xeno franchise. However, given its release on the Wii, a console not usually associated with RPGs, the game and its sequels were radically different from the mainline Xeno series. For one, the game is an Action RPG compared to earlier games, already giving it a unique quality.
That Xenoblade Chronicles is an Action RPG means there is just as much of an emphasis on action as RPG elements, which includes meshing the gameplay and story together. Main protagonist Shulk and his allies must put an end to a longstanding conflict between the Homs and Mechon. Of course, this quest requires some action, and thankfully, Xenoblade Chronicles focuses far more on that and the gameplay compared to previous Xeno games.
The game’s battles happen in real-time, with the currently chosen character being controllable while the other party members help to auto-attack against enemies. What makes Xenoblade Chronicles considerably more enjoyable on this front is that the game’s story, while extensive, doesn’t take precedence over constant combat. It gives players plenty more to do than the average current-day video game, which helps elevate Xenoblade Chronicles to a higher place relative to other RPGs.
Astral Chain Proves It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right
Astral ChainImage via Nintendo, Platinum
Astral Chain couldn’t have been more unorthodox if it tried. As a game that combines elements of action-adventure and hack-and-slash, one might expect a solo romp starring a single protagonist taking down everything in their path. Instead, Astral Chain has two protagonists, with both being controlled at the same time. This leads players into one of the most delightfully challenging Switch titles.
According to the game’s premise, the reason why players have to play as two characters at once has to do with the twin main protagonists being connected to an Astral Chain. This means that, along with being able to holster traditional weapons like firearms and swords, they are able to summon powerful creatures with superpowers. Together, they are able to make full use of these powers to take on Ark’s criminal underbelly.
The biggest reason why Astral Chain is so hard has to do with how high-energy the game is. It’s also the reason why the game is so fun to play, with it being incredibly satisfying to control both Legionis and Akira, along with giving them suitable weapons for any given battle. If Astral Chain were to receive a sequel, either now or later, it would have to work hard to top it in terms of its fast-paced gameplay and standout synergetic action mechanic.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Makes Players Feel Right at Home
Dimitri in Fire Emblem Three Houses Post-Time SkipImage via Intelligent Systems
Compared to most Tactical RPGs, whose plots remain relatively static through most of the game, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a different beast. The game starts innocently, with players choosing from an assortment of factions and engaging in low-level battles against mere fiends. As the game progresses, however, it features time skips, and those whimsical earlier moments may come back to bite players, with those prior choices impacting the game’s story in the long term.
Likewise, the battles only get more grueling as the game goes along. This is especially the case if players choose to side with the wrong people, which may result in nothing but emotional devastation for them. Mercifully, players can still right these wrongs by upgrading their characters’ stats and, if savvy enough, customizing their attributes.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is almost like an anime with how its time skips, reflecting a dark irony in the choices players will make at the start of the game. The fact that its story is directly integrated into the gameplay, rather than there being a degree of separation between the two, helps make the game more replayable than if it stuck to the usual formula. If Nintendo were to make an anime adaptation of a Fire Emblem game, this one would be it.
CBR Exclusive · Quiz WHICH MARIO CHARACTER ARE YOU? Let’s-a Find Out! The Mushroom Kingdom is packed with heroes, goofballs, royalty, and lovable chaos gremlins. Are you a plucky adventurer, a gracious ruler, a snack-fueled sweetheart — or the one everyone else is running away from? Twenty quick questions stand between you and your true Mushroom Kingdom self. No coins, no lives lost. Promise!
Mario
Peach
Yoshi
Bowser
Donkey Kong
01
It’s Saturday morning — no obligations, no alarms. What are you actually doing? Your ideal free morning says a lot about you!
02
Uh oh — a friend’s in trouble! What do you do? True colors shine when someone needs you most.
03
How would you describe your personal style? What you wear (or don’t care about wearing) is basically your vibe.
04
There’s a big obstacle between you and your goal. You… How you handle a wall reveals your inner character.
05
Okay important question: what’s your ideal meal? You are what you eat. Probably. Maybe. We’ll find out!
06
Someone just challenged you to a competition. Your reaction? How you compete says more than whether you actually win.
07
Dream home? Describe it! Home is where the heart — or the throne room — is.
08
Okay, honest time — what’s your biggest flaw? Even the greatest characters have weak points. It’s fine!
09
Your group can’t agree on a plan. Classic. What do you do? Leadership style really shows up in the messy moments.
10
Halfway there! What actually gets you out of bed in the morning? Your reason for going is your reason for being.
11
You wipe out in front of everyone. A full-on stumble. You: How you handle a stumble is basically your whole character arc.
12
You spot a mystery power-up box! What do you hope pops out? The power you wish for is basically the power you already have.
13
Hanging with your pals — what’s the move? How you party reveals a LOT about a person, honestly.
14
Be honest — how do people actually describe you? Reputation is just the shadow your personality casts.
15
What’s your preferred way to get from A to B? The journey really is part of the whole personality thing.
16
What do you think actually makes someone a hero? Big questions exist even in the Mushroom Kingdom!
17
How do you want to be remembered when the credits roll? The Mushroom Kingdom never forgets its legends.
18
Someone has been making your life difficult for weeks. You: How you handle rivals says everything about you.
19
Which Mario sport were you born to dominate? Athletic choices reveal the competitive soul within.
20
The final boss is RIGHT in front of you. What’s your move?! This is THE moment. Everything leads to this. No pressure!
The Mushroom Kingdom Has Spoken! YOUR MARIO CHARACTER
Your scores are shown below! The character with the highest number is your match. Read their description to see why the Mushroom Kingdom picked you.
Mario
Peach
Yoshi
Bowser
D. Kong
You are the ultimate go-getter! Optimistic, energetic, and endlessly determined — you never let failure keep you down for long. You don’t always have a perfect plan, but you absolutely make up for it with pure heart and relentless effort. People love having you around because you make even the toughest challenges feel like a fun adventure. Let’s-a go!
Gracious, composed, and way more capable than people give you credit for. You’re the kind of person who holds everything together with a warm smile — organizing, caring, and keeping the peace. But underneath all that elegance is real, genuine toughness. You know exactly what you want, you’re very good at getting it, and you do it all without making a single fuss.
Cheerful, loyal, and genuinely beloved by absolutely everyone who meets you. You live fully in the moment, find joy in the simplest things, and make the world a little brighter just by being in it. You’re more capable than your carefree attitude suggests — and when someone truly needs you, you always, always show up. Also, you are definitely thinking about food right now.
Big personality, enormous ambitions, and absolutely zero chill. You want what you want and you are not shy about it at all. People might underestimate the depth behind all the bravado — but you’re fiercely loyal to your inner circle, genuinely hilarious, and when you commit to something, you go all in. You’re a lot. In the very best possible way.
Powerful, free-spirited, and living entirely on your own terms. You don’t follow the rules — you ARE the rules of your own world. You’re fiercely protective of your people and your territory, you love music and a good time, and your strength is matched only by your loyalty. Wild at heart, but there’s so much warmth underneath all that chest-thumping.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Is a Breath of Fresh Air
Link looks at the Blood Moon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildImage via Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was one of the last games released for the Wii U and one of the Switch’s launch titles. Realistically, however, the game easily transcends any Nintendo console, as evident from it being released as a Switch 2 launch title as well. There are many reasons why The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a masterpiece.
One crucial reason, in particular, has to do with how the game changed the Zelda formula, especially for its 3D entries. Whereas previous installments were fairly linear, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is far more open-ended. This means Link is freer than ever to explore Hyrule and do whatever his heart desires. This also means that there is a greater emphasis on side quests, which in turn allows Link to interact with any of the unique NPCs that contribute to the game overall.
Of course, the game’s main plot does not take a backseat to these phenomenal innovations. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild deals with Link having to perform two major quests at once: save Zelda from Ganon, and stop the latter from destroying the world. It is easily the most epic Zelda game ever made, barring any future installment or Nintendo game that could possibly outdo it.
