Summary
Ever since they transitioned from making playing cards and toys into becoming one of the biggest names in the industry,Nintendohas had a part to play in some of the best games of all time. Whether it was adventure games or platformers, the Japanese giant has shown an ability to excel in any genre. But despite their commitment to the likes ofMario,Pokemon,andZelda,Nintendohas also been responsible for publishing some of the greatest role-playing games of all time.
Through multiple console generations andhandheld systems, Nintendo has published some absolutely top-tier RPGs. From action-based titles to traditional turn-based affairs, Nintendo isn’t shy when it comes to publishing a wide variety of different RPGs. It’s a testament to their longevity in the business, as they’ve put out an exhaustive list of some of the genre’s best for over three decades.
It took a bit of time, butFire Emblemis now one ofthe premiere strategy RPGsin the industry. But when Nintendo releasedPath of Radianceon the GameCube in 2005, the series had declined in popularity in the West. Thanks to this absolutely stellar game,Fire Emblemwas able to break free and become one of the best titles on the console, as well as one of the best SRPGs ever made.
InPath of Radiance, a mercenary named Ike is tasked with restoring peace to the land of Crimea. Featuring one of the finest stories in the franchise and compelling strategy gameplay, this robust RPG allows for some deep customization of characters and is one of the GameCube’s greatest games.
Developer Camelot has been a long-time partner of Nintendo, working on multipleMariosports titles and spin-offs. But it was their original efforts with Nintendo that have been some of their greatest work, including the terrific RPGGolden Sunfor the Gameboy Advance. Proving that they weren’t just content with making cute sports titles, Camelot created not just one of the best handheld RPGs, but a contender for one of the genre’s greatest of all time.
Golden Sunis the story of Isaac and his plucky friends, who aretasked with a dangerous responsibilityto stop wizards from unleashing devastating magic onto the world. Backed by some excellent music and a tried-and-true turn-based battle system,Golden Sunhas become one of Nintendo’s most popular titles. As it was just re-released on Nintendo Switch Online, now is the perfect time to re-visit this incredible RPG.
After the long and winding road to gettingXenoblade Chroniclesreleased in the West, the success of that game led to developers Monolith Soft pursuing a successor for release on Nintendo’s then-upcoming Wii U. Even on limited hardware, the original game was impressive in its scope and size, butXenoblade Chronicles Xwas a massive gamethat showed just what the Wii U could accomplish with the right developers at the helm.
Monolith Soft’s huge, sprawling sci-fi epic improved on all the systems from their previous effort. Leaning into the science fiction aspect, the weapons tend to be much more alien and strange-looking. Combat feels just as engaging, and some of the bosses are true sights to behold.Xenoblade Chronicles Xis in desperate need of a port to Nintendo’s upcoming (rumored) Switch 2, as it’s still a magnificent game almost a decade later.
After leaving Square-Enix in 2003,Final Fantasycreator Hironobu Sakaguchi founded Mistwalker Studios and began developing RPGs likeBlue DragonandLost Odyssey. After the mixed reaction to those games and looking to create something new, Sakaguchi partnered with Nintendo to makeThe Last Story.
This Wii-exclusive action RPGfeatures a fun, fast-paced battle system that also incorporates a unique idea for this style of game by offering stealth. The story is excellent, featuring Sakaguchi’s trademark exploration of life and death. One of the last games released on the Wii before Nintendo launched their next system,The Last Storyis a delightful experience that was Sakaguchi’s final major game release before focusing on smaller releases.
Along withXenoblade ChroniclesandThe Last Story,Pandora’s Towerwas brought to the West thanks to the fan campaign known as Operation Rainfall. Despite its inclusion,Pandora’s Towerstill remains perhaps the most forgotten of the trio. It’s a shame, as it is a fascinating game about a young man named Aeron as he attempts to stop a deadly curse that has affected his girlfriend Elena.
Akin to something likeDark SoulsorCastlevania, this hack-and-slash action RPG is one of thebest playing games on the Wii. The combat feels tight and responsive, along with some truly spectacular boss battles. It also features a sort of light dating sim element with Elena, another unique element of this truly hidden gem.
DespiteRuby/Sapphirebeing only the third generation ofPokemon, the franchise was already deep into its pop culture takeover. One part of that dominating strategy was to release two differentPokemongames, and then launch a third that would feature new or updated content. With Generation 3, GameFreak and Nintendo put out one of the best games in the series and one ofthe GBA’s best RPGs.
Pokemon Emeraldadded multiple visual improvements, as well as a few new NPCs and some new story elements involving Legendaries. It’s one of the best Pokemon games ever made, as well as being the last game in the series on the GameBoy brand before Nintendo moved the series to the DS.
What feels like a rabid fever dream was an absolute reality in 1996, as a partnership between Squaresoft and Nintendo resulted in one of the best RPGs on the SNES.Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starsis a charming, heartfelt, and often hilarious RPG where Mario and friends attempt to save Peach from Bowser. But what really makes this game so fantastic is how it upsets established Mario tropes, asthe nefarious Smithy Gangusurps Bowser as the game’s main antagonist.
Featuring a fantastic party of characters, including the ever-popular Geno and the equally endearing Mallow, this outrageously good RPG was a perfect partnership between two of the biggest names in gaming during the 1990s. It was so popular that a remaster for the Nintendo Switch was developed, proving the longevity of this wonderful game.
The legacy ofMarioRPGswas firmly established by the time 2004 rolled around, as Nintendo’s mascot had been in some truly spectacular games by then. ButPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Doorwas developer Intelligent Systems firing on all cylinders, creating one of the GameCube’s best titles. Among a library of impressive games,The Thousand-Year Doorsits high on the list.
This charming and funny adventure sees Mario team up with a lovable cast of new party members, including the shy Koopa appropriately named Koops and a spunky Goomba named Goombella. Together, they go on one of Mario’s greatest adventures, one that takes them to the Moon to combat the villainous X-Nauts who have taken Peach.The Thousand-Year Dooris a hallmark of the GameCube library.
EarthBoundcreator Shigesato Itoi is a fascinating individual in the industry, as he’s not someone that is bound directly to video games and his outside works have had a major influence on his work inside the business. WithEarthBound, Itoi, and Nintendo put together a game that came out at the perfect time and tapped into something truly special. It came during a time when the children of this era were starting to grow up, telling a story that resonated with them on a deeper level.
The indie RPG scene of today would almostfeel lost withoutEarthBound, as its quirky, off-beat script and surreal world are still just as intriguing and fun to experience today. The combat is remarkably punchy and aggressive for a game of its era, as the turn-based encounters can range from oddball humans to enemies that look like they could come out of a horror game. It’s a fabulous game that simply cannot be missed.
Pokemonisno stranger to remakes, as the very first game has been remade twice now, including a version on the Switch. But it’s the GBA versions that have stood the test of time, as this beautiful enhancement of Pikachu’s very first adventure is the best way to play this landmark monster-taming RPG.It was released alongsideLeafGreenin 2004, butPokemon FireRedeasily takes the cake as the best of the two games.
Pokemon FireRedalso maintained what the franchise had been doing sincePokemon Crystalin 2000, finally allowing the player to choose a gender in their journey through Kanto. Thanks to the advancement of handheld technology since the original Gameboy, the world of Kanto looks and sounds better than ever. Combat feels just as good as ever, with the rock-paper-scissors system still working in a wonderfully simple way.
