Despite New System, Nintendo has an OK 2016

I think 2016 was fairly kind to Nintendo, despite the understanding from both consumers and media that a new system was on the horizon that would definitely kill off the Nintendo Wii U, but could also put a damper on 3DS production. Despite this news, Nintendo still managed to release a number of great titles in 2016, a few of which we gave huge scores too!

Paper Mario Color Splash

Our own Daniel Fugate wrote a ton of coverage on Paper Mario Color Splash and ultimately gave the game an outstanding 10/10. As far as I am aware, it is the first 10/10 Daniel has given as a writer for GamesReviews.com! Here is what Daniel wrote,

“Paper Mario: Color Splash is the best game in the Paper Mario franchise. Everything about it combines to give players the best experience they’ll find in the franchise. If you didn’t like Sticker Star and you are worried that this game is just another Sticker Star, don’t be. Color Splash is a truly wonderful game that shouldn’t be missed! Why are you even reading this review?! You should be playing Paper Mario: Color Splash right now!”

Pokémon Sun and Moon

Game Freak knows they have an instant hit on their hands even before production begins. It is Pokémon afterall! But the company took a number of risks and changed up the formula for Pokémon Sun and Moon, drastically. They eliminated Gym battles, introduced Island Challenges, and changed how players interacted with their Pokémon. Along with a whole new roster of Pokémon to catch and evolve, Game Freak brought back some of our favorite original 150 Pokémon and gave them Alola form varients. Overall, we scored Pokémon Sun and Moon 9.5/10! Check out a few of the neat features here!

Yo-Kai Watch 2

Yo-Kai Watch 2 built off what we loved about the original game; while there were a lot of detractors out there – especially those that claimed this title was just the first game with a new story – I think Level-5 did a great job of expanding the Yo-Kai universe in new and exciting ways. While critically, this game never received the kudos it deserved, most fans really enjoyed their experience. We gave this game a solid 8.5/10 this fall, and here is why,

“Enough has been modified and changed in YO-KAI Watch 2 to make it a worthwhile experience for new and old players alike. There is no requirement to play the first title – and in fact would recommend this title as the go-to YO-KAI experience – and there is much more depth within the game then most reviewers are giving it credit for. Whether exploring new battle techniques with your new YO-KAI Watch (no spoilers here, we promise!), looking for items around town, or hunting for one of hundreds of YO-KAI, this game is definitely a great improvement over the previous title, and another great step for YO-KAI Watch in North America.”

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

While some may have forgotten about this release, we certainly haven’t. While we await the launch of Breath of the Wild, we have continued to return to this HD remaster. Nintendo did a great job bringing this often forgotten Zelda title to the Wii U, and while some remasterers are obvious money grabs, I think the price is justified with what Nintendo did here. We gave Twilight Princess HD a 9.0/10, and wrote these thoughts,

“Whether you are an old fan, or are new to the franchise, there is a lot to love in this HD remake. Despite pacing problems, this is still one of the best Zelda games available in 3D, and it should be a must-play on any Zelda fans list. This HD remake is definitely the definitive version to play, so grab it now. You won’t be disappointed.”

There were many other great titles from this past year, but these are just a few of my favorites. What did you enjoy in 2016?