NINTENDO'S BEST GAMES FROM 1990 TO 1999

After taking a firm stranglehold on the video game industry in the wake of the 1980s crash, Nintendo dominated the 90s thanks to their innovation. Nintendo managed to develop both a home console and a handheld, allowing players everywhere, old and new, to experience the characters and imagination that Nintendo had to offer, all within the palms of their hands and the comfort of their homes, without the need for an arcade machine.

The 90s was a great time to be a gamer, and many games were making the leap from 2D to 3D. To see the natural evolution of gaming take place was a treat, and it seemed that every year, Nintendo had gone above and beyond what was expected of them, providing some thrilling entries that are still regarded as utter classics.

1990 - Super Mario Bros. 3

GameFAQs Rating: 4.5 (6656 Ratings)

What became Mario's final adventure on Nintendo's first home console was a fitting send-off to his NES days, as this expertly crafted platformer isn't just one of the best games on the system. It's a contender for one of the greatest platform games ever made, one that is clearly made by a team firing on all cylinders.

Featuring one of Koji Kondo's greatest scores and some outstanding sprites, Super Mario Bros. 3 is still one of the best games of its generation. It also tends to lean into some unique elements for the normally family-friendly series, as the final stages have a rather dark color scheme. Bowser feels more fearsome than ever, as the final castle is filled with an atmosphere of dread and anticipation. This fantastic game is also readily available on the Nintendo Switch, so it's easier than ever to play it today.

1991 - Super Mario World

GameFAQs Rating: 4.5 (8116 Ratings)

After making the transition from the 8-bit architecture of the NES, the prospect of a 16-bit Mario game was rather exciting. If Mario was great on the NES, then surely a Super Nintendo version would be even better. And all those assumptions proved to be correct, as Super Mario World launched on the Super Nintendo in 1991 and proved to be one of the hallmark titles of the platform.

The new hardware meant that the sprites and backgrounds looked better than ever, making use of Mode 7 scaling for some truly impressive sequences. And thanks to the enhanced sound chip inside the SNES, the music sounded even better. The stages are an absolute delight, with some of them offering up some pretty steep challenges, as well. Super Mario World is still one of the best platform games ever made and is readily available on Nintendo Switch Online.

1992 - The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

Metascore: 95

As Nintendo had already cultivated a healthy roster of popular franchises by the time the SNES came out, it was fair to assume that a next-gen version of The Legend of Zelda was on the way. And the 16-bit version of this iconic series wasn't just getting upgraded for the new hardware, it was about to become a contender for one of the greatest games ever created.

A Link to the Past sets Link off on a quest after Princess Zelda contacts him telepathically to tell him she's been locked in the dungeon of Hyrule Castle. Taking place in the "Defeated Hero" timeline, A Link to the Past features some of the franchise's best dungeons, a satisfying combat system, and one of the best stories in the entire series.

1993 - The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening

GameFAQs Rating: 4.5 (2018 Ratings)

Nintendo wasn't just keen on letting Zelda dominate the home console market, as they also had a firm grip on the handheld gaming space. In order to maximize this, they created an entirely original Zelda game for the Gameboy in 1993 called Link's Awakening. It was a perfect fit, as this classic Gameboy game has managed to become one of the most popular entries in the franchise.

Taking place on the curious Koholint Island, Link's Awakening explores the Hero of Time as he awakes from the aftermath of a deadly storm that wrecked his boat. In his attempt to get off the island, the tragic reality of Koholint becomes even more obvious. It's altogether funny, charming, and heartbreaking, aspects that carried over into the incredible 2019 remake on the Nintendo Switch.

1994 - Donkey Kong Country

GameFAQs Rating: 4.5 (4509 Ratings)

After developing a healthy relationship with Nintendo during the days of the NES, Rare was offered the chance to work on any IP in the Japanese giant's portfolio. Setting their sights on Donkey Kong, Rare opted to create something special with some pretty fantastic technology.

By utilizing high-end SGI workstations, Rare created incredible 3D models that they then digitized into 2D sprites. It resulted in Donkey Kong Country, a game that looked outrageously gorgeous, even on the then-fading Super Nintendo hardware. But it didn't just look good, as it played absolutely brilliantly. This frantic, high-energy platform game features some of the best stage design ever seen in the genre and David Wise's legendary soundtrack is a perfect finishing touch.

1995 - EarthBound

GameFAQs Rating: 4.5 (3911 Ratings)

After the unexpected success of Mother, Nintendo put a sequel into development. Although it would take over twenty years for it to get a proper Western release, the sequel would be released in America a year after the Japanese release of Mother 2 in the form of EarthBound.

Directed by Shigesao Itoi and developed by an almost entirely different crew compared to the first, EarthBound is a quirky and surreal RPG about a boy named Ness and his friends who get pulled into a bizarre story about an alien entity named Giygas. This unusual RPG was right at home on the SNES, with its funky art direction and bizarre soundtrack. The combat still feels fun today, and the overall package is just magnificent. Thankfully, EarthBound is easily available today on the Switch and is just as charming and delightful as it was back in 1995.

1996 - Super Mario 64

Metascore: 94

With 3D games slowly becoming the norm and the PlayStation breathing down their neck, Nintendo needed something special for the N64 to compete. They got that and much more with Super Mario 64, Mario's very first 3D game in the series and one of the greatest platform games to ever exist.

This landmark title went on to influence an entire generation of developers and was the default on how to create a play space in 3D, a legacy that continued through each Nintendo console generation. It's still an absolutely fabulous game to play today, as the combination of amazing levels and perfect platform action still resonates today. It can be easily accessed on Nintendo Switch Online, as well, further proof that this spectacular game will live forever.

1997 - WCW vs NWO: World Tour

GameFAQs Rating: 3.5 (435 Ratings)

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Released: December 2, 1997
• Developers: AKI Corporation, Asmik Ace Entertainment
• Genres: Sports, Action

There was perhaps no hotter time for professional wrestling than the 1990s, as both WCW and WWE were operating at outrageously high levels. Meanwhile, companies like ECW were cultivating their own unique brand of violence and aggression. So it wasn't entirely surprising that video games would attempt to capture this, as Aki teamed up with Nintendo to produce an exclusive wrestling game or the N64 with WCW vs. NWO: World Tour in 1997.

Backed by an engine that was absolutely perfect for a pro wrestling game, World Tour captivated teenagers and wrestling fans at the time. It was fast, fluid, and addictive, all of which made it an incredible multiplayer experience. It created a long-lasting legacy of pro wrestling games on the system, as Aki would go on to produce multiple excellent grappling titles for the platform, while the recent AEW: Fight Forever would attempt to recapture the brilliant magic of these titles.

1998 - The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Metascore: 99

The Legend of Zelda had quite an eventful decade, as it first made the transition from 8-bit to 16-bit graphics, and then made an even bigger leap into the exciting world of 3D. With Ocarina of Time, Nintendo brought Link and Zelda into the third dimension with astounding success. It is easily one of the most important and influential games of all time, paving the way for 3D action-adventure games moving forward.

It would also dictate the course of the Zelda series, as future games in the franchise would riff on Ocarina of Time's formula in numerous ways. The combination of expertly designed dungeons, a revolutionary Z-Targeting system, and an expansive world to explore with hidden secrets was a home run. It was remade on the 3DS in 2011, but the original game is still a spectacular experience and is readily available on Nintendo Switch Online.

1999 - Mario Golf

Metascore: 91

Developer Camelot has been a longtime partner of Nintendo, and their first effort with them was 1999's Mario Golf for the N64. Although they would go on to produce some original titles, such as Golden Sun, their Mario-branded sports titles have consistently been some of the best games on the market. And the original Mario Golf is no exception.

It's easily accessible via Nintendo Switch Online, where this delightful and charming game is still just as much fun today as it was back then. The quest to get a better stroke count on each course is tangible, as the feedback to the player is excellent. It's also a perfect party game, offering a chance to golf with friends, as well as featuring characters like Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Yoshi.

2024-03-26T18:30:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd