Nintendo Consoles Ranked: A Comprehensive Tier List

With the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has officially confirmed the arrival of its latest console. Boasting over 40 years of experience in video game hardware, Nintendo's latest offering seems to tread a cautious path, based on initial impressions. If you're eagerly anticipating this new console, we've analyzed all the details from the Switch 2 trailer. But before we dive into the future, let's take a nostalgic journey through Nintendo's storied past.

Over the past five decades, Nintendo has introduced eight home consoles (NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and the Switch) and five handhelds (Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS). Which of these stands out as the best? I've created a personal tier list on IGN, considering both the innovation of the hardware and the enduring quality and legacy of each console's game library. Here's my ranking:

The NES holds a special place in my heart as my first console, evoking fond memories of playing classics like Super Mario Bros., Mega Man 2, and the challenging Hook platformer as a young child. It earns a spot in the S tier. The Switch, with its innovative hybrid design (despite issues like stick drift), and its stellar lineup of games including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey, also secures a place in the top tier.

Disagree with my rankings? Perhaps you believe the Virtual Boy surpasses the N64? You can create your own tier list and compare your S, A, B, C, and D rankings with the IGN community.

Nintendo Consoles

Although we've only glimpsed two minutes of the Nintendo Switch 2 so far, where do you think it will rank once fully released? Share your thoughts and your console rankings in the comments below.