Nintendo Selects (and its predecessor, Player's Choice) is a marketing label previously used by Nintendo to promote best-selling video games on Nintendo game consoles. Nintendo Selects titles were sold at a lower price point (usually $19.99 instead of $49.99) than new releases. The program paralleled other budget range software by Sega (Sega All Stars), Sony (the Greatest Hits and Essentials), and Microsoft (Platinum Hits and Xbox Classics) to promote best-selling games on their consoles as well. In Japan, the discount label was introduced in 2015 for various Nintendo 3DS titles as the Happy Price Selection, although South Korea adopted the Nintendo Selects name at an earlier period. The most recent Nintendo Selects titles were released for the Wii U and 3DS and, as of January 2024, no Nintendo Switch games have been rebranded as Nintendo Selects.

Official banner

History

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1996–2010: Player's Choice

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In North America and Europe, Nintendo introduced the label on May 20, 1996,[1] as "Player's Choice" both for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and for the Game Boy to distinguish titles that had sold over one million copies. Super NES games had the "Super Nintendo Entertainment System" wordmark written in gold (instead of the usual red) on the box, along with a "Player's Choice" seal. European SNES and Game Boy releases were labeled differently in various markets (such as Mario Classics in Spain, Nintendo Classics in UK and Netherlands, and (Super) Classic Series Germany and France), comparing closer to the European version of the Classic Series label for the NES games, featuring the same Mario medal. Furthermore, all boxes were overhauled in red except Disney games, which received blue boxes.[2] North American NTSC "Player's Choice" games can be identified on the Nintendo 64 by the yellow background of the N64 logo in the upper right corner of the game box. On the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, games are marked in a yellow box on the top of the case. PAL region Player's Choice games have boxes that are colored silver or platinum with Player's Choice markings on the right hand side of a Nintendo 64 box or on the top of a GameCube box.

The Player's Choice line was introduced for GameCube titles in January 2003.[3] However, the sales barrier for games was decreased from 1 million, down to 450,000 by June 2003[4] and eventually only 250,000.[5] The first titles were Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pikmin, and Luigi's Mansion, and they each retailed for US$29.99. Later in the year, when six new titles were added, Nintendo split the pricing for different sets of GameCube games, so that some titles would enter in or stay at US$29.99 while others would be reduced immediately to US$19.99.[6] In April 2006, the "Player's Choice" label was applied to Game Boy Advance games, which sell for $19.99 in the United States.[7]

2011–2016: Nintendo Selects

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The Player's Choice label was renamed Nintendo Selects in May 2011.[8] The first Wii games added were The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers and Wii Sports. The New Play Control! version of Pikmin 2 debuted in North America as a Nintendo Selects title, alongside New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis.[9] Mario Party 8 and Wii Sports Resort were added to Nintendo Selects line in 2013 in UK.[10] These launches coincided with the Wii Mini launch, on March 22.[11] Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Wii Sports + Wii Sports Resort were added to the new Nintendo Selects Australian line, priced at AU$49.95 and NZ$59.95 with the release date of November 7, 2013.[12]

As of 2014, recommended retail prices are £19.99 in the United Kingdom, US$19.99 in the United States, CDN$19.99 in Canada, A$49.95 in Australia and €29.99 throughout the Eurozone.

In 2015, Nintendo of Europe began to release Nintendo Selects range of games for the Nintendo 3DS.[13] The label was then expanded to the Wii U alongside select Wii and Nintendo 3DS titles in Canada, released on March 11, 2016, priced at CA$29.99.[14] A range of Nintendo Selects titles was launched the following month in Europe.[15]

Home console titles

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Wii U

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Game Release date
Europe North America Australia
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker September 30, 2016 Unreleased Unreleased
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze April 15, 2016 March 11, 2016 December 1, 2016
Fast Racing Neo September 30, 2016 Unreleased October 1, 2016
Just Dance 2015 Unreleased 2016 Unreleased
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD April 15, 2016 August 26, 2016 Unreleased
Lego City Undercover April 15, 2016 August 26, 2016 May 8, 2016
Mario Party 10 September 30, 2016 Unreleased Unreleased
NES Remix Pack Unreleased March 11, 2016 Unreleased
New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U April 15, 2016 Unreleased May 8, 2016
Nintendo Land April 15, 2016 August 26, 2016 May 8, 2016
Pikmin 3 September 30, 2016 March 11, 2016 December 1, 2016
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Unreleased August 20, 2017 Unreleased
SteamWorld Collection September 30, 2016 Unreleased October 1, 2016
Super Mario 3D World September 30, 2016 March 11, 2016 Unreleased
Wii Party U April 15, 2016 Unreleased May 8, 2016
Game Release date
Europe North America Australia South Korea
Animal Crossing: City Folk May 20, 2011 May 15, 2011 Unreleased August 28, 2014
Avatar: The Game September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Donkey Kong Country Returns October 18, 2013 March 11, 2016 August 27, 2015 Unreleased
Kirby's Epic Yarn Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased April 23, 2015
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess September 16, 2011 May 15, 2011 November 7, 2013 August 6, 2015
Mario Kart Wii October 18, 2013 Unreleased November 7, 2013 August 28, 2014
Mario Party 8 March 22, 2013 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Mario Party 9 November 6, 2014 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Mario Power Tennis[note 1] June 22, 2012 June 10, 2012 Unreleased Unreleased
Mario Strikers Charged May 20, 2011 August 28, 2011 Unreleased August 28, 2014
Mario Super Sluggers Unreleased May 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased
My Fitness Coach September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
New Super Mario Bros. Wii June 13, 2014 Unreleased August 27, 2015 Unreleased
Pikmin 2[note 2] Unreleased June 10, 2012 Unreleased Unreleased
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure October 18, 2013 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Punch-Out!! Unreleased August 28, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased
Rayman Raving Rabbids September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Red Steel September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Sports Party September 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition Unreleased March 11, 2016 Unreleased Unreleased
Super Mario Galaxy September 16, 2011 August 28, 2011 November 7, 2013 April 23, 2015
Super Mario Galaxy 2 June 13, 2014 March 11, 2016 August 27, 2015 Unreleased
Super Paper Mario June 22, 2012 August 28, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased
Super Smash Bros. Brawl October 18, 2013 Unreleased November 7, 2013 November 6, 2014
WarioWare: Smooth Moves May 20, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Wii Party June 13, 2014 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Wii Sports May 20, 2011 May 15, 2011 Unreleased Unreleased
Wii Sports + Wii Sports Resort Unreleased Unreleased November 7, 2013 November 6, 2014
Wii Sports Resort March 22, 2013 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
  1. ^ Also a New Play Control! title.
  2. ^ Also a New Play Control! title, except in North America.

Minna no Susume Selection (for Japan):

GameCube

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PAL-exclusive Player's Choice titles:

Nintendo 64

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Due to the use of a more expensive cartridge-based format, all N64 Player's Choice titles retailed for $39.95[16] in the United States and $49.99[17] in Canada.

Game Release date
PAL North America
1080° Snowboarding 1999 August 15, 1999[18]
Banjo-Kazooie 1998 August 15, 1999[citation needed]
Cruis'n USA Unknown if released January 26, 1998[citation needed]
Diddy Kong Racing Unknown if released September 1, 1998[citation needed]
Donkey Kong 64 Unknown if released December 22, 2000[citation needed]
F-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Unreleased
F-Zero X 1999 Unreleased
GoldenEye 007 1998 September 1, 1998[citation needed]
Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside Unknown if released September 1, 1998[citation needed]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Unknown if released August 15, 1999[citation needed]
Mario Kart 64 1999 January 26, 1998[citation needed]
May 5, 1999[citation needed]
Perfect Dark Unknown if released December 22, 2000[citation needed]
Pokémon Snap Unknown if released December 22, 2000[citation needed]
Pokémon Stadium Unknown if released December 22, 2000[citation needed]
Snowboard Kids 1999 Unreleased
Star Fox 64 1999 January 26, 1998[citation needed]
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron Unknown if released August 15, 1999[citation needed]
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Unknown if released January 26, 1998[citation needed]
Super Mario 64 1998 January 26, 1998[citation needed]
May 5, 1999[citation needed]
Super Smash Bros. Unknown if released December 22, 2000[citation needed]
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Unknown if released January 26, 1998[citation needed]
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil Unknown if released May 5, 1999[citation needed]
Wave Race 64 1999 January 26, 1998[citation needed]
WCW vs. nWo: World Tour Unknown if released September 1, 1998[citation needed]
Yoshi's Story Unknown if released August 15, 1999[19]

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

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Game Release date
PAL[20] North America
Asterix & Obelix Released Unreleased
Disney's Aladdin Released Unreleased
Donkey Kong Country 1996 October 1997
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 1996 June 15, 1998
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! 1996 September 1, 1998
F-Zero Unreleased November 1997
The Jungle Book Released Unreleased
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 1996 May 20, 1996
The Lion King Released Unreleased
Mario Paint 1996 October 1996
SimCity 1996 September 3, 1996
The Smurfs Released Unreleased
Star Fox Unreleased April 1997
Super Bomberman 2 1996 Unreleased
Super Mario All-Stars 1996 September 3, 1996
Super Mario Kart 1996 May 20, 1996
Super Mario World 1996 September 1, 1998
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island 1996 Unreleased
Super Metroid 1996 November 1997
Super Star Wars Unreleased November 1996
Super Street Fighter II 1996 Unreleased
Tetris & Dr. Mario 1996 November 1997
Tetris 2 Unreleased December 1996
Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games Released Unreleased

Satellaview-exclusive Player's Choice Classic SoundLink games:

Handheld titles

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Nintendo 3DS

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Game Release date
Europe North America Australia Japan[note 1]
Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble + Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased June 1, 2017
Animal Crossing: New Leaf June 29, 2018 August 26, 2016 July 21, 2018 March 17, 2016
Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased June 1, 2017
Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest Unreleased June 6, 2016 Unreleased Unreleased
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D June 29, 2018 March 11, 2016 May 11, 2017 September 15, 2016[22]
DoraEigo: Nobita to Yōsei no Fushigi Collection Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Fire Emblem Awakening Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased September 15, 2016[22]
Gotouchi Tetsudou: Gotouchi Chara to Nihon Zenkoku no Tabi Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Kirby: Triple Deluxe October 13, 2017 February 6, 2017 May 11, 2018 Unreleased
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds October 16, 2015 February 3, 2018 Unreleased Unreleased
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D Unreleased February 4, 2019 Unreleased Unreleased
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D June 24, 2016 March 11, 2016 May 11, 2018 September 15, 2016[22]
Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins June 24, 2016 August 26, 2016 Unreleased September 15, 2016[22]
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon October 13, 2017 August 26, 2016 May 11, 2017 March 17, 2016
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team June 24, 2016 February 6, 2017 May 11, 2017 Unreleased
Mario Party: Island Tour October 16, 2015 March 11, 2016 May 26, 2016 Unreleased
Mario Tennis Open October 16, 2015 Unreleased May 26, 2016 September 15, 2016[22]
Monster Hunter XX Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased November 30, 2017
Nintendogs + Cats October 16, 2015 August 26, 2016 May 26, 2016 March 17, 2016
Paper Mario: Sticker Star June 24, 2016 Unreleased May 11, 2017 Unreleased
Puyo Puyo Chronicle Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased June 28, 2018
Ridge Racer 3D Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased June 1, 2017
Rune Factory 4 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased October 26, 2017
Super Mario 3D Land October 13, 2017 February 3, 2018 May 11, 2018 Unreleased
Star Fox 64 3D October 16, 2015 February 4, 2019 May 26, 2016 Unreleased
Style Savvy: Trendsetters June 24, 2016 Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased
Sumikko Gurashi: Koko ga Ochitsukundesu Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS June 29, 2018 February 4, 2019 November 2, 2018 Unreleased
Taiko no Tatsujin: Chibi Dragon to Fushigi na Orb Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Tales of the Abyss Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased June 1, 2017
Teddy Together Unreleased Unreleased Unreleased March 17, 2016
Tomodachi Life Unreleased August 26, 2016 November 2, 2018 March 17, 2016
Ultimate NES Remix Unreleased February 3, 2018 Unreleased Unreleased
Yoshi's New Island October 16, 2015 March 11, 2016 May 26, 2016 Unreleased
  1. ^ In Japan, it is known as Happy Price Selection rather than Nintendo Selects.

Game Boy Advance

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Game Release date
North America Japan
Family Tennis Advance Unreleased February 2, 2006
Golden Sun Unreleased February 2, 2006
Golden Sun: The Lost Age Unreleased February 2, 2006
Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan Advance Unreleased February 2, 2006
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords September 25, 2006 Unreleased
Magical Vacation Unreleased February 2, 2006
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga April 6, 2006 Unreleased
Mario Kart: Super Circuit September 25, 2006 Unreleased
Mother 1 + 2 Unreleased February 2, 2006
Mr. Driller Ace: Fushgi na Pactelia Unreleased February 2, 2006
Namco Museum Unreleased February 2, 2006
Oriental Blue: Ao no Tengai Unreleased February 2, 2006
Pac-Man Collection Unreleased February 2, 2006
Pokémon FireRed September 25, 2006 Unreleased
Pokémon LeafGreen September 25, 2006 Unreleased
Shining Soul Unreleased February 2, 2006
Shining Soul II Unreleased February 2, 2006
Summon Night: Swordcraft Story Unreleased February 2, 2006
Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 Unreleased February 2, 2006
Super Mario Advance April 2, 2006 Unreleased
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 April 2, 2006 Unreleased
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis Unreleased February 2, 2006
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 April 2, 2006 Unreleased

Game Boy Color

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Game Boy

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References

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  1. ^ "Classic Games Brought to New Generation of Game Players". Nintendo. May 16, 1996. Archived from the original on December 22, 1996. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "Super Classic Series European cover art", 19 Jul. 2021
  3. ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (2003-01-23). "Nintendo revives Player's Choice". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2006-01-16. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  4. ^ "Activision's Spider-Man® Achieves SCEA's "Greatest Hits", Microsoft's "Platinum Hits", And Nintendo's "Player's Choice" Status". Activision. June 2, 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Player's Choice (Best Selling Nintendo Games, US & EU)". VideoGameGeek. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  6. ^ Calvert, Justin (2003-09-09). "Nintendo Player's Choice range grows". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  7. ^ Harris, Craig (2006-07-27). "Player's Choice, Round Two". IGN.com. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  8. ^ Reilly, Jim (2011-05-04). "Nintendo Confirms Wii Price Cut". IGN. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
  9. ^ "PIKMIN 2 MAKES ITS U.S. WII DEBUT, JOINS MARIO POWER TENNIS IN NINTENDO SELECTS". Nintendo Pressroom. 2011-05-14. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
  10. ^ "Nintendo Selects". Nintendo. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  11. ^ "Wii Mini". Nintendo. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "Nintendo Selects range for Wii finally coming to Australia". Vooks. 17 October 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "Selection of Nintendo 3DS games to join Nintendo Selects value range on October 16th".
  14. ^ "Retailer says new Nintendo Selects are coming on March 11". 12 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Must-have Wii U games to join Nintendo Selects range on 15th April".
  16. ^ Cogumelo Venenoso (2014-04-22). "Nintendo 64 player's choice 2 (N64): Comercial - Ads (USA)". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  17. ^ videofollies (2006-07-20). "Nintendo ad with crossdressing and blackmail". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  18. ^ 1080: TenEighty Snowboarding (Players Choice) (US, 1999), archived from the original on 2016-09-02, retrieved 2016-09-02
  19. ^ Yoshi's Story (Players Choice) (US, 1999), archived from the original on 2016-09-02, retrieved 2016-09-02
  20. ^ "Super Nintendo: Wert der Spiele und Konsole 2019 (Liste)". retrovideospiele.com (in German). Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  21. ^ あなたが選ぶ名作サウンドリンクゲーム. Nintendo.co.jp. Archived 5 June 1997.
  22. ^ a b c d e Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Nintendo 3DS Direct 2016.9.1 プレゼンテーション映像". YouTube.
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