When you think about the NPD results that come every month, they focus on the consoles that are out right now, and reveal the sales numbers of the games that are doing well on it. However, the NPD decided to something a little fun this weekend, and they put together the top best-selling games for systems of the past. This included not just the Game Boy Color, but also, the N64. And while there may not be many “surprises” on this list, it is a fascinating insight into how history isn’t shaped in the present per se.
Let’s start with the N64 games:
1. Super Mario 64
2. GoldenEye 007
3. Mario Kart 64
4. Zelda: Ocarina of Time
5. Pokemon Stadium
6. Donkey Kong 64
7. Star Fox 64
8. Super Smash Bros.
9. Diddy Kong Racing
10. Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire
As you can see, only two 3rd party games made the cut. And technically, one was 2nd party, as Rare was owned by Nintendo at the time. Goldeneye 007 making the list at No.2 is fascinating on many levels. Mainly because it beat out one of the all-time great games in Ocarina of Time. It’s also fascinating to see titles like Diddy Kong Racing on the list, as that was considered a “weaker” spinoff of Mario Kart by some. Super Mario 64 being on top is obviously no surprise at all.
Meanwhile, with the Game Boy Color, you’re going to see a very popular trend…
1. Pokemon Silver
2. Pokemon Gold
3. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
4. Pokemon Pinball
5. Pokemon Crystal
6. Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories
7. Zelda: Link’s Awakening
8. Donkey Kong Country
9. Pokemon Trading Card Game
10. Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Yeah, that’s a lot of Pokemon games in the top ten, and two Zelda games. What easily is the biggest surprise is that a Yugioh title made it into the top 10.
What surprises you about the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Article updated 11/6/2018 at 1:12pm EST to correct titles for Super Mario Bros. Deluxe and Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories.
