Oh, Nintendo! Just the word itself brings back excitement and nostalgia to gamers around the world. Whether it’s the high-speed racing of the Mushroom Cup or an epic adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom, Nintendo has been that industry juggernaut responsible for the most memorable gaming experiences one could have. But some have stood out from the rest and are the top-selling games for their consoles, despite the voluminous number of releases. We’ll go on a rocket through the Nintendo hall of fame as we give you the games that sold more units than any other on each major Nintendo console.
Counting down the kings of bestsellers on the Nintendo series of consoles
Let’s start with the NES, which was the beginning of gaming for many people. With more than 40 million copies reaching players’ homes, the original Super Mario Bros. not only established the benchmark for platformers but also became the best-selling NES game ever. It’s amazing to consider how many of those sales resulted from the game being included with the system; Duck Hunt, the second-best selling, also profited from this tactic.
With Tetris as the top-selling game, the Game Boy transformed portable gaming, moving from the living room to the palm of your hands. With over thirty million copies sold, Tetris—a game that attracted to players of all ages and broke down boundaries of language—solidified its position in gaming history. It’s incredible how this falling-blocks game took the world by storm and surpassed all other Game Boy games.
Mario made a comeback to take the #1 place on the Super Nintendo with Super Mario World. In addition to introducing us to Yoshi, this 16-bit classic sold over 20 million copies, making it the best-selling SNES game. Mario was the dominant force in the 16-bit period because to its vibrant environments and creative gameplay, which captivated players.
With more than sixteen million units sold, Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire on the Game Boy Advance emerged victorious as we ventured back into the realm of portable devices. Many people believed that the Pokémon mania was dying off at this time, but Ruby & Sapphire defied expectations by becoming the only Pokémon games to reach the top of the console’s rankings.
The classic Super Mario 64 created the groundwork for 3D platforming on the Nintendo 64 and rocketed to the top with over eleven million copies sold. Mario’s first journey into 3D was not just a critical triumph but also a financial juggernaut, showcasing Nintendo’s ability to push the frontiers of video game creation.
On the GameCube, the competitive scene of Super Smash Bros. was founded with Melee, the best-selling game on the platform with 7.09 million units. It’s fascinating to see how a game that brought together Nintendo’s best-known characters in a fighting genre could exceed the success of conventional racing and adventure games on the GameCube.
The DS era saw Mario return to his origins with New Super Mario Bros., selling 30.80 million sales and becoming the best-selling game on the device. This videogame reinvigorated the old side-scrolling action with contemporary twists, enticing both seasoned players and beginners.
The Wii brought us to Wii Sports, a game that became associated with the device itself. With 82.90 million copies sold, mostly as a pack-in product, it established the wide popularity of accessible, motion-controlled games, creating gamers out of those who had never picked up a controller before.
On the 3DS, Mario Kart 7 claimed the top, delivering 18.92 million copies. It’s remarkable to observe how Mario Kart’s contemporary period of supremacy started with the 3DS, laying the groundwork for future sequels and demonstrating that the urge for speed transcends generational barriers.
The Wii U, although not Nintendo’s most successful platform, found a champion in Mario Kart 8, which sold 8.45 million copies. Despite the console’s troubles, Mario Kart 8’s popularity proved the lasting appeal of the Mario Kart franchise.
Currently, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tops the pack on the Nintendo Switch with 33.41 million copies sold, illustrating the eternal passion players have for racing with their favorite Nintendo characters. Yet, it’s exciting to see Animal Crossing: New Horizons closely behind, hinting that the calm life sim may overcome the racing giant.
The list of good reviews endures
Along the way of Nintendo’s top-selling titles, we’ve proved that while Mario does run the ship most of the time, he isn’t invulnerable. Games like Tetris, Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, and Wii Sports have shown that with innovate gameplay and universal appeal, any game can make it to the top of the charts. Noticeably, a series like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid are not on this list, proving critical acclaim does not always come with commercial success.
What really stands out, though, is Nintendo’s tendency to create games that not only sell well but also become lasting elements of our society. Whether it’s through creative bunding or capturing the spirit of the times with innovative game experiences, Nintendo has honed the art of capturing gamers’ hearts around the world. Looking ahead, there’s no doubt that Nintendo’s history of best-selling games will continue to expand through innovation, nostalgia, and a tie to what’s simply fun in gaming.
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