Why has it been over two months since the last article? I’m not sure, but as usual I have written a bunch of scraps of lists but not finished or posted anything. Well, this one is long enough to post, so I finished it up and here it is. Hopefully it is interesting.
Why did I write this up? I’m not sure, I was just interested to compare how many main series Mario and Zelda games Nintendo has made on each console. I was thinking about how game development has slowed down a lot over the last few decades, but Nintendo’s slowed down well before that; the Mario series was at a quit slow release cadence after the 1990, and Zelda has always been somewhat sporadic. So, yeah, I do think looking at this in a list is interesting. Ever since the early ’90s, Nintendo has taken their time with both of their main franchises, and they still are. Development may have slowed a bit, but it doesn’t seem as bad with Nintendo as with a lot of other game developers. Just look at the list below — the rate of title releases aren’t that much slower than they used to be, not for Nintendo. Nintendo has been taking their time to make sure their games are as great as possible for a long time now.
Opening Notes
The below list contains the total number of new main-series titles in each franchise. That may sound simple, but it isn’t. What counts? In such a long-running and popular pair of franchises as these are, that isn’t an easy question to answer.
What definitely counts? For Mario platformers, and for Zelda action-adventure games. Those games count. I will list remakes or re-releases separately, but they aren’t entirely new so they are a lesser category. As for spinoff games, they are not the main point of this list. I will list at least some but if I miss any, oh well. The major spinoff genres for mario are sports, racing, and puzzle, and for zelda hack & slash action. This leaves two more qualifiers: what about separate series that started out connected to these franchises but then became their own things? I think that Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island aren’t main series Mario games; the Mario names are just on them to increase sales.
However, I decided that the Donkey Kong and Mario vs. Donkey Kong platform-puzzle games do count towards this list. The later puzzle-only Mario vs. Donkey Kong games are spinoffs, but the platformers? You play as Mario in a game made by Nintendo and are platforming. Close enough.
What about the CD-i and PC/NES/SNES edutainment games that Nintendo licensed out but did not develop or publish itself? I would call those spinoffs, even though some are in the main genres. Nintendo had no direct control over their development.
With that said, for main-series, excluding edge cases or spinoffs or re-releases or ports or enhanced remakes but including full new games bundled with a port of an old one, this is what they made on each platform:
(The years in parenthesis are the years the games in these franchises released in, not the systems’ full lifespans.)
Please note: for multiplatform titles I count them here towards the older of the consoles they released on.
New Titles Only: The Short List
Arcade – 2 new Mario, 0 new Zelda (1981-1983)
NES/FDS – 4 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (1983-1988)
GB – 3 new Mario, 1 new Zelda (1989-1994)
SNES/Satellaview – 1 new Mario, 1 new Zelda (1990-1991)
VB – 1 new Mario, 0 new Zelda (1995)
N64 – 1 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (1996-2000)
GBC – 0 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (2001)
GBA – 1 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (2002-2004)
GC – 1 new Mario, 3 new Zelda (2002-2006)
DS – 2 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (2006-2009)
Wii – 3 new Mario, 1 new Zelda (2007-2011)
3DS/N3DS – 3 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (2011-2016)
Wii U – 3 new Mario, 1 new Zelda (2012-2017)
Switch – 3 new Mario, 2 new Zelda (2019-2024)
Switch 2 – so far 0 new Mario or Zelda games (N/A)
Most Titles (For Nintendo Platforms): The Complete List
Note: The listed years are for the games that the main titles in the New category released in. These are not the full lifespans of the platform, and do not include years when spinoffs released before or after the listed years. I will list most spinoffs, but they don’t count towards the main point of this article, titles that count towards the short list at the top.
Arcade (1981-1983)
—
Mario
—–
New: 2 or 3 (Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., and perhaps also Donkey Kong Jr. if you count it)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Vs. Super Mario Bros.)
Note: After this Donkey Kong becomes a separate franchise except for Donkey Kong ’94 and the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games, which are the only other DK games starring Mario.
NES / Famicom (1983-1988)
—
Mario
—–
New: 3 (Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2 (U) (note, this is a version of the FDS game Doki Doki Panic), Super Mario Bros. 3)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 2 (Donkey Kong, Mario Bros.)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 4 ( Wrecking Crew, Dr. Mario, Yoshi, NES Open Tournament Golf)
Outside Licenses: 2 (Mario is Missing, Mario’s Time Machine)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (Legend of Zelda, Adventure of Link) (note: 2 wasn’t released on cart in Japan)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
Famicom Disk System [Japan-only NES/FC Addon] (1986-1987)
—
Mario
—–
New: 1 (Super Mario Bros. 2 (J)), unless you count Doki Doki Panic as a Mario game because it would become one, in which case 2
Remake/Enhancement: 2 (Kaettekita Mario Bros., All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.)
Port of older-gen title: 3 (DK, MB, SMB1)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 3-ish (Golf: Japan Course, Golf: US Course; these would be compiled into NES Open Tournament Golf for cartridge later, and perhaps you could also count I am a Teacher: Super Mario no Sweater)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (LoZ, AoL)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
Game Boy (1989-1994)
——–
—
Mario
—–
New: 3 + 1 (Super Mario Land SML2: Six Golden Coins, Donkey Kong [’94] and maybe SML3: Wario Land (note: Wario Land is a spinoff franchise which started out using the Mario name in its first title, but is different and would afterwards separate. I think counting it as a “+1” makes sense here.)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 2 (Yoshi, Dr. Mario) (both also on NES/SNES)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 1 (Link’s Awakening)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Link’s Awakening DX)
Port of older-gen title: 0
SNES / SFC (1990-1991, or 1990-1995)
—–
Please note: with the Super Game Boy the SNES can play all Game Boy games.
—–
Mario
—–
New: 1 + 1 (Super Mario World, and the +1 is SMW2: Yoshi’s Island, another game like Wario Land 1 which is a separate franchise that attached the Mario name to its first game but would afterwards drop it.)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 that is 4 (All-Stars vers of SMB1, 2J, 2U, 3)
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 5 (Super Mario Kart, Mario Paint, Yoshi’s Safari, Mario & Wario, Wrecking Crew ’98)
Outside Licenses: 5 (Mario is Missing, Mario’s Time Machine, Mario’s Early Years: Fun with Numbers, Mario’s Early Years: Fun with Letters, Mario’s Early Years: Preschool Fun)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 1 (Link to the Past)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
SNES Satellaview [Japan-only SNES addon] (1995-1997)
—————-
Mario
—–
New: 0
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (BS Super Mario USA Power Challenge)
Port of older-gen title: 3 (Dr. Mario, Mario Paint BS Version, BS Super Mario Collection)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 1 (Excitebike Bunbun Mario Battle Stadium)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 0
Remake/Enhancement: 3 (BS The Legend of Zelda, BS The Legend of Zelda MAP2, BS The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets — these all reuse the maps and dungeons from LoZ and LttP, respectively, but streamlined and with streaming audio and a timer among other changes. You could call these entirely new but I probably wouldn’t.)
Port of older-gen title: 0
Virtual Boy (1995)
———–
Mario
—–
New: 1 (Mario Clash) [this is effectively a sequel to Mario Bros.]
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 1 (Mario’s Tennis)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 0
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
Nintendo 64 (1996-2000)
———–
Mario
—–
New: 1 (Mario 64)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Mario 64 Rumble Edition (J Only))
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 8 (Mario Kart 64, Dr. Mario 64, Mario Party, Mario Party 2, Mario Party 3, Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Mario no Photopi)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Ocarina of Time: Master Quest, not released on cart on N64 but a finished title that can be played on real hardware)
Port of older-gen title: 0
Nintendo 64 Disk Drive [Japan-only N64 addon] (1999-2000)
———————-
Mario
—–
New: 0
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0 but kind of 1 (there is a disc version of Mario 64 that exists, though it wasn’t sold at retail)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 4 (Mario Artist: Polygon Studio, Mario Artist: Talent Studio, Mario Artist: Paint Studio, Mario Artist: Communication Kit)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 0 (OoT began development as a 64DD game, but was moved to cartridge)
Remake/Enhancement: 0 (but finished enhancements for OoT were eventually moved over to the Master Quest N64 rom first sold on Gamecube)
Port of older-gen title: 0
Game Boy Color (2001)
————–
Please note: The Game Boy Color plays all original Game Boy games.
——
Mario
—–
New: 0
Remake/Enhancement: 1 collection of 2 (Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, which contains all of Super Mario Bros. and most of Super Mario Bros. 2 (J) plus new added content)
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 2 (Mario Golf, Mario Tennis)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (on a GBC Link’s Awakening DX adds new content beyond just color)
Port of older-gen title: 0
Game Boy Advance (2002-2004)
—————-
Please note: The Game Boy Color plays all Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
——
Mario
—–
New: 1 (Mario vs. Donkey Kong)
Remake/Enhancement: 2+1 (SMB2, SMB3, and YI add new content to the ports, with new levels and more)
Port of older-gen title: 1 (SMW, does it add anything new?)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 6 (Mario Golf: Advance Tour, Mario Tennis: Power Tour, Mario Kart Super Circuit, Dr. Mario & Puzzle League, Mario Party Advance, Mario Pinball Land)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (Minish Cap, Four Swords) [note: Four Swords is multiplayer only and was packed in with the port of LttP.]
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 3 (LttP, LoZ, AoL)
Gamecube (2002-2006)
———
Please note: With the Game Boy Player the Gamecube can play all GB, GBC, and GBA games.
———
Mario
—–
New: 1 (Sunshine)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 1 (Dr. Mario 64 in Nintendo Puzzle Collection)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 10 (Mario’s Power Tennis, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario Superstar Baseball, Super Mario Strikers, Mario Party 4, Mario Party 5, Mario Party 6, Mario Party 7, Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 3 + 1 (or 4 if you prefer) (Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time: Master Quest, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess; the +1 is if you wish to exclude Master Quest due to it being a N64 rom on a GC disc running in an emulator, despite never being sold as an N64 game officially.)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 4 (LoZ, AoL, OoT, MM)
Nintendo DS (2006-2009)
———–
Please note: The Nintendo DS plays all Game Boy Advance games, though in single player only as there is no GBA link support.
—–
Mario
—–
New: 2 (New Super Mario Bros., Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Mario 64 DS)
Port of older-gen title: 0
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 5 (Mario Hoops: 3 on 3, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games, Mario Party DS, Mario Kart DS)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 0
Wii (2007-2011)
—
Please note: The Wii plays all Gamecube games.
—-
Mario
—–
New: 3 (Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Galaxy 2)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 9 (all of the major NES, SNES, & N64 Mario titles were on Virtual Console)
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 10 (Mario Kart Wii, Mario Party 8, Mario Power Tennis: New Play Control (GC port), Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Mario Strikers Charged, Mario Super Sluggers, Mario Sports Mix, Mario Party 9)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 1 (Skyward Sword)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: 6 (TP, and on Virtual Console all major NES, SNES, & N64 Zelda titles)
New Spinoff (Lightgun Shooter): 1 (Link’s Crossbow Training)
3DS (2011-2016)
—
Please note: The 3DS plays all Nintendo DS games.
—–
Mario
—–
New: 3 (3D Land, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: some on VC
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 9 or 10 (Mario Kart 7, Mario Party: Island Tour, Mario Party: Star Rush, Mario Party: The Top 100, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Mario Tennis Open, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games: Virtual Card Album (if you count this), Mario Golf: World Tour, Mario Sports Superstars, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (A Link Between Worlds, Triforce Heroes)
Remake/Enhancement: 0
Port of older-gen title: some on VC
New Spinoffs (Puzzle/Beat ’em Up Action): 2 (Hyrule Warriors, My Nintendo Picross – Twilight Princess)
New 3DS (None)
—
Please note: The New 3DS plays all DS and 3DS games.
—
Mario & Zelda
—
Ports of older-gen title: the SNES games on VC
Wii U (2012-2017)
—–
Please note: The Wii U plays all Wii games.
——-
Mario
—–
New: 3 (New Super Mario Bros. U, 3D World, Super Mario Maker)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (New Super Luigi U (addon for New Super Mario Bros. U)
Port of older-gen title: all main NES, SNES, N64, GB games on VC
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 5 (Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 1 (Breath of the Wild)
Remake/Enhancement: 2 (Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD)
Port of older-gen title: all main NES, SNES, N64, GB games on VC
New Spinoffs (Warriors): 1 (Hyrule Warriors)
Switch (2019-2024)
——
Mario
—–
New: 3 or 4 (Super Mario Maker 2, Odyssey, Wonder, and if you count it as a full game 3D World: Bowser’s Fury)
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (New Super Mario Bros. U) [or you could put Bowser’s Fury here]
Port of older-gen title: 2 that are 4 – 1 that is 3 (Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Mario 64, Sunshine, & Galaxy 1)) and 1 that is 2 (Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2) + all major NES, GB, SNES, N64, GBA titles on subscription service available while subscribed only
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 8 (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (enhanced port), Super Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Mario Tennis Aces, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Mario Strikers: Battle League)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 2 (TotK, EoW) [+ 2 in other genres – Crypt of the Necrodancer: Cadence of Hyrule, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]
Port of older-gen title: 0 + all major NES, GB, SNES, N64, GBA titles on subscription service available while subscribed only
Switch 2 (None)
——-
Please note: The Switch 2 plays all Switch games.
———
Mario
—–
New: 0 so far
Remake/Enhancement: 1 (Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park)
Port of older-gen title: 0 + all major NES, GB, SNES, N64, GBA titles on subscription service available while subscribed only
New Spinoffs (Sports/Racing/Puzzle): 3 so far (Mario Kart World, Mario Tennis Fever, Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV (port with new content)
—–
Zelda
—–
New: 0 so far [+ 1 in another genre for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment]
Remake/Enhancement: 2 (BotW Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, TotK Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Port of older-gen title: 0 + all major NES, GB, SNES, N64, GBA titles on subscription service available while subscribed only
Conclusion
In conclusion, in terms of volume of releases, Mario peaked on the NES and Zelda on the Gamecube. In terms of quality it is highly subjective, but most would probably pick systems with only one true Mario game each as the best in that franchise — the SNES or N64, that is. Still, NES Mario is still very highly beloved and for great reason, there isn’t much better out there than the NES Super Mario Bros. games! And yes, I am counting Mario 2 USA as a true Mario game. I think it deserves it.
For Zelda, the SNES or N64 are again the clear favorites, but the Gamecube is a pretty good answer as well. In retrospect the Zelda series started going downhill right after the Gamecube, it hasn’t been the same since. I like some post-Gamecube Zelda games, but it has not been great for Breath of the Wild haters like me, that’s for sure. Mario has held its quality better. In both its 2d and 3d forms, Mario games are still consistently great. The spinoff games are mixed in quality now, but they always have been. For spinoff games though, clearly the Gamecube is a high point, with a full 10 games. The GC is the only console with all four major Mario sports franchises represented with new titles. The Wii also has ten, but only because of the Mario & Sonic games, which aren’t as great as other spinoffs really. Everything else has fewer.
Regardless of opini9n, I hope that somebody finds this interesting. It did take a while for me to look up and write out.
