The best Nintendo games turning 20 in 2025

In 2005, Nintendo was going all out, releasing three consoles including the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and DS. The GameCube was originally released in 2001 and was in its final stages when the Wii revolutionized the world of gaming in 2006. The GBA was also released in 2001 and was pretty much dead, with the DS taking its place in 2004.

Despite all three systems being at different points in their lives, Nintendo and other companies released a variety of titles for each. It's time to celebrate the best of us as we all celebrate 20 fun and fruitful years in 2025.

8

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

dracula of the future

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow It was the first entry in the DS series, a direct sequel to . Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. The same gameplay mechanic that allowed Soma to collect equipment to defeat enemies and level up returns. He's still able to capture the essence of the monster, allowing players to customize Soma's moveset with abilities from gliding to ax throwing. It was also a novel idea to use the DS's touch function to break seals or trap bosses. In 2024 Castlevania Dominus Collection It has been released as a collection of all three DS items to enjoy along with other bonuses.

7

Chibi Robo! Join the adventure!

better than rumba

Chibi Robo! Join the adventure! It's the first game in this strange platformer/sim series. It first debuted in Japan and was released in North America a year later in 2006. There were two subsequent DS games, one of which was a North American Walmart exclusive and the other a Japanese exclusive. There were also two 3DS games, the last one being Chibi Robo! Zip lash! Although Nintendo hasn't done much to sustain the series with re-releases, Chibi-Robo has appeared in games such as: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The series' previous developers went on to fund a spiritual successor. CoroboBased on the 2024 crowdfunding campaign, it looks very good.

6

Ganbare Goemon: Tokaidochu Ooedo Tengu Ri Kaeshino Maki

The Last Hurray of the Mysterious Ninja

• Developer: Konami

• Publisher: Konami

• Released: June 23, 2005

• Platform: DS

that Ganbare Goemon The series became very popular in Japan, with Konami releasing sequels and spin-offs. Western fans will probably be familiar with it. Legend of the Mysterious Ninja It was one of the SNES games. They all revolve around the action-adventure, RPG, and platform game genres. Ganbare Goemon: Tokaidochu Ooedo Tenguri Kaeshino Maki It's more of an action adventure. It was only released in Japan for the DS and there was no fan translation, so why pick up this game?

This game is significant in that it is the last console release of the series, excluding slot machines in Japan, over 20 years ago. Unfortunately, a lot of great adventures lie dormant on a hard drive somewhere in Japan. This is because its watercolor aesthetic makes it a true DS go-to. The series ended, but there was a spiritual sequel released in North America in 2024. vakeru. Pan Ganbare Goemon You should check it out.

5

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time

four questions

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time This is the second game Mario & Luigi The series that followed Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga It appeared on the GBA in 2003. It features time travel, with the two plumbers working in baby form as they were first introduced. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Each sibling is mapped to a face button in combat and in the overworld, and most movements are controlled between the adult versions, except when the two groups are split. Unlike the first and third games Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time It has never been reissued or remade. One of the most forgotten entries in the various RPG spinoffs.

4

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team

The franchise's first roguelike

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team Released for GBA pokemon wonder dungeon blue rescue team Released for DS. Although not released in North America until 2006, these two games were the first roguelike spinoffs. pokemon at mystery dungeon series. Other notable franchise spinoffs include: final fantasy and dragon quest. more pokemon A sequel would follow and both of these original games were remade into One Adventure for the Switch in 2020 by Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX. Other notable 2005 Pokemon anniversaries that fans can celebrate in 2025 include: Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness and Pokemon Trojan.

3

resident evil 4

What are you buying later?

resident evil 4 It was supposed to be a GameCube exclusive, but only for a few months. Even the PS2 eventually got it in 2005, but the GameCube can still count its blessings. The game has been remastered several times and has a full remake coming in 2023, but the original version for the GameCube still looks amazing.

The gritty world, open-ended gameplay, and Leon's character growth since his first appearance in the series have all helped make the series a classic that fans still love 20 years later. Additionally, the mysterious merchant character has become an unforgettable icon.

2

super princess peach

Mario, where are you?

super princess peach This was the first spinoff in which Peach starred in her own adventures. It was released first in Japan and in North America a year later in 2006. Although it was a platform game, players had to traverse the world using Peach's emotions, like crying and watering plants to climb them. Although it has never been physically re-released or remade, Peach recently received a spiritual sequel via Princess Peach: Showtime! For Switch in 2024. Let's hope Nintendo can ramp up production in 2025, because playing two solo games in 20 years isn't great for this iconic princess.

1

Trauma Center: Under The Knife

God Goddess Lee Myeong

Trauma Center: Under the Knife This is the last Nintendo anniversary worth celebrating. This was a game made by Atlus, with a more realistic story involving doctors and nurses caring for very sick patients. It was a light novel with a mini-game involving treating patients. The DS was made for touch-based interaction like this, and the game was successful enough to spawn multiple sequels across multiple platforms after being remade on the Wii in 2006. trauma team The last game was for the Wii in 2010, and the franchise hasn't been touched since. It came and went like a fever, but die-hard Atlus fans still remember it fondly.