Ever since Nintendo started out in the late ’80s, they have kept releasing quality games. So today, we’ll be taking a look at the best and worst consoles in the company’s history, from the greatest to the worst. No handhelds or peripherals like Panasonic Q will be present. As the old Nintendo ads used to say: Now You’re Playing (or reading) With Power.

1. SNES– The golden age of video games peaked with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, bringing us near perfect games that still remain classics. I’m sure that you can all name a few games from the classic console, even if you don’t know that they were on the SNES. Games like Earthbound, Link to the Past, Street Fighter, Mega Man X, Castlevania, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Super Mario World. A great controller and our introduction to several great franchises like Starfox and Chrono Trigger.

2. Wii – While there were certainly a good few people who hated the motion controls, the Wii used them very well, and it’s close to the top of our list. Games like Wii Sport Resort were excellent examples of what motion controls could do when used to their full extent, and Legend of Zelda, Skyward Sword showed that motion controls could be used even in places people thought they couldn’t (besides just being a really good game). There were plenty of bad, bad games on the Wii (check out Wii Fireplacing) but there were plenty of good games out there as well. And for those of you who don’t like the Wii games, there’s something for you too! With the Wii’s virtual console and the ability to download old games right on to your TV, everyone’s happy! Check Out: Super Mario Galaxy, Zelda Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland

3. NES– The Console that started it all. The NES showed that video games weren’t just a fad, but a viable art form after Atari was disgraced by the Video Game Crash. At this age, people couldn’t have arcade machines brought to their houses, so the NES solved all that. Instead of CD’s, like we have now, they had to use huge ports for cartridges the size of bricks. But that was a small price to pay for the joy and amazement it brought to the guy’s and girls! And it started some great franchises, like Zelda, Metroid, and of course, Mario. What’s not to like? Check Out: Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros 3, Metroid, Mega Man 2, Final Fantasy

4. Switch – The newest console. While it was good, it wasn’t the most perfect console the people at Nintendo created. It had the SMALLEST controllers possible ever, it’s portable battery was never lasting more than 3 hours and lots of other problems. But other than that, I believe Nintendo’s intentions were pure about it. It had the interesting idea of disconnecting controllers for motion or attaching them for a portable console. You could play it on the TV, or on the go, and over the three years it was out, a lot of improvements were made (mostly non-physical). Check Out: Splatoon 2, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey

5. N64 – While the Nintendo 64 wasn’t perfect, it also wasn’t bad. It really showed the future of games, and how 3D would be used in the future. It also starred some seriously good games, most notably The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time, as well as it’s sequel, Majora’s Mask. Mario 64 and Star Fox 64 was also a nice addition. The console also sported some excellent third party games, mostly from Rare, who blessed us with Banjo Kazooie, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, and of course Goldeneye. Other largely unknown Rare games were really excellent, and they are hiding around somewhere for collectors to find. The N64 had some problems too, with graphics that paled in comparison to the PlayStation and a janky controller, but it nevertheless gave us some great games.

6. Gamecube– Nintendo’s forgotten boi. Gamecube had some excellent games, but also its fair share of duds. It certainly had a lot of personality, with plenty of quirky games and an interesting design. But the system had its fair share of problems, like its cumbersome mini-CD system. But all in all, Gamecube was a flawed, but innovative, console that had lots of great franchise entries. Check Out: Zelda: Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Luigi’s Mansion, Pikmin, Super Mario Sunshine

7. WiiU– The WiiU is the strange child of the Wii, who failed getting sold. The advertisements were awkward, and the console was only half a step up from the Wii. The only games people cared about were games like Super Mario Maker, Mario Kart 8, and Super Mario Bros WiiU, but all those games were either ported to the 3DS, or the 3DS had similar games. Another problem with the WiiU is that once the switch came out, more games were ported there, like Legend of Zelda BotW, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and (get ready) New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe. Too many of the Wii U games were ported to other consoles, making it ultimately useless. Check Out: Mario Maker, Splatoon

8. Virtual Boy – It’s no secret that the Virtual Boy failed. It’s strange design and horrible red coloring made it a blight on Nintendo’s near perfect track record. The seizure-inducing and eye-straining graphics made it infamous, and Nintendo has never ventured into virtual reality again. Also, what’s the deal with those weird all-red graphics? They were really awful. Check Out: I dunno…

So what did you think of our ranking? Let us know in the comments…

Featured Image: Colin Johnson