Ranking EVERY Nintendo Console From Worst To Best

With the late 1980s seeing 16-bit rivals release in the form of Hudson’s Turbografx-16 and Sega’s Mega Drive, it became clear these presented a threat to Nintendo’s market dominance when compared with an aging NES. As such, Nintendo saw fit to introduce the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, releasing a year later in North America.

Boosted by a 16-bit processor, it became a hit and presented a worthy competitor to Hudson and Sega, with the Mega Drive/SNES rivalry becoming famous for their aggressive advertising campaigns. For the most part, these consoles were equally matched. Nintendo’s console also allowed for limited 3D graphics through enhances like Mode 7 and Super FX, giving it the edge other its contemporaneous rivals.

SNES may have been more of an evolutionary upgrade but great software pushes hardware sales and this generation introduced series like Donkey Kong Country, Mario Kart, Star Fox, F-Zero and Pilotwings. Seeing re-releases across the Wii, 3DS and Switch, its legacy has endured and remains one of Nintendo’s best consoles.