Now, when I play video games, I love a good story which is something that stems from the reader in me. Video games with great stories are always so much more immersive than video games without one. Nintendo usually has the best stories in gaming. So, here are seven of the best story-based Nintendo games ever in no particular order.

1. Kid Icarus: Uprising

Kid Icarus is a series that doesn’t have many titles, which is a shame since Kid Icarus Uprising, the latest game in the series, is one of the best games ever. The dialogue is witty, the characters are fleshed out (especially Pit, which is a nice change to have the main character actually be developed), the gameplay is relatively easy and quick, and the underlying story plays a central role in the game.

Kid Icarus Uprising really revived the series in an excellent way, and even though it’s unlikely at the moment that we’ll get another game, I’m still hoping that Nintendo decides to keep the series alive.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

With the original Legend of Zelda, Nintendo created fantasy adventure games as we know them today. With Ocarina of Time, Nintendo mastered the fantasy adventure games. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time was advanced for its time.

With a beautiful, expansive world and a rich, lore based story, Ocarina of Time will always be a masterpiece, and it solidifies the Legend of Zelda series as one of the best series in all of gaming.

3. Fire Emblem: Awakening

If you’ve never played a Fire Emblem game, you don’t know what you’re missing. Fire Emblem Awakening was my first Fire Emblem game, and I fell in love with the series as a result. A tactical roleplaying game combined with a slew of amazing characters and a rich story that you can help shape? It’s the perfect combination!

Fire Emblem Awakening’s rich storyline will keep you immersed for hours. And because the story is customizable through the marriage of different characters, you will definitely be going back to play it over and over again.

4. Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time

Unpopular opinion here: I’m not a fan of mainstream Mario games because I’m terrible at them, but the Mario and Luigi series is one of my absolute favorite gaming series, with Partners in Time being the best one, in my opinion.

Follow Mario and Luigi as they journey into the past and pair up with their infant selves to defeat an evil alien race in order to once again save the Mushroom Kingdom and Princess Peach. Partners in Time is chock full of moments that will have you laughing, and the gameplay mechanics make it relatively easy to get through.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda, as stated before, is one of the greatest video game series of all time, and this game lives up to that reputation.

With a beautiful art style and a rich, immersive storyline, Skyward Sword is one of the most amazing games ever created. The established relationship between Link and Zelda in this game is a dream come true for ZeLink shippers.

6. Super Smash Bros: Brawl

I know what you’re thinking, “This is a story based game list, why is Super Smash Bros on here?” Well, let me tell you why in only two words: Subspace Emissary. This installation of the Super Smash Bros series came with a story mode that connects all of your favorite Nintendo characters (plus Sonic and Snake).

Watch heroes and villains alike from all of Nintendo’s major franchises team up in order to save the world. Despite the fact that there is no dialogue, the storyline of the Subspace Emissary is rich. Plus, you get to fight as one of the most kickass Nintendo characters ever: Princess Peach.

7. Fire Emblem: Fates

Fire Emblem Fates is a special kind of story-based game. You see, in Fire Emblem, you as the player have a little control over the story; however, Fates gives you even more control by letting you choose between three paths. Yes, you get to choose the ending of the game (but you do have to pay for it, unfortunately).

Every choice you make in this game impacts the outcome of the end of the game, living up to its title. Fire Emblem Fates is one of those games that you can play over and over again and never get bored with because of the many different paths available