BIT.TRIP RUNNER (WiiWare)

"BIT.TRIP RUNNER epitomises the best qualities of the BIT.TRIP series in terms of being a fun game to play as well as honouring the pioneers of console gaming," wrote Sean Aaron of this brilliant WiiWare release in 2010. And while CommanderVideo's runners have gotten better looking over the years, it's tough to resist with the chiptune charm of his first pixel/voxel-filled jog.

These days, it's easiest to play on Switch, either via the standalone release or as part of the BIT.TRIP COLLECTION that bundled all the WiiWare gems into one package.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

Naturally, it's hard to find 100% consensus when it comes to 10s. A minor irritation or something entirely unnoticed by one person could be a significant point of contention for another. Maybe they're allergic to a particular genre or mechanic, or they just can't stomach a specific series' way of doing things. There are plenty of games listed here that I wouldn't give a 10, personally. Different strokes.

There are a select few, though, where there's not one dissenting voice in the NL crew's ranks; Galaxy 2 is one of them. "It's nearly impossible to find even one small thing to gripe about, and believe us, we tried," wrote Corbie in 2010, and that holds true today.

PJ made it his Game of the Decade six years ago (blimey, we'll be doing another season of those before you know it), I've posited that it's Nintendo's greatest sequel, and asking around the office, while opinions differ on the lack of a proper hub, it's still unanimous: "Yep, it's a 10."

Shantae: Risky's Revenge (DSiWare)

Released on DS(i) back in 2010, Risky's Revenge got a Director's Cut on both Wii U and Switch, so it's easily playable with the swathe of other Shantaes these days, and in that context, it might not stand out amongst the half-genie's other adventures. As Mitch said in his review of the Switch version, it's arguably showing its age these days, too.

Back on DS, though, this second game in the series felt like an absolute jewel nestled on Nintendo's download-only service. An epic, full-scale, incredibly polished platformer at a fraction of the price you'd expect for such quality. Magic.

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)

Of all the Deluxe HD versions we've had on Switch, we haven't had this one yet. "Kirby's Epic Yarn is absolutely filled to the brim with whimsical charm and light-hearted humour, but it's the unique gameplay elements that make it truly shine," wrote Corbie, who had an enviably spectacular slate of games to review in 2010.

Good-Feel's presentation of this thread-filled, quilt-covered world is still spectacular. I fired the game up for the kids just recently (I worry that they'll have grown up too much by the time Nintendo gets around to an HD overhaul) and even in regular-old SD, the charm still comes through beautifully, dialled up past 11 for an easygoing collectathon that's a perfect introduction to platformers.

Kirby purists may scoff that this is the little chap's only entry on this list, but this gorgeous game can soften the hardest of hearts.

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)

The last 2010 game on the list. DK returned in such fine form, and it was a bit of a shock. With Retro at the helm, Donkey Kong Country Returns managed to satisfy stalwart fans of the original Rare DKC series, bringing it up to date in a manner to rival Nintendo's own revival of Mario's 2D platformers - more successfully, some would say.

"Donkey Kong Country Returns is almost the perfect continuation of the series in many ways," said Corbie. Can't argue with that.

MotoHeroz (WiiWare)

Okay, we'll forgive you for not remembering this one, but it utterly beguiled Peter Willington back in 2011.

"When a developer starts mucking around with grammar and form, such as missing or substituting a letter for effect — we're looking at you Driv3r — the alarm bells should also be ringing," Peter wrote. "MotoHeroz commits both of these grammatrocities, but don't let its way with words fool you; RedLynx's latest effort is not only one of the best games on WiiWare, it's one of the strongest on the entire platform. Full stop."

This side-on, physics-based gem comes from the originators of the Trials series (one of the studios affected by Ubisoft's recent layoffs and "restructuring") and was a jewel in WiiWare's crown, now sadly inaccessible in an official capacity unless it's already downloaded on your Wii or your (very old) mobile device.

"MotoHeroz flourishes in every aspect: it looks great, plays superbly and makes you want to return to it time and time again," said Peter. Chance. Fine thing. Etcetera.

Rayman Origins (Wii)

"Rayman Origins perfectly embodies what made many of us fall in love with gaming in the first place," said Mark Reese in 2011. In fact, Mark rated Ubisoft's platformer as his personal GOTY that year. "It represents the very pinnacle of 2D platforming," he wrote, "and is undoubtedly one of the Wii’s very best games. Truly unmissable."

The sequel, Rayman Legends, was well received, too, and that's playable on Switch. This one got a disappointing 3DS port, but hasn't yet made it to a Nintendo system in full HD.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

A late arrival in the Wii generation, Skyward Sword felt like a realisation of the Wiimote promise Twilight Princess made at the console's launch but couldn't really deliver on. Where its predecessor brought notional Wii waggle, SS finally gave us 1:1 control over Link's blade.

"It's as good a Zelda game as we've ever played, and one that fully delivers on the revolution Nintendo promised back in 2005," wrote James Newton back in November 2011.

These days, the HD version on Switch is the easiest way to play, and the quality-of-life enhancements sand off a couple of rough edges, but didn't wow PJ sufficiently to garner top marks a second time.

La-Mulana (WiiWare)

A 16-bit-style remake of the PC original, "La-Mulana truly stands alone in the world of Metroidvanias, harkening back to that era when games had a tendency to be cryptic and refused to hold players' hands," OG reviewer Marcel van Duyn writes now of the game he reviewed in 2012.

"It's a bit more of an investment than most other games in its genre for that reason - copious note-taking will be expected. But when you manage to connect the dots and solve a difficult puzzle using all those hints you jotted down before, it's oh-so satisfying."

WiiWare is long gone, but fortunately La-Mulana (and its sequel) can be found on Switch eShop.

NightSky (3DS eShop)

Another one you may not remember, 2012's NightSky from Nifflas (Knytt Underground, Affordable Space Adventures) enchanted Philip, who described it as "gorgeous, flawlessly designed, and bracingly atmospheric, with perfect controls, clever puzzles, and an endlessly evolving play style that will never see you solving the same puzzle the same way twice."

"Hidden stars, a locked world and an advanced difficulty lend the experience significant replayability, but even if it offered only a single playthrough, it's not an experience that could soon be forgotten."

A description like that makes me want to find and download it immediately. Officially inaccessible now thanks to the closed 3DS eShop, it is still available these days on Steam.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)

Reviewer Martin Watts described 2013's A Link Between Worlds as "the greatest game you can experience on the 3DS," and it's second only to the Ocarina remake on our reader-ranked Top 50.

A return to the top-down formula, A Link to the Past 2 (as it is known in Japan) captured the classic spirit while infusing its own flavour, switching up the traditional formula with a more flexible approach that let you tackle dungeons in any order. The system's autostereoscopic 3D really worked well, too, as you looked down 'into' the game world.

"Through Link’s new transformation ability," wrote Martin, "Nintendo has instilled a magical amount of innovation into the dungeons, boss battles, and even the wider exploration of both Hyrule and Lorule; it’s a small feature which makes a world of difference and continuously wows you.

A shame it's stuck on 3DS, but at least you can still find the cart for not-crazy, original RRP prices.

Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Boasting perhaps the most colourful box art ever created, Super Mario 3D World is bursting at the seams with cuteness, creativity and catsuits. While it might lack the unbridled freedom of Mario's other 3D adventures, it provides a terrifically enjoyable, tight and impeccably structured adventure.

With a focus on bringing fans of the 2D games into the realm of 3D Marios, it recalls the mascot’s 3D heritage while providing the perfect starting point for novices. It's also the only 3D Mario to offer four-player co-op.

Super Mario 3D World is simply unmissable and prior to its reappearance on Switch, we'd have said it was worth hunting down a Wii U to play. The additional Bowser's Fury content of the newer version — plus various gameplay tweaks and the addition of online and local wireless play — arguably gives the Switch edition the edge in a head-to-head battle.

Still, the original Wii U experience remains one of the console's highlights, so why not grab yourself a copy and just sit with it on your lap as you admire the box art and run your forefinger around the curved edge of the disc? The Switch cart doesn't have that, does it? Meow!

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS)

Looking back, it appears that the original N64 version from 2000 garnered a 9/10 in our 2016 retro review, although that was written after the sublime 3DS remake arrived in 2015, and it's hard to go back once you've experienced the numerous enhancements of Grezzo's version.

"The visual overhaul, the streamlined features and other improvements make this version an even more enjoyable and accessible," wrote Martin Watts. "In its enhanced form, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D defies its age and manages to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best games on 3DS. Quite simply put, it's a masterpiece."

Hard agree. Next.

Super Mario Maker (Wii U)

"This is the definitive Wii U game," said Tom Whitehead in 2015. He wasn't wrong then, and he isn't wrong now; if this had been a launch title, the Wii U's history might have played out differently. "Whether creating, exploring or just playing, Super Mario Maker provides an exceptional experience."

This was the game which made the GamePad make sense, and post-launch updates would make it shine even brighter. It wasn't enough to single-handedly save its host system, but its magic buoyed the spirits of Wii U owners and laid the groundwork for a Switch sequel we'll be revisiting very soon...

Axiom Verge (Wii U eShop)

Mitch Vogel awarded Thomas Happ's exquisite Axiom Verge 10s on both Wii U and Switch, writing that "creative gameplay, beautiful visuals, and a compelling story all blend to create a fantastic game that does a great job of paying tribute to classics while doing something wholly new with the established formula."

"It's made all the more impressive, too, by the fact that the entire thing is the product of one man's dedication." Hear, hear.

Pokémon Sun and Moon (3DS)

"Sun and Moon are great, they might be the last really great Pokémon games," our Senior Video Producer Mr. Alex Olney told me when I messaged him regarding his glowing 2016 review. "They tried a lot of new things, such as ditching gym battles, regional variants, and it felt really quite fresh."

After 10 years of new Pokémon games and the refinements (and new monsters) they've brought, what's his 2026 take? Would he still give this 3DS pair the hallowed 10/10 stamp today? "In the cold light of day? I think I’d struggle to do so, to be honest."

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)

And we're back to the obvious ones. Tom Whitehead gave both the Wii U and Switch Breath of the Wilds full marks in 2017, and rightly so.

We're all hyperbole-d out with this one, honestly. It's 10 years old next year and we're already scratching our heads for retrospective angles. You already know how good BOTW is, so let's save it for when its charms are a distant memory, oh, sometime in the 2100s, shall we?

Let's move on to something more suprisi—

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)

Okay, that didn't work.

Mario Kart 8 was fantastic, but the Deluxe version rounded out the package and then just kept going, and going, and going. "It's a polished version of a Wii U entry that was a proper Battle Mode away from being top of class," said Tom Whitehead in 2017. "It's the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, content-rich and a delightful feast of comedic, cartoonish karting action."

Honestly, we think there was room for even more (Kirby or Samus or Olimar behind the wheel of a kart, anyone?), but this was simply the finest Mario Kart ever.*

*As rated by lovely Nintendo Life readers.

Splatoon 2 (Switch)

Alex Olney returns with another 10/10-er. "It’s hard to overstate what an upgrade Splatoon 2 was over the original," he told me. "Better controls, better graphics, better music, better everything."

Splatoon 3 took the baton and ran with it, but didn't quite represent the big (squid) jump of the first sequel. "This game still stands up as strongly as it did back then. No notes, would rate the same again."

Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS)

"It’s a given that this is a must-buy for Metroid fans," Scully wrote in his 2017 verdict on MercurySteam's Metroid II remake, "but it’s also essential for those who’ve never played a 2D Metroid and want to see what the fuss is all about. This is what the fuss is all about, and the wait was so, so worth it."

In fact, there's an argument that Metroid: Samus Return's biggest fault was releasing on a system that had been sitting in Switch's shadow for six months. Fortunately, the devs got another crack at a 2D Metroid on Switch a few years later. More on that in a moment...

Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)

Switch's run of list-topping series entries might feel like classic recency bias until you stand back, examine those games now we're into Nintendo's next generation, and note that, yes, everything still checks out. Mario Odyssey really is an all-timer among all-timers.

"It acknowledges the heritage of the title that started it all, Super Mario 64, but is still very much a game of this time," wrote Tom Whitehead. "That is its greatest strength."

Nine years on, it remains as vital as ever. Its place at or near the very top of the Mario platformer pantheon is secure. It's the top 3D Mario on our reader-ranked list. And that musical New Donk section still brings a tear to the eye.

Nintendo is taking its time, but Mario's next 3D trip can't come soon enough.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (3DS)

The final 3DS game on the list, erstwhile NL staffer Ryan Craddock gave this Ultra pair an ultra score one year after the non-Ultra versions got top marks from Alex.

"Taking the original games and bombarding them with a whole host of crazy ideas, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have easily achieved their goal of becoming the definitive versions of the series’ final generation on the 3DS," he wrote. "[These games] have managed to make the region of Alola feel even more alive than it did before – and that’s quite the achievement."

And, indeed, they're fittingly the final 3DS entries on this list.

Celeste (Switch eShop)

Moving into the Switch indie era, the first full-marker we've got is the wonderful Celeste, "an exemplary amalgamation of style, mechanics and character," as Jon Cousins wrote back in 2018.

"It's a game of conflict. It's a heartfelt story of determination and self-worth, with a cherished handful of eccentric characters, personality, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience regardless of your ability."

Subsurface Circular (Switch eShop)

"Subsurface Circular is a landmark moment in interactive storytelling," wrote Liam Croft, now Deputy Editor over on Push Square. "There’s nothing quite else quite like [it], and when that uniqueness is combined with the phenomenal narrative at hand, you have all the ingredients for a simply unforgettable and very special journey aboard the subway."

After playing this back in 2018, I could only agree. Catching up with Liam to get his 2026 thoughts, does he feel it's still top-marks material after eight years of narrative game evolution?

“It was a 10/10 for its time, as one of the first games to push a story-first focus. In the years since, though, it's been comfortably bettered. Expect a fantastic — but not quite industry leading — experience in 2026.”

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)

'Everyone is here.' And they really were.

"It’s Smash Ultimate," says Alex. "It’s the biggest and most ambitious crossover and fighting game all wrapped into one." Can't argue with that. "There’s no doubt in my mind, this is still a 10 any day of the week."

Personally, I've never really clicked with Smash myself, but the Banjo reveal was possibly the most glorious, joyous moment of the Switch generation and 2018's Smash Bros. Ultimate absolutely deserves its "Outstanding" status.

Wrapping up 2018, we're well into the Switch generation now. The following year would see Mario become a made man. Again...