A new ranking highlights the best television shows adapted from Nintendo video games. Pokémon: the Series tops the list, praised for its enduring success and fidelity to the franchise. Other entries range from stop-motion coziness to early animated misfires.
Pokémon: the Series claims the top spot in a recent ranking of Nintendo's top 10 TV adaptations. The anime, which premiered in Japan in 1997 and in the West in 1999, follows Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu on a quest to become the best Pokémon trainer. It has maintained consistency for nearly 30 years, transitioning to new protagonists Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons after Ash's story concluded in 2023. The series captures epic battles and adventures straight from the games, making viewers feel part of the journey, according to the ranking. |n|n*Kirby: Right Back at Ya! ranks second*, backed by Nintendo executives like president Satoru Iwata and creator Masahiro Sakurai. The anime depicts Kirby as a Star Warrior battling Nightmare and King Dedede on Planet Popstar, faithfully recreating his ability-copying gameplay. Side characters like Meta Knight and Nightmare, voiced by Andrew Rannells, align closely with the games. |n|nLower ranks include Pokémon Concierge at No. 3, a 2023 Netflix stop-motion series where Haru and Psyduck care for Pokémon at a resort, offering a relaxing contrast to action-packed entries. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show at No. 4 blends animation and live-action with Lou Albano and Danny Wells as Brooklyn plumbers. |n|nThe list critiques earlier shows like The Legend of Zelda (No. 10), featuring a talkative slacker Link who quips, 'Well, excuuuuuse me, princess!' to Zelda, diverging from the games' tone. Donkey Kong Country (No. 9) and Super Mario World (No. 8) also face aging issues, while F-Zero: GP Legend (No. 7), Fire Emblem OVA (No. 6), and Kid Icarus: Uprising shorts (No. 5) showcase varied successes in action and world-building. The ranking notes Nintendo's shift toward screen adaptations after past flops like the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.
