Table of Contents

List of Nintendo video game franchises
See also
References

List of Nintendo franchises

This is a list of video game franchises published by Nintendo. There have been multiple Nintendo developed or published video games that have turned into series with two or more entries. Other franchises are jointly owned by Nintendo, which they continue to publish games in their respective series. This includes the Kirby series, owned by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory, and the Pokémon video game series, a franchise owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. Some franchises are associated with Nintendo, but are not always published as Nintendo franchises. Series such as Bayonetta are exclusive to Nintendo platforms through licensing agreements, with the intellectual property being owned by Sega. Other series such as Cruis'n, although owned by Nintendo, are often not published as Nintendo products, being associated more closely with Midway Games and Raw Thrills. New franchises are often created at the beginning of a console's lifespan as experimental titles, with one of the most recent successful Nintendo series being Splatoon. When creating new video games at Nintendo, gameplay mechanics are conceptualized first, with a pre-established franchise chosen to best fit the desired game, otherwise creating a new franchise to suit the gameplay. Some of Nintendo's franchises have sold over 100 million copies total, including The Legend of Zelda series, the Wii series, and the Pokémon series. With over 763 million copies sold as of 2025, their largest video game franchise is Mario. Nintendo has also created some of the longest-running video game franchises, with the first Game & Watch handheld system created in 1980, and Donkey Kong created in 1981.

List of Nintendo video game franchises

FranchiseDescriptionInitial entryLatest entry
1080° SnowboardingA series of snowboarding video games released for the Nintendo 64 and GameCube.1998, 1080° Snowboarding2003, 1080° Avalanche
Animal CrossingA series of social simulation games where the player creates a character and interacts anthropomorphic residents to customize their home and village.2001, Animal Crossing2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Another CodeA point-and-click adventure game series where players, as a teenage girl named Ashley Mizuki Robins, navigate through 3D environments to solve puzzles.2005, Another Code: Two Memories2024, Another Code: Recollection
Art AcademyA series of edutainment games that provide training simulations aimed to teach players to draw.2009, Art Academy2016, Disney Art Academy
Art StyleA successor to the bit Generations series released on DSiWare and WiiWare.2006, Orbient2010, Rotozoa
Balloon FightA series of side-scrolling action games where the player maneuvers a floating character with two balloons strapped to their head through levels.1985, VS. Balloon Fight2007, Tingle's Balloon Fight
Big Brain AcademyA series of puzzle video games that contain many minigames aimed to test, score, and improve a player's intellect.2005, Big Brain Academy2021, Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
bit GenerationsA series of seven simple Game Boy Advance games that focus on replay-ability that were released in two sets across 2006.2006, Dotstream, Boundish, and Dialhex2006, Coloris, Orbient, Digidrive and Soundvoyager
BoxBoy!A series of puzzle-platform games starring square-shaped characters who are able to create lines of adjacent boxes from their bodies to help navigate through short levels.2015, BoxBoy!2019, BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
Brain AgeSimilar to Big Brain Academy, the series focuses on completing minigames designed to help improve one's mental processes.2005, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!2019, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
Chibi-Robo!A series of puzzle platformers where players maneuver a small robot through levels, ranging from a family's home to various outdoor environments.2005, Chibi-Robo!2015, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash
Clubhouse GamesA series of minigame collections, featuring a variety of simple card games, board games, sport video games.2005, Clubhouse Games2020, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
Custom RoboA series of action role-playing games where the player builds and customizes robots that are maneuvered and fought in enclosed arenas.1999, Custom Robo2006, Custom Robo Arena
Daigasso! Band BrothersA rhythm-based music video game series of two games, one Japan-only, and another only released in Japan and Europe.2004, Daigasso! Band Brothers2013, Daigassou! Band Brothers P
Detective PikachuAn adventure game sub-series of the Pokémon franchise focusing on the player solving mysteries with a gruff-talking Pikachu.2016, Detective Pikachu2023, Detective Pikachu Returns
DillonA series of action-adventure/tower defense games where the player controls an armadillo who shoots guns to defeat enemies and defend towns from enemies.2012, Dillon's Rolling Western2018, Dillon's Dead-Heat Breakers
Donkey KongA long-running series of video games involving Nintendo's Donkey Kong character.1981, Donkey Kong2025, Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong CountryA sub-series of platformers in the Donkey Kong franchise, in which Donkey Kong and his friends fight against invading threats to their jungle home.1994, Donkey Kong Country2025, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Donkey KongaA sub-series of rhythm-based music video games in the Donkey Kong franchise that involve using bongo drums as a controller.2003, Donkey Konga2005, Donkey Konga 3
Dr. MarioA sub-series of falling block puzzle game in the Mario franchise.1990, Dr. Mario2019, Dr. Mario World
EarthBound / MotherA series of turn-based role-playing games known as Mother in of Japan and Earthbound outside of Japan.1989, Mother2006, Mother 3
Elite Beat Agents / OuendanA series of rhythm-based music video games where the player helps encourage people through dancing in the vein of Japanese cheering squads.2005, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan2007, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
Endless OceanA series of scuba diving simulation games.2007, Endless Ocean2024, Endless Ocean Luminous
ExcitebikeA series of motocross racing games. Initial entries involved motorbikes, while later entries expanded to various other four-wheel vehicles and animal-inspired robots.1984, Excitebike2009, Excitebike: World Rally
Famicom Detective ClubA series of mystery visual novels where the player character solves murders as an assistant detective at the Utsugi Detective Agency.1988, Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha2024, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
Fire EmblemA long-running series of tactical role-playing video games taking place in a medieval fantasy world.1990, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light2023, Fire Emblem Engage
Fossil FightersA role playing video game series where the player unearths dinosaur fossils and revives them to do battle.2008, Fossil Fighters2014, Fossil Fighters: Frontier
F-ZeroA series of futuristic racing games featuring high-speed hovercraft.1990, F-Zero2023, F-Zero 99
Game & WatchA series of simple minigames, originally released on dedicated handhelds, and later expanding into compiled into minigame compilations called Game & Watch Gallery.1980, Game & Watch: Ball2021, Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda
Golden SunA series of JRPGs following a group of magically-attuned people called "adepts" as they contend with the return of alchemy.2001, Golden Sun2010, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Hotel DuskA point-and-click adventure game series starring a N.Y.P.D. detective-turned-salesman as he investigates mysteries around Los Angeles.2007, Hotel Dusk: Room 2152010, Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
Ken Griffey Jr. BaseballA series of Nintendo published baseball games focusing on baseball player Ken Griffey Jr.1994, Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball1999, Ken Griffey Jr.'s Slugfest
Kid IcarusA series of action video games set in a fictional Greco-Roman world, starring an angel named Pit as he accomplishes tasks for the goddess Palutena.1986, Kid Icarus2012, Kid Icarus: Uprising
KirbyA series of platformer games starring Kirby, with later entries spinning off into various other genre as well. Entries are generally simple in nature, developed more for beginners and people of all-ages.1992, Kirby's Dream Land2025, Kirby Air Riders
KururinA series of maze navigation puzzle games starring Kururin, piloting a helicopter and completing levels to rescue his family.2001, Kuru Kuru Kururin2004, Kururin Squash!
The Legendary StarfyA series of platformers where the player controls a small star character, many releases relegated to Japan-only.2002, Densetsu no Starfy2008, The Legendary Starfy
The Legend of ZeldaAn action-adventure video game series following different incarnations of a warrior and magical princess, Link and namesake of the series Princess Zelda, respectively, as they defend Hyrule and other lands from evil, usual at the hands of the vile Ganon.1986, The Legend of Zelda2024, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Luigi's MansionA sub-series of action-adventure games in the Mario franchise starring Mario's brother, Luigi, as he explores haunted locales.2001, Luigi's Mansion2019, Luigi's Mansion 3
Mario BaseballA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series competing in baseball games.2005, Mario Superstar Baseball2008, Mario Super Sluggers
Mario GolfA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series competing in golf.1999, Mario Golf2021, Mario Golf: Super Rush
Mario KartA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series racing in go karts.1992, Super Mario Kart2025, Mario Kart World
Mario PartyA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series competing in board games and minigames.1998, Mario Party2024, Super Mario Party Jamboree
Mario StrikersA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series competing in a contact sport variant of soccer.2005, Super Mario Strikers2022, Mario Strikers: Battle League
Mario TennisA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving characters from the series competing in tennis.1995, Mario's Tennis2018, Mario Tennis Aces
Mario vs. Donkey KongA series of puzzle platformers where Mario, or toy versions thereof, is maneuvered through small levels.2004, Mario vs. Donkey Kong2024, Mario vs. Donkey Kong (remake)
Mario & LuigiA series of turn-based role-playing video games where both Mario and Luigi are concurrently controlled by the player.2003, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga2024, Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic GamesA crossover between the Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog series where characters from each compete in minigames themed around the Olympic Games.2007, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games2019, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
MetroidA series of platform adventure games featuring Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is frequently hired to subdue intergalactic threats.1986, Metroid2021, Metroid Dread
Metroid PrimeA sub-series of the Metroid franchise where its core gameplay is adapted to 3D space from a first person perspective.2002, Metroid Prime2025, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
NES RemixA series of video games that take small excerpts of NES games and rework them into smaller minigames and new challenges.2013, NES Remix2014, Ultimate NES Remix
NintendogsA series of real-time pet simulation video games where players interact and train dogs, and in later entries, cats.2005, Nintendogs2011, Nintendogs + Cats
Paper MarioA sub-series of the Mario franchise where characters are flat like a sheet of paper in 3D space. Varying levels of role-playing video game elements are present across entries.2000, Paper Mario2024, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (remake)
PicrossA series of puzzle video games involving solving nonogram puzzles, many being crossovers with various media franchises, including those owned by Nintendo. Later entries would be self-published by developer Jupiter Corporation.1995, Mario's Picross2025, Picross S: Capcom Classics Edition and Picross S: SNK Classics & NEOGEO Edition
PikminA series of real-time strategy games where the player explores an Earth-like planet with aid of the titular plant-like creatures, collecting items and fighting various fauna.2001, Pikmin2023, Pikmin 4
PilotwingsA series of flight simulation video games, often with characters using jet packs or hang gliders.1990, Pilotwings2011, Pilotwings Resort
PokémonA long-running role-playing video game series involving the collection, fighting, and trading of creatures called "Pokemon".1996, Pokémon Red and Blue2025, Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Pokémon Mystery DungeonA roguelike sub-series in the Pokémon franchise, wherein the player takes the role of a Pokémon and navigates through dungeons.2005, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team2020, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
Pokémon Trading Card GameA video game adaption of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.1998, Pokémon Trading Card Game2024, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Punch-Out!!A series of single-player boxing video games with a focus on pattern recognition, where the player assumes the role of a young Bronxite who aims to become champion of the World Video Boxing Association.1984, Punch-Out!!2009, Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!
PushmoA series of puzzle platformer games where the player must navigate giant block structures to rescue the children trapped within.2011, Pushmo2015, Stretchmo
Puzzle League / Panel de PonA series of tile-matching puzzle video games.1995, Tetris Attack2007, Planet Puzzle League
Rhythm HeavenA series of rhythm-based music video games produced by musician Tsunku♂.2006, Rhythm Tengoku2015, Rhythm Heaven Megamix
SplatoonA series of third-person shooters focused around teenagers using colorful paintball gun-like weapons in turf wars, with a large focus on online multiplayer gameplay.2015, Splatoon2022, Splatoon 3
Star FoxA long-running series of rail shooter games starring the titular group of mercenaries led by Fox McCloud.1993, Star Fox2017, Star Fox 2
StarTropicsA series of action-adventure video games starring a teenager from Seattle as he helps his archaeologist uncle defend a group of alien refugees from the warlord chasing them.1990, StarTropics1994, Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
Steel DiverA submarine simulation game where the player is part of a secret military force created to combat a hostile nation that has invaded its neighboring countries.2011, Steel Diver2014, Steel Diver: Sub Wars
Style SavvyA fashion simulation video game where players manage their own clothing stores, dress up their avatars and compete in contests.2008, Style Savvy2017, Style Savvy: Styling Star
Super MarioA long-running series of platformers starring Nintendo's mascot Mario and a variety of other characters from the series.1985, Super Mario Bros.2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario MakerA sub-series of the Super Mario series focusing on the creation, sharing, and playing of user-created 2D platformer levels.2015, Super Mario Maker2019, Super Mario Maker 2
Super Smash Bros.A platform fighting game series that crosses over a variety of Nintendo franchises, with third party characters from other companies added in later entries.1999, Super Smash Bros.2018, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
TingleA sub-series of The Legend of Zelda series that focuses on the quirky character Tingle, a grown man who believes he is a fairy.2006, Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland2009, Dekisugi Tingle Pack
TomodachiA series of social simulation games involving Nintendo's Mii character avatars, where the player creates a community of Miis and watches them interact with each other, form relationships, and partake in various scenarios.2009, Tomodachi Collection2013, Tomodachi Life
WarioA sub-series of the Mario franchise revolving around the character Wario, with its mainline entries generally playing as a platformer.1994, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 32008, Wario Land: Shake It!
WarioWareA sub-series of the Wario and sub-series of the Mario franchise involving playing extremely quick and short minigames referred to as "microgames".2003, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!2023, WarioWare: Move It!
WarsA long-running series of military-themed turn-based strategy games.1988, Famicom Wars2023, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Wave RaceA series of racing video games focused on driving personal watercraft.1992, Wave Race2001, Wave Race: Blue Storm
WiiA series of minigame compilations focused around motion controls, including the Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Wii Play, and Wii Party sub-series.2006, Wii Sports2022, Nintendo Switch Sports
Wii FitA sub-series of the Wii video game series that focuses on tracking physical fitness through use of the Wii Balance Board.2007, Wii Fit2013, Wii Fit U
Wii PartyA sub-series of the Wii video game series that focuses on board games and minigames similar to the Mario Party series.2010, Wii Party2013, Wii Party U
Wii SportsA sub-series of the Wii video game series that focuses on a collection of sports video games.2006, Wii Sports2022, Nintendo Switch Sports
Xenoblade ChroniclesA series of action role-playing games that serve as a continuation of the larger Xeno metaseries, with a focus on open world exploration.2010, Xenoblade Chronicles2025, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
YoshiA sub-series of the Mario franchise involving platformers with Yoshi as the primary playable character. Other entries in the series include puzzle games themed around Yoshi.1991, Yoshi2019, Yoshi's Crafted World

See also


References


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franchises
Category:Lists of video game franchises