Top Nintendo Series: Ranking Mario Kart's Status

With the Nintendo Switch 2 officially confirmed, it's the perfect moment to reflect on some of the legendary publisher's greatest hits.

For decades, Nintendo has delivered some of the most iconic and best-selling game series in history. Here, I've highlighted 18 of the most well-known franchises—though the full list could easily stretch into the hundreds. From Super Mario to The Legend of Zelda, everyone has personal favorites, and some series (sorry, Kirby) that just haven't clicked. I’ve ranked them using an IGN-style tier list, focusing purely on my personal enjoyment over the years. Check out my tier list below:

It’s probably no surprise to see both Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda in my S-tier. These series are not only hugely influential but also consistently fun—truly no-brainers. On the other end of the spectrum, placing Super Smash Bros. in C-tier might raise a few eyebrows. Before the comments fill up, let me explain: Smash Bros. has never really been my thing. I’ve never been big on fighting games, and while many grew up playing it with friends, I was hooked on other multiplayer titles like TimeSplitters, Guitar Hero, or Call of Duty. I simply don’t share the connection so many have with Smash Bros.—and for that, I ask your forgiveness.

Disagree? Think Pikmin deserves more love than Pokémon? Give it a go yourself—rank Nintendo’s biggest series in the tier list below and see how your picks stack up against the IGN community.

Which Nintendo series that didn’t make the list is your favorite? Share your thoughts and ranking reasoning in the comments!