Ranking Nintendo Consoles: Past to Present

Nintendo's Switch 2 is finally here, marking another chapter in the company's rich 40-year history of gaming hardware. While initial impressions suggest a relatively conservative approach, we're eager to see what Nintendo has in store. This article dives into the Switch 2 trailer details and offers a retrospective look at Nintendo's console legacy.

Over the past five decades, Nintendo has released eight home consoles (NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Switch) and five handhelds (Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS). But which reigns supreme? This ranking considers both hardware innovation and the quality and lasting impact of each console's game library.

My personal S-tier includes the NES, fueled by nostalgic memories of classics like Super Mario Bros. and Mega Man 2. The Switch also earns a top spot, thanks to its innovative hybrid design and exceptional titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey.

Disagree? Feel the Virtual Boy deserves higher recognition than the N64? Create your own Nintendo console tier list and compare your rankings (S, A, B, C, and D tiers) with the IGN community.

Nintendo Consoles

Nintendo Consoles

With only a two-minute trailer currently available, the Switch 2's ultimate ranking remains to be seen. Share your predictions and reasoning in the comments below!