The 10 Most Nostalgic Nintendo Games To Play in 2026

Image via Nintendo Published Aug 28, 2026, 6:48 PM EDT Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts. Sign in to your Collider account Video games have drastically evolved since their first years, becoming grand spectacles and open-world sensations with titles such as Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, while modern games are great, some fans yearn for that new sense of wonder they first experienced in their childhood, when games were harder, more magical, and they didn't know anything about the story or actual gameplay before experiencing it. Nostalgia is a hell of a thing, but it just means that players had fond memories of gaming in their childhood, and no one does nostalgia as well as Nintendo, which seemed to be part of everyone's youth in some way. That is why this list will feature the most nostalgic Nintendo video games to play in 2026 based on gameplay, visuals, spectacle, innovation, popularity, music, fan opinion, vibe, collective memories, and overall quality. Nostalgia is different for everyone, which is why this list will include games from a variety of consoles, genres, and franchises. 'Super Smash Bros.' (1999) Image via Nintendo The N64 is one of the most Nostalgic Nintendo consoles, although that could be said about all of them. However, this piece of hardware introduced many new franchises, including Super Smash Bros. In this game, players can select from a handful of Nintendo characters and fight it out in a giant arena. From Mario to Donkey Kong to Kirby, gamers can battle any of their favorite characters. The series would evolve into something better in the future, but the first game is still arguably the most nostalgic. Simple yet enjoyable, Super Smash Bros. was a revolutionary concept that changed the way fighting games were played. Pitting childhood characters against one another from different franchises was a dream come true, and having Mario and Pikachu duel it out was a novel idea that shaped a lot of childhoods. 'Mario Party 6' (2004) Image via Nintendo Nintendo has a lot of new ways to put a new coat of paint on Mario, from racing games to RPG adventures to platformers and party games. Mario Party is a board game-type franchise where gamers travel around the board by rolling a die. By competing in mini-games to collect coins that they can buy stars with, the player with the most stars at the end of the game wins, but watch out for all the twists and turns. There are plenty of nostalgic Mario Party games, but the greatest ones all come from the GameCube, including Mario Party 6. It strikes the perfect balance of old-school and new-school with its mechanics and graphics. Mario Party 6 had more gimmicks, characters, and mini-games than ever before, adding plenty of great content to an already incredible formula, proving why it was one of the most fun Nintendo games and, in turn, nostalgic. 'Mario Kart Wii' (2008) Image via Nintendo Every Nintendo console is a nostalgic one depending on the generation fans grew up in, but the Wii hooked more hearts than most, consisting of plenty of nostalgic games, such as Mario Kart Wii. Gamers can choose any of their favorite Mario characters to hop in a kart and race around select courses. With plenty of Grand Prix and courses, players will never get tired of this formula. Mario Kart Wii strikes the best mix of acclaim and popularity, meaning many fans played it, and most of them enjoyed it. The motion controls were a staple of the game and allowed for intuitive driving, making every race even more engaging. Mario Kart Wii also boasts some of the best courses in the franchise, and the fact that it is simply on the Wii made it a nostalgic must-play game. 'Donkey Kong Country' (1994) Image via Nintendo One of Nintendo's oldest characters is Donkey Kong, leading to plenty of nostalgic video games and some great modern ones. However, there aren't many better than the original Donkey Kong Country. The evil King K. Rool and his gang of Kremlings raid DK's island and steal all of his bananas, leading Donkey Kong to set out across the island to defeat the crocodile and get back his stash. Nintendo has always been known for its fun, iconic music, and Donkey Kong Country features some of the best and most nostalgic tunes in the business. It creates a magical vibe that goes great with the graphics, setting, and variety of levels. Donkey Kong Country is a definitive landmark of the mid '90s that feels like a time capsule of nostalgic mechanics. Atmospheric, cozy, and engaging, it is always a blast to play this Nintendo game. 'Pikmin' (2001) Image via Nintendo The GameCube was unfortunately not a big success, which is a shame because it features some incredible games that many fans found nostalgic. This includes Pikmin, where gamers play as Captain Olimar, who crash-lands his cargo ship on an unexplored planet. Now, the player must travel around this whimsical planet, collecting his cargo and rebuilding his ship with the help of the little aliens inhabiting this world. Cozy, relaxing, and atmospheric video games are always very nostalgic, and Pikmin embodies that more than most. 2026 is the franchise's 25th anniversary, meaning now is a great time to relive the nostalgic experience, especially since it is on Nintendo Switch. Intimate, charming, and bittersweet, Pikmin is a surprisingly melancholic experience that represents the good times experienced during childhood, but also the fact that time has to go on. 'Super Mario World' (1990) Image via Nintendo This list probably could have included some older video games, especially from the 1980s, but the oldest on here is also a classic 2D Mario game. Super Mario World follows Mario and Luigi, who go on vacation in Dinosaur Land, but when Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, the brave plumber and his brother must team up with Yoshi to travel across the kingdom and rescue her. Super Mario Bros. is more legendary, iconic, and influential, but Super Mario World is 2D Mario at its peak, perfecting the formula and more nostalgic for a larger number of gamers. The lush and colorful art is fun, memorable, and endlessly nostalgic, especially when paired with the reinvented gameplay and vertical levels, which made it one of the best side-scrolling video games. 'Wii Sports' (2006) Some of the best-selling video games of all time come from Nintendo, including one of the most versatile and enjoyable titles on the Wii: Wii Sports. In this game, gamers strap on their Wii Remote and use it as an intuitive controller to play a set of immersive sports, such as boxing, golf, bowling, tennis, and baseball. Taking on friends, family, or strangers, this is a competitive yet fun sports game. Wii Sports is the best-selling Nintendo game because it was bundled with the Wii, which meant everyone played and enjoyed it. This cultural icon has a legacy that cemented itself as more than a game, but a piece of irreplaceable childhood for young gamers. Kids, adults, and elderly people alike could all enjoy Wii Sports, meaning it wasn't just nostalgic for younger fans, but for every generation. Fans can also pair this with Wii Sports Resort, which has a tropical vibe and more fun mini-games and timeless music. 'Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver' (2009) Image via The Pokémon Company Pokémon is and isn't a Nintendo franchise, but considering how all their games are exclusive to their consoles, it is eligible for this list. This whole franchise is nostalgic, but the best games that embody that the most are remakes, and this list opted for Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. A remake of the classic Gold and Silver games, trainers travel around the Johto region to collect the eight Gym Badges, defeat the Elite Four, and conquer the Champion. The best Pokémon video game is heavily debated, but HGSS is probably the most nostalgic because it features the experience of the Game Boy and the gameplay of the DS. Both generations of trainers got to experience the nostalgia of the Johto region again, mixing the classic vibe with DS style. The pixel art was stunning, and the formula was revamped in what was already nostalgic, meaning everyone grew up with HGSS, showing why it is an essential Nintendo video game. 'Super Mario Galaxy' (2007) Image via Nintendo This list includes a variety of franchises, but as the figurehead of the company, Mario had to have multiple entries since it is such a nostalgic franchise. Super Mario Galaxy takes place after Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, with Mario setting off on a planet-hopping quest around the galaxy in order to find her. With the help of Rosalina, he must travel around the cosmos and rescue Peach before it is too late. Honestly, any 3D Mario platformer is nostalgic, but the best is arguably Super Mario Galaxy, which redefined the franchise with its spherical gravity gimmick. The galactic style, use of colors, magical vibe, melancholic tone, and piano music combine to create a bittersweet gameplay experience nowadays. Super Mario Galaxy is full of nostalgic moments, from its platforming prestige to innovative mechanics, orchestral score, and a timeless sense of wonder. 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (1998) Image via Nintendo The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of Nintendo's most iconic, and while there are so many games that deserve to be here, the best and most deserving is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Ganondorf is the Gerudo King, but when his lust for power grows, he kidnaps Princess Zelda in order to have the Triforce for himself, prompting Link to go on a journey across the present and future in order to wake the Sages and defeat him. Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as the greatest video game of all time, but more than that, it was a defining part of many childhood experiences. No video game before this had the sense of scale, technical achievement, and sense of wonder, pushing the bounds of gaming and expanding the worlds of young gamers. The core mechanic is about changing between childhood and adulthood, including nostalgic themes that pair nicely with the whimsical feel of the world. With an Ocarina of Time remake coming out in 2026, now is the best time to re-experience this video game and live in the glory of its nostalgia.