# The 20 Best Nintendo Franchises of All Time

> Plumbers, pink puffballs and bounty hunters sit alongside cult strategy sagas and sprawling RPGs, from arcade-era pillars to modern breakouts. Which Nintendo universe earns your crown?

*By YPB Team · Published October 1, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-best-nintendo-franchises-of-all-time*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **The Legend of Zelda** — score 1000/1000
   Epic action-adventure series following Link across Hyrule, from Ocarina of Time to Breath of the Wild.
2. **Super Mario** — score 900/1000
   Nintendo's flagship platforming series starring the mustachioed plumber, spanning 2D and 3D classics since 1985.
3. **Pokémon** — score 643/1000
   The monster-collecting phenomenon that became the highest-grossing media franchise in the world.
4. **Splatoon** — score 625/1000
   Colorful team-based ink shooter that became Nintendo's biggest new IP of the 2010s.
5. **Advance Wars** — score 625/1000
   Turn-based military strategy series beloved for its approachable, deep tactical gameplay.
6. **F-Zero** — score 500/1000
   Ultra-fast futuristic racing series that defined high-speed anti-gravity thrills on the Super Nintendo.
7. **Donkey Kong** — score 500/1000
   Arcade-born franchise from the 1981 original to the acclaimed Donkey Kong Country platformers.
8. **Pikmin** — score 500/1000
   Real-time strategy series about commanding tiny plant creatures to survive on alien worlds.
9. **Super Smash Bros.** — score 500/1000
   Crossover platform fighter that unites Nintendo and third-party characters in frantic brawls.
10. **Punch-Out!!** — score 423/1000
   Boxing series of colorful opponents and pattern-based fights, from Mike Tyson to Little Mac.
11. **Mario Kart** — score 333/1000
   The definitive kart-racing series known for chaotic items and blue-shell heartbreak.
12. **Kid Icarus** — score 333/1000
   Mythology-inspired action series starring angel archer Pit, revived with Uprising on 3DS.
13. **Metroid** — score 333/1000
   Sci-fi exploration series starring bounty hunter Samus Aran, co-creator of the Metroidvania genre.
14. **Kirby** — score 333/1000
   Pink puffball series that swallows enemies to copy their powers, loved for its charm and accessibility.
15. **Xenoblade Chronicles** — score 333/1000
   Sprawling JRPG saga celebrated for vast worlds, real-time combat and emotional storytelling.
16. **EarthBound** — score 333/1000
   Quirky cult-favorite RPG series (Mother) set in a surreal modern-day America.
17. **Animal Crossing** — score 333/1000
   Relaxing life-simulation series where you build a village and befriend animal neighbors in real time.
18. **Luigi's Mansion** — score 227/1000
   Spooky ghost-hunting spin-off that gave Mario's brother his own vacuum-wielding adventures.
19. **Star Fox** — score 227/1000
   Arcade-style space combat series starring Fox McCloud and his anthropomorphic squadron.
20. **Fire Emblem** — score 227/1000
   Tactical role-playing series famous for grid-based battles and permanent character death.

Tags: games, franchises, nintendo, japan, retro