It's Nintendo's 125th anniversary! Way back in September 1889 "Nintendo Koppai" was founded as a playing card manufacturer. But since 1977, Nintendo has grown into one of the world's most prolific, successful, and beloved video game makers.

Loading

Released: 2006

Platform: Wii

Loading

Released: 2000

Platform: 64DD

Loading

Released: 1991

Platform: SNES

Loading

Released: 2013

Platform: Wii U

Released: 2013

Platform: Wii U

Loading

Released: 2003

Platform: GameCube

Released: 1992

Platform: Game Boy

Released: 1996

Platform: SNES

Loading

Released: 1986

Platform: NES

Loading

Released: 2007

Platform: DS

Released: 1998

Platform: N64

Loading

Released: 1990

Platform: NES

Released: 2001

Platform: N64

Released: 2010

Platform: Wii

Loading

Released: 1984

Platform: Arcade

To recognize and celebrate this important Nintendo milestone, IGN has compiled a list of the 125 greatest Nintendo games. From groundbreaking experimental software like Mario Artist, to beloved Nintendo classics starring Mario, Link, and Samus, these are the most important, fun, and influential games Nintendo ever made.Before we jump in, a quick word on what makes a game a "Nintendo" game. In many instances, it isn't as clear-cut as you might think. For a game to be eligible for inclusion on this list, it had to meet at least one of the following criteria:1) Developed by an internal Nintendo studio. The bulk of the games on the list fall into this category.2) A Nintendo-owned brand, with development handled by a third party, in close cooperation with Nintendo itself. Examples include F-Zero GX, Wonderful 101, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.3) Developed polby a second-party developer and released exclusively for Nintendo platforms. Most Rare games fall into this category.Nintendo merely publishing a game that was developed by a third party does not make it eligible - for a game to be considered a "Nintendo game" in our eyes, Nintendo has to have had a hand in the development process itself. This excludes games like Golden Sun (developed by Camelot and published by Nintendo) and Meteos (developed by Q Entertainment and published by Nintendo).Across the following 9 pages you'll find 125 Nintendo greats, an explanation on why each game is one of the most important and most fun Nintendo games ever made, and a brand new, original Let's Play for (almost) every game, giving you a tour of what made the game so special. Without further ado, let's jump right in with #125...An arcade-style racer not unlike its predecessors Excitebike and Excitebike 64, Excite Truck was a launch title for the Wii that used the system’s motion controls to guide racing trucks around various tracks. Tight tilt controls, great visuals for the hardware, and fun mini-games made it one of the better racing games on the Wii. It was also one of the first games on the system to allow people to superimpose their own music over the game through an SD card. - Cassidee MoserLong before there was downloadable content for console games, F-Zero X Expansion Kit super-sized the already excellent F-Zero X on N64. The only catch: you had to own the ill-fated 64DD attachment, which was sold only in Japan. It’s a shame the expansion didn’t see wider release, because it turned F-Zero X into the definitive racing package. The two devilishly difficult new cups and a full-fledged vehicle creator are quality additions, but the real meat is the developer-level track construction tool. After learning the ropes, players can create incredibly complex rollercoaster courses, complete with half-pipes, inner and outer tubes, pit and obstacle strips, and deadly jumps that provide endless new challenges. - Peer SchneiderAs one of the launch titles for SNES, Pilotwings had a lot riding on it. And Nintendo didn’t disappoint. The flight simulator showcased the new console’s graphical capabilities, providing a new, non-combat take on aerial challenges, with hang gliders and attack choppers. Pilotwings proved that the genre has a place to stay on consoles and stands as the inaugural game in a compelling series. - Michael MahardyArguably the first Mario expansion pack, New Super Luigi U shakes up the side-scrolling formula with 100-second levels built around the green-clad hero’s floatier physics. Nabbit also becomes playable for the first time, serving as a great choice in multiplayer for franchise newcomers. But make no mistake: this standalone experience is tough. With it, Nintendo proves it still can create quite the challenge for players. - Evan CampbellThe Wonderful 101 puts players in control of a hundred tiny heroes that protect the planet from invasion. This charming, comedic action game uses the Unite Morph system to topple armies and oversized monsters alike. There's never been anything quite like Wonderful 101, and there might never be anything like it again. - Justin DavisMario Party 5 is the last truly great Mario Party game. The boards are all complex and maze-like, giving the game a satisfying level of strategy and risk-taking outside of the franchise’s trademark minigame madness. Most important of all, although MP5 still contains plenty of randomness, skill still plays an important role, motivating players to win minigames at any cost. - Justin DavisNintendo released this boundlessly creative sequel all the way back in 1992, and it remains one of Mario’s best handheld outings to this day. The first appearance of Wario notwithstanding, Six Golden Coins is remembered for its free-flowing world map, imaginative power ups and brilliantly weird levels – including one inexplicably set inside a giant mechanical Mario. Unforgettable. - Lucy O'BrienIt’s doubtful many have played this Japan-only release, but Marvelous: Another Treasure Island serves as an integral stepping-stone for Eiji Aonuma. Inspired by The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, this action-adventure title is the first game helmed by Aonuma, who now oversees the Zelda series. It’s also a great Super Nintendo game to boot, offering an offbeat story starring three young boys. - Evan CampbellWhen we finally got a chance to play the “real” sequel to Super Mario Bros. in Super Mario All-Stars, we collectively had no idea what we were in for. Right from that first poison mushroom, Lost Levels defined itself as a video game made to actively punish players. The enemies of the Mushroom Kingdom seemed to have multiplied exponentially, as did the environmental hazards. Wider pits, fewer power-ups, and curveballs like fluctuating winds and labyrinthine castles make it one of Mario’s toughest adventures to date. But on the plus side, those of us who’ve survived through its secret worlds can wear it as a badge of honor. - Marty SlivaAs is the case throughout Nintendo’s history, a new platform doesn’t feel complete until graced by a Zelda game. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is just that for Nintendo DS. The game makes use of the stylus for navigation, combat, and puzzle-solving and even incorporates the microphone when players have to blow out fires. This creative use of the system hardware makes for a memorable and great entry in the storied Legend of Zelda franchise. - Michael MahardyWith more than 24 tracks and 30 vehicles to choose from, F-Zero X drained hour upon hour of N64 owners’ time. The variety is aided in no small part by stellar gameplay, with sharp turns, creative courses, and collision physics. The futuristic racer set a precedent for tight controls in the series, and the excellent track design still holds up today. And, most important of all, F-Zero X set a new standard for just how fast a racing game could feel.- Michael MahardyMario takes out bad guys by jumping on their heads. Dr. Mario just throws pills at them. It’s a simple puzzle game where matching colors on top of viruses causes them to disappear and die. The addictive gameplay and catchy music make it stand the test of time long after other spin-offs have faded from memory. - Brian AlbertThe last series entry on N64, Mario Party 3 didn’t have much to prove. But it still needed to keep the franchise’s momentum going into the new console generation. And it succeeded. The dual-map system allowed for an alternate mode of play, where victory is based on hit points, and the addition of new maps and characters (Daisy and Waluigi) didn’t hurt the series either. Mario Party 3 helped the series transition smoothly onto the GameCube, setting a precedent for two more consoles to come. - Michael MahardyDonkey Kong Country Returns revived a long dormant Nintendo juggernaut after more than a decade. Under the direction of developer Retro Studios, DKCR pulled inspiration from the best parts of the SNES original, building up great platforming areas that had equally significant difficulty. - Jose OteroBalloon Fight is a Joust rip-off, and it's a very good one. Nintendo's roots are deeply seeped in arcade games, and Balloon Fight's simple black backgrounds and wave-based challenges feel like an extension of this coin-operated heritage. Players can be as cooperative or competitive as their tempers allow, an element later reintroduced by Nintendo in several of their Wii and Wii U Mario games. An interesting Balloon Fight mode called Balloon Trip is an amusing precursor to the popular endless runner genre dominant in tablet gaming today. - Jared Petty