Rank Nintendo Franchises into Fan Preference Tiers

[Agro]

So we talk about Nintendo franchises as far as tiers sometimes. Most of that has to do with sales and such,

but I wanted to get what people think the tier list for Nintendo franchises is based solely on fan preference, or what fans hold in higher regard than others

or get more hyped for.

 

I'm doing a thing and I need opinions.

[Tentacruel]

Smash and Zelda at the top.

[Agro]

Smash and Zelda at the top.

I have Mario, MK, Smash, Zelda, and Pokémon in A Tier by default.

 

I also have Kirby, DK and Metroid but I'm thinking maybe B tier for at least the first.

[Spinny]

Pokémon is probably at the very top I imagine.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

People who didn't put Mario at the top.

 

Mario. funking. Galaxy. Drops mic

[Resident Fascist]

S Tier: Fire Emblem, Metroid, Smash Bros., Star Fox

A Tier: F-Zero, Pokemon, Donkey Kong

B Tier: The Legend of Zelda

C Tier: Everything not mentioned

D Tier: Mario.

 

[Tourmaline]

In terms of popularity?

 

0: Pokémon

 

1: Mario

 

1.5: Zelda

 

2: Smash Bros, Kirby, Fire Emblem (only recently)

 

3: Metroid, Star Fox

 

4: Others

 

As well as anything else I forgot should go where they are appropriate. My knowledge is not the arbiter.

[Agro]

I'm real happy for you and I'm gonna let you finish, but Super Mario Sunshine was the best 3D-platforming Mario game.

 

S Tier: Zelda, F-Zero

 

A Tier: Pokemon, Mario, Smash Bros

 

B Tier: Zelda again

 

C Tier: Everything else

S Tier: Fire Emblem, Metroid, Smash Bros., Star Fox

A Tier: F-Zero, Pokemon, Donkey Kong

B Tier: The Legend of Zelda

C Tier: Everything not mentioned

D Tier: Mario.

These aren't personal lists guys.

 

 

In terms of popularity?

 

As well as anything else I forgot should go where they are appropriate. My knowledge is not the arbiter.

Popularity to an extent, but I think reverence or something of the sort equally applies, as well as what series fans generally get the most hyped for upon announcement.

[Tourmaline]

Pokemon is undeniably the biggest video games series ever. Mario is a close second while Zelda is a VERY far third. Smash Bros is not actually as popular as it might seem (more popular among people who actually play multiple Nintendo games than anything).

[Resident Fascist]

These aren't personal lists guys.

 

 

So we list what the drones like? Then what's the point in asking us? I don't really see the point in this topic otherwise. I mean people like Pokemon and it's a good series but you literally only ever need to buy your favourite and be sure that no new release will ever actually change. I never really understood the obsession with Zelda, I could never get into it, yet people praise it like it's the second coming of jesus every time a new one comes out. 

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

In terms of popularity?

 

0: Pokémon

 

1: Mario

 

1.5: Zelda

 

2: Smash Bros, Kirby, Fire Emblem (only recently)

 

3: Metroid, Star Fox

 

4: Others

 

As well as anything else I forgot should go where they are appropriate. My knowledge is not the arbiter.

I think this is actually the best list so far

 

 

So we list what the drones like? Then what's the point in asking us? I don't really see the point in this topic otherwise. I mean people like Pokemon and it's a good series but you literally only ever need to buy your favourite and be sure that no new release will ever actually change. I never really understood the obsession with Zelda, I could never get into it, yet people praise it like it's the second coming of jesus every time a new one comes out. 

The point is

 

 

to get what people think the tier list for Nintendo franchises is based solely on fan preference, or what fans hold in higher regard than others or get more hyped for.

 

 

 

 

Also I buy every new gen of Pokemon, as does a lot of people (sometimes more than one of the same gen even)

[Lonk]

Lonk's Tier List

 

S-Tier:

Mario RPGs

Wario Land

 

A-Tier:

Mother/Earthbound

Xenoblade

Golden Sun

Legend of Zelda

Mario 3-D Platformers

Mario Sports Titles

 

B-Tier:

Super Smash Bros.

F-Zero

Mario Kart

Pokemon

Splatoon

Super Mario Land titles

Mario Party

Yoshi's Island

 

C-Tier:

Donkey Kong

Star Fox

Kid Icarus

Metroid

Fire Emblem

Pikmin

Mario 2-D Platformers

 

D-Tier:

Everything else

 

My personal tier list.

[Flame Dragon]

I'm going to use Smash's franchise as the base of the list since the game has every major Nintendo franchise.

 

S: Mario, Zelda, Pokemon

A: Kirby, Donkey Kong, Fire Emblem, Smash Bros

B: Metroid, Star Fox, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Yoshi, Xenoblade

C: Wario, Kid Icarus,

D: F-Zero, Mother, Punch-Out

 

Mario Kart and other Mario games would be under Mario.

Splatoon is still too new.

 

My list is based on more so what the franchise represents for Nintendo right now. Fan preference would be more or less the same. Animal Crossing and Pikmin would be one lower and F-Zero would be one higher.

[Sethera]

I never really understood the obsession with Zelda, I could never get into it, yet people praise it like it's the second coming of jesus every time a new one comes out. 

Not sure about others, but the reasons I like it mainly have to do with the gameplay, adventure/exploration parts, and the dungeon/overworld puzzles.

 

Also, was gonna post what I felt the tiers were in terms of popularity/exposure but Flame Dragon beat me to it. I agree wholeheartedly with that list.

[Agro]

I'm going to use Smash's franchise as the base of the list since the game has every major Nintendo franchise.

 

S: Mario, Zelda, Pokemon

A: Kirby, Donkey Kong, Fire Emblem, Smash Bros

B: Metroid, Star Fox, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Yoshi, Xenoblade

C: Wario, Kid Icarus,

D: F-Zero, Mother, Punch-Out

 

Mario Kart and other Mario games would be under Mario.

Splatoon is still too new.

 

My list is based on more so what the franchise represents for Nintendo right now. Fan preference would be more or less the same. Animal Crossing and Pikmin would be one lower and F-Zero would be one higher.

I think Metroid and Fire Emblem would also switch spots. Also Xeno would probably fall a peg.

 

As much as most of us on here talk about it and love them, I wonder how large a segment of the entire Nintendo fandom also loves those two games. There were definitely a whole lot of people who had no idea who Robin was when he was announced for Smash 4. And Fire Emblem is definitely a more well respected and beloved franchise than Xeno.

 

As for Metroid. I honestly think as far as non-crossover franchises are concerned, the fan-hype trifecta has been Mario, Zelda, and Metroid. Pokémon is definitely in there over sales or general fandom, but I feel people don't get as excited for new Pokémon games as they do for others. They come out almost every year and we buy them, yeah, but I feel that means each title loses its speciality. When Pokémon gameplay gets shown off, it's "oh cool," but when Metroid gets shown off, even with Other M, the reaction is more along the lines of "OH sheet!" Plus I don't honestly think there's a Pokémon game that gets held to as high a regard by fans as does Metroid Prime or Super Metroid.

[Tentacruel]

I still insist Smash Bros is at least as high if not higher than Metroid. 

[Flame Dragon]

I think Metroid and Fire Emblem would also switch spots. Also Xeno would probably fall a peg.

 

As much as most of us on here talk about it and love them, I wonder how large a segment of the entire Nintendo fandom also loves those two games. There were definitely a whole lot of people who had no idea who Robin was when he was announced for Smash 4. And Fire Emblem is definitely a more well respected and beloved franchise than Xeno.

 

As for Metroid. I honestly think as far as non-crossover franchises are concerned, the fan-hype trifecta has been Mario, Zelda, and Metroid. Pokémon is definitely in there over sales or general fandom, but I feel people don't get as excited for new Pokémon games as they do for others. They come out almost every year and we buy them, yeah, but I feel that means each title loses its speciality. When Pokémon gameplay gets shown off, it's "oh cool," but when Metroid gets shown off, even with Other M, the reaction is more along the lines of "OH sheet!" Plus I don't honestly think there's a Pokémon game that gets held to as high a regard by fans as does Metroid Prime or Super Metroid.

In terms of fan response, yea, I can see making those changes. Fire Emblem has become a flagship of Nintendo, but the actual fans don't love it as much as Metroid. I think even in terms of Nintendo's view of the franchise I could have been overestimating Xenoblade. I think its some personal bias and because of how hard they've been pushing X that caused me to list it with B. I could also see moving Kid Icarus down.

 

I think its hard to measure Pokemon vs. the others since it is a culture thing at this point more so then I'd say any video game franchise. I'd also say a large part of the excitement that comes with Metroid is the simple fact that we don't get a lot of them. And Other M looked amazing. Hell, I've heard most of the gameplay is fine, its just they kind of fell into a bed of spike in regards to Samus' character.

 

I do agree on the general view of the Pokemon games. Pokemon is my favorite video game franchise. I just love everything about it. However I wouldn't say any of the individual games would rank in my favorite games.

[Agro]

I wouldn't exactly call Fire Emblem a flagship franchise. It was almost cancelled 2 years ago, after all and Sakurai is just weird when it comes to FE inclusions. (We have 5 right now lol)

 

Response comparing Metroid to Pokémon was mainly aimed at Cowcow, though I didn't quote him since he brought up sales, etc. I still think Pokémon is definitely A-rank, but I wanted to compare to offer reasons as to why I think Metroid could be considered A-Tier.

 

Also I think it is worth separating the Mario franchise a bit, and I'd do the same for Pokémon. Mario franchise consists of: Mainline, Mario Sports, Mario RPG, Mario Kart, and Mario Party. Each gets a different reaction from fans, as well as are regarded differently, have different popularity and sell differently. Same thing for mainline and console Pokémon games vs Pokémon spin-offs (i.e. Channel, Hey You Pikachu!, Ranger, Mystery Dungeon, anything else that doesn't use the basic Pokémon RPG mechanic)

 

Only other franchises that might be considered for splitting apart is Wario and Kirby. Kirby due to so many spinoffs and Wario due to Wario Land vs WarioWare.

[Flame Dragon]

I wouldn't exactly call Fire Emblem a flagship franchise. It was almost cancelled 2 years ago, after all and Sakurai is just weird when it comes to FE inclusions. (We have 5 right now lol)

 

Response comparing Metroid to Pokémon was mainly aimed at Cowcow, though I didn't quote him since he brought up sales, etc. I still think Pokémon is definitely A-rank, but I wanted to compare to offer reasons as to why I think Metroid could be considered A-Tier.

 

Also I think it is worth separating the Mario franchise a bit, and I'd do the same for Pokémon. Mario franchise consists of: Mainline, Mario Sports, Mario RPG, Mario Kart, and Mario Party. Each gets a different reaction from fans, as well as are regarded differently, have different popularity and sell differently. Same thing for mainline and console Pokémon games vs Pokémon spin-offs (i.e. Channel, Hey You Pikachu!, Ranger, Mystery Dungeon, anything else that doesn't use the basic Pokémon RPG mechanic)

 

Only other franchises that might be considered for splitting apart is Wario and Kirby. Kirby due to so many spinoffs and Wario due to Wario Land vs WarioWare.

Flagship might have been a strong word. Though the way it seems to have exploded in prominence is certainly noteworthy.

 

I totally can see Metroid as A tier. The reason my list has it as B was it was more so based on how Nintendo handles it and, lets face it, Nintendo doesn't really know what to do with it. Honestly, the original 8 Smash characters all have arguments for being A tier.

 

Mario can certainly be broken down into sub franchises. Though I don't think any of the Pokemon spinoffs are nearly big enough to do that with.

 

Anyway, revised list with more of a bend to fan reception and Mario broken down

S: Mario Platformer, Zelda, Pokemon

A: Kirby, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Smash Bros, Mario Kart

B: Fire Emblem, Star Fox, Pikmin, Yoshi, Mario RPG

C: Wario, F-Zero, Xenoblade, Mario Party, Animal Crossing, Mario Sports

D: Mother, Kid Icarus, Punch-Out

[Agro]

Flagship might have been a strong word. Though the way it seems to have exploded in prominence is certainly noteworthy.

 

I totally can see Metroid as A tier. The reason my list has it as B was it was more so based on how Nintendo handles it and, lets face it, Nintendo doesn't really know what to do with it. Honestly, the original 8 Smash characters all have arguments for being A tier.

 

Mario can certainly be broken down into sub franchises. Though I don't think any of the Pokemon spinoffs are nearly big enough to do that with.

 

Anyway, revised list with more of a bend to fan reception and Mario broken down

S: Mario Platformer, Zelda, Pokemon

A: Kirby, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Smash Bros, Mario Kart

B: Fire Emblem, Star Fox, Pikmin, Yoshi, Mario RPG

C: Wario, F-Zero, Xenoblade, Mario Party, Animal Crossing, Mario Sports

D: Mother, Kid Icarus, Punch-Out

I think Fire Emblem was D Tier, but after the last game and the announcements it is at least C Tier and probably solidly B Tier after the release of FExSMT and Fates.

 

I'm more surprised that Nintendo knows what to do with Star Fox. I mean it's been pretty clear for a while (at least to me) that there isn't many places that franchise can actually go.

 

I think you can't break off the separate Pokémon spinoffs, but if you include all the Pokémon spinoffs into their own category, I think fan opinion, hype levels, and sales are all very similar and much different from the opinion, hype and sales of the mainline handheld and console games.

 

I'd consider moving Kirby and Animal Crossing from their respective tiers to B. I don't have much of an argument for Kirby other than I think the general consensus on his games put him at a pretty solid 80%. He's really well beloved, but idk, I feel like his games have gotten consistently mixed reception. Argument for Animal Crossing is the 3 months after New Leaf released in 2013 and the hype (that I didn't necessarily agree with) for a new Wii U game was real for E3 this year (and that's why people got disappointed. Also, just to bring in sales numbers into my argument, and looking at average sales for each game, Nintendo might actually look at AC as a top 5 franchise. I may put it on the Pokémon "we just kinda buy it" line of thinking, and people do like it. I mean for like a month or two before they forget and then never want to face their villagers again because shame.

 

Mario Kart and Smash are weird because they probably garner as much attention from non-nintendo fans as they do from straight-up nintendo fans. Kinda like Pokémon, too. Hina had mentioned that fans of Smash are ones that like multiple games that are represented and honestly that couldn't be further from the truth.

[Tourmaline]

It could be further from the truth, though. The series isn't as big as some of the individual series shown. Certainly not near the magnitude of Zelda and even Zelda is dead compared to Mario and Pokemon. It's really not as big as you think it is. Also most people who play are fans of multiple represented series.

[Flame Dragon]

I think Fire Emblem was D Tier, but after the last game and the announcements it is at least C Tier and probably solidly B Tier after the release of FExSMT and Fates.

 

I'm more surprised that Nintendo knows what to do with Star Fox. I mean it's been pretty clear for a while (at least to me) that there isn't many places that franchise can actually go.

 

I think you can't break off the separate Pokémon spinoffs, but if you include all the Pokémon spinoffs into their own category, I think fan opinion, hype levels, and sales are all very similar and much different from the opinion, hype and sales of the mainline handheld and console games.

 

I'd consider moving Kirby and Animal Crossing from their respective tiers to B. I don't have much of an argument for Kirby other than I think the general consensus on his games put him at a pretty solid 80%. He's really well beloved, but idk, I feel like his games have gotten consistently mixed reception. Argument for Animal Crossing is the 3 months after New Leaf released in 2013 and the hype (that I didn't necessarily agree with) for a new Wii U game was real for E3 this year (and that's why people got disappointed. Also, just to bring in sales numbers into my argument, and looking at average sales for each game, Nintendo might actually look at AC as a top 5 franchise. I may put it on the Pokémon "we just kinda buy it" line of thinking, and people do like it. I mean for like a month or two before they forget and then never want to face their villagers again because shame.

 

Mario Kart and Smash are weird because they probably garner as much attention from non-nintendo fans as they do from straight-up nintendo fans. Kinda like Pokémon, too. Hina had mentioned that fans of Smash are ones that like multiple games that are represented and honestly that couldn't be further from the truth.

Fire Emblem has certainly exploded in popularity and notoriety. Thats what makes ranking it so hard.

 

And can agree with Star Fox. I mean, its not an accident that the franchise went dormant for a while. I think F-Zero has a similar issue, but since it isn't as big as Star Fox or Metroid Nintendo doesn't feel the rush to try and get another one out.

 

I think what gets Kirby into A for me is just his constant presence. He is one of the mascots of the company and people do love his games. Your right that they don't get the hype something like Metroid does, but I feel like its because we get Kirby games at a steady rate. I can see where you coming from where, but I still think Kirby is more A than B.

 

I originally had Animal Crossing at B, so my moving it is more so because I just don't know what to make of it. I'm fine moving it back.

 

Kart and Smash get the wider appeal because they are a much easier type of game to get into. Racing and Fighting games have always been popular and Smash is by far the easiest to just pick up and play of any fighting game franchise. The fact that they are also party games helps since playing with a group of friends is always fun. Since you compared it to Pokemon, I think the thread they share is the fact that all of them have different side than can appeal to different people.

 

It could be further from the truth, though. The series isn't as big as some of the individual series shown. Certainly not near the magnitude of Zelda and even Zelda is dead compared to Mario and Pokemon. It's really not as big as you think it is. Also most people who play are fans of multiple represented series.

Your comparing Smash to the literal big 3 of Nintedo. That isn't a fair comparison and is why I have them listed as S tier. Smash Wii U sold 3.39 million units as of 4 months ago, which means 1/3 Wii U owners at the time had a copy. Thats a lot.

[Agro]

If you're going to actually rank the general appeal of different series to a general audience, rather than a strictly-speaking-Nintendo audience, the list would essentially have to go:

1. Pokémon

2. Mario Kart

3. Mario

4. Smash Bros.

5. Zelda

 

Zelda averages about 6mil sales a game. Smash doubles that. Mario Kart almost quintuples it. MK and Pokémon's average sales, best selling game and lowest selling game are almost completely identical in units sold. They also are one of the best system sellers, with some ridiculous attach rates.. The only reason Pokémon is ranked higher here is because it does that almost every year.

[Thar]

I'm usually most excited for Zelda over any other franchise.