50 Greatest Nintendo Moments: 20-11

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We're one day away from finding out our best Nintendo moment of all time but for now we're counting down to number eleven. There are more classic moments to reminisce about here including taking flight in Super Mario Bros. 3, paying off your mortgage in Animal Crossing and catching 'em all in Pokémon.

Another Code

20. Open & Shut Case - Another Code, DS
Roughly halfway through the game, Ashley needs to use some stamps to finish a scrapbook. But how does she do it? This was one of the most difficult puzzles in the game but it actually had a ridiculously simple and logical solution. All the player had to do was close the DS over, 'stamping' the image on the scrapbook. When you opened the DS again the picture would be complete. Genius.

Super Mario Bros. 3

19. Taking Flight - Super Mario Bros 3, NES
At first glance SMB3 didn't seem like much more than a graphically improved follow-up to the original. As soon as Mario picked up a Super Leaf and grew a raccoon's ears and tail however, it soon became clear that things weren't as straightforward as before. The first truly great Mario power-up, the racoon suit ushered in a new generation of platforming perfection from Nintendo.

Animal Crossing

18. Paying Off Your Mortgage - Animal Crossing, GameCube
Animal Crossing always starts off with you having to perform jobs for Tom Nook, the shop owner. After helping out with a few tasks he'll start asking you for mortgage money. Begrudgingly, you start doing everything you can to make money because you're curious to see what happens. And when you do, Nook just makes your house bigger and asks for more money. The initial disappointment soon wears off as your Scarface-style rise to power begins...

Pilotwings 64

17. Might As Well Face It - Pilotwings 64, N64
Our favourite area in Pilotwings 64 is Little States Island and its tiny Mount Rushmore with Mario's face replacing George Washington's. Of course, its second nature to start blasting away at his nose. Should you land a direct hit, Mario's mug crumbles away and turns into Wario's face instead. Cheeky, but ace.

Super Metroid

16. Dying Young - Super Metroid, SNES
You'd usually expect big boss battles to take place at the end of a game, which is what makes Samus' epic first encounter with Ridley in Super Metroid all the more memorable. The game's only five minutes old! It's a great start to a wonderful game.

Pokémon Red & Blue

15. Catching 'Em All
Pokemon Red & Blue - Game Boy
Fans spend ridiculous amounts of time arguing over which Pokémon is the strongest, but back in the Red and Blue days there was no doubt that Mewtwo was the daddy. Catching him was a nightmare too. Succeed though and you ruled the playground.

GoldenEye

14. Dropping One Off - GoldenEye 007, N64
This Bond classic was full of great moments but our favourite was at the start of the Facility level where Bond found himself in the air ducts perched above the gents' toilets, and had a clean shot at a soldier who happened to be sitting on the loo. Poor bloke.

Super Mario Bros. 2

13. It Was All A Dream - Super Mario Bros. 2, NES
It's explained at the start of SMB2 that the world of Subcon (where the game takes place)
is all part of Mario's dream. So when you finally defeat Wart at the end of the game and restore peace to Subcon, you're greeted with one of our favourite endings ever, Mario snoozing away as all the game's enemies and characters float past him. Awwwwww.

Super Mario Kart

12. A 'Cut Above - Super Mario Kart, SNES
The secret weapon in any Super Mario Kart expert's arsenal was the feather, that let you perform a huge jump. If you knew each track inside-out, there were ridiculous short- cuts to be had. The handiest (but riskiest) was the one in the Ghost Valley 1 track where you could drive along a narrow strip of road, take a leap and zoom straight into the lead.

Super Mario 64

11. Going In A Tailspin - Super Mario 64, N64
How can you pick a defining moment in such a monumental game? Well, the Bowser boss battle will do for a start. It may not seem a big deal now, but at the time grabbing his tail and then turning the then-revolutionary analogue stick round in circles to spin him round was breathtaking.

• 50 Greatest Nintendo Moments: 30-21


• 50 Greatest Nintendo Moments: 40-31


• 50 Greatest Nintendo Moments: 50-41

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