Top 15 Best NES Hidden Gems

The original Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES for short) had one of the largest libraries of games in its time. Almost every third party developer focused on this platform in its heyday. This was also where many of the biggest video game franchises of all times had their humble start. It had some absolutely huge hits, but many of its best titles slipped through the cracks. Almost thirty years later there are still many undiscovered games that are still worth playing. That’s why I’m here today. I’m always on the hunt for hidden gems for the NES. I’ve amassed a large library and felt like sharing my findings with anyone else interested in the subject. Let’s kick off our list of the best NES hidden gems with a few rules. Here we go.

• For this list I’m avoiding including any imports. I already have a list of recommendations for import Famicom titles. This list only includes games released in North America.
• This write up focuses around titles that are still obscure. Games like Little Samson were hidden gems at the time of release, but is now super infamous. Instead my list is going over titles that are still seldom referenced.
• I’ve avoided including licensed games. Generally these got way more exposure than original properties. A few did slip into the list, but that’s because either the film is obscure now, or because few know a game was actually made based on it.
• The games in this list are obscure in North America. Some of these were much more popular in Japan, but because I’m focusing on hidden gems in North America that’s where they were/are hidden gems.

Okay let’s get started. Here are the top 15 best NES hidden gems.

Baseball Simulator 1.000

I have a lot of respect for the developer/publisher Culture Brain. Their games were never popular in North America but they still brought them over. Baseball Simulator 1.000 is a title that’s never mentioned, and no one I knew had ever heard of it back in the day. Most 8-bit baseball titles went the realistic route but not this one. Here you have fantastical settings, some oddball characters, and power-ups. Yes, power-ups. These either increase the abilities of your team or hinder the enemies. It’s a fantastic concept. If I’m going to be honest (and I always am) this is my favorite baseball title for the platform. I’m not a fan of the sport, but I still play Baseball Simulator 1000 from time to time. I wish modern developers took the same approach here.

Cowboy Kid

We never got any Ganbare Goemon titles on the NES. It’s a shame because that’s one of my favorite video game franchises. Luckily, someone tried to copy the formula and Cowboy Kid was the end result. It’s honestly the next best thing to Goemon in my opinion, and it’s clearly one of the best NES hidden gems. It utilizes a wild west theme which isn’t as interesting, but still very serviceable if not very politically correct. Cowboy Kid plays like a combination beat ’em up and RPG. You wander across and overworld battling foes and occasionally pop into shops to buy items. The real highlight of Cowboy Kid is that you can play simultaneously with a friend. This makes it also one of the best co-op titles for the NES. If you’re a fan of the Ganbare Goemon formula then this is an excellent choice.

Crystalis

I originally picked this one up as a rental on a whim. I’ve always been a fan of RPGs, and the boxart really spoke to me. I was surprised to find it’s one of the best action adventure role playing titles for the platform. Here you play as a warrior from the past sent to an apocalyptic world lacking in technology. It’s an overhead title where you explore towns, purchase items, explore an overworld, and fight your way through the deepest and darkest dungeons. There are some unique psychic abilities you can gain which help to set this apart from the Zelda titles. Crystalis features some of the best dungeon designs of all time, an amazing overworld to explore, great graphics, fantastic music, and more. It’s easily one of the best NES hidden gems.

The Guardian Legend

Okay so maybe this one is fairly well known these days. I’ve still met a few NES collectors who have never heard of it which is why I’ve decided to include it here. The Guardian Legend is a largely forgotten action adventure RPG, but with one major twist. Your character can transform into a space ship which allows for shmup sections of gameplay. Honestly any amount of variety in 8-bit games stood out, and the two different modes of play is amazing here. Basic gameplay has you exploring labyrinthine environments blasting foes and collecting items. The shmup sections play like an overhead shooter with some great set pieces and enemy patterns. Gameplay variety aside, the Guardian Legend is one of the best NES hidden gems with even just the main mode of play taken into consideration. It’s expensive these days, but well worth seeking out.

Kid Niki: Radical Ninja

This is kind of a controversial inclusion in this list. For some reason Kid Niki: Radical Ninja is widely hated. I don’t see why because I love it, and consider it to be one of the best NES hidden gems. This is a side scrolling action platformer where you play as the titular character and must fight your way through a variety of different stages. You’re armed with a sword that, for some unfathomable reason, Niki swirls in a circle. Enemies generally die in one hit, and approach from all directions so you’ll need to stay on your toes. The real highlight is in the boss encounters. These are hilarious, and offer a lot of variety. Some of them have to be seen to be believed. That’s one thing lacking in a lot of titles from this era; a sense of humor. Kid Niki: Radical Ninja is relentless and fun.

Kings of the Beach

My brother purchased this one when I was trying to talk him into something else. I mean, volleyball? It can’t possibly be fun, right? Wrong. Kings of the Beach is a side view volleyball title with two player support and a fantastic tournament mode. I really didn’t expect to like this one but the solid gameplay drew me in. Kings of the Beach takes control when you need it to. It places the other character in the right place when you’ve bumped the ball and sets you up for returns or spikes. It doesn’t make the game too easy by any means because you still have to master the timing which is no easy feat. Kings of the Beach is easily the best volleyball title I’ve ever played. I seem to be the only one that has. It’s easily one of the best hidden gems for the NES.

Krion Conquest

Honestly, I heard the words ‘mega man clone’ and I went running. I’m a huge fan of the franchise this one is based on, and honestly could never get enough of it. The Krion Conquest never quite reaches the heights of Mega Man but it’s not too shabby at all, and is one of the best NES hidden gems. The biggest upgrade from the source material is that you can fire shots upward. It definitely helps, and some of the stages (as well as boss encounters) are based around this. You gain different attacks after defeating various bosses. That’s where the Mega Man comparisons start, but they continue when you discuss the level designs. It’s on par with Mega Man 3 in this regard, and very similar to it. The Krion Conquest is a surprisingly good clone by all measures.

Legend of the Ghost Lion

The NES didn’t have a ton of localized RPGs. Sure, it had Final Fantasy and various Dragon Quest titles. The boxart was certainly enough to put anyone off. Regardless, Legend of Ghost Lion is still one of the best NES hidden gems. Here you play as a girl that collects spirits and uses them in battle. This was kind of a similar premise to Pokemon, but many years before Pocket Monsters became a thing. I really like the dungeon designs and battle system. The story is boring, but the well designed gameplay is enough to keep any fan of the genre interested. The highlight is the graphics. I love how the main character reacts to every strike, and each win as well. Legend of the Ghost Lion is virtually unheard of, and easily one of the best NES hidden gems.

Little Nemo: The Dream Master

Here’s a hit from Capcom based on a movie title. This film has been all but forgotten in North America and Nemo was far from a household name. That’s why Little Nemo is one of the best hidden gems for the NES. What I like about this game is the sheer number of power-ups. It’s a side scrolling platformer where you can defeat certain foes and then climb into their skin to gain their abilities. From here gameplay completely changes. You have new abilities with every monster you transform into, and the level designs lean heavily into this. It’s like Super Mario Bros 3 but without the name, or the plumber. If there’s any drawback it’s that the game relies too much on the power-ups and throws too many abilities at you. Little Nemo: The Dream Master is one of the best platformers of all time.

Little Ninja Brothers

I rented this one entirely based on it’s boxart, and the fact that it supported two players at once. Most have never heard of this one making it a clear NES hidden gem. Little Ninja Brothers is an action RPG with some very traditional genre trappings. In this game you wander through towns purchasing items, equipment, and progressing the storyline. You also wander across a world map where enemy encounters occur at random. When they do you’re whisked away to a separate screen where the game plays like a beat em up. You can punch and jump kick enemies. Your characters gain experience points and money like in a traditional RPG, and boss encounters are strictly turn based. Culture Brain was a saint for bringing such a zany game over for North American audiences, and this is clearly one of the best RPGs for the console.

Maniac Mansion

I talk about Maniac Mansion a lot. That’s because it’s that good. Maniac Mansion is an adventure horror title that originated on the PC. Your goal in this game is to rescue the main character’s girlfriend from a mad scientist. Unfortunately the estate she’s being stored at is now populated by monsters and various aliens. Thankfully you have a ragtag group of teens on the job. Basic gameplay consists of guiding the character in play using an on-screen cursor. From here you can interact with various objects, use items to solve puzzles etc. I really like the horror elements in this game, and it can actually be pretty spooky at times. You’ll find yourself entering a room where you’re chased by enemies which makes for some pretty scary moments. It’s a fantastic title and I actually prefer this NES port over the PC version.

Motor City Patrol

Believe it or not, this was basically Grand Theft Auto long before that was even a thing. Sure, it’s not nearly as violent, and you play as a law enforcement officer instead of the bad guy, but you get the drift. It’s easy to see why Motor City Patrol is one of the best NES hidden gems. You drive around the city tracking down criminals. You can activate your sirens, and even fire your gun to apprehend them. You’re strictly stuck inside of the vehicle, but the sense of freedom and matchbox gameplay is almost unprecedented for an 8-bit title. I remember renting this one and being amazed at how fun simply driving around is. It even has the top down perspective that early GTA titles used. It sounds lame because it’s based on the matchbox car license, but Motor City Patrol is actually a lot of fun.

Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom

This one makes it on to a lot of NES hidden gems lists for a reason. I tried to exclude it myself and focus on more obscure titles, but I couldn’t sleep on it. Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom is a point and click adventure game of the strangest variety. You encounter and interact with a variety of anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables while on a quest to rescue Princess Tomato from Minister Pumpkin. Because the NES lacks a keyboard you select commands from the sides of the screen. Each scene is basically a still image with various things you can interact with. Commands include move, look, talk, take use, etc. You know, the basics for this kind of game. Princess Tomato is so memorable because of the crazy theme, but I also found the storyline very charming. I highly recommend seeking this one out.

Willow

Here’s one of the few licensed games to make the list. Honestly, I grew up in the 80s and had never heard of Willow despite it being a big film for its time. Here Capcom has adapted the story into an action adventure title. Given the fantasy medieval setting that’s probably the best route they could have taken. This is an overhead game in the vein of Zelda. You fend off enemies with your sword, and gain experience points and levels from doing so. The best part of Willow is it’s graphics. As a late release for the NES Capcom took out all the stops here. You’ll see some absolutely amazing animations in the grass and trees. Honestly it looks better than most early Sega Genesis titles. The soundtrack fits the medieval fantasy setting incredibly well. Willow is absolutely one of the best NES hidden gems.

Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth

This is somewhat of a Metroid clone, but dare I say, it’s better than the source material. I’m actually surprised this one was localized at all considering the anime aesthetic. Wurm is a hard game to pin down. It just mixes so many different genres into one. You have sections where it plays like a text adventure with you interacting with crew mates. Then you’re whisked away to a first person mode where you guide a reticule around shooting foes. You also have side scrolling action sequences as well as shmup areas. It’s wild that the developers incorporated so many different play styles into a simple NES game, and it’s all a lot of fun to play. Wurm is easily one of the best NES hidden gems. I stand by my statement that it’s better than the original Metroid.