The best games developed by Hal Laboratory

Many of Nintendo's greatest and most iconic games were developed by the independent company Hal Laboratory. Hal Laboratory has been in charge of Nintendo-specific development for decades, becoming a secondary developer. HAL Labs games tend to have an upbeat, colorful vibe and a focus on making the games accessible to gamers of all skill levels.

Without Hal Laboratory, series like Kirby's Dream Land, Earthbound, and Super Smash Bros wouldn't be as recognizable to us. Hal Laboratory's contributions to Nintendo resulted in one of the most valuable series in video games today. What makes Hal Labs such a great developer is that they're not afraid to mix and match aspects of different genres to bring the series to life.

10

Kirby's Dreamland 3

Not many people have played Kirby's Dream Land 3 due to it being a late SNES title, but it's arguably the coolest Kirby game. The aesthetic of Kirby's Dream Land 3 is similar to the highly detailed crayon style that captures the playfulness of Kirby's world. Narratively speaking, the game is one of the most ambitious in the Kirby series, featuring a slightly darker theme and two different endings compared to the Kirby games.

Despite the fact that Kirby runs faster than most other games, the pace of Kirby's Dream Land 3 is on the slow side due to its floating jumping mechanic. Kirby's Dream Land focuses more on atmosphere than action. On the surface, Kirby's Dream Land 3 appears to have a limited number of powers, but animal helpers can also steal powers, multiplying the available skills.

9

Picross 3D

Accessible and fun, this puzzle game features a game that will challenge you for several minutes before you get “Eureka!” moment. Picross 3D is a well-designed brain teaser game. The most difficult puzzles can take up to 15 minutes, but rather than bombarding you with yet another challenging puzzle of the same type, Picross 3D offers different types of problems of lower difficulty to prevent fatigue.

The 3D perspective doesn't change much in Picross 3D, but it's fun to rotate puzzles to find new angles to solve them. Compared to Picross DS, Picross 3D's large visible blocks make puzzles easier to see, navigate, and interact with.

8

Kirby: Planet Robot

Building on the design that made Kirby: Triple Deluxe a success, Kirby: Planet Robobot further fleshes out the ability to switch planes to solve puzzles. As Kirby meets Susie around the Third World, the plot, complexity, and mechanics of Kirby: Planet Robobot begin to become more distinct from previous Kirby titles.

Compared to previous gimmicks in the Kirby series, the Robobot Armor is more fleshed out due to the robot's force-absorbing abilities, giving Kirby a variety of moves to work with. Robobot can also perform tasks such as moving heavy objects or creating platforms to access secret areas. Kirby Planet Robobot also looks fantastic. The machines Kirby operates are well-animated and feature large, vibrant colors that convey a sense of power and control.

7

Kirby Superstar Ultra

In Kirby Super Star Ultra, variety is the star of the show. Kirby Super Star Ultra includes 11 games that place Kirby in boss battle gauntlets or Metroidvania-like scenarios. Some modes, such as Help a Hero, take Kirby out of the equation and allow you to play as one of the helpers, adding a change to how you approach the game.

Compared to the Kirby Dream Land trilogy, Kirby Super Star Ultra is faster paced and offers more action. Many of the stages from the original SNES version include more difficult versions in the remake, addressing one of the criticisms of Kirby games being too easy.

6

pokemon snap

Sin and Punishment and Star Fox are usually the first rail shooters that gamers think of when they think of Nintendo, but Pokemon Snap adds a unique twist to the genre. You play as a photographer exploring vast terrains in search of good Pokémon photos, and your camera acts as your gun.

Like many rail shooter games, Pokemon Snap offers a satisfying pick-up-and-play atmosphere. It's relaxing to turn on Pokemon Snap, complete a level with a few pretty pictures of Snorlax, and then continue with the rest of your day. Pokemon Snap provides tools to manipulate Pokemon to behave in certain ways, adding depth to their mechanics and allowing you to capture more dynamic and high-quality photos.

5

Super Smash Bros.

Compared to other entries in the Super Smash Bros. series, the original Super Smash Bros. seems unpolished and lacking in content. However, the basic gameplay combined with satisfying hit detection and sound effects makes it more enjoyable to play than most of the later entries.

In Super Smash Bros., because of how short your lifespan is and how easy it is to combo, the game rewards your attacking skills unlike most other platform fighters. The play is never too much, even in four-way play, thanks to how streamlined it is to put together an impressive offense.

4

Kirby and the Forgotten Lands

Despite Mario, Sonic, Rayman, and Donkey Kong all going 3D, most of the games felt like new series rather than extensions of the 2D games. Thanks to Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby's transition to 3D was seamless. It feels exactly like playing Kirby's Dream Land, with a new axis to explore.

Like many Kirby games, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is easy once you figure out certain tactics you can use in every level. However, various power-ups allow you to experience the game in a slightly different way. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for long-time Kirby fans and is one of the best entries in the series.

3

earthbound

Typically, JRPGs take place in worlds that revolve around an epic plot in a medieval setting with epic stakes. Earthbound took a different approach. Instead, Earthbound scales back from an epic setting to a more realistic backdrop, with you playing as a group of suburbanites in Central America.

EarthBound's combat has very little animation, but the open world is vibrant and filled with beautifully colored sprites that perfectly depict the western city. EarthBound's humor is witty and keeps the game grounded by avoiding melodrama by not taking itself too seriously. Earthbound's delightful dialogue and art style influenced light-hearted RPG genres like Undertale and Lisa: The Faithful.

2

mother 3

Mother 3 is the sequel to Earthbound (also known as Mother 2 in Japan), one of the best SNES games of all time. Mother 3 improves on Earthbound's combat system by allowing you to synchronize button presses to the beat of the combat music for extra damage. The addition of background music keeps you immersed in the combat and makes you realize just how important your musical choices are in Mother 3's many levels and battles.

Instead of the suburban setting of Eagle Land, you'll be transported to the less modern setting of Nowhere Land. The writing of accomplished essayist and co-novelist Shigesato Itoi makes the citizens of Nowhere Land feel distinct from each other, yet still united in a way that creates a strong sense of community. The connection between the main character and background characters provides more heartwarming moments than any RPG to date.

1

super smash bros melee

The best Super Smash Bros. of all time. Super Smash Bros., often regarded as a game. Melee is the fastest and most fluid game in the series. The speed and agility you command has helped it become one of the most popular e-sports in the fighting game community.

Even at a casual level, Super Smash Bros. Melee is still fun. Because recovering from the stage is more difficult than entering later, the tension increases when you fall off the platform. Super Smash Bros. Melee also features superior graphics compared to early GameCube games and is relatively easy on the eyes.