Nintendo's Top Series Ranked: Is Mario Kart S-Tier?

With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to revisit the iconic games from this legendary publisher.

Nintendo has delivered some of the most celebrated and top-selling game series in history. Here, I’ve selected 18 of the most prominent ones to evaluate. While the list could easily extend to hundreds, I’ve kept it concise to save us all some time. From Super Mario to Zelda, everyone has their favorites—and some, like Kirby, that haven’t quite resonated with me. I’ve ranked them using an IGN Tier List, based solely on my personal enjoyment of each series over the years. Check out my tier list here:

It’s no shock that Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda sit proudly in my S-tier. These two series are not only massively influential but also incredibly fun, making their top ranking an easy choice. On the flip side, my placement of Super Smash Bros. in C-tier might raise some questions. Before you flood the comments, hear me out. Fighting games have never been my forte, and while many cherish Smash Bros. for its multiplayer magic, I gravitated toward other games like TimeSplitters, Guitar Hero, or Call of Duty during my gaming years. I simply lack the deep connection to Smash Bros. that others have, and for that, I hope you’ll cut me some slack.

Disagree with my rankings? Think Pikmin outshines Pokémon? Try your hand at ranking Nintendo’s biggest series in the tier list below and see how your S, A, B, C, and D tiers stack up against the IGN community.

Which Nintendo series didn’t make this list but deserves a spot in your heart? Share your thoughts in the comments and explain your ranking choices.