The best and worst Nintendo series of all time – Part 2

April 20th, 2010 Posted in Features, Posted by Patrick

In the last part, I took a look at various Nintendo series of games and worked out based on Metacritic scores what the best five franchises were. This time we’re going to take a look at the absolute worst series.

My way of categorizing games seemed to confuse a few people so I’ll start this second and final part by clarifying a few things. I used Super Smash Bros.’ way of categorizing series as a basis, attributing each game to a specific character. While some games feature more than one character (like Mario vs. Donkey Kong) or some don’t play like other games in their series at all (Super Princess Peach), they all share similar attributes and take place in the same universe, so I’d classify all of them as “Mario” games. The Mario series in particular is so massive that I had to include some spin-offs like Mario Kart or Mario Party as separate franchises. I’m probably boring a lot of people, so anyone who wants to know more specifics, just read the rules I outlined in the last part.

Anyway, here are the (apparently) worst five Nintendo series:

#5 – Wii “Anything”
Average Score: 70.9
Best Game: Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus (all 80)
Worst Game: Wii Play (58)

To be fair, many of the games under the “Wii” label are acquired tastes. I don’t get much enjoyment out of playing Wii Fit, but other people might find it orgasmic (literally – link to “that one article” http://www.nintendoeverything.com/37071/)
While some of the games may divide the “casual” and “hardcore” audiences, can’t be all just agree that Wii Play stinks? Yes, they’re system-defining games, but is system defining really a good thing when it results in these lifestyle shots?

Sorry Nintendo, but no-one likes invisible trumpet.

#4 – Custom Robo
Average Score: 69.5
Best Game: Custom Robo Arena (74)
Worst Game: Custom Robo (65)

If you haven’t actually played a Custom Robo game before, you’re not alone. Of the five-game series, only the last two games were ever translated to English, and only one ever actually came out in Europe. But why did it take so long for the series to jump the language barrier? Kids who fight each other using customizable robots? What could possibly go wrong?

Well, Custom Robo was met with mixed reviews when it hit the GameCube in 2004. Custom Robo Arena, the later DS version, seemed to be a bit better received though. Maybe the reviewers were just put off by all the similarities to Medabots.

#3 – Mario Party
Average Score: 68.3
Best Game: Mario Party (79)
Worst Game: Mario Party Advance (54)

Mario Party is one of those games that was enjoyable when it came out (even if rotating the Nintendo 64’s control stick destroyed your hands), but has become stale over time. Even adding in gimmicks like microphones and motion controls, there was no real reason to buy more than one Mario Party game, especially when several were released on the same console. Ironically, the only game that ended up drastically changing the Mario Party formula was Mario Party Advance, which also takes the dubious honour of having the lowest score.

#2 – Another Code
Average Score: 68
Best Game: Another Code: Two Memories/Trace Memory (70)
Worst Game: Another Code R (66)

Having never touched the series, I have no idea what it’s about. From this box art I can assume that it involves a lot of reading and solving – like a Mystery Novel! Even if it didn’t get fantastic scores, it still seems like an interesting series that we probably won’t see again now that its developer, Cing, has filed for bankruptcy. So to everyone who didn’t buy these games, it’s your fault that all these talented employees have lost their jobs.

Oh wait, that’s me.

#1 – Pokemon
Average Score: 65.6
Best Game: Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver (87)
Worst Game: Pokemon Dash (46)

No, wait! Don’t post that angry comment yet, I think I can justify this!

Firstly, Metacritic doesn’t have any ratings for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, so many of the best Pokemon titles weren’t included in the calculation. Secondly, Pokemon has way too many spin-off games. While not every Pokemon spin-off is bad, for every Pokemon Snap or Pinball there are at least two Mystery Dungeon games and a Ranger title. Yes, I could have treated them as separate series but do I really want to dignify them with their own category?

Here’s the full list of where every series ranked. How did your favourite franchise go?

#1 – Golden Sun (88.5)
#2 – Super Smash Bros. (88)
#3 – The Legend of Zelda (87.8)
#4 – Mario Kart (87.2)
#5 – Wave Race (86)
#6 – Metroid (85.9)
#7 – Pikmin (85)
#8 – Advance Wars (84.7)
#9 – F-Zero (84.3)
#10 – Mario (Platformers and Misc. Spin-offs) (83.7)
#11 – Fire Emblem (83.4)
#12 – Animal Crossing (82)
#13 – 1080˚ Snowboarding (80.5)
#14 – Bit.Trip (80)
#15 – Star Fox (78.3)
#16 – Brain Age (77)
#17 – Wario (76.7)
#18 – Mario Sports (76.68)
#19 – Chibi-Robo (76.5)
#21 – Kirby/Art Style (76)
#22 – Donkey Kong (75)
#23 – Excitebike (74.4)
#25 – Yoshi/Endless Ocean (74)
#26 – Wii “Anything” (70.9)
#27 – Custom Robo (69.5)
#28 – Mario Party (68.3)
#29 – Another Code (68)
#30 – Pokemon (65.6)


  1. 4 Responses to “The best and worst Nintendo series of all time – Part 2”

  2. By NMiyamotoStar on Apr 20, 2010

    I think once again, Pokemon being at the bottom, it proves that using MetaCritic is fun but doesn’t really say much.

  3. By IronROB on Apr 21, 2010

    This is just me but I kinda disagree that Another Code R is the worst while the DS original is the better, I mean Another Code/Trace Memory is a good DS game but AC:R was IMO a huge improvment since it had a mix of the best parts of the original and Hotel Dusk. I really had a great time playing AC:R.

  4. By Anders Norén on Apr 21, 2010

    Granted, The Pokémon Company has published a lot of shit under the Pokémon name. However, treating all of the Pokémon games as one franchise and not doing that with Mario is more than a little contradictive.

  5. By Gavin on Apr 21, 2010

    Another Code and Another Code R are amazing experiences. Most reviewers just expect too much action from games.

    I’d take Another Code R over generic junk like Mundane Borefare 2 anyday.

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