NL 10s – 20 Years of Opinions
To begin with, although, some numbers and housekeeping.
The Stats
After eradicating re-releases and ports from the equation, Nintendo Life has given out 10/10 scores to 69 video games over 20 years. (Sure, sure, that is simply the quantity it occurs to be!) That averages to simply underneath 3.5 ‘Excellent’ video games per 12 months.
That may sound rather a lot, however it’s value remembering the sheer variety of evaluations we have printed, together with migrations from the VC Opinions period and our newer Mini Assessment format. Bear in mind, additionally, that Digital Console releases resulted in an inflow of 8-, 16-, and 64-bit classics, producing a clutch of ‘classic’ 10/10s early doorways. The location could also be 20, however we have lined practically half a century of video video games!
Digging into the backend, the info says we at the moment have…7,599 evaluations within the archives. Blimey.
That averages to roughly one evaluation a day. Each single day, for 20 years. Some years have been busier than others (we had a mind-boggling 609 go dwell in 2018, for example), however it’s nonetheless fairly astonishing. An enormous shoutout and thanks to all NL employees and contributors, previous and current, who helped make the positioning what it’s from the mid-2000s proper thus far.
The Royal ‘We’ & Different Misconceptions
For the Change 2 era, NL switched from utilizing first-person plural (‘we’) in evaluations to the singular (‘I’), partly to assist treatment confusion for readers who weren’t conversant in the conference. “How will you give GAME X a 7 once you gave GAME Y a 9, and that is objectively higher?!” Erm, is it? Did I? That was a special particular person… *checks notes* over a decade in the past.
Continuity is most well-liked, with one author tackling the identical collection, for example – one thing we endeavour to do at any time when potential. Regardless, a evaluation cannot be something however the subjective opinion of the author, and a snapshot of their considering on the time. That ought to be self-evident, however however, it appears to confuse lots of people! Likewise, it isn’t an editor’s job to arbitrarily push scores up or down in keeping with private choice or what ‘the positioning’ awarded the same sport.
Some video games beneath might need you elevating an eyebrow, and a pair you may not have even heard of. Simply bear in mind, if there’s one thing beneath that you simply would not give a ten…that is nice! In some instances, you will discover feedback from the unique reviewer exploring in the event that they nonetheless maintain the sport in such excessive esteem years after the very fact. (An enormous thanks to those that contributed!)
The Bar (What constitutes a ten/10 in 2026?)
In 2026, for us, it is elevating the style bar which makes for the very best potential rating.
Executing completely and having ‘nothing improper with it’ is not sufficient as of late – there needs to be an ambition in a sport’s design that pushes on the limits, that expands the chance house.
As an illustration, a sequel to a sport we gave 10/10 years in the past does not routinely get one for being ‘higher’ by comparability. You may see a number of video games beneath that acquired re-released later and did not hit the identical excessive in a contemporary context. Video games evolve and the medium strikes ahead; the perfect examples should transcend merely refining what got here earlier than. In some vogue, a ten ought to break new floor.
It is value remembering, too, that there actually is not any such factor as a ‘excellent’ sport. Let’s remind ourselves of our present standards for awarding our highest rating, as communicated in our Scoring Coverage:
10/10 — OutstandingThe pinnacle of a given style on the time of launch, these titles elevate the bar in just about all essential classes. You’ll be able to make certain that a sport awarded this rating has the very best high quality presentation and expertly honed gameplay, but in addition breaks boundaries and pushes the {industry} ahead in a significant method.
Okay, sufficient preamble. Sufficient caveats. Sufficient signage to faucet when the feedback are available in. Beneath is each online game Nintendo Life has awarded a ten/10 rating in its 20-year historical past, introduced in launch date order.
Word. The place a number of variations of the identical title have gotten high marks — RE4, Hyperlink’s Awakening, BOTW, for instance — we have distilled them right into a single entry and famous the duplicates.
Let’s begin originally and rejoice some exceptionally good video video games ‘we’ have had the pleasure of reviewing…
Each Recreation NL Awarded 10/10 (2005-2025)
Mega Man 2 (NES)
Writer: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
We start with an all-timer, one of many most interesting NES video games ever made.
“Mega Man 2 is a textbook instance of a sequel completed proper,” mentioned Philip J Reed, dearly departed good friend of the positioning who rated this one very extremely in his 2013 Digital Console evaluation.
Constructing on the strengths of the primary sport whereas refining the bits that did not work so effectively, whether or not this or its sequel is the perfect Mega Man sport is a debate that may rage eternally (and Mega Man X says hello), however it’s powerful to disagree with Philip’s evaluation. That is an 8-bit masterpiece.
Tremendous Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
What’s there to say? It is the sport that tops our Prime 50 NES checklist, it is the perfect NES sport on NSO, it is the jewel that’s Tremendous Mario Bros. 3.
Wondrous when it was first launched, it is a kind of uncommon ‘previous’ video games that does not want caveats or a historical past lesson for any participant of any talent stage to understand and luxuriate in in 2026. It is nonetheless, merely, excellent.
Together with varied VC releases and the GBA port (the snappily titled Tremendous Mario Advance 4: Tremendous Mario Bros. 3), we have had 4 evaluations of this on the positioning over time, each a ten.
And eyebrows throughout the land remained completely horizontal. Maybe the subsequent one may show extra divisive?
Tremendous Mario World (SNES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Maybe not. From one GOAT to a different, Tremendous Mario World is…effectively, it is Tremendous Mario World, is not it.
“I bear in mind studying the 96/100 scoring evaluation in Situation 112 of Laptop and Video Video games journal,” says our unique reviewer Jamie O’Neill. “The sport was hyped as being particular proper from the Tremendous Famicom’s launch, so I went on a journey of saving for a PC Engine to purchasing a Mega Drive as an alternative, however I used to be satisfied to promote my Mega Drive to play Tremendous Mario World.”
As with its predecessor, time hasn’t dulled this, both. “Its Nintendo artistry feels much more particular now,” says Jamie, “to the purpose that I’ve a Tremendous Mario World cartridge completely slotted into my spare, unique Recreation Boy Advance, with 326 lives gathered on one save slot.”
The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous (SNES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
I promise, there might be a few ‘Huh?’ moments, however this checklist, naturally, is propped up primarily by pillars of the medium.
The Legend of Zelda rolled out the blueprint, which Zelda II promptly rolled up and threw out the window. A Hyperlink to the Previous, true to its title, went again in time to the supply and laid the foundations for a quarter-century of the collection.
Even after the transfer to 3D, Zelda III (as no one calls it) remained the one to observe, the one to beat. Poor Zelda IV by no means stood an opportunity…
The Legend of Zelda: Hyperlink’s Awakening (GB)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Hyperlink’s Awakening: “Maintain my beer.”
Hyperlink’s Awakening took its predecessor’s template and, remarkably, shrunk it all the way down to Recreation Boy proportions with out diminishing the collection’ scope or creativeness, throwing in some Lynchian spice to gorgeous impact. “It might be tough to argue towards The Legend of Zelda: Hyperlink’s Awakening being the top of gaming on the Recreation Boy system,” Corbie Dillard mentioned in 2009. Tough, certainly.
This affecting little journey got here again colourised in DX kind, too, gaining one other NL 10 within the course of – one thing that the Change remake could not fairly handle. “The HD remake is charming, attractive, and pointless,” says Jacob Crites, our reviewer for the GBC model. “Hyperlink’s Awakening (and the colourised DX) stays a timeless, dreamy labour of affection, which first started as an after-hours challenge by a handful of passionate Nintendo programmers.”
Okay, that is the basic Marios and Zeldas out of the way in which. Doubt there will be many extra of them displaying up down the road.
Tremendous Metroid (SNES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D1
The Alpha to Symphony of the Evening’s Omega, Tremendous Metroid — very similar to A Hyperlink to the Previous — took the weather of the 8-bit unique and codified them right into a style.
The wall-jump timing could also be finickier than we might see from Nintendo as we speak, however it’s tough to seek out fault with this first-party masterpiece over three a long time on. Varied VC releases imply we have had a trio of Tremendous Metroid evaluations over time, all from totally different reviewers, all 10s.
Sure, all the things seems to be so as. Shifting on.
EarthBound (SNES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: HAL Laboratory
A fantastic journey from the thoughts of Shigesato Itoi, EarthBound left an indelible mark on a gaming era who linked with this RPG’s touching themes, surreal comedy, and modern-day setting.
“It stays an absolute must-play for any Nintendo fan,” mentioned Dave Frear in our 2016 retro evaluation, and Europeans who missed out within the ’90s have fortunately been in a position to catch up within the years since. Simply playable as of late on NSO, take a look at Zion’s sensible video for those who’re after a style of this sport’s magic, and why it is so significant to so many.
Chrono Set off (SNES)
Writer: Sq. Enix / Developer: Squaresoft
Naturellement.
Greater than 30 years on and Squaresoft’s epic RPG has aged just like the most interesting fermented grape juice. “Chrono Set off is, and can at all times be, probably the most unforgettable RPG experiences ever to grace a online game console,” Corbie mentioned 15 years in the past. Fairly proper.
Tremendous Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (SNES)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Mario’s again, though to be truthful, this can be a Mario sport in identify solely. Yoshi’s the star of this exceptional piece of software program, a sport which introduced a pastel wonderland to life on 16-bit {hardware} in a manner by no means earlier than seen.
“If what Miyamoto and Tezuka crafted is not a murals, then the definition of ‘artwork’ must be amended,” mentioned Kaes Delgrego in our 2009 evaluation.
The jury’s nonetheless out on Child Mario and his anxiety-inducing wails, however I feel we will all agree that Yoshi’s Island is certainly a murals.
Techniques Ogre: Let Us Cling Collectively (SNES)
Writer: Quest / Developer: Quest
“A real basic and an important endeavor for technique RPG veterans all over the place,” is how the stunning Gonçalo “Shiryu” Lopes described the sport in 2016. Does he really feel the identical a decade on?
“Being a late-generation Tremendous Famicom sport, the pixel artwork alone rivalled next-generation 2D video games (in actual fact, it was re-released untouched on the PS1). However what actually impresses is the quantity of lore the plot brings to the desk. A tremendous medieval fantasy world to discover, one tactical battle at a time.”
And would you continue to give it a ten as we speak, Shiryu? “Completely, sure.”
Beautiful. For a minute there, I believed this checklist can be nothing however plumbers and elves in floppy hats, plus the occasional bounty hunter. Appears like we have lastly moved o—
Tremendous Mario 64 (N64)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Hmm. Effectively, sure. After all. Thoughts-blowing, genre-defining, industry-shaping, paradigm-shifting – you recognize the drill.
It is Tremendous Mario 64’s thirtieth anniversary later this 12 months, so let’s not go utilizing up all the massive phrases on it as we speak. We have got from now till June to consider one thing new to say about it.
Within the meantime, have a hearken to the Dire Dire Docks theme and get a bit misty-eyed on the recollections it conjures and the thrilling gaming frontier first explored on this sport.
Terranigma (SNES)
Writer: Enix / Developer: Quintet
The final entry within the Gaia trilogy by no means launched in North America, which means that, for as soon as, it was American and never European avid gamers who missed out on a basic. Terranigma is an epic journey that rightly sits within the pantheon of nice SNES RPGs alongside your Chrono Triggers and your Remaining Fantasies and your Manas.
“There are actually only a few role-playing sport experiences fairly as pleasant or engrossing,” wrote Corbie again in 2009.
Banjo-Kazooie (N64)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Uncommon
A private favorite, this one. I respect that the mild double entendres and goofy humour do not work for everybody, and the everyday digicam management caveats of the period apply, however this can be a lovingly crafted slice of fairytale platforming perfection. It is acquired all the things you may need from the style, warts and all, wrapped up in a fantastically introduced package deal that does not outstay its welcome.
The acquainted and apparent Mario 64 comparisons do it a disservice, and praising one does not imply crapping on the opposite. They’re each glorious video games, and Nintendo set an {industry} template, completely.
If, for some arbitrary list-or-podcast-related purpose, I may solely select one 64-bit platformer to play forevermore, although, it could be Banjo.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
And there it’s. Each the N64 unique and the 3DS remake acquired a ten/10 on this right here web site from Corbie and former editor Thomas Whitehead respectively.
This 12 months marks the fortieth anniversary of the Zelda collection, so, as with Mario 64, let’s not scrape the barrel for decent new Ocarina takes as we speak, hmm? For those who’re studying this and have not ever performed it, to the N64 NSO app with you! (Ensure you use the right pad, although.)
Ogre Battle 64: Particular person of Lordly Caliber (N64)
Writer: Sq. Enix / Developer: Quest
Possessed of the best subtitle ever bestowed upon videogamekind — none of that ‘Origins’ or ‘Retribution’ garbage right here! — Ogre Battle 64 was a exceptional technique RPG on a system which lacked RPGs of virtually any stripe. “When essentially the most well-known one on the system is Quest 64, you recognize issues are fairly dire,” says Marcel van Duyn now, who reviewed the sport for us again within the olden instances (2010).
“An intriguing story of appreciable size with moderately deep tactical gameplay, it is nonetheless effectively value testing to today.” With a subtitle of this calibre, you would be a 64-carat idiot to not.
Metroid Prime (GCN)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Retro Studios
Prime 1 takes the prime spot in each its unique and Remastered guises, the latter being “the definitive model of the studio’s magnum opus,” in keeping with our resident (evil) staffer Ollie Reynolds, who reviewed each the Change remaster and the newest collection entry.
“Even eradicating the plain nostalgia for me, Prime remains to be an extremely particular sport. Exploring its distinctive biomes is a continuing pleasure, and in shifting over to a first-person perspective, Metroid by no means felt so immersive.”
SoulCalibur II (GCN)
Writer: Namco / Developer: Namco
“It is going to destroy a number of trendy preventing video games for you,” mentioned PJ O’Reilly in his current retro evaluation of SoulCalibur II, and that is the one negatiove he may provide you with. The GameCube launch was the one one to come back with Hyperlink as a playable character, which made it the de facto finest model of Namco’s multiplatform fighter.
“I really like this sport a lot, and spent a lot time with it when it launched that I used to be a bit involved replaying, years later, that point would lastly have taken the shine off, however it’s as improbable as ever! SC2 simply has that particular preventing juju that at all times feels nice to leap into. Information.”
Resident Evil 4 (GCN)
Writer: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
“Within the TWENTY(!) years for the reason that launch of Resident Evil 4, the one sport that may actually maintain a candle to its pioneering mix of motion and horror is its personal remake,” says Andi Hamilton, who reviewed the GC unique again in 2005. “Every part modified after Resident Evil 4 and we’re nonetheless seeing video games influenced by it. It was the simplest 10 I might given again then and it is nonetheless a straightforward 10/10 proper now. Class by no means fades.”
And two years later Push Sq. editor extraordinaire Sammy Barker put the Wii Version by means of its paces for us, handing out one other 10. Hey, Sammy. would you continue to give it high marks in a post-REM4KE world?
“Sure, I feel I might,” Sammy hollers over the wall of our digital cubicle at Hookshot Towers. “It is an all-time basic that modified third-person shooters eternally. And I really suppose it is a uncommon instance of Wii controls enhancing the gameplay.”
Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 (DS)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: iNiS
It is Elite Beat Brokers+. Or Elite Beat Agent Redux. However not likely. The connection between the Japan-only Ouendan video games and EBA is appropriately unconventional; the one answer is to play and luxuriate in all of them, after all. Over to Marcel for his 2026 ideas:
“Nintendo was weirdly captivated with rhythm and music video games within the mid-2000s, bringing us not simply Donkey Konga, but in addition Rhythm Heaven, Band Brothers, Wii Music, and naturally, Ouendan. Ouendan 2 is a stellar successor to the primary title – it is completely loaded with content material, has loads of replay worth, a smashing collection of catchy songs, a bunch of utterly insane situations and extremely addictive gameplay.
“Elite Beat Brokers was a superb try and Westernise the collection, however in my eyes Ouendan 2 stays the top. It is a disgrace we’ve not seen the collection since, however on the very least its legacy endures to today within the fan-made PC sport Osu!.”
Tremendous Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Sure, it is a 10 for Galaxy. Particularly, the Wii model, utilizing the controller it was designed for, with an correct infra-red pointer that does not want resetting each 30 seconds.
Nintendo Life founder, CEO, and overlord Anthony Dickens reviewed this a technique again in 2007. Is Galaxy nonetheless a ten, Ant? “Powerful query. I discover the controls with Change a bit janky (in comparison with the Wii distant).”
Ollie likewise discovered the controls a bit finicky with the Change model, and Ant “would not suggest it over Odyssey,” though, “if I had been nonetheless in 2007, then yeah, the ten was appropriate. It set the bar.”
World of Goo (WiiWare)
Writer: 2D Boy / Developer: 2D Boy
One other sport which, nice as it’s on Change, is hampered to a level by trendy gyro-based pointer controls slipping out of alignment each few seconds. Severely, whereas they get rid of the potential of by chance choosing up your Christmas tree lights, the lack of the Sensor Bar was a large blow to pointer video games that required accuracy. The Wii’s infra-red unique nonetheless feels unbelievable, although.
A part of the indie-game vanguard again within the late ’00s, Corbie awarded World of Goo high marks manner again within the WiiWare-World.com days (shoutouts to the trustworthy who bear in mind these), and 2D Boy’s mix of excellent, gooey puzzling, beautiful artwork and audio, and caustic, comical social commentary nonetheless holds up fantastically. Particular 10 materials.
Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Retro Studios
This Trilogy assortment left the bottom video games just about untouched, content-wise, however added widescreen assist and Wiimote management choices, plus a couple of different bits and items. “The beefed-up visuals and agile controls make the expertise really feel new to old-comers,” mentioned Jon Wahlgren in NL’s 2009 evaluation, “and the tight presentation is icing on an already scrumptious cake.” Yum.
Purists lamented some lacking water ripple and beam results, tweaks which stopped it being 100% definitive for some, however in a pre-Remastered world when the Prime collection was certainly a trilogy, this was a surprising disc and one among Nintendo’s finest compilation releases.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: AlphaDream
Wrestling with Famous person Saga as the perfect Mario & Luigi sport on our reader-ranked Mario RPG checklist, Bowser’s Inside Story is the one M&L to get the “Excellent” therapy from us, and one among solely two retail-released DS video games on this checklist.
Corbie summed it up thusly in 2009: “Bowser’s Inside Story is the type of sport that may remind you why you’re keen on enjoying video video games within the first place and is definitely among the best DS releases”.
New Tremendous Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Some individuals turned their noses up at this department of the Tremendous Mario Bros. collection from the start, and plenty of a participant raised on the highs of the 8- and 16-bit entries wasn’t impressed by the ‘New’ eras sterile polygons within the Wii-DS days. I get it. These incessant ‘wah’s could be a bit a lot, and modern-day comparisons to Surprise’s expressive animation have solely hardened these criticisms.
It is easy to overlook, although, simply how well-received New Tremendous Mario Bros. Wii was, and Corbie, particularly, adored it. Bringing hectic party-style four-player to a Mario platformer for the primary time, it additionally accommodates a superb single-player which acquired overshadowed within the multiplayer-focused advertising. You have to love that crimson field, too.
Maybe it is too early for a reappraisal (give it one other decade for the nostalgia to actually hit with Mario’s ‘prequel-trilogy’ era), however this was a novel, artistic, and dare I say underrated Mario sport, if such a factor exists. For those who handed over it in 2009, give it one other look earlier than these costs shoot up.
That takes us to the top of the ’00s. Head to the subsequent web page to select issues up within the 2010s…
Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 earlier than becoming a member of the positioning full-time the next 12 months, rising by means of the ranks to develop into Editor. He can at the moment be discovered squashed beneath a Change backlog the dimensions of Normandy.
