Every Nintendo Console Tier List

With the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has finally confirmed the next chapter in its storied console lineup. After more than four decades of groundbreaking hardware innovations, it’s thrilling to see what the company has in store this time—though early impressions suggest a more cautious, evolutionary approach compared to past revolutionary leaps.

If you're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the upcoming console, we’ve already broken down everything revealed in the Switch 2 trailer. But before looking ahead, let’s take a step back and reflect on Nintendo’s rich legacy by exploring a personal ranking of all its home and handheld consoles.

Over the years, Nintendo has launched eight home consoles—the NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Switch—and five handheld systems, including the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS. Each system brought something unique to the table, whether through innovative gameplay mechanics, genre-defining titles, or bold (sometimes risky) design choices.

Here’s my own ranking of Nintendo consoles using an IGN-style tier list format, based on a blend of hardware innovation, game library quality, and lasting cultural impact:

Simon Cardy’s Nintendo Console Tier List

S-Tier:

• NES – As the console that started it all for me, the NES holds a special place. Playing classics like Super Mario Bros., Mega Man 2, and even the brutally tough Hook as a child forged unforgettable memories. It revived the video game industry after the crash of 1983 and laid the foundation for modern gaming.
• Nintendo Switch – The hybrid nature of the Switch is one of the most cleverly designed pieces of gaming hardware I've ever used (aside from the occasional stick drift issues). More importantly, it delivered legendary titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey, securing its spot at the top.

A-Tier:

• Super NES – A powerhouse of 16-bit era gaming with timeless titles like Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Chrono Trigger.
• Wii – While often mocked, the Wii revolutionized motion-controlled gameplay and introduced millions of new players to gaming with Wii Sports, while also offering deep experiences like Metroid Prime and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

B-Tier:

• GameCube – Underappreciated at launch, but home to some of the best games in Nintendo’s history, including Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Metroid Prime.
• DS – A dual-screen marvel that pushed portable gaming forward with hits like New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart DS, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

C-Tier:

• Nintendo 64 – Technologically limited by today’s standards, but still home to iconic titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and GoldenEye 007.
• 3DS – A fantastic portable system with great games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Super Mario 3D Land, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, but hampered by lackluster third-party support.

D-Tier:

• Wii U – Ahead of its time in some ways, but ultimately held back by confusing marketing and a weak third-party lineup. Still, it offered gems like Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Bayonetta 2.
• Game Boy Color / Game Boy Advance – Revolutionary in their time, but grouped here due to being evolutionary upgrades rather than entirely new systems.
• Virtual Boy – The infamous red-and-black monochrome experiment that failed spectacularly, but deserves recognition for daring to try VR before its time.

Don’t agree with this ranking? Think the Virtual Boy deserves better than the N64? Or perhaps you believe the Wii U was tragically underrated?

Why not create your own Nintendo console tier list below and compare your rankings with the rest of the IGN community? You can assign each console to an S, A, B, C, or D tier and share your reasoning behind your placements.

Where Will the Nintendo Switch 2 Rank?

We’ve only seen around two minutes of the Switch 2 so far, but how do you think it will stack up against Nintendo’s previous consoles once it launches? Could it dethrone the original Switch and claim a spot in the S-tier? Or will it struggle to make a meaningful impact?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments and explain why you ranked Nintendo consoles the way you did.