What's your favorite Nintendo Console?

[Lozjam]

So of course, I had to mix things in to keep within the poll limit. But the standing questions still heard in the echos of the hall. What is your favorite Nintendo console/handheld? Are you going to New hotness? Or Retro Revival? (or just simply old systems like the 3DS or Wii U).

Honestly, each Nintendo console really have their upsides, and present something completely unique. I honestly always favored their handheld line quite a bit over their console. It's just simply time that made a difference from me. So, before the Switch I probably would have chosen the DS.

But, it has to be the Switch this time doesn't it? Every Nintendo console seems to has a shortage in a genre or style of game. Be that 3rd party games, or certain Nintendo franchises. Nintendo Switch really has it all when it comes to Nintendo franchises(which are honestly the best they have ever been), better 3rd party support, and even the concept is extremely helpful. I know that the Switch is a current Gen console, but it's honestly surprising how much content the Switch has gotten and it's not even done yet!

 

[Mekanos]

On balance it really should be the SNES. It's an incredibly rich library with games I'm still discovering 30 years later.

But my favorite experience with a console has to be the N64. I was at the right age for playing multiplayer with friends constantly on it and it was the first console where I followed along with its releases and schedules. While it may be a small library with a lot of games that haven't held up well, I can't think of many systems with a top 7 or so as personally enjoyable as the N64's.

I think my brain has to vote for SNES but I'm definitely most nostalgic for the N64.

 

[Zalman]

At this point, it's the Switch. The library feels like it was tailor-made for my interests. But I also have a soft spot for the DS - so much creativity came out of that system.

 

[Tron1]

GameCube and Switch close second. F-Zero and Rogue Squadron separates it.

 

[TaySan]

Mine is the Gamecube. Grew up with that one and have more fond memories of playing it.Pikmin, Luigi's Mansion, Smash Bros melee etc.

 

[Phil32]

Honestly? I think it has to be the Switch for me with the SNES close behind. I'm amazed by the quality of the Switch library, and I love all of the games our family has collected either physically or digitally for the system. Didn't think a Nintendo system would ever surpass the SNES for me, and especially one that's not even at the end of its lifecycle yet.

 

[Rooster]

Results are currently SNES >> Switch >> Gamecube, which is also how I'd rank my top three and thus objectively correct.

 

[Phosphorescent Skeleton]

Gotta be the Famicom. Just so much innovation, experimentation, intresting historic context, weirdness, feels like stepping into an alternative dimension of NES. So fun to collect for too, famicom cartridges are probably the best games have ever looked as physical objects.

 

[samouraï]

I'm a Gamecube kid, Metroid Prime and Smash Melee are in my top 5 favorite games. Although maybe if Splatoon 3 is ultra amazing then the Switch will be my new favorite.

 

[Hocot8]

Has to be the gamecube. The Wii is a close second though.

The birth of Pikmin and Animal Crossing, best Mario sports games, fantastic Mario Party games, best mario RPG, Melee, Rogue Squadron, the best nintendo controller...honestly I can go on and on. Best Mario Kart

 

[Stu Benedict]

wii: gamecube, wii, and virtual console games
switch: switch games (which includes a lot of other platform-catalog stuff)
ds: ds and gba games

 

[Twinsen]

I always longed for the Switch type of Nintendo.

 

[bixente]

Switch
DS
N64

 

[Mbolibombo]

Switch

The sheer amount of quality titles is leagues above the other systems at this point imo. And the hardware itself, the hybrid aspect of is just super appealing and that's unique for the system.

 

[GamerJM]

If you're putting the DS/3DS together then it's that quite easily. I have hundreds of games on the platform I like. Pokemon gens 4/5/7, Fire Emblem Fates Conquest, Shadows of Valentia, and New Mystery, Elite Beat Agents/Ouendan 1&2, the Zero Escape trilogy, every Ace Attorney game (I played DGS 1&2 in Japanese), Dragon Quest IV-XI (again, Japanese language versions for X and XI), Mario Kart DS&7, A Link Between Worlds, 3D Land, Kid Icarus Uprising, Devil Survivor 1&2, Ghost Trick, WarioWare Touched, DIY, and Gold, Rhythm Heaven and Rhythm Heaven Megamix, Tetris DS, Project X Zone 1&2. All of these games are incredible to me and I'm probably forgetting a lot here.

DS alone wins this for me, DS/3DS is an absolute massacre. It runs away with being my favorite platform ever.

 

[takriel]

I am considering the SNES and especially the N64. Nothing beats these rose-tinted childhood nostalgiaI think. Having friends over, eating pizza for dinner, playing through the night exploring Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time or collecting stars in Mario 64 are some of my most cherished childhood memories.

 

[SlipperyFishes]

Its not the Switch for me. Its a great console but being 40 I’m filled with memories of the NES, SNES, Gane Boy and beyond. The only two I never owned were N64 and Wii U, but the NES made my childhood magical.

 

[Irene]

It's Wii U for me. Its library is just full of bangers.

 

[Jersh]

Man, I can NEVER do this.

I'm a couple years younger than the N64, but I still grew up with it. Everything from that on has had a lasting impact on me. If NSO apps count, then it should be the Switch, but that feels like cheating. I have so many fond memories of the 64 and GCN; the Wii was one of the most unique things in gaming, giving me gaming experiences to share with people I never would otherwise; the Wii U was my console at perhaps the most significant portion of my gaming life, high school, and had so many stellar titles. And while I ignored its unique output earlier, the Switch has so many bangers as well.

I think part of my problem is that I only got a few games a year growing up and became used to replaying them frequently - leading me to really only judge platforms by their top games without feeling a need to factor in droughts or duds. And how does one pit Kirby Air Ride against Wii Sports Resort? Mario Party (the first is my favorite by a good margin) against Xenoblade? Splatoon against Mario Odyssey?

You can't. It doesn't work. I love all these games too much to really pick favorites, and by extension favorite consoles.

I didn't even mention the dedicated handhelds. They're all up there too.

Edit: Looking at the poll results, it's refreshing to see so many happy with the current state of things.

 

[Fajgar]

A part of me want it to be the Nes because of the childhood nostalgia and all the great memories but it is the Switch. I also have soft spot for the Gamecube since I missed that generation and started to collect for the system a couple of years ago.

 

[Mazzle]

I grew up with the N64, which will always have a special place in my heart.
Especially games like Mario 64, Majoras Mask, Paper Mario and Mario Kart 64

I love the Cube for his GB capabilities and games like Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, Melee, Mario Smash Football and Paper Mario 2

The Wii was a special time, cause it was my first console where I was on it since release and during that time I interacted a lot
in message boards. I met my best friends there and we played the shit out of MKWii online. But I also played my first Monster Hunter,
adore Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Wario Ware and all these weird experiments. It just was a time where I had more time but still money.

Wii U was neat but is not in a discussion for best console, no matter how cool Splatoon is.

The Switch might be my fav Nintendo console? Mario Odyssey, BOTW, Xenoblade, Astral Chain, Metroid Dread, MH Rise etc.
Maybe the SNES, that I got retroactively? Mario World, Yoshi, ALttP, Super fucking Metroid, Super Mario Kart, Super Game Boy, Turtles in Time?

Man I can't decide

 

[xsquiddox]

Switch OLED those colours
Also the switch libary is insane. Amazing indies amazing third party support amazing first party support. A jack of all trades hybrid machine. It's perfect for me as a dude who grew up with console + handhelds.

 

[Oscillator]

 

[juuso]

If I consider just the hardware, it would have to be the Switch. If I consider the software too, then, yeah, it would also have to be the Switch. It's pretty good.

 

[JustALurker]

Nintendo DS/3DS - the gameplay was very unique from game to game and some of my favourite franchises sprung up from them (Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven, TWEWY).

 

[Zellia]

Switch. Great library and the hybrid model works really well.

Second is Gamecube because I have many fond memories of mine. Plus it's probably still the best looking console ever made.

Third is SNES for its incredible library. Why not higher? Mostly because I was more of a Mega Drive kid, honestly.

 

[FrostyLemon]

I think the best console is the Switch no doubt, but my favourite console will always be the N64 because of two things 1. I was 10 years old and it was the best thing ever 2. The leap from 2D to 3D is a leap in gaming that will probably never be replicated. The games on the N64 don't hold up as well today, but they laid down the foundations of what 3D gaming is and everything has been built on the bones of the games made back then. Everyone was still working out how to make games in 3D and experimenting with control schemes. It was magical stuff tbh.

 

[Raytro]

Hard choice between GameCube and Switch, since the GameCube was my all time favorite (and also my first personnal console, I was like 5 at the time), but I think I'll go for the Switch. The library is great and the concept of being able to take it and play on the go is just absolutely fantastic for me.
But I don't forget about the GameCube. Great childhood spending my time on Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin and Pikmin 2, Super Mario Sunshine, TLoZ Wind Waker and Four Swords Adventure, and many others. It was really insane to grow up with it.

 

[sir_crocodile]

The SNES is still my favourite library I think. Very strong representation in many of my favourite genres.

 

[Chris Walken]

SNES followed by Switch, what an incredible turnaround from Ninty.

Have to say i HATE the Wii.

 

[Gabev]

I want to say the N64, but deep down I know it’s the GameCube. The Game Boy Player let’s me play through all of the GB/GBC/GBA games with a few exceptions, there was online play, and there the unique multiplayer games like FF: Crystal Chronicles and Zelda: Four Swords that at the time may have been a pain to set up and play “correctly”, when you got the set up right it was just chef’s kiss. Also F-Zero GX!

 

[KC Hazel]

N64. I'm a quality over quantity person and N64 has so many of my top games on it. It also got me hooked with 4 player multi.

 

[Syth]

The switch is fast rocketing up the list.

But the Gamecube is where I had my first experience of being old enough to have enough money and sense to buy my own things... so i now own 9+ Gamecubes...

 

[Yoshi]

Mine is the N64, followed by the Wii, because they both were super creative and on top of that house some of my favourite games. My list would go like this:

1. N64
2. Wii
3. SNES
4. GCN
5. DS
6. Wii U
7. 3DS
8. GB(C)
9. GBA
10. Switch
11. NES
12. Virtual Boy

Switch is doubly terribly because it is the first time in a long time that it is the only system available from Nintendo. Yet they pump out a huge lot of ports/remasters/remakes, as well as the worst 3D Zelda (tied with TWW though), the second worst 3D Mario (only Sunshine is worse), second worst Yoshi (only Story is worse), second worst western released Fire Emblem (only Echoes is worse), all of them filled with a bunch of garbage busywork content, unseen in previous entries of the series. Also, it has the terribly drifting Joycons. I really hope that Switch 2 will be a return to form.

 

[rokero]

GameCube is still my favorite for nostalgic reasons it was the first console I bought with my own hat earned cash I was very invested in it, it was very capable power spec wise , it had better third party support than the N64 , gave us the wave bird , the return of the Metroid , the best F-Zero to date , Star Fox adventure ( great game imo) also Nintendo went out of their comfort zone and went after games like resident evil, metal gear and even Nintendo themselves dip their toes in the M rated sector with Eternal Darkness, man I love that system

 

[Red Monster]

I mean, it’s the Switch. But my heart demands that I vote for the N64. It came out when I was five and thus, it was the best thing ever.

 

[Matt]

Ds+3ds for me. Just so many amazing games between the two.

 

[sir_AnGer]

N64, simply for the reason that it was my first ever console and is the origin of my favourite game of all time, Majora's Mask. Switch comes in a close second for the sheer selection of games (IMHO, Nintendo's best selection of games since the SNES); Cube is third for Metroid Prime, Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos, among other great titles.

 

[Fireblend]

I really like most consoles, but it's impossible for me to disconnect the lived experience of playing on my N64 with friends after school from my opinion of each console's actual game quality or catalog, during weekends, just constantly really. Mario Kart 64, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Mario Party, Super Smash... I don't even try to chase that high anymore because I know it's impossible. I didn't even play Ocarina of Time until much later, yet the years I owned that N64 were what made me fall in love with gaming.

 

[A. G. Cook]

Its not the Switch for me. Its a great console but being 40 I’m filled with memories of the NES, SNES, Gane Boy and beyond. The only two I never owned were N64 and Wii U, but the NES made my childhood magical.

As someone who is going to turn 40 in November, I agree. Although I have fond nostalgia for N64. I love the Switch but the nostalgia is strong with the earlier Nintendo consoles. Still don't know what I would pick as my favorite though.

 

[z1ggy]

The SNES BUT probably by the end of its life the Switch will be my favorite.

 

[Byakuya]

The original DS. It's my second favourite games library after the PS2 and I love the hardware/form factor. I have an ice blue DSL and a wine red DSi XL which I still use regularly. I take really good care of my shit so they both basically look brand new.

GameCube is also really rad, prolly my #2 Nintendo console. I don't have that many games for it but I plan on getting more soon. I've got mine hooked up to a small 5:4 LCD monitor using a Retrobit Prism adapter. Works quite well.

The 3DS was/is pretty good and I also use that from time to time, but coming from the DS it just felt like more of the same to me and I never liked the 3D effect. I also don't think the library is as good as the DS.

Wii was just okay. It had some good games but I never cared for the motion controls. They ruined a lot of games for me.

Switch is doing well and I like it a lot. But I mainly use it for first party games like BotW, AC and MK8.

 

[dpt120]

The Switch

 

[Nintendianajones64]

I voted for Switch because it has Breath of the Wild

 

[storres]

Switch overtook every other console for me. The form factor opened me to experiment with more series and genres. And the amount of games i have is second to none compared to the other ones. Same is said for my family as well.

 

[Clov]

Definitely the SNES, but I also love the GB/GBC library. Switch might end up topping the list by the end of its lifespan, but we'll see.

 

[CyberWolfJV]

A console is defined by its games, so the SNES still the unbeatable on that regard (it's my favorite system overall, not only Nintendo's); then.. the Wii U would come right after!

Switch is getting there, closing the gap with the GBA!

 

[Dardan Sandiego]

I voted for GBA because it was home to some formative games for me: Golden Sun, Mario & Luigi, Metroid ZM/Fusion, Minish Cap, Mega Man Zero among many many others. If I have to be honest to myself though, it'd probably be the DS due to the sheer quality, variety, inventiveness and volume of games, even though I think that Nintendo themselves didn't really bring their A game on the system. I didn't count the Switch for several reasons but all things being equal, it probably has already taken the top spot after this year.

 

[SlightlyMadGames]

It's definitely the Nintendo Switch followed by Super Nintendo and Nintendo GameCube.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Still the GameCube. Switch will overtake it by the end