The best Nintendo games are some of the most legendary titles in the gaming industry – so how can they inspire your audiovisual projects?
At Voice123, the largest and most trusted voice over network, we know that voice actors like Charles Martinet as Mario and Patricia Summersett as Princess Zelda have shaped how millions connect with Nintendo’s worlds.
So, in this post, we’ll break down the best Switch games, best Nintendo DS games, best Super Nintendo games, and the best Nintendo games of all time before diving into 10 lessons you can apply to your own gaming or audio projects.
The best Nintendo Switch games
Some of the best Nintendo Switch games appeal to casual and hardcore players with titles like:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: With nearly 69 million units sold, it is the best-selling Switch game of all time. Tight mechanics and evergreen multiplayer explain its staying power as one of the Nintendo Switch’s best games.
- Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: A video game that redefined open-world gaming by inviting players into an immersive world. As a result, it is often ranked the best Switch game ever made.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: With 36M+ sales, it’s a competitive masterpiece and one of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons: This video game became a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic with 48M+ sales, showing the power of community-driven design in the Nintendo Switch best games.
- Super Mario Odyssey: A unique platformer video game that reinvented exploration with its gameplay mechanics, selling over 30 million units.
The best Nintendo DS games
Some of the best Nintendo DS games proved that innovation can thrive even with hardware limitations.
- Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver modernized the beloved classics while still preserving the nostalgia that fans loved from the original Game Boy titles.
- The World Ends With You delivered a bold dual-screen experiment, blending innovative combat mechanics with an urban art style and soundtrack.
- Radiant Historia became a masterclass in branching timelines, offering replayability and narrative depth supported by strong vocal performances in its later 3DS remake.
- Hotel Dusk: Room 215 pushed the boundaries of handheld storytelling with its distinctive sketch-art style and atmospheric voiceovers that gave characters a sense of realism.
The best Super Nintendo games
Some of the best Super Nintendo games show that timeless design paired with the right audio and character voices can leave an impact that lasts for decades.
- Super Mario World is still considered the gold standard of platformer design, where Charles Martinet’s work as Mario gave the character a voice that matched the game’s whimsical energy.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past delivered an iconic overworld and dungeon variety, laying the foundation for future games where Patricia Summersett would later voice Zelda herself in Breath of the Wild.
- Super Metroid proved that minimal dialogue and atmospheric sound design could tell a story as effectively as cutscenes, inspiring future developers to use audio cues and subtle character expressions.
- Chrono Trigger is considered one of the best Nintendo games of all time, with rich storytelling and memorable characters. Later remakes and spin-offs included voiced scenes that expanded on the original’s emotional resonance.
The best Nintendo games of all time
A few of the best Nintendo games of all time combine mechanics, storytelling, sound, and professional voice performances, offering developers inspiration for creating a video game that resonates worldwide.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild pushed the limits of exploration and immersion. Patricia Summersett’s heartfelt portrayal of Princess Zelda made it even more powerful, adding emotional depth to a previously voiceless role.
- Chrono Trigger influenced generations of RPGs with its branching storylines, memorable cast, and innovative battle system. Its later adaptations introduced voice acting that brought beloved video game characters to life for new audiences.
- Super Mario World perfected the platforming genre with precise controls and creative level design. While it originally had no character voices, Charles Martinet’s future performances as Mario gave new generations a connection to the character.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has become a cultural staple, with familiar voice overs from the Mario universe that give races their playful energy and help keep the characters memorable across decades.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate proved that a single game can thrive as both an esports title and a casual party game. It brought together hundreds of characters while voice actors enhanced their iconic status.
10 Lessons for developers from the best Nintendo games
Design mechanics like the best Nintendo games
Always ensure your core gameplay loop is engaging before building the story or visuals. Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild used grey-box prototypes to test mechanics, proving that fun starts with fundamentals.
Iterate, don’t reinvent
A sequel doesn’t have to start from scratch. Tears of the Kingdom built on BOTW’s foundation, adding new mechanics like ultrahand crafting, showing how iteration can keep a franchise fresh while retaining its identity.
Use hardware smartly
Design with your platform’s strengths in mind. The DS’s dual screens and the Switch’s hybrid portability show that tailoring mechanics to hardware can create unique, memorable experiences.
Balance casual & hardcore appeal
Games should welcome new players but reward long-term fans. Animal Crossing: New Horizons looks simple on the surface, yet it offers deep customization and community play for dedicated players.
Plan for longevity
Think about how your game can remain relevant years after launch. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has stayed on top with new tracks and updates, proving that DLC and expansions can extend a game’s lifecycle.
Let audio carry storytelling
Not every story needs heavy dialogue. Super Metroid immersed players with sound design, atmosphere, and environmental cues.
Prioritize voice overs like the best Nintendo games
Voice actors can anchor emotion, clarify stakes, and cement character identity. Use voice overs in impactful moments and cast voice actors who can tailor their emotional range to your gameplay
Honor nostalgia while modernizing
Respect the franchise’s history but update mechanics for modern players. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver balanced nostalgia with new features, showing how to refresh classics for new audiences.
Design for cultural impact:
Aim to make games that become more than entertainment. Chrono Trigger and Breath of the Wild are studied not just for mechanics but for how they shaped gaming culture, proving that innovation can leave a legacy.
Localize with care
Professional localization ensures your game resonates globally. Pikachu’s consistent voice across regions and Nintendo’s dubbing in some of the best-selling video games highlight the importance of casting skilled video game voice actors for worldwide appeal.
Final Thoughts
The best Nintendo games, from best Switch games to SNES legends, show us that innovation, polish, and player-first design never go out of style. They also remind us that voice overs matter. Whether it’s Mario’s joyful catchphrases or Zelda’s emotional weight, the right voice actor can make a character unforgettable.
If you want to elevate your project with Nintendo-level polish, hire professional voice actors from Voice123 because in gaming, voice is power!
FAQs
By sales, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads with nearly 69 million copies. By critical acclaim, Breath of the Wild often takes the crown.
Chrono Trigger, Super Metroid, and A Link to the Past are considered the best Nintendo games, with Breath of the Wild as the modern standout.
Across all platforms, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe holds the top spot as the best-selling Nintendo game.
There’s no official hidden game. However, Nintendo Switch Online provides retro titles with Easter eggs, and some modern games include hidden unlockables.
