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Nintendo is on Fire

Posted by Matt Birchler
— 1 min read
Nintendo is on Fire

The Switch has had a hell of a run since it launched almost exactly 3 years ago. It’s become the best selling console almost every month, and even had Wii-like shortages in the early days that made it challenging to find one for months after launch.

And while the sales numbers look great and customer sat (hat tip, Tim Cook) is through the roof, I think what’s really impressive is how good Nintendo’s first party games have been for the platform. Here are 9 games Nintendo has put out on the Switch:

  1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  3. Splatoon 2
  4. Super Mario Odyssey
  5. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
  6. Super Smash Bros Ultimate
  7. Super Mario Maker 2
  8. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
  9. Luigi’s Mansion

Each of these is a part of an existing Nintendo franchise, sometimes franchises that have been around for 30+ years, and I think each one has an argument to be made that it’s the best entrant in its respective series ever. Not only did Nintendo create great hardware that marketing campaigns around the Switch, but their software quality is through the freaking roof right now.

Now not all of these are universally accepted as the best in each series, but I know for a fact you’ll find plenty of people who would say they are. Mario Odyssey is maybe the most controversial on this list, but even that makes a pretty compelling case for a top 5 Mario game, which is insane considering that impossibly high standard.

I’m just writing this down now because it’s sometimes hard to notice when you’re in a golden age of something, but I think we’re in a golden age of Nintendo games and if that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.