DKC 2, Pikmin 2 or Melee if the qualifier is second games in a series.

That it did. The soundtrack was just... there has never been a more emotive and memorable collection of music than there was in OOT. The melodies and themes... the atmospheric music and the way it can shift from the jubilant music in town to the horrific music later on, when the world is on the brink... it's all just so fucking amazing. 

This was BOTW biggest sin imo. The music was pretty much garbage compared to the standards of past games.

It has not yet been made - Super Mario RPG II. Fuck the Paper series.

Best direct sequel would be Majora's Mask. While they are all linked in the canon timeline, Majora's Mask was one that followed Ocarina of Time directly after Link returns to the child timeline and features that same incarnation of the hero.

I was not hot on the game at first, but now it is one of my favorites for its unique gameplay and darker theme.

I would have to say Donkey Kong Country 2 if Rare counts.

Thats not the 2nd Mario kart game ever... the hint is the "8" in the title.

Imo best Sequel would be Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Well as 95% of Nintendo Games are Sequels... this isn't really a very good question. xD

Should be limited to 2nd game in a series. In which case I'd say Smash Bros Melee as that was probably the biggest improvement over the original game.

Mario Party 2 and Mario Kart 64 are also both big improvements over their original games.

Zelda: a link to the past.

Newest Mario Kart. as it changes as a new one is released....most of the time
they have done well with the Mario Odyssey as well.

I wish I could put mario rpg2 in this list.

If we’re talking best sequel, without a narrative continuation: Breath of the Wild.

If it’s a sequel with the same story/characters: Super Metroid.

If it’s biggest improvement: Super Smash Bros. Melee.

If it’s something with “2” in the title: Super Mario Galaxy 2.

DKC2 and DKC3 are quite possibly my favorite direct sequels ever...
With a more loose definition of sequel, then OoT and BotW would probably be at or near the top...
Galaxy/Galaxy 2 are both incredible games...
F-Zero GX...
Splatoon 2 is great...
Xenoblade 2 was an amazing experience...
Metroid: Samus Returns was a fantastic reimagining of Metroid 2; the Prime games are great as well...
I'm very surprised nobody has mention Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door yet...