Summary
Over the years, Nintendo has developed a diverse range of games across various genres, from classic side-scrollers to first-person shooters. While they are fortunate to have many third-party games set in open worlds, they also have a selection of well-crafted first-party exclusives in open-world settings.
Open-world games feature expansive maps that often stretch for miles, offering players a mix of thrilling adventures in fantastical settings and opportunities for relaxation in exotic locales. It’s important to note that these games are exclusive to Nintendo consoles, which means titles likeThe Witcher 3andFinal Fantasy 6do not meet the criteria.
For a more relaxing gaming experience, there’s a delightful game for the Nintendo Wii calledGo Vacation. Similar to titles likeHarvest MoonandAnimal Crossing, the game allows players to wander around and engage in various activities. While some might find this approach dull,Go Vacationoffers a tranquil atmosphere on a fully explorable island, enhancing the enjoyment of time spent playing.
Players can experience a digital vacation on Kawawii Island, which features four different resorts. They can enjoy a variety of activities, including skiing, tennis, snowman building, and much more. Additionally,there is a Nintendo Switch versionofGo Vacationthat offers exclusive content due to the absence of motion controls on the Switch. This makes owning both versions worthwhile.
StarTropicshas received varied reception over the years. Initially, it was criticized for being too confusing due to its large open world filled with quests, dungeons, and the necessity to interact with NPCs. Today, such features are commonplace in games, but in 1990, this was quite advanced, especially for a title on the NES. As a result,StarTropicshas developed a cult following.
There was a sequel toStarTropics, but it also faded into obscurity. More than thirty years later,StarTropicshas come to be regarded as a game that hadthe potential to become a Nintendo franchise. Other games, such asThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, adopted a similar open-world style but expanded on it significantly.
Batman: Arkham Cityis available on various consoles, butBatman: Arkham City - Armored Editionwas exclusive to the Nintendo Wii U. This version was more than just a simple port. It introduced new gameplay mechanics, including advanced armored suits for Batman and Catwoman, as well as the B.A.T. gauntlets, which are the shock gauntlets that later appeared inBatman: Arkham Origins.
The Wii U gamepad is also used for multiple mechanics, including gadget selection, crime scene investigations, and hacking with the Cryptographic Sequencer.Batman: Arkham Cityis frequently consideredthe best entry in theBatman: Arkhamseries, and the Wii U version offers a refreshing change from the original, incorporating all the DLC into the game.
6Endless Ocean: Blue World
Exploring The Ocean With Double The Content Than Before
Endless Ocean: Blue Worldis a sequel that builds upon the foundation of the first game, expanding the experience in multiple ways. The visuals have significantly improved, making the vastoceans feel alive as players explore them. Additionally, the gameplay has been enhanced to include more side quests, real threats to encounter, and what many consider to be a better storyline.
The primary focus of theEndless Oceangames is to explore the underwater world and discover various species of marine life and plant life.Endless Ocean: Blue Worldintroduces an even greater number of animals to find, study, and potentially befriend, totaling nearly 400 species. It is regarded as the best game in the trilogy and a standout title for the Nintendo Wii.
While Mario games have featured open-ended levelsin other 3D Mario games,Bowser’s Furyis the first true open-world game in the franchise. Mario and Bowser Jr. embark on an adventure to save Bowser, who has been corrupted and transformed into an inky state. Players can explore the world of Lake Lapcat without any loading screens, allowing for complete freedom to roam.
The game earns the titleBowser’s Furydue to its unique NPC mechanic, which features Bowser appearing every few minutes in a genuinely intimidating, kaiju-like form to attack Mario. These encounters are not only intense, but they also provide the only way to access certain collectibles. By combining this feature with the freedom to explore,Bowser’s Furysets a potential new standard for future Mario games.
The Legend of Zeldafranchise offers players the opportunity to explore different versions of Hyrule. However,The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakeris unique because it features a vast ocean filled with numerous islands. Each island presents players with new adventures and puzzles for Link to discover.
Whether it’s the original Nintendo GameCube version orthe remastered version on the Nintendo Wii U,The Wind Wakeris a fun game for the whole family. It captures the sense of adventure often felt while watching movies likePirates of the Caribbean, blending swashbuckling action with fantasy elements. This combination creates one of the most memorable entries in the beloved franchise.
Xenoblade Chronicles Xcombines classic action RPG gameplay with survival mechanics, creating an ambitious experience that immerses players on an alien planet. Players can engage in battles as fully customizable humans. They also have access to mech suits that evoke the style and feel of anime, both in design and in their movement during combat.
The planet of Mira is vast, which makes the game quite impressive for a Wii U title. This is why it wasremastered for the Nintendo Switchwith a definitive edition. The landscape is not only visually stunning, but also features a diverse variety of enemies, ranging from alien monsters to giant bosses, which keeps exploration engaging. Additionally, the effective RPG combat enhances the overall experience.
Altering the formula in a long-established franchise could have harmed Nintendo; however, they executed this decision effectively withThe Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. Instead of a basic open world, Link has the chance to exploreone of the largest maps in video game history, with hundreds of side quests and instances to find throughout the post-apocalyptic version of Hyrule.
Players must deal with rain, snow, and extreme temperatures, utilizing different outfits and foods to keep Link alive.Breath Of The Wildfeatures destructible items, numerous smaller dungeons known as shrines, unique powers for Link, and a voice-acted story. While these new elements may have alienated some fans, the game has ultimately become one of Nintendo’s biggest hits.
In a direct sequel toBreath Of The Wild, Nintendo expanded upon the established elements of that game, creating an even larger Hyrule thatincludes floating islands to explore, reminiscent ofSkyward Sword. The result isThe Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, which serves as an example of how, sometimes, bigger truly is better.
The developers could have just expandedBreath of the Wildto create a larger game, butTears Of The Kingdomdemonstrates how Nintendo has gone above and beyond. Link has new abilities, there are more authentic dungeons, and crafting has been significantly enhanced. Even issues from the previous game have been resolved, and the game weaves what many consider to be the best story inThe Legend of Zeldafranchise.
