Top 10 Best Nintendo Games of 2017, According to Metacritic

Bye-Bye Boxboy! – 83

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

Boxboy is certainly one of Nintendo’s lesser known series, but these charming little platformers are as challenging as they are endearing. This third title sports over 180 new levels, that boast all kinds of different puzzles to undertake. Critics took kindly to Bye-Bye Boxboy! with the game earning an 83 out of 23 total critics. Fan score is also good on the game, with an average of 7.8 out of 21 ratings.

When you think of the best Nintendo games of 2017 Boxboy probably doesn’t spring to mind, but this is one little platformer that seems to stick it out with the big dogs. 

Splatoon 2 – 83

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

Splatoon is one of the freshest IPs from Nintendo, both in terms of style and how long it’s been around. The original game was a smash hit on the Wii U, and its unique brand of shooting gameplay mixed with inking turf is still unlike any other shooter out there on the market. With Splatoon 2, Nintendo delivered the Switch’s very first big online shooter, and it didn’t disappoint for the most part. With new additions like the Salmon Run horde-like mode, as well as a batch of new weapons and abilities, the game managed to improve over its predecessor.

Splatoon 2 garnered an 83 on Metacritic out of 100 critics, which puts it two points above the first game. Fan score is above that with an 8.5 based on 614 ratings. 

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – 84

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

The Nintendo Switch had a strong 2017 throughout, but its year was ended by one of its highest rated games with Xenoblade Chronicles 2. This sequel brings the hardcore JRPG series to Switch, but it’s set in a completely different world with new characters, mechanics, and an anime art style. Despite being a huge, complex JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles 2 fared well among both critics and fans alike.

Out of 67 critics Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sits at an 83 on Metacritic, while the fan score puts it at an 8.5 out of 587 ratings. This is slightly below Xenoblade Chronicles X which score an 84 on Metacritic, while the original Xenoblade reached an impressive 92.

Snipperclips Plus: Cut it Out Together – 84

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild certainly dominated the Switch’s launch, there was another small Nintendo game that demanded player’s attention. Snipperclips sports a construction paper aesthetic and has two to four players controlling little paper people that can cut each other into different shapes. There’s a ton of puzzles to solve with friends, and Snipperclips Plus added even more content onto the package later in the year with new levels, modes, and more.

The original Snipperclips scored an 80 on Metacritic, while Snipperclips Plus has an 84 out of nine critics. Meanwhile user score for the game is higher at an 88 out of 17 ratings. 

Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon – 85

The Pokemon series is no stranger to reissues of games or even quick follow ups, but Ultra Sun and Moon set a new record by coming out just one year after the original titles on Nintendo 3DS. Still, Ultra Sun and Moon’s quality didn’t suffer for that fact, and the titles added on a host of new content with new story elements, sidequests, Ultra Beasts, and more. Returning to the tropical Alola region managed to be just as much of a hit with fans and critics.

Ultra Sun and Moon sit at a 95 on Metacritic based on 50 reviews, while user score pegs it at an 8.6 based on 137 ratings. The titles sit slightly below the original Sun and Moon which scored an 87 based on critic reviews, although a 7.9 out of 559 user ratings.

Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle – 85

Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a crazy idea that by all means shouldn’t have worked, and yet, it really does. This crossover title developed by Ubisoft uses an XCOM style tactical battle system, although it’s much faster paced and focuses around getting up close to your enemies. The combination of the two franchises managed to be quite charming, and the Switch earned one of its most unique titles in the process.

Critics have Kingdom Battle sitting at an 85 based on 102 reviews, while user score ekes out just above that at an 8.7 based on 583 ratings.

Metroid: Samus Returns – 86

Fans have been waiting years for a proper 2D Metroid, and although Samus Returns is technically a remake, it feels more like a brand new entry in the franchise. Samus Returns completely overhauls the systems of the original Metroid II, implementing elements from across the series while introducing new ones, like the melee counterattack. Of course, the presentation has been dramatically improved in the game and there’s even some new story content and bosses added in. Clearly Nintendo and Mercury Steam did a proper job of bringing Samus back, based on the game’s reviews.

Samus Returns has an 86 on Metacritic out of 81 critics, and a 8.9 user rating based on 346 ratings. This makes it the highest rated Nintendo 3DS game released in all of 2017.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 92

Mario Kart 8 was one of the highest rated games on Wii U, not to mention the system’s best seller at 7.5 million units, which is over half of the Wii U units ever sold. Earlier this year, Nintendo brought their trademark racer to the Switch with all DLC added in, a slight visual upgrade, and a return of the ever popular battle mode. Nothing was lost in translation onto the new platform, as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the best reviewed games on the system so far.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sits at a 92 on Metacritic based on 95 reviews, which is above even the Wii U version which has an 88. User score, however, is a bit below that with an 85 based on 876 ratings.

Super Mario Odyssey – 96

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

The Mario series has a long history of highly acclaimed titles, and Super Mario Odyssey falls right into the top of that category. Odyssey switches things up a bit for Mario, giving him a new friend named Cappy to adventure with, who also allows Mario to throw his hat and capture enemies, letting you play as them. Across the game, Mario and Cappy visit different kingdoms, each of which functions as a miniature open world area with lots to discover. Odyssey was easily one of the most anticipated game of 2017 and based on the game’s reception, it didn’t disappoint.

Based on 106 critics Super Mario Odyssey currently sits at an impressive 96 on Metacritic, with user score putting it at 8.9 based on 2,513 ratings. This puts Odyssey just barely one point below Breath of the Wild, and makes it the second highest rated game in 2017.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 97

Best 2017 Nintendo Games on Metacritic

In a year already packed with prominent releases, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild still manages to stand at the top. Breath of the Wild redefined the Zelda formula, giving players a massive open world to roam around in and almost complete freedom in how they want to approach the game. A climbing system along with liberal rewards sprinkled through the world of Hyrule makes Breath of the Wild a joy to explore, and critics seem to unanimously agree on the game’s quality.

Breath of the Wild is the highest rated game of the year with a 97 on Metacritic based on 108 reviews. User score puts it a bit lower, however, with an 8.4 based on 9,851 ratings. This also means that Breath of the Wild sits within the top 15 highest rated games of all time on Metacritic, an impressive feat.