List of Nintendo franchises

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This article lists Nintendo series with at least two installments excluding ports.

Produced or directed by Nintendo

The series below are owned or partly owned by Nintendo.

1080° series

1080 series logo

Main article: 1080° series

A series of snowboarding games based on the extreme sports genre with two installments — 1080° Snowboarding and 1080° Avalanche.

Animal Crossing series

Main article: Animal Crossing series

A series of games based on the life of a villager who lives in a town with animals.

Another Code series

Main article: Another Code series

A point and click adventure in which the player must collect clues and solve puzzles. The first game in the series is known in North America as Trace Memory.

Art Academy series

Main article: Art Academy series

A series of games where players are taught art lessons.

Art Style series / bit Generations series

Main article: Art Style series

A series of games that replicate the style of early video games with simple graphics and sound. Originally released as a series of Japan-only games called bit Generations for the Game Boy Advance, the series evolved into a series of downloadable games for DSiWare and WiiWare.

Balloon Fight series

Main article: Balloon Fight series

A Joust inspired series of games and one of Nintendo's oldest series. The player must control a player character usually attached to balloons. In the original Balloon Fight, the player must defeat enemy Balloon Fighters to clear stages and gain points. In Balloon Kid (and its Japanese equivalent Balloon Fight GB), the player must control a girl called Alice and help her save her brother Jim.

BattleClash series

Main article: BattleClash series

A series of games that require the Super Scope where the player has to battle giant battle mechs.

Big Brain Academy series

Main article: Big Brain Academy series

A series of edutainment games hosted by "Dr. Lobe", where players solve puzzles to test their "Brain Weight".

Brain Age series

Main article: Brain Age series

A series of edutainment games hosted by Dr. Kawashima developed in conjunction with Tohoku University. Players test their "Brain Age" by solving puzzles such as mental arithmetic problems.

Calciobit series

Main article: Calciobit series

A series of two Japan-only soccer management games. The first was a late Game Boy Advance title in 2006 and the latest is Pocket Soccer League: Calciobit for Nintendo 3DS.

Card Hero series

Main article: Card Hero series

A series of card-battle games developed by Intelligent Systems that were only released in Japan.

Chalien series

Main article: Chalien series

A series of games starring Chaliens (Chailiens in Japan) developed by Creatures. Chaliens are a species of aliens shortened from "Chitchai Alien" (Japanese: ちっちゃいエイリアン), meaning "tiny aliens".

Chess and card series

Main article: Chess and card series

A cancelled series of iQue DS games for the Chinese market, developed by Shénqú and published by iQue/Nintendo in 2005. They would have been available online using the cancelled NetCard in the Game Boy Advance slot.^[1]

Chibi-Robo! series

Main article: Chibi-Robo series

A series of video games starring Chibi-Robo; a small robot that originally helped protect a house against burglars. His role changed to becoming a service robot with the goal of making everyone happy.

Classic Books series

Main article: Classic Books series

A series of games that compile various books in digital format.

Clu Clu Land series

Main article: Clu Clu Land series

A puzzle game starring Bubbles, a red spherical character who can only travel in a straight line. The title of this game is derived from Kuru kuru, Japanese onomatopoeia for going round and round. Bubbles has to stick out her arms to grab Turning Posts to change direction. The objective of Clu Clu Land is to reveal all the gold bars in a stage to form a picture. An expanded version of the game was released in the form of Vs. Clu Clu Land and Clu Clu Land for the Famicom Disk System (called Clu Clu Land D in Animal Crossing).

Cooking Navi series

Main article: Cooking Navi series

A series of interactive cooking guides that provide written and spoken instructions on preparing dishes.

Crosswords series

Main article: Crosswords series

A series of crossword games. The first game in the series, CrossworDS was released in 2008 in Japan and North America. In 2009, an enhanced version called Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection was released in Europe. In 2012, a sequel for the Nintendo 3DS was released, called Crosswords Plus.

Culdcept series

Main article: Culdcept series

A series of turn-based strategy games developed by Omiya Soft. Nintendo acquired a proportion of the copyright to the game with the release of Culdcept for the Nintendo 3DS.

Custom Robo series

Main article: Custom Robo series

A series of games where the player builds a robot and uses it to battle against other robots to win parts to power up their robot further.

Dillon's Rolling Western series

Main article: Dillon's Rolling Western series

A series of action and tower-defense games starring Dillon the armadillo ranger.

Donkey Kong series

Main article: Donkey Kong series

A large series of games starring Donkey Kong, an ape who originally kidnapped Pauline, Jumpman (Mario)'s original girlfriend. One of Nintendo's earliest series.

Doshin the Giant series

Main article: Doshin the Giant series

A god simulation game starring the Doshin the Love Giant or his evil counterpart Jashin the Hate Giant, who has the aim of pleasing the villagers or bringing destruction. The original game was released for the Nintendo 64DD and was remade for the Nintendo GameCube. There is a counterpart to the Nintendo 64DD version called Doshin the Giant Kaihou Sensen Chibikko Chikko Dai Shuugou.

Duck Hunt series

Main article: Duck Hunt series

A game where the player shoots ducks with the NES Zapper. An alternative version called Vs. Duck Hunt was released with an exclusive bonus stage.

Electroplankton series

Main article: Electroplankton series

A game where the player touches tiny plankton to create music. Each music utility from the game was also released separately on DSiWare.

Endless Ocean series

Main article: Endless Ocean series

A series of two games — Endless Ocean and Endless Ocean: Blue World, where the player explores the ocean and learns about different sea creatures. It is based on Arika's earlier Everblue series. The Endless Ocean series is known as "FOREVER BLUE" in Japan.

Excite series

Main article: Excitebike series

A series of motorbike racing game that has also had an installment with trucks called Excite Truck and an installment with animal-themed robots called Excite Bots: Trick Racing. It is one of Nintendo's earliest series.

F-1 Race series

Main article: F-1 Race series

A series of racing games. It is one of Nintendo's earliest series.

F-Zero series

Main article: F-Zero series

A series of high-speed futuristic racing games.

Face Training series

Main article: Face Training series

A game meant to exercise the face developed in collaboration with Fumiko Inudo. While the original Japanese release included an external camera, the European release is a Nintendo DSi exclusive that makes use of the system's cameras. A series of miniature "Facening" exercises were released in five parts of DSiWare.

Famicom Mukashi Banashi series

Main article: Famicom Mukashi Banashi series

A series of text adventure games based on Japanese fairytales. There are two series, Famicom Mukashi Banashi: Shin Onigashima and Famicom Mukashi Banashi: Yūyūki. Shin Onigashima received a new game for the Nintendo Power service called Heisei: Shin Onigashima (literally Peace: New Onigashima), in which previously untold stories are revealed.

Famicom Grand Prix series

Main article: Famicom Grand Prix series

A series of racing games that featured Mario (and Luigi in the sequel) on the front cover although they are not seen in game. Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed in an interview on the Nintendo website that the main character for Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally was intended to be Mario, however.

Famicom Tantei Club series

Main article: Famicom Tantei Club series

A series of two text-adventure detective games for the Famicom Disk System. The second installment called Famicom Tantei Club: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shoujo is a prequel to the first and had an enhanced remake for the Nintendo Power service for Super Famicom.

Famicom Sports series

Famicom Sports series logo

Main article: Famicom Sports series

A series of sports games for the Famicom, although some have been released on other consoles.

Fire Emblem series

Main article: Fire Emblem series

A series of turn-based strategy games based around Medieval times developed by Intelligent Systems.

Flipnote Studio series

Main article: Flipnote Studio series

A series of free applications for DSiWare (Flipnote Studio) and Nintendo 3DS Download Software (Ugoku Memochō 3D) that allow users to create frame-by-frame flipbook style animations.

Fluidity series

Main article: Fluidity series

A series of puzzle games where the player has to tilt a puddle of water. The series is known in Europe as Hydroventure. The latest game in the series, Fluidity: Spin Cycle was released as "Gurotto Splash!" in Japan.

Fossil Fighters series

Main article: Fossil Fighters series

A series of games where players must revive dinosaurs known as "Vivosaurs" and use them in battle to become the best Fossil Fighter.

Freakyforms series

Main article: Freakyforms series

A game where players create characters known as "Formees", control them and interact with other Formees originally released for Nintendo 3DS Download Software. An enhanced version called Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! was later released as a standard retail game.

Game & Watch series

Main article: Game & Watch series

Before the release of the Game Boy, Nintendo released stand-alone portable LCD games called Game & Watches that also featured an alarm and clock. These games continued until 1991. A sub-series of games which were called Game & Watch Gallery, apart from the Europe-only game Game Boy Gallery were released for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. Two Club Nintendo rewards called Game & Watch Collection and Game & Watch Collection 2 were released for Nintendo DS. Between July 2009 and April 2010, nine separate Game & Watch ports were released for DSiWare.

Glory of Heracles series

Main article: Glory of Heracles series

A series of games set in the world of Greek mythology with Heracles as the title character. This series was originally owned by Data East, however, the company went bankrupt. The company Paon was formed from former Data East staff and developed the latest game in the series, Glory of Heracles. Both Nintendo and Paon own a share to the copyright of the game.

Golden Sun series

Main article: Golden Sun series

A series of fantasy role-playing games developed by Camelot Software Planning.

Hajimari no Mori series

Main article: Hajimari no Mori series

A text adventure story also part of the Bunko (Books) series. It is about a nameless boy from the village who was going to take a train to see his grandfather, but decides to explore the forest instead, where he encounters a mysterious girl.

Only one game in the series was released; Famicom Bunko: Hajimari no Mori for Super Famicom via the Nintendo Power cartridge service, however a Game Boy Color port was also in the works called Game Boy Bunko: Hajimari no Mori.

Hogan's Alley series

Main article: Hogan's Alley series

A game where the player has to shoot cardboard cutouts of criminals using the light gun. The Nintendo VS System version, Vs. Hogan's Alley combines both Game A and Game B and is faster.

Ice Climber series

Main article: Ice Climber series

A game where the player control an ice climber called Popo to climb a mountain. Another player can play as Nana to climb the mountain with player one. The Nintendo Vs. System and Famicom Disk System versions are considerably different and feature bee enemies, windstorms like in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, a menu for selecting stages and Super Bonus Stages. There is also a butterfly that appears in Vs. Ice Climber.

Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No. 1 series

Main article: Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No. 1 series

A series of fishing games created by Shigesato Itoi.

Jam with the Band series

Main article: Jam with the Band series

A series of rhythm-action games, starring Barbara the Bat. The game was originally in development as Pocket Music, before being first released as Daigassou! Band Brothers in Japan.

Joushiki Ryoku series

Main article: Joushiki Ryoku series

A series of problem solving games where players train their common knowledge.

Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru series

Main article: Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru series

An adventure game for the Game Boy starring the Prince of Sabure and Prince Richard of the Custard Kingdom. An enhanced remake was planned for the Game Boy Color but was cancelled.

Kid Icarus series

Main article: Kid Icarus series

A series starring an angel named "Pit". The original two games are platformers but the latest, Kid Icarus: Uprising focuses more on exploration and combat and has rail-shooter elements.

Kirby series

Main article: Kirby series

A series of mainly platformer games, starring a round pink character called Kirby. It is one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises. There are also non-platformer spin-off titles.

Kururin series

Main article: Kururin series

A series of games where players must navigate a spinning helicopter known as a "Helirin" across a maze without damaging it.

Kyle Hyde series

Main article: Kyle Hyde series

A series of mystery games starring Kyle Hyde, a former detective.

The Legend of Zelda series

Main article: The Legend of Zelda series

A series of mainly action-adventure games starring Link, a warrior from Hyrule. It is one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises.

The Legendary Starfy series

Starfy series logo

Main article: Starfy series

A series of games starring Starfy; the prince of Pufftop who has traits of both a starfish and a celestial star. The games have platforming elements and some of the gameplay is set underwater. The genres of the games are officially known as "Marine Action" games in Japan.

Maboshi's Arcade series

Main article: Maboshi's Arcade series

A series of puzzle games. The original game in the series, Maboshi's Arcade, known in Europe as "MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade" features three games, Circle (Japanese: まる, Maru), Stick (Japanese: ぼう, Bou) and Square (Japanese: しかく, Shikaku). The Japanese names for the games is where the title "Maboshi" is derived from. The DSiWare title Flametail is an expanded version of the Square game from Maboshi's Arcade.

Mach Rider series

Main article: Mach Rider series

A motorbiking game, where the protagonist Mach Rider must reach a goal within a time limit. There are two Nintendo Vs. System versions; the "Fighting Course" and "Endurance Course" versions, which both feature faster gameplay.

Magical Starsign / Magical Vacation series

Main article: Magical Starsign series

A series of role-playing games that tell the stories of students at the Will O'Wisp magical academy.

Magnetica series

Main article: Magnetica series

A series of puzzle games based on Mitchell Corporation's Puzz Loop game.

Mario series

Main article: Super Mario series

A large series of games starring the plumber Mario and often his brother Luigi. Traditionally, the games have been platformers but Mario has starred in many other genres such as sports games, party games and role-playing games. It is perhaps Nintendo's most iconic franchise.

Marvelous series

Main article: Marvelous series

A series of games based on three boys who explore an island previously inhabited by pirates. In addition to the original game, there were two SoundLink Marvelous games for the Satellaview, with BS Marvelous: Camp Arnold as a direct sequel to Marvelous: Mouhitotsu no Takarajima.

Master of Illusion series

Main article: Master of Illusion series

A series of games that teach players how to perform magic tricks.

Metroid series

Main article: Metroid series

A series based on the adventures of the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran.

Monthly Crossword House series

Main article: Monthly Crossword House series

A series of Japan-only monthly crossword puzzles for DSiWare released in six volumes.

Earthbound/Mother series

Main article: EarthBound series

A series of role-playing games mostly set in the modern day, noted for it's combination of humor, scariness, and strangeness. Also known for it's writing by Shigesato Itoi.

Nintendogs series

Main article: Nintendogs series

A series where players look after and play with dogs (and cats in the sequel, Nintendogs + Cats).

Ouendan series

Main article: Ouendan series

A series of rhythm games starring the Ouendan, a cheer squad who encourage people to overcome their problems through dancing and singing. A spiritual sequel called Elite Beat Agents was released for an overseas audience.

Picross series

Main article: Picross series

A series of puzzle games, with a name derived from "picture" and "crossword", where players have to form a picture by filling in blocks with numbers on a grid to help them logically deduce which blocks to fill in.

PictureBook Games series

Main article: PictureBook Games series

A series of games that consists of PictureBook Games: Pop-Up Pursuit, a boardgames played with paper cut-out characters and PictureBook Games: The Royal Bluff, a card game played with 2-4 players.

Pikmin series

Main article: Pikmin series

A series of real-time strategy games starring Pikmin, small plant-like creatures.

Pilotwings series

Main article: Pilotwings series

An aerial training simulator series.

Pinball series

Main article: Pinball series

A classic series of Nintendo pinball games.

Play Action Football series

Main article: Play Action Football series

A series of football games released only in North America.

Pushmo / Crashmo series

Main article: Pushmo series

A series of block puzzle games starring Mallo.

Tabi no Yubisashi Kaiwa Chou DS series

Main article: Tabi no Yubisashi Kaiwa Chou DS series

A series of five reference guides to help Japanese travelers, including phrasebooks and translations of certain words.

Pokémon series

Main article: Pokémon series

A large franchise owned by Game Freak, Nintendo, Creatures and The Pokémon Company about monsters known as Pokémon, shortened from Pocket Monsters. Traditionally, trainers have to use Pokémon to battle with other Pokémon Trainers but other sub-series have the player battling in other ways or not battling at all.

Polarium series

Main article: Polarium series

A series of puzzle games where the player has to turn a grid of black and white tiles completely black or white by turning tiles over.

Punch-Out!! series

Main article: Punch-Out!! series

A series of boxing games, often where the player has to exploit a weakness in their opponent.

Puzzle League series

Main article: Puzzle League series

A series of puzzle games, known in Japan as Panel de Pon, where players have to match up blocks.

R.O.B. series

Main article: R.O.B. series

A series of games based on the R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy), consisting of Stack-Up and Gyromite. It is also known as the Robot series.

Rhythm Heaven series

Main article: Rhythm Heaven series

A series of music-based minigames, also known as Rhythm Paradise series in Europe.

Sin & Punishment series

Main article: Sin and Punishment series

A series of rail-shooter games.

Space Fever series

Main article: Space Fever series

A very early series of arcade games similar to Taito's Space Invaders. A minigame called Space Fever II was also included in the Game Boy Camera.

Sparkle Snapshots series

Main article: Sparkle Snapshots series

A series of photography applications where players can manipulate photos aimed at a female audience.

Star Fox series

Main article: Star Fox series

A series of games starring the Star Fox team, who have a duty of saving the the Lylat System. Most of the games involve controlling the Arwings in space or Landmaster, but Star Fox Adventures was more of an action adventure game similar to The Legend of Zelda series.

StarTropics series

Main article: StarTropics series

A series of adventure games starring Mike Jones, whose uncle Dr. Steve Jones is a famous archaeologist.

Style Savvy series

Main article: Style Savvy series

A series of fashion games known in Europe as Style Boutique and in Japan as Girls Mode, aimed at a female audience, where the player can work on a shop and try out different clothes and accessories.

Super Smash Bros. series

Main article: Super Smash Bros. series

A series of fighting games mainly featuring different characters from Nintendo owned franchises.

Sutte Hakkun series

Main article: Sutte Hakkun series

An action puzzle game originally introduced on the Satellaview starring a colorless blob with a needle nose. Four unique versions, with all but two released as a Satellaview broadcast were released.

ThruSpace series

Main article: ThruSpace series

A series of games where the player must control a series of blocks and rotate them so that they can fit in gaps.

Tomodachi Collection series

Main article: Tomodachi Collection series

A series of life simulation games featuring Miis.

True Swing Golf series

Main article: True Swing Golf series

A series of golf games, also known as Nintendo Touch Golf in Europe where the player physically moves the club using the stylus instead of making use of the power bars used in other golf games.

Wario series

Main article: Wario series

A series of games starring Wario, Mario's rival.

Wars series

Main article: Wars series

A series of strategy games that began on the Famicom.

Wave Race series

Main article: Wave Race series

A series of jet ski racing games.

Wii series

Main article: Wii series

A series of family games on the Wii, often featuring Miis.

Wild Gunman series

Main article: Wild Gunman series

A very early series of games where the player uses their reflexes to shoot an enemy faster than they shoot them. It began as an arcade game in 1974 before a game of the same name inspired by the original arcade title was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Nintendo Vs. System.

Yoshi series

Main article: Yoshi series

A series of games starring Yoshi or Yoshis, a species of dinosaur.

X series

Main article: X series

A series of games where the player controls a space tank called VIXIV to clear missions in an alien world. The original game in the series, X, was released only in Japan for the Game Boy on May 29, 1992 and featured 3D graphics consisting of polygons. A sequel to the original X was released called X-Scape (3D Space Tank in Europe and X-RETURNS in Japan), set after the original pilot of VIXIV underwent cryo-sleep.