Mario Kart: Nintendo's Top-Tier Racing Series?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly here, making this the perfect moment to revisit Nintendo's legendary game franchises. For decades, the company has delivered some of gaming's most iconic and best-selling series—today, we’re spotlighting 18 of the most celebrated.

While we could easily list hundreds, let’s focus on the essentials. From Super Mario to Zelda, everyone has their favorites—and admittedly, some we’ve never fully connected with (sorry, Kirby). Using IGN’s Tier List format, I’ve ranked these franchises based purely on my personal enjoyment over the years. Check out my rankings below:

Unsurprisingly, Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda dominate my S-tier—both are groundbreaking, endlessly fun, and timeless classics. On the flip side, my C-tier placement of Super Smash Bros. might raise eyebrows. Hear me out: fighting games were never my genre, and while many bonded with Smash Bros. in multiplayer sessions, I leaned toward titles like TimeSplitters, Guitar Hero, or Call of Duty. That nostalgic connection just isn’t there for me, and I humbly ask for your mercy.

Disagree? Convinced Pikmin outshines Pokémon? Dive into the tier list below and rank Nintendo’s biggest franchises yourself—then compare your picks with the IGN community.

Got a favorite Nintendo series that didn’t make the cut? Share your thoughts—and your own tier rankings—in the comments!