Best overall
Nintendo
8.3Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid, Switch
Best forPlayers who want the highest-quality exclusives — Nintendo's first-party library averages the highest Metacritic scores of any major publisher, with 15+ titles scoring 90+ on a single platform.
Scores — click any row to see our rationale
Game Quality▼9.5/10
Player Respect▼7/10
Catalog Depth▼9.5/10
Value▼6.5/10
Innovation▼9/10
Known for
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)Super Mario Odyssey (2017)The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)Metroid Prime Remastered (2023)
Pros
✓15+ first-party games scored 90+ on Metacritic across Switch alone — no other publisher matches that consistency
✓Zero microtransactions in any mainline Mario, Zelda, or Metroid title — all gameplay content included at purchase
Cons
✕First-party titles routinely remain at $60–70 for 3+ years post-launch with no discounts on Nintendo's own eShop
✕Aggressive copyright enforcement takes down fan-made YouTube remasters, tribute games, and music covers without warning