Excited for the Nintendo Switch? I am. Nintendo’s bound to release some amazing games on its next official console. As we look forward to Nintendo’s future, there’s no denying that Nintendo has previously released some awesome video games. In honor of the upcoming Nintendo Switch, I took the liberty of ranking Nintendo’s ten best games. This list was obviously tough to narrow down, so I decided to include one entry per franchise. It’s time to look at the best games from a legendary developer.

No. 10 Star Fox 64: Were you disappointed by “Star Fox Zero”? It turns out adding motion controls to a Star Fox game was a bad idea. Fear not Star Fox fans, “Star Fox 64” is as good today as it was back then. “Star Fox 64” sent players through various planets and asteroid belts filled with robots to shoot before competing in climactic dogfights. Although the main game lasts an hour or two, there are enough secrets and branching pathways to encourage playing more than one time (who hasn’t played this game more than once?). The 3DS version is also worth playing because of its improved visuals.

No. 9 Fire Emblem Fates: Casual gamers were once hesitant to give the Fire Emblem series a shot. That’s because of a steep learning curve and the permanent death of a fallen unit. Thankfully, “Fire Emblem Fates” has some accessibility without denying long-time fans a hardcore experience. The rich game play is supported by units that can fall in love, soldiers a player can customize, and an endless amount of tactical depth. The story is also interesting, as it sees two kingdoms at war with each other, and players are forced to pick a side in the conflict. Yeah, the player needs to pay in order to see both sides of the story, but who cares when the game is this good?

No. 8 Pokémon X and Y: The Pokémon franchise, like its titular creatures, is one that continually evolves over time. While some games felt like bigger leaps forward than other entries, “Pokémon X and Y” are the biggest evolution the franchise has gone through to date. X and Y didn’t just introduce 3D visuals to the franchise; a new type was added, more ways to battle were introduced, and there was the option to temporarily mega evolve Pokémon. All of these features managed to not interfere with the core game play that’s kept the franchise strong since its debut on the Game Boy.

No. 7 Super Smash Bros for Wii U: There’s a reason Nintendo fans are stoked whenever a new Super Smash Bros is announced. There’s enough depth and character variety to keep a player playing for hours while making it accessible enough for anyone to start playing. In short, give a sibling who doesn’t play a lot of games a controller and eventually he/she will be able to kick butt. It also helps that “Super Smash Bros” for Wii U caters to fans of all types. Want a fun party game? Turn all items on, set the game to eight players and head to a gimmicky stage. Want the ultimate competitive match? Turn off items and go to Final Destination. The various call outs to Nintendo history also make “Super Smash Bros” for Wii U a must play.

No. 6 Yoshi’s Island: Most franchises end up improving on the first game significantly, but the original “Yoshi’s Island” is still the best Yoshi game. Why? Because later entries in the Yoshi franchise don’t understand what made the first game so special. “Yoshi’s Island” is filled with levels that are brimming with secrets and encourage exploring every nook and cranny. The handful of clever gameplay mechanics integrated help make each level fun to explore. Nintendo’s choice to go for a 2D art style in an era where most games were 3D gave “Yoshi’s Island” a timeless art style that still looks stunning. Actually, pretty much everything about “Yoshi’s Island” (minus Baby Mario) is timeless.

No. 5 Mario Kart 7: One can make an argument for any Mario Kart having a spot on this list. It’s really easy to justify why a Mario Kart game’s great. However, if I had to choose one entry, it would be “Mario Kart 7” because it greatly expands on previous games while throwing in a few great race tracks of its own. The new underwater and gliding sections weren’t major game changers but allowed for some creative level design. “Mario Kart 8” may have added more new ideas, but its roster is plagued by re-skinned characters, and the battle mode’s pretty dull. On the other hand, “Mario Kart 7” remains fun no matter what mode is played.

No. 4 Metroid Prime: No one anticipated “Metroid Prime” to be as fantastic as it ended up being. The new first-person perspective made the already atmospheric world more immersive while preserving the key components of the Metroid franchise. This is still a game about exploring and finding the right item in order to progress. Making sure the player explores environments is made fun by the smart level design and ambient sounds mixed in to provide a phenomenal atmosphere. Plus, even after over a decade, the little details sprinkled in “Metroid Prime” are still impressive. “Metroid Prime” is a true example of how beneficial change can be.

No. 3 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: Yes, this is the entry with the infamous Triforce Quest. “Wind Waker” was also the Zelda game criticized for its cartoon art-style; however, the cel-shading mixed with vibrant colors has stood the test of time. “Wind Waker” remains a highlight in the Zelda series thanks to its story, combat and massive world. “Wind Waker’s” open world is filled with mysterious islands with new faces and hidden items under the sea. While other Zelda games may have better dungeons and bosses, that doesn’t mean “Wind Waker” is lacking in the awesome dungeon/bosses department. Does “Wind Waker” have flaws? Yes. Is “Wind Waker” still a great game? Of course.

No. 2 Super Metroid: “Super Metroid” is a testament to how well a game can stand the test of time. The level design, pacing and atmosphere are still unmatched. “Super Metroid” doesn’t point a big, flashy arrow at the next objective. Instead, the player is forced to explore Planet Zebes in order to reach the next destination. Come across a roadblock that seems unpassable? Keep exploring, and the player will eventually get an item that’ll get him or her past the roadblock. By trusting the player in finding his/her way, “Super Metroid” achieves top-notch level design. Even cooler is how “Super Metroid” tells a story without resorting to lengthy cut-scenes shoved in the player’s face.

No. 1 Super Mario Galaxy 2: At the end of the day, Nintendo’s best known for making fun games. No other video game franchise has achieved a level of fun quite like Super Mario. There are plenty of nominees eligible for this list, but I have to go with “Super Mario Galaxy 2”. Don’t get me wrong; the first “Super Mario Galaxy” is still brilliant, but “Super Mario Galaxy 2” snagged the spot for improving on the first game while adding a plethora of fresh ideas. Additions like Yoshi made flying from planet to planet even more fun and engaging. Each game play mechanic will eventually develop a new twist that’s a brand-new challenge in its own right. The result is every gameplay mechanic being fully utilized. “Super Mario Galaxy 2” is truly the apotheosis of the Mario franchise.