What is your favourite Nintendo franchise?

[TL]

Nintendo are well known for their big franchises that started with the Donkey Kong games in the early 80's, but the question is - what is your favourite one and why?

[nakamura]

Like Sega, Nintendo have some fantastic franchises in their stock.
I love many of them but Zelda is without doubt my favourite. I just enjoy the progression of the games, being in a dungeon is my favourite place to be in single player gaming.

F-Zero is also wonderful with a consistent level of quality throughout the franchise. GX is still lauded today by so many as a masterpiece, good old Amusement Vision!

Starfox games are great, the spin off's are not too bad either, needs another shooter though.

[TL]

I voted F-Zero 

[nakamura]

But you didn't tell us why.

[TL]

But you didn't tell us why.

Haha, sorry! 

Well firstly I don't like platformers and secondly I don't like RPG's so that rules a load of these games out straight away!

But I do love racing games and the F-Zero games are a fine example, prefer them to other futuristic games like the Wipe Out and Mega Race titles.

[Vyothric]

A few years ago I'd have picked Zelda easily. Having now played the Super Mario Bros/World games, I'm not sure. I think for 8/16 bit I'd go with Mario and for 64 bit onwards Zelda.

Metroid would be 3rd, followed by F-Zero.

By the way, anyone who votes for Pokemon should be banned.

[TL]

By the way, anyone who votes for Pokemon should be banned.

Agreed 

[tomwaits]

I'm not a huge fan of any of them, but I picked Metroid as my favorite. Some excellent games in a variety of genres... 2D, first person, and pinball.

I also really like F-Zero, Punch-Out, Pikmin, and Nintendo's 1st party puzzle games but I'd knock them all down a point because the franchises suffer Nintendo sequel-itis/sameness.

[dougtitchmarsh]

Mario Kart, it's fun and addictive on most of the Nintendo Consoles I've played on.

[Shadowrunner]

Had to vote Super Mario. The first game on the NES was the first game I ever finished so it's always been memorable to me.

[TL]

Blimey! Votes are really spread out on this one so far! 

[sloan]

It was a hard choice between Mario and DK, but ultimately I still remember my jaw hitting the floor the first time I saw DK Country on SNES at a store kiosk. The three SNES DK titles are great fun too.

[nakamura]

Blimey! Votes are really spread out on this one so far! 

Just highlights the diversity of Nintendo stuff. You have Mario for platforming and family fun, Mario Kart for frantic action and competition, Metroid for Sci Fi and suspense and exploration, F-Zero for hardcore gaming racing, Donkey Kong for a tougher platform experience, Star Fox for shooting, Zelda for RPG action.

Nintendo do create a fair amount of variety, more so when you add in games like Pikmin, Pokemon, Punch Out and more.

[DreamcastRIP]

I voted for the Mario Kart franchise.

[TL]

A lot of people voting for stuff without saying why!

C'mon folks tell us your views, that is what this thread is for!