Summary
Nintendois famous for itshighly recognizable IPsand the variety of games those IPs inhabit. Nintendo makes everything from platformers, to RPGs, to racing games, and even shooters. But one of the more understated genres in Nintendo’s wheelhouse isstrategy games.
When most people think of Nintendo strategy games, they think ofFire EmblemorAdvance Wars. Indeed, the vast majority of strategy games under Nintendo’s banner falls under one of those two franchises. But Nintendo offers other great strategy offerings for armchair generals who crave a little more variety.
A Bizarre And Underrated Gem
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.
PLAN YOUR SQUAD’S STRATEGY TURN BY TURN!EQUIP YOUR TEAM AND TEST YOUR, SKILLS AT ADVANCED DIFFICULTY LEVELS!FIGHT IN EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES!MANOEUVRE YOUR 4-MAN TEAM TO LAY AMBUSHES!PILOT S.T.E.A.M.‘S ULTIMATE WEAPON!JOIN THE FORCES OF CODE NAME: S.T.E.A.M.AND HARNESS THE POWER OF STEAM TO OUTMANOEUVRE, OUTFLANK AND OUTFICHT YOUR ENEMIES!
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.is one of Nintendo’s most forgotten and bizarre projects. Set in a steam punk take on London, England, the plot is about an elite task force that uses steam-powered weaponry to battle eldritch-style aliens. This all sounds fairly standard, except that the team is formed by Abraham Lincoln. He recruits the bravest heroes from the public domain such as John Henry, Tom Sawyer, Tiger Lily, andthe Cowardly Lion.
The gameplay functions similarly toValkyria Chronicles,with each side taking turns moving its units around the battlefield and performing a variety of actions. Each character can be equipped with weapons that perform a variety of functions, from damaging enemies to healing or buffing allies. The overwhelming odds and dangerous enemy types encountered in each mission require careful planning and preparation from the player. With its irresistibly strange premise and deep strategy,Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.is a game that deserves much more attention.
Pokemonis probably tied withMariofor having thebiggest variety of spin-off games. So even fans that had never heard of it might not be shocked to hear that it got a strategy game in the form ofPokemon Conquest. What might be more surprising is that the game is a crossover withNobunaga’s Ambition. As such, fan-favorite Pokemon are partnered with famous figures from the Sengoku period of Japan, such as Yukimura Sanada.
Pokemon Conquestinvolves sending warriors and their partner Pokemon out on the map to conquer rival nations and recruit their warriors. Battles are 6v6 affairs that require careful positioning and use of special abilities. Though it didn’t make a huge splash, fans and critics loved the game for its interesting characters and fun fusion of the two different franchises. It has a small but loyal fanbase that would love to see a follow-up entry.
Aside fromFire Emblem,Advance Warsis probably the most well-known of Nintendo’s strategic offerings. Fans fell in love with the games for their charming characters and art style, as well as their deep and fun strategic gameplay. The franchise has seen many beloved entries, but the first two games are largely considered the best.Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Campshot to the top of many fans’ lists for being an excellent remaster of both games.
In addition to giving these beloved classics a fresh coat of paint,Re-Boot Campalso gave the original games voice acting for the first time. These modern touches paired nicely with the originals’challenging strategy gameplay, which many fans already considered to be ahead of its time. This remake is considered to be the crown jewel of the long-dormant series, and hopefully the first of many new entries.
With the Rabbids being some of the most contentious figures in all of gaming, many an eye was rolled when it was announced Nintendo and Ubisoft would be partnering to publish a crossover withMario. However, interest was raised when it was revealed that the game would be a turn-based strategy game in the form ofMario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. That interest turned into outright shock when the game released and turned out to be fantastic. That acclaim continued with its sequel:Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope.
The sequel offers many improvements over the beloved original, includingimproved world maptraversal, better movement in combat, and the titular Sparks allowing characters to equip different abilities. On top of this, the game also had full voice-acting for the Rabbid characters, and offered a surprisingly deep story that fleshed out characters like Rosalina. It took everything fans loved about the first game and enhanced it for a game that strategy fans can’t miss.
While developed and published by Square Enix,Triangle Strategywas published by Nintendo for its international release. A part of Square’s HD-2D series, the game features a beautiful blend of sprite art and 3D environments. The game has a deepGame Of Thrones-esque plot full of complex characters and political intrigue. As the title implies, players can strongly influence the plotby making decisionsthat correspond to the three pillars of the game’s world: utility, morality, and liberty.
The player’s choices also affect what battles the player encounters. Battles are turn-based affairs played on grids, where players must make the most of their characters’ abilities, terrain, and even environmental factors to seize victory. While the game may be a little dense for casual players, its gorgeous art style, rich plot, and deep, tactical gameplay have won it many fans.
On its surface, thePikminseries is a cute and simple adventure game. But looking deeper will reveal one of the most stressful real-time strategy games ever made, where players must meticulously micromanage under tight deadlines. Despitethis level of difficulty, or perhaps because of it,Pikminhas earned an extremely vocal cult following. While the whole series is beloved,Pikmin 4is hailed as a masterpiece by fans.
The fourth entry in the beloved strategy series adds more action-like elements such as a tighter camera, the ability to lock-on to enemies, and upgradeable abilities. All of these additions help to enhance, rather than detract from, the strategy gameplay that is the heart of the franchise. In fact, with new additions like Dandori Battles,Pikmin 4puts more emphasis on organization and planning than any other game in the series.
Fire Emblemis Nintendo’s premiere strategy franchise, which has been providing fans with deep turn-based tactical gameplay for decades. While there are very few entries in the historic franchise that any fan would call “bad,”Fire Emblem: Three Housesstands apart as possibly the best. Not only does it offer some of the best turn-based combat in the series, but it offers excellent life-simulation elements that fit perfectly with the game’s setting.
The player takes the role of a teacher at a military academy, giving them an unprecedented role in nurturing and guiding their budding army of students. Players can influence their characters’ growth, as well asform lasting relationshipswith them. The fact that players choose one of three houses with their own unique cast of characters at the start of the game offers plenty of opportunities for replayability.
