No other developer has dominated the handheld gaming space like Nintendo.
From the days of the original Game Boy through today’s handheld/console hybrid of the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, we’ve been spoiled for the past decades with some incredible handheld games.
Even before the days of the Nintendo Switch, there have been plenty of handheld games that aren’t hampered by their release on a portable device. I’ve seen so many ports to the Game Boys or Nintendo DS/3DS that are just as good as their authentic console experience.
With that in mind, and with the Switch 2 now having two months under its belt, it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and highlight the best games from every Nintendo handheld, ranked from “worst” to best. I used critical reception to find the best game per handheld, then ranked based on my own preference from there.
We’ll be focusing on original games that were released for or found their mainstream success on handhelds. This means none of the countless Game Boy Advance remasters/re-releases, or the Switch 2 versions of Switch 1 games, will be included. Sorry to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Zelda: Link to the Past, and Super Mario 3. You’re great on the GBA, but you’re even better elsewhere.
7
Game Boy Advance – Mario Kart: Super Circuit
A Legitimate Mario Kart Experience
One of the first things that stood out to me when playing Mario Kart: Super Circuit on my Game Boy Advance was how similarly it played to Mario Kart 64.
Obviously, there was some awkwardness going from the Nintendo 64’s analog stick to the D-Pad of the GBA, but the game still handled surprisingly well.
This was a full-fledged Mario Kart experience, including ghost modes, multiplayer racing, and more. It helps the game stand out as more than a half-hearted handheld release and a full-blown title.
The biggest thing that stood above all, and this is saying something considering how well the game handles, is the graphics. They truly pop on the Game Boy Advance, delivering a bright, colorful, and inviting aesthetic that makes playing in a 2D space as fun as the 3D tracks in Mario Kart 64.
6
Nintendo DS – Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
A Real-Deal Handheld Grand Theft Auto Game
Chinatown Wars isn’t the first Grand Theft Auto game made for a Nintendo handheld. Grand Theft Auto Advance was released in 2004, but it had more in common with the older, clunky top-down games compared to the 3D open-world Grand Theft Auto titles for the PS2.
Developed by Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North, Chinatown Wars is more in line with the console experience, perfectly crafted to run smoothly on the Nintendo DS hardware. No, it’s nowhere near as good as the console games, but Rockstar did a great job of getting around any possible hardware limitations.
Where Chinatown Wars succeeds is in combining the familiar gameplay we know and love alongside an equally compelling story. Yes, GTA became popular thanks to its revolutionary open world gameplay, but it’s the stories that kept us coming back.
Chinatown Wars is another shining example of Rockstar’s strength as a storyteller, and seeing their more direct involvement with development after the misstep of GTA Advance was a very welcome change.
5
Game Boy Color – Pokémon Gold and Silver
Arguably the Best Pokémon Generation
No other game in the Pokémon franchise has successfully captured the balance of pushing the series forward while embracing nostalgia like Gold and Silver.
The second generation introduced the new Johto region, Pokémon breeding, new Pokémon types, and more. Yes, at its heart, the story remains the same: capture every Pokémon, complete your Pokédex with an extra 100 Pokémon to discover, and become a Pokémon Master. That’s not all, though, because once you’ve become the Johto League Champion, it’s time to go back to Kanto.
Taking those first steps into Kanto is something I’ll never forget. It’s like traveling back in time, building up to the climactic showdown against Red in Mt. Silver. It’s a feeling I wish other Pokémon games would embrace, allowing us to return to iconic regions from the past.
Beyond that, Gold and Silver still stand out to this day thanks to the welcome addition of the Dark and Fairy types, a well-rounded Pokédex that wasn’t becoming too overly bloated, and the introduction of features that are now a franchise staple.
4
Nintendo 3DS – Fire Emblem: Awakening
The Savior of the Fire Emblem Franchise
Believe it or not, the Fire Emblem franchise was on the decline before the release of Fire Emblem: Awakening. It was originally planned as the last game in the series, but thanks to its breakout success, Fire Emblem has become a major franchise for Nintendo.
While there were plenty of great games in the series before Awakening, everything comes together so well to not only build on the foundation from past notable entries such as Path of Radiance and Blazing Blade, but also resonate with a new audience.
Awakening’s social system adds a new element to these games, expanding on the already great tactical gameplay and storytelling, and creating an emotional attachment to the characters.
Everything you already knew and loved about Fire Emblem is still here: rich storytelling, engaging turn-based strategy, and a challenging difficulty for those seeking it out. With its overhauled presentation (those anime cutscenes look fantastic), it’s easily not just the best 3DS game, but the best in the series.
3
Game Boy – Tetris
The OG GOAT
Tetris is a game that needs no introduction. Chances are that you’re already humming the iconic theme song in your head as you’re reading this.
While there have been plenty of successful evolutions to the classic gameplay, notably Tetris Effect and Tetris 99, there’s just something about the original that remains timeless.
It’s the simplicity of the gameplay (you’re just lining blocks up) helping to make the game approachable, combined with its difficult to master challenge that keeps you coming back for more. Anyone can pick Tetris up and play it immediately. It only takes a minute or two to understand what you’re doing. If you’re looking to become a pro, though, it’ll take a while.
The fact that this type of gameplay experience was available on a handheld was a match made in heaven. Whether at home on the couch, lying in bed, or even on the road in the backseat of the car, you could spend hours upon hours losing track of time with Tetris.
2
Nintendo Switch – Super Mario Odyssey
The Pinnacle of the 3D Platformer Genre
Ever since Super Mario 64 graced the Nintendo 64, Nintendo has been continuously innovating in the 3D platforming space. Super Mario Sunshine is an unsung hero and cult classic. The Super Mario Galaxy games are some of the best Mario games ever made.
Then, inexplicably, Nintendo changed things up on the Wii U with Super Mario 3D World. It’s a good game, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t what many were expecting. Super Mario Odyssey, on the other hand, exceeded all of our expectations.
There’s so much creativity on display, from the platforming gameplay to the seemingly infinite amount of creative options to take control of. You can be an onion, a Goomba, a tree, a T. rex; you name it, it’s possible. Best of all, it’s not a silly gameplay gimmick, but instead an avenue to unlock new possibilities.
Mario Odyssey is the type of game that constantly introduces new ideas without overwhelming you. It’s not doing this to show off, either, but instead building momentum to keep you excited for not just what’s happening now, but what’s next to come. It would arguably be Nintendo’s best handheld game, if not for its spiritual successor.
1
Nintendo Switch 2 – Donkey Kong Bananza
An Even Better Platformer
Like many, I expected Mario Kart World to be a day one killer app and a system seller for the Nintendo Switch 2. I was mistaken; the real answer would be Donkey Kong Bananza.
Our review, which gave it a 9.5/10 score, argued that it’s not only the best 3D platformer of the 2020s thus far, but also one of the best 3D platformers ever made. It builds on the already rock-solid foundation set by Super Mario Odyssey, offering an impressive amount of freedom to play as you see fit.
Everything you could have ever wanted from a Mario Odyssey sequel is present here. It’s the ultimate collect-a-thon with an impressive amount of depth, customization options, and top-notch presentation. Donkey Kong is a dream to control, and the decision to pair him with a teenage Pauline is brilliant.
What impressed me the most was how it balances this fun, charming platforming adventure with an impressive exercise in storytelling. There’s a shocking amount of emotional depth on display here, and I’m not ashamed to admit I was getting a little teary-eyed at the end.
