Vote In Our First Very Nintendo Week Throwdown

Check Out the Nintendo Week Throwdown Schedule

The Nintendo Week Throwdown is starting! Sixteen famous Nintendo characters will compete, and fans get to vote for their favorites. Voting begins on Monday, March 30th with the first four matchups. The first round will finish on Tuesday, March 31st, with the remaining battles.

The competition heats up next week! On Wednesday, April 1st, the top 8 characters will battle it out in the quarter-finals. The following day, April 2nd, the semi-finals will narrow the field to just two finalists. Then, on April 3rd, fans get to vote for who they think is the greatest Nintendo character of all time. Finally, on April 4th, the winner will be revealed, concluding Nintendo Week and crowning the ultimate champion.

Meet the Competitors

Nintendo Week kicks off with sixteen players competing for the championship. Each one is a strong contender, and only one will be victorious after the final showdown.

Mario

Mario is central to Nintendo’s success and remains one of the most beloved video game characters ever created. He’s appeared in countless games, from Super Mario Galaxy to the Mario Kart series, and even in animated films and TV shows. Mario is famous for repeatedly saving Princess Peach from the villainous Bowser and protecting the Mushroom Kingdom. Because he’s so popular with both gamers and the general public, Mario will be a strong contender in the Nintendo Week Throwdown.

Link

Link is often considered one of the best video game heroes ever created. As the main character in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series, this young Hylian consistently steps up to save the world when it’s in danger. Over many years, he’s fought numerous monsters, most notably the evil Ganon. With recent popular games like Breath of the Wild, Link’s popularity continues to grow, and it will be exciting to see how he performs in the Nintendo Week Throwdown.

Pikachu

Samus Aran

Samus Aran is a bounty hunter who travels the galaxy, battling aliens and creatures while wearing a high-tech suit of armor. She’s known for tackling challenging and emotionally impactful missions, representing a more grown-up side of Nintendo. While younger players might not always connect with her, Samus has become increasingly popular with older gamers, solidifying her place as one of Nintendo’s most beloved and lasting characters.

Kirby

Kirby is a cheerful, pink character who travels to different planets for exciting adventures. He’s famous for his big appetite – he’ll happily ‘eat’ almost anything, even enemies! When he does, he gains their powers. With his friendly personality and sweet demeanor, Kirby seems destined for success in the current competition.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong is a classic and beloved character created by Nintendo. Famous for often battling Mario, he eventually became the star of his own series of games. He’s the most well-known member of the Kong family, which also includes characters like Diddy Kong and Cranky Kong. Because he’s so recognizable and has been around for so long, Donkey Kong is a strong contender when compared to other popular Nintendo heroes.

Zelda

Princess Zelda is a central character and the leader of Hyrule. While she sometimes seems like a character who needs rescuing, she’s actually incredibly powerful. As the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda is one of Hyrule’s strongest figures and frequently assists Link on his adventures.

Luigi

Luigi is a brave hero who, like his brother Mario, protects the Mushroom Kingdom. He’s a bit more timid than Mario, but always overcomes his fear to do what’s right. Originally known as Mario’s sidekick, Luigi eventually starred in his own popular series, Luigi’s Haunted Mansion. His growing popularity now puts him in the running for the title of Nintendo’s greatest character.

Bowser

Bowser is a major villain in Nintendo’s Mario games. He’s a powerful, fire-breathing tyrant who is fixated on Princess Peach and constantly causes trouble in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi frequently have to work together to stop him. Many consider Bowser to be one of the best villains in Nintendo history, and he’s a strong contender to win any showdown with other antagonists.

Yoshi

Yoshi is a friendly and helpful companion to Mario, and he’s the main character in his own games. Originally appearing in Super Mario World as a dinosaur from the Yoshi species, he started as a supporting character who helped Mario get around. Now, Yoshi is one of Nintendo’s most famous characters and is considered by many to be among their all-time greats.

Isabelle

Isabelle, a Shih Tzu, works as a secretary in the video game Animal Crossing: New Leaf, helping players develop their towns. She’s a popular and helpful character in the game and has become well-loved by fans. While she’s appeared in other games too, she isn’t as famous as characters like Mario, Link, or Kirby, so it will be interesting to see how she performs in the Nintendo Week Tournament.

Fox McCloud

Fox McCloud is the main character in Nintendo’s Star Fox series, where players fly their own spaceship. As a red fox from the planet Corneria, he pilots the Arwing and leads the Star Fox team, which also includes characters like Falco Lombardi, Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare, and Krystal. Though he might not be the most popular pick in the Nintendo Week tournament, Fox McCloud is always a strong contender.

Captain Falcon

Captain Falcon, a popular character from the F-Zero series, is a skilled racer and bounty hunter known for traveling across the galaxy. He’s famous for his powerful “Falcon Punch” and has appeared in games beyond F-Zero, like the Super Smash Bros. series. Though not necessarily a favorite to win, Captain Falcon’s cool personality and charm could help him achieve a surprisingly high rank in the Nintendo Week tournament.

Ganondorf

Ganon, also known as Ganondorf, is the main villain in the Legend of Zelda video game series. As a powerful Gerudo sorcerer, he’s repeatedly taken over Hyrule, making him one of Nintendo’s most fearsome characters. Throughout the games, he’s been a recurring enemy of the hero Link, earning a reputation as a well-known and popular villain.

Wario

Wario is Mario’s mischievous and greedy rival, always causing trouble and seeking treasure. He’s everything Mario isn’t, making him a major enemy. Often partnering with his equally troublesome brother, Waluigi, Wario loves to create chaos, and now he’s bringing his antics to the Nintendo Week Throwdown. Will the fans let him win?

Peach

Princess Peach is dedicated to protecting the Toads and keeping her kingdom peaceful. Although the villainous King Bowser frequently threatens her people, Peach consistently manages to save the day, often with help from her friends Mario and Luigi. Originally known for needing rescue, Peach has evolved into a capable hero, especially in the Super Mario Bros. movies. This growing independence makes her a powerful competitor in this year’s Nintendo Week Throwdown.

Check Back for New Matchups Every Day of Nintendo Week

Visit this page daily during Nintendo Week for updated matchups! Voting begins on Monday, March 30th at noon EST, and we’ll post the results here to show who advances to the next round.

The first round kicks off with exciting battles between some of Nintendo’s biggest stars! The competition doesn’t let up in part two, featuring unexpected pairings as players fight to advance to Round 2. See the full list of matchups below.

Round 1, Part 1 Matchups

Mario vs. Link
Pikachu vs Samus Aran
Kirby vs Donkey Kong
Zelda vs Luigi

Round 1, Part 2 Matchups

Bowser vs Yoshi
Isabelle vs Fox McCloud
Captain Falcon vs Ganondorf
Peach vs Wario

2026-03-26 18:39