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IGN Readers Crown Ocarina of Time #1 Nintendo Game (Top 25)

IGN Readers Crown Ocarina of Time #1 Nintendo Game (Top 25)
IGN Readers' Top 25 Nintendo Games, featuring The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as the #1 game

The global gaming community has cast its definitive votes! Following an extensive, fan-driven "Face Off" battle, IGN has unveiled the highly anticipated "IGN Readers' Top 25 Nintendo Games of All Time." This monumental ranking, shaped by thousands of passionate players, showcases an undeniable love for Nintendo's most iconic franchises, with a clear champion emerging from the legendary The Legend of Zelda series. Get ready to discover which classic Nintendo titles secured their place as the ultimate fan favorites!

The Unanimous Fan Verdict: How the List Was Forged

In a groundbreaking initiative, IGN leveraged its innovative "Face Off" tool to meticulously compile this reader-driven list. The process involved pitting two games against each other in countless duels until every permutation was exhausted, with win percentages ultimately determining each game's ranking. The intensity of this democratic process is highlighted by the fact that the eventual number one pick alone was involved in a staggering 21,405 individual matchups! This comprehensive methodology ensures that the resulting "Top 25 Nintendo Games" truly reflects the collective sentiment of the IGN audience, offering a unique perspective compared to traditional editorial rankings.

Zelda and Mario Reign Supreme: A Top 10 Domination

Unsurprisingly, the iconic legacies of Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda overwhelmingly dominated the upper echelons of the fan vote. These beloved Miyamoto creations command the entire top ten, underscoring their enduring appeal and monumental impact on generations of gamers. While the overall list shares some similarities with IGN and Nintendo Life's own "Top 100 Best Nintendo Games of All Time," the audience's specific ordering reveals fascinating distinctions, particularly in how fans prioritize these cherished sagas.

The Full Roster: IGN Readers' Top 25 Nintendo Games

Without further ado, here are the definitive best Nintendo games as voted by the discerning IGN readership:

  • 1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – 77.5% Win Rate
  • 2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 77.1% Win Rate
  • 3. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 73.2% Win Rate
  • 4. Super Mario Odyssey – 71.3% Win Rate
  • 5. Super Mario 64 – 70.5% Win Rate
  • 6. Super Mario World – 70.5% Win Rate
  • 7. Super Mario Galaxy – 69.6% Win Rate
  • 8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – 69.0% Win Rate
  • 9. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – 68.4% Win Rate
  • 10. Super Mario Bros. 3 – 67.9% Win Rate
  • 11. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 66.9% Win Rate
  • 12. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – 66.8% Win Rate
  • 13. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 66.1% Win Rate
  • 14. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – 66.1% Win Rate
  • 15. Metroid Prime (+ Remastered) – 65.6% Win Rate
  • 16. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – 65.3% Win Rate
  • 17. Super Smash Bros. Melee – 63.4% Win Rate
  • 18. Super Metroid – 62.7% Win Rate
  • 19. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 62.7% Win Rate
  • 20. GoldenEye 007 – 61.9% Win Rate
  • 21. Chrono Trigger – 61.2% Win Rate
  • 22. Donkey Kong Bananza – 61.2% Win Rate
  • 23. Pokemon Yellow (Red/Blue) – 59.4% Win Rate
  • 24. Super Mario Bros. – 59.2% Win Rate
  • 25. Mario Kart 64 – 59.0% Win Rate

Divergent Opinions: IGN's List vs. The Fans

While fan consensus often aligns with expert opinion, the IGN Readers' list presents some striking deviations from the editorial selections made by IGN and Nintendo Life. For instance, the beloved Mario Kart 64 managed to secure the 25th spot with a 59.0% win rate among readers, a title that notably did not even make the cut in the official "Top 100 Nintendo Games" curated by the editors. Conversely, the timeless puzzler Tetris, which ranked a respectable 5th on the editorial list, found itself much lower in the public vote, landing at number 33 overall. These fascinating discrepancies highlight the diverse preferences within the vast Nintendo gaming community.