Leading Nintendo Franchises Ranked by Tier

With the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 on its way, it's the perfect moment to revisit some of the legendary publisher's most beloved games.

For decades, Nintendo has delivered some of the most iconic and best-selling video game franchises in history. I've narrowed it down to 18 of the most prominent series for this ranking. While we could easily list hundreds, let's keep things manageable. From Super Mario to The Legend of Zelda, everyone has their favorites—and some titles (apologies to Kirby) that never quite resonated. I've personally ranked them using an IGN Tier List based entirely on my own enjoyment of each series over the years. Check out my tier list below:

Unsurprisingly, both Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda land in my S-tier. They stand as two of the most influential and, more importantly, endlessly entertaining video game series of all time—truly no-brainers. On the other end of the spectrum, my placement of Super Smash Bros. in C-tier might raise a few eyebrows. Please hear me out before coming for me in the comments. Smash Bros. simply never clicked with me. I’ve never been a fan of fighting games, and during the era when many were bonding over it with friends, I was immersed in other multiplayer and party games like TimeSplitters, Guitar Hero, or Call of Duty. I just don't share the widespread connection to Smash Bros., and for that, I humbly ask for your understanding.

Don't agree with my picks? Think Pikmin deserves a higher spot than Pokémon? Feel free to create your own tier list ranking Nintendo's biggest franchises below. Compare your S, A, B, C, and D tier selections with the wider IGN community.

Which beloved Nintendo series didn't make your list? Share your thoughts and ranking rationale in the comments below.