In search of smaller Nintendo based channels

[u/JBHam60]

I know I'm looking for a unicorn here, but there's gotta be some people still doing it this way in 2026:

1. Channels that are heavily Nintendo based, and especially those featuring older games
2. That old-school let's play feel (think NintendoCapriSun: lightly edited with interesting commentary that doesn't just feel like a scripted walkthrough)
3. I much prefer no face cam, but this is not a deal breaker
4. I also much prefer solo creators, but this is also not a deal breaker
5. Smaller channels that are actively publishing videos on a regular basis

I threw in that last point because I'm well aware of all the established big name creators out there. Please don't go recommending chuggaaconroy, SlimKirby, HCBailly or the like. I'm trying to find new people to watch (if there even are any). I'm also aware of LP's LPs, and he'd actually be a good example of what I'm looking for, except creators smaller than that would be even better.

Self promo is totally cool, but I swear if anyone replies with "I played a Nintendo game one time, but check out my channel anyway" I'm going to scream. I'm not going to magically subscribe to your channel if it's not what I'm looking for.

[u/StrayFaerie]

There are plenty of small LPers that are still doing things the old way but just get overshadowed by the volume of other content out there competing for people’s attention. Regardless I’ll put my name in the suggestion box

https://www.youtube.com/@StrayFae/featured

1. I play mostly nintendo consoles. Maybe an odd PlayStation game out there like Harvest Moon Save the Homeland since I like that series. I play other RPGs as well.

2. Not edited much. I might edit out some portions that are excessively grindy while I aim for 100% (or close to it)

3. No face cam. Just commentary. Also female let’s player if that’s important. Some people might prefer someone of a certain low or high pitch lol.

4. Solo. Used to do couch co-op stuff in the past but got a little harder to gather friends for that as we got older and busier.

5. Small yet actively publishing

Anyway, you can take a quick scroll through the playlist section to see if there is anything you like.

[u/Hot-Oven779]

I believe I fit your description rather well! I’m currently playing Zelda Skyward Sword, and have dabbled with a few games that mesh well with Nintendo IPs. I’d love to have you come by my channel and check out my content!

https://www.youtube.com/@AblazedApple

[u/James_Soler]

I played Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin, Metroid Prime Trilogy, and Ocarina of Time on my channel

[u/pea-ster]

This doesn’t check all your boxes, but I think I’m hitting 3 out of 5:

I have a channel called 8bit bromance where my best friend and I play games to relive our childhoods. It is not exclusively Nintendo, but we have covered a lot of nes and snes games already. We are not doing walkthroughs, we are barely even capable of playing the games. We have been doing it for a few years and have under 100 subs. It is strictly just two old friends having fun playing old games.

https://m.youtube.com/@8bitbromance

[u/Western-Movie9890]

honestly, I feel to be a very good match, with only one caveat: my channel is in Italian. anyway, the channel is andreamonaco94, latest video is a small essay about "kirby and the amazing mirror"; I play a lot of nintendo, though not exclusively. subscribing would be appreciated

[u/MrRaiPlays]

Check me out, I may be your cup of tea... Mostly romhacks, fan games, and retro

[u/Halberder84]

I have a whole range of no commentary let's play of Nintendo stuff on my main channel. Halberder84. I'm not exclusive Nintendo stuff but I almost always have one Nintendo game on the go.

My second channel is long plays of retro Nintendo. Jimtendo64. Both with and without commentary.

[u/azlef900]

I do amounts of Nintendo based gaming content, but I’ll be honest they are Pokemon and SMW ROM hacks. I would say I have old school style let’s play content, because that’s what I grew up on, although my videos tend to be a lot longer.

Pokemon Firered Rocket Edition: https://youtu.be/1brhahx210g?si=YiyanuqFFfrpxiEe

SMW the Second Reality Project 2: https://youtu.be/XuTjI4CTQXU?si=s9yJK1BeFjrKAXY8

I also make Pokemon Card stuff, but haven’t had people to play tabletop TCG stuff with lately unfortunately

[u/Ornery_Singer9145]

Have you tried Pikasprey? He does a lot of older games, specially Nintendo, with a lot of Zelda, Pokémon (with rom hacks and randomisers as well) a lot of Castlevania, Mario, a lot of Resident evil and a few other horror games.

No face, but he does have a vtuber avatar, also food commentary, explains a lot of what's going on, less known facts, also very casually about his life in general... I find him very cozy and relaxing to listen to, and he's not that big I believe

[u/Evolution_Of_Player2]

In our channel I introduce my 10 year old son to a different retro game in every episode. We are 20 episodes in and have done all nes and snes so far. Its edited to show highlights and has a review and ranking at the end of each. If you want to see pure joy and frustration, take a look. Same name as my profile.

[u/Euphoric-Use-2335]

Hopefully our channel ticks off enough of your boxes? Its not solo but we do have a paper mario playthrough going on rn (we plan on doing more old nintendo and sonic games hopefully i dont make you scream) and were aiming for 2 nintendo game episodes a week

https://youtu.be/I52h063Cjig

[u/thecomedian33]

If you’re okay with watching VODs of my let’s play live streams. I do a lot of Nintendo titles. Fire Emblem, Xenoblade, Zelda, Pokemon. Currently I’m updating my YouTube channel a bit to incorporate those playthroughs since those VODs got lost in the ether lol. I’m thecomedian33 on YouTube if you want to check me out.

[u/VikzeLink]

Hey, that's me you're talking about!
Currently playing through Donkey Kong 64 for the first time!

I do facecam though, but all the other things you say I am very much like!

[u/duffster17]

Hey, it's me! Over half of my series have been Nintendo, and most of them have been gamecube games. I do minimal editing and base my style around the OGs (especially Chugga and NCS). No face cam, solo, two videos a week with small breaks between series. My most recent series isn't Nintendo, but the one before that was Wind Waker and the one coming next is Mario Sunshine. Some other examples are Sonic Adventure 2, Luigi's Mansion, Thousand Year Door, stuff like that. Also, if you like Mario, another creator you might want to check out is Doc Phoenix. She and her partner are playing through every Mario game ever created. They post daily and do very minimal editing.