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Exclusive: Nintendo Consoles Ranked for Unparalleled Gaming

by Hannah Feb 12,2025

Nintendo's Switch 2 is finally here, marking another chapter in the company's impressive 40+ year history of gaming hardware. While initial impressions suggest a cautious approach, we're eager to see what Nintendo has in store. This article dives into the Switch 2 trailer details, but first, let's look back at Nintendo's console legacy.

Across five decades, Nintendo has released eight home consoles (NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Switch) and five handhelds (Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS). Ranking them is a challenge, requiring consideration of both hardware innovation and the quality and lasting impact of their game libraries. Here's one possible ranking:

Simon Cardy's Nintendo Console Tier List

My personal S-tier includes the NES – filled with nostalgic memories of classics like Super Mario Bros. and Mega Man 2 – and the Switch, a marvel of hybrid design (despite the occasional joy-con drift) boasting masterpieces like Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey.

Disagree? Feel the Virtual Boy deserves a higher spot than the N64? Create your own Nintendo console tier list and compare your rankings with the IGN community!

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!

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