Best 2d and 3d games in Nintendo's most popular franchises?

[shadobeni]

If you were only allowed to pick one 2d and one 3d platforming game out of each of these Nintendo game franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong), which ones would you pick as the best?

Also what are the best and/or most innovative Nintendo published or developed games that do not belong to any of the franchises mentioned above (could be any genre)?

[AwesomeMonstar]

3d, mario 64 hands down. It's the game that made 3d make sense, and its still fun as all hell to this day. I don't think many people will argue that this game is the very definition of timeless.

2d: super metriod. Take a great formula, expand it, give it even better music, graphics, and atmosphere, and you have a damn near perfect game on your hands. One of these days I'm gonna add this to my snes collection, and i'll feel pretty damn happy when I do.

Edit: and for outside the main franchises, I gotta agree with eartbound. That game is a class act.

[Dylan]

For 2D it's either Donkey Kong Country 2 or Super Metroid.

For 3D it's an exceptionally close race between Ocarina of Time and Metroid Prime.

For the other category I'd say Earthbound or F-Zero.

Note: yeah, I know I pretty much selected more than one for each category, but it wasn't easy to narrow them down to 2. Consider it an approximation.

[latenitevacancy]

i have to say that as far as classic, 2d straight up platforming, donkey kong country 2 is probably as good as it gets. mario 3 & world are also good, but dkc 2 is just perfect in my opinion. the atmosphere, the level design, the difficulty. everything, just perfect.

[MrPopo]

Super Metroid is definately my favorite 2D game of the main franchises. It just got everything so right. I still remember exploring all the nooks and crannies for secrets.

For 3D, I'd probably say Metroid Prime. Retro managed to fully capture the spirit of exploration while moving the game to 3D. My favorite part? When you first go to the Phazon Mines. You have that eerie atmosphere and that sense that things are a little too quiet. Then the pirates come.

As for the other category, Earthbound hands down. Very few games have as much raw charm as that game does.

[Limewater]

Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong

Mario:

2D: Super Mario World
I think SMB3 is a slightly better game, but I like the ability to save. Also, the music in SMB3 always depressed me slightly for some reason.

3D: Super Mario Sunshine. I've never actually played it. The only 3D Mario I've played was Mario 64 and, to be honest, I didn't think it was all that great. I tend to like games considered to be black sheep, so I image I'll like Sunshine fine when I get to play it.

Zelda:

2D: Link to the Past

3D: Ocarina of Time

Metroid:

2D: Super Metroid

3D: Never played any of them.

Donkey Kong:

2D: Donkey Kong on Gameboy. The one with a bunch of levels after the original four.

3D: There's only one, isn't there? Or does Donkey Konga count?

Other:

2D: Star Tropics

3D: Pikmin

[FreshChurros]

2D Mario: Super Mario Bros. 3

3D Mario: Super Mario 64

2D Zelda: Link's Awakening

3D Zelda: Ocarina of... Wind Wake... Twilight Princess? Please don't make me choose.

2D Metroid: Well, Metroid Fusion is the only one I've really played. So Metroid Fusion.

3D Metroid: Haven't played any of em enough to select one.

2D Donkey Kong: This is a toughie. I'll say Donkey Kong Country 3. Interesting challenges in every level, often overlooked.

3D Donkey Kong: Surprise, Jungle Beat! It has the gameplay of a 2D Donkey Kong, but whatever.

Hmmm, Animal Crossing and Pikmin are excellent games that aren't really "mainstream Nintendo." Animal Crossing is interesting because it succeeded despite having many elements that don't fit in with other games. Pikmin was the first great console RTS!

[shadobeni]

I forgot there aren't really any donkey kong games that have 3d gameplay.

[MrPopo]

Aside from Donkey Kong 64.

[BoringSupreez]

Best 3D: Ocarina of Time
Best 2D: Super Mario World.