The Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES as it’s lovingly called by its fans) needs no introduction. If you played video games in the 80s and early 90s then this is where you did it. Accept no substitutes. With such an iconic console came literally hundreds of different game releases. It has a large library which can be daunting to newbies. That’s why today we’re going to take a look at the top 100 best NES games (in my opinion.) Without further adieu let’s jump right in.
#100. – Pac-Man
Who doesn’t love Pac-Man? I know that I do. Thing about Pac man is that up to this point there had been a lot of bad ports of the game to home consoles. This is not one of them. Pac-Man on the NES is arcade perfect in just about every way possible. The NES iteration is the one I’ve played most, and where I got most of my pellet munching skills from. Pac-Man holds up, and you can’t do wrong should you choose to go with this NES port. It’s one of the best games ever created and definitely belongs on this list.
#99. – Flying Hero
What we have here is an obscure Japanese only release for the Famicom. Despite the name you actually play as firefighters who run across the bottom of the screen with the safety net bouncing a guy in the air to snag people from the windows of burning buildings. When you rescue them all you move on to a scene wherein you have to actually put out the fire. The gameplay is very addictive, and I’m sure had this one been released West it would have been a hit. This is one of the best games for the NES or Famicom alike.
#98. – Zoda’s Revenge: StarTropics 2
The original StarTropics is amazing. The sequel doesn’t quite hit the same notes, and it was released after most gamers had moved on to 16-bit consoles. That doesn’t mean it isn’t great, because it is. StarTropics 2 continues the traditions established in the original game. It’s an action RPG with a heavy focus on puzzles. They’re really well thought out and fighting enemies is surprisingly fun. This one was widely overlooked because of the circumstances around its release, but StarTropics 2 is absolutely one of the best NES games.
#97. – Shadowgate
Traditional adventure games, like what you’d find on the PC, were fairly common on the NES. Well, there were a few of them at least. Shadowgate was one of the worst choices you could make in the genre on the console, but I have nostalgia with this one. This was actually my first one, and the death scene gave me legit nightmares back in the day. I always wanted to make it further in this one but I was just a kid, and scared to death of dying even in a video game. As an adult I can appreciate Shadowgate though. It’s awesome. Play it.
#96. – Lagrange Point
Konami was crazy prolific on the NES. They even tried their hand at RPGs back then, and even though Lagrange Point wasn’t localized it’s still a landmark game. They designed a sound chip especially for it after all, and this game will make your console make noises it never has before. The soundtrack is pretty amazing to be honest, but the gameplay is more complicated than what you’ll find in most RPGs of this day. You have a forward thinking sci-fi plot in place as well as different character types, unique skill mechanics, a focus on travel via vehicles, and more. The game is way ahead of its time, and it’s worth it to play Lagrange Point just to see what Konami was able to push.
#95. – MagMax
My cousins introduced this one to me when I was a kid. I recently sought it out, but the only thing I remembered was that it was a side view shooter where you gain new parts for your vehicle by picking up power-ups. That’s MagMax in a nutshell. The game is surprisingly clever with this mechanic, and I’ll go so far as to say that it’s one of the more inventive shooters on the NES. Not all 8-bit games that explored unique gameplay methods turned out great, but this one did.
#94. – Battletoads
Eff this game. I mean that in the nicest way possible. Battletoads is one of the most frustrating games ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It’s a classic style beat em up where you bash foes, and then move on to the next screen of baddies. Rinse, lather, repeat. The gameplay mechanics are solid and fighting off enemies as a weirdly muscular frog thing is more fun than it sounds. The thing holding Battletoads back is the insane difficulty. Some stages have you riding vehicles and making split second decisions. It’s frustrating, but rewarding when you get it down.
#93. – Mario Bros.
It’s pretty interesting to note that the brothers plumber didn’t debut with their goomba stomping super adventure. Note the lack of the word ‘super’ in the title. That’s because this is a port of the original arcade release. Here two players destroy koopa troopas and other baddies in a rather ineffctive plumbing set up. I’m always down for some co-op simultaneous play on the console, and Mario Bros has that in spades. It certainly helps that this is just about a perfect arcade port.
#92. – Dragon Warrior II
This is the absolute worst Dragon Quest game. Honestly, the developers at Enix are doing pretty good if even their worst effort still makes a list like this. Dragon Warrior II takes place a few generations after the original title. New kingdoms have been established with leaders of the ancestry line of Erdrick. The major upgrades here are that you can have multiple party members, and face off against numerous enemies at the same time. The problem here is that the developers didn’t properly balance this one. Dragon Warrior II is one of the hardest RPGs you’ll play, but it’s still fun.
#91. – The Magic of Sheherazade
Culture Brain is one of the unsung developers during the 8-bit (and 16-bit era for that matter) era. They created, and brought over games we would otherwise never have seen. Magic of Sheherazade (that’s a real mess to type out, sheesh) is one of these such titles. This is a turn based RPG with some truly inventive and unique elements. It also doesn’t hurt that this game has some of the best graphics you’ll find in the realm of 8-bit releases. It’s unique and fun, but that’s par for the course when it comes to Culture Brain’s games.
#90. – Motor City Patrol
It’s Grand Theft Auto decades before that franchise hit the big time. In Motor City Patrol you guide a police officer via a top down view as you cut a piece out of crime. You track down criminals, trap them, and can even use your gun (it’s a bad idea generally here). Few other NES games feel as open world as this one, and I’m still to this day impressed with how large the environments are. Motor City Patrol is an exclusive to this day, and is one title all collectors should add to their shelf.
#89. – Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun
Konami was all about making parodies of their most popular titles. This is their goofy take on Castlevania. Kid Dracula is how the west knows this one, but that’s just because we got the Game Boy port. Either way, this is a 2D platformer with an emphasis on the action. You can shoot projectiles, and use special powers (which even allow you to transform into a bat). It’s a perfect game to play around Halloween because it’s spooky and it’s fun.
#88. – Mighty Final Fight
Capcom knew they couldn’t make a worthwhile port of the original Final Fight for 8-bit hardware, and so they didn’t even try. What we got instead was a re-imagining which took advantage of the hardware. Instead of scaling everything down they re-invented it with more cutesy chibi based characters. The end result feels like an entirely different game. Mighty Final Fight is one of the better beat ’em up titles for the platform. They even included Guy as a playable character here!
#87. – Punch-Out!
I’ll probably catch some flack for putting this one so low on the list but I don’t mind. In my opinion Punch-Out is pretty overrated. To be fair I didn’t grow up with it or anything and because of this I have no nostalgia for it. With that said, Punch-Out is a very competent boxing game based on reflexes and memorization. It’s incredibly challenging but at the same time plenty rewarding. There are multiple versions of the game; the original featured Mike Tyson who got into some hot water near the time of release and was expunged from the advertising. You can’t go wrong with any of them to be honest.
#86. – Zelda II: The Adventures of Link
Nintendo had a habit of experimenting with their biggest franchises. All they had to do for a sequel to Zelda is pump out some new dungeons, additional tools, original monsters, etc. Instead they decided to re-invent the wheel. The results are mixed, but Zelda II is still pretty fun to play. This sequel has many more traditional RPG elements. You gain experience points, travel via a world map, and battle monsters in random encounters. Combat is action based and in real-time, but these sequences are side-view and Link can jump. It’s pretty different, but the spirit of the original Zelda lives on in this version of the Hyrule fantasy.
#85. – Tecmo Super Bowl
This is another entry I’ll probably be chastised over. I’m just not that big a fan of football. With that said Tecmo Super Bowl is undeniable in terms of quality. This is the first time Tecmo got their hands on the actual NFL license so you won’t be playing as fantasy characters in made up teams. The action is fun and furious, and the multiplayer is pretty incredible. Thankfully this is far less of a simulation and the focus here is on arcade action.
#84. – The Legend of Ghost Lion
Most gamers didn’t realize the pool of role playing games for the NES was deeper than just Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. The Legend of Ghost Lion is a relatively unknown RPG. At first glance it looks pretty generic. When you dig in a little deeper you’ll find one of the more unique RPGs on the platform. The protagonist here doesn’t actually do the fighting. Instead, she sends out a party of spirits to do the battling for her. Enemy encounters are traditional and turn based. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the Legend of Ghost Lion does enough to set itself apart from the pack.
#83. – Clu Clu Land
Clu Clu Land is a very simple game. From an overhead perspective you guide a fish around a series of single screen levels and win when you collect all the hidden coins. Basic, right? There’s something truly addictive about Clu Clu Land. Your character, Bubbles the fish, moves on her own but she only walks straight. You can only control her hands. Both of these are set to different buttons, and you use these to grab and hold on to posts. She’s still moving even when you’re latched on, but you can use her momentum to turn or even go in a complete circle. There’s a pretty decent learning curve, but it’s one of those ‘one more round’ sorta games you just can’t put down.
#82. – Binary Land
Puzzle games on the NES were a dime a dozen. You’d need a real standout in order to make this list, and that’s precisely what Binary Land is. In this game you guide two penguins on a single screen to separate goals. Thing is they move in tandem. This allows for some zany design and challenging puzzles to solve. Binary Land was only released in Japan, but it’s definitely one of the best famicom only games out there. It’s well worth seeking out.
#81. – Nintendo World Cup
Sports games have always been a bit hard for me to stomach. With that said, Soccer has always been my favorite of the bunch and the same goes for the world of video games. Nintendo World Cup is a little on the goofy side. The characters seem ripped straight out of River City Ransom. This means they look a bit like Neanderthals, but that’s okay, because they move a little sluggish so it fits. The soccer action is a bit slow but the mechanics are great. Nintendo World Cup was one of the only sports games I loved for the NES when I was a kid.
#80. – River City Ransom
This one shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has ever played it. River City Ransom rocks, pure and simple. This is not only one of the best NES games but it also ranks pretty high in the beat em up genre overall. River City Ransom is surprisingly open world for an 8-bit title. You could explore at your leisure, throw punches and kicks as well as make other kids barf. Yes, I said barf. There’s certainly a lot of late 80s and early 90s attitude to be found here. The franchise went on in Japan, but this is the only one we got in North America. Don’t sleep on River City Ransom.
#79. – Tetris
I’m not the biggest fan of Tetris. Yeah, it’s one of the most important video games of all time, and has a very loyal fanbase. I feel like by this point we have so many superior puzzlers. I’m certainly not going to rob Tetris of its merit however, and it certainly deserves a place on this list! This is a pretty basic version of the title; you flip blocks around to fit them into solid rows, at which point they’re eliminated. It sounds simple, and it is, but when you really dig in the game is actually crazy complex and challenging. It’s Tetris, and you can’t go wrong with it.
#78. – Super Dodge Ball
I wish I had found this one sooner because I know I would have loved it as a kid. Technically it’s a bit of a mess; I’ve never seen sprite flicker like in Super Dodge Ball. You’ll quickly overlook this issue when you dig in. Who would have thought that dodge ball, of all sports, would make for such a great video game? Sure, it’s more fun in real life but this is easily one of my favorite sports games for the console.
#77. – Cosmic Wars
Like Gradius? Of course, we all do. How about turn based strategy games? What do you get when you combine the two? The answer is Cosmic Wars, and this was one of the biggest surprises I found when I really dug into the Famicom library. It’s surprisingly deep for an 8-bit release, and the learning curve is very steep. It’s certainly not as easy to jump into as something like Advance Wars, but if you spend time with it you’ll find Cosmic Wars is a very rewarding experience.
#76. – Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
Okay you’re just going to have to bear with me for this one. Yes, this is a game about vegetables (and fruit). This was the era of mascots full of attitude, and their wacky platforming adventures. This isn’t one of those such games. Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom is a traditional (by that era’s standards) text adventure game. It’s bizarre, but oddly charming. This isn’t even a genre that I particularly enjoy, but I truly enjoyed my time with this game.
#75. – Ganbare Goemon Gaiden
Ganbare Goemon is one of my favorite franchises of all time. I was first introduced to it with the first installment on the Super Nintendo which, for the longest time, was the only localized Goemon game. I was disappointed to find out we missed out on an entire generation of the franchise. Konami even pushed the series into the realm of Dragon Quest clone style RPGs with Ganbare Goemon Gaiden. This is a legit RPG full of the wacky trappings that make the series so charming.
#74. – Kid Icarus
I was always somewhat aware of this game. Kid Icarus was pretty well known for it’s legendary difficulty level. I didn’t play it until later, but I quickly became a fan. Kid Icarus is hard as nails but in a way that rewards memorization and it’s steep learning curve. I love the way that this game pushes a variety of different play styles while staying true to its 2D platformer roots. Sometimes you’ll battle monsters and push your way through linear stages, and other times you’ll explore mazes and solve light puzzles. The shooter sections especially stand out.
#73. – Adventures of Lolo
This is another one of those games I didn’t get to play until I was a bonafide collector. As I’ve since come to discover everything the developer HAL touches is pure gold. Lolo is no different. It plays like one of those overhead puzzle/adventure titles that are simple in execution but really make you scratch your head as the game goes on. It’s a charming romp, and even had two sequels. The first is still my favorite and therefore the one I’ll recommend most here.
#72. – Bomberman 2
Bomberman went on to become a multiplayer institution on many different platforms. While the very first game is a little rough around the edges Hudson made some decent progress with its follow up. The single player is… well it’s okay. Bomberman II shines in its multiplayer mode. From an overhead view you and a friend blow up barriers from an overhead view in a series of different terrains. It takes a little time to get going in each match but once you reach an enemy things get frantic fast. What’s nice is that, with the proper adapter, you can actually play with three total players.
#71. – Gradius
Man, Gradius is awesome. It represents so much of what I love about the shoot ’em up genre. It’s a side view shooter that just so happens to be hard as nails. It’s unforgiving in that you die whenever you take a single hit. This wouldn’t normally be so bad except for the fact that you lose all of the power-ups that you have accumulated. You’re in real trouble later on if you have only the basic shot and no speed upgrades. It’s an amazing game with fantastic stages and enemies.
#70. – Maniac Mansion
Some companies were ambitious enough to port their state of the art (by the standards of the time) PC games to the NES. Results are mixed overall, but Maniac Mansion is a very rare case. What I mean by this is that the NES version is actually better than what you’ll find on the PC. It’s an early horror title, and is just plain good Halloween fun. The NES is ill equipped for adventure games like this but somehow they made it work here. Make no mistake; this is the definitive version of Maniac Mansion. I don’t care what anyone else says.
#69. – Journey to Silius
The original vision for this release was as a licensed Terminator game. This fell through, and so the developer pushed on and made this an original title. Journey to Silius is going to be considered an odd pick by many. It’s an action platformer wherein you duck, shoot, jump and repeat. Where this one excels is in its level design. Journey to Silius has a myriad of different hazards to avoid and it’s actually fun to do so. It’s a challenging game but, like all the best ones of this era, is very rewarding.
#68. – Mega Man 3
I love me some Mega Man. Always have, always will. All of the NES Mega Man games are great, but this one is my least favorite of the bunch. I struggle to find why this one is at the top of so many lists when it has the worst lineup of robot masters, and some of the cheapest level designs. It’s still great, just not by Mega Man standards. It’s one of the longest games in the series as you actually face off against the robot masters from the previous game before moving on to the final boss.
#67. – Duck Hunt
Duck Hunt is an absolute institution. If you played the NES chances are you have some experiences with this pack-in. Every gamer remembers the annoying dog that stirs up the ducks, and blasting away at the avian nemesis. There are a couple of things I find very cool about this game even to this day. First of all, a second player can actually control one of the ducks. Secondly, should you choose a less violent approach, you can instead opt to shoot clay pigeons. It’s an amazing and addictive game that made even non-gamers take notice.
#66. – Dragon Spirit: The New Legend
This is a long forgotten arcade game that was ported to numerous consoles. The NES version isn’t the best of the bunch, but it’s good enough of course to make this list. I really like the presentation on this one. It has a cinematic feel to it. Meanwhile the gameplay is on point. I absolutely love the powerups and growing your dragon with them. Even the stages are well designed. Dragon Spirit is one of the best shoot ’em ups on the platform.
#65. – Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers
Capcom was absolutely on point with their licensed Disney games. These were all fantastic. Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers kinda passed under my radar. On top of having the traditional excellent level design, and fun gameplay of Capcom’s titles of this era this one had co-op play. Platformers with simultaneous multiplayer were exceptionally rare back then. That’s why this one stands out. This one I used to play with my girlfriend’s daughter before she was my stepdaughter.
#64. – Double Dragon II
Double Dragon was a mainstay on the NES. The original was a bit rough but the sequel more than made up for it. Double Dragon II was, and actually still is incredible. Back in the day co-op couldn’t be beat. The original game was a little rough around the edges but it was still good fun. The sequel, in typical fashion, kicked things up several notches (BAM as Emeril would say). If you want to find a game for the platform to play along with a friend then this is a sure bet.
#63. – Castlevania
Konami is undoubtedly one of the very best video game developers of all time. When I hear their name I think Castlevania, and with good reason. This vampire slayer is a mainstay in any NES collection. It’s a two dimensional action platformer wherein you jump, and whip… whip it good. I really like the horror theme here with a myriad of zombies to slay as well as bats, medusa heads, and more. It feels like a best of the best cast of horror tropes. It’s still a lot of fun to play if not a bit difficult.
#62. – Faxanadu
I’m honestly shocked that this one isn’t more commonly known. This is an 8-bit action role playing game with some platforming elements. From screenshots it looks like a simple platformer, but that it most certainly is not. One thing Faxanadu really has going for it is atmosphere. Few games from this day feature such memorable locales. Additionally, it’s tough as nails but never feels unfair. Faxanadu certainly deserves more exposure seeing as how it’s one of the best NES games of all time.
#61. – Joy Mecha Fight
Fighting games didn’t really catch on until the 16-bit era. Can you name a good fighter on the NES? I can! Joy Mecha Fight certainly suits that bill even if it is a Japan-only release. In this game you play as a series of cutesy robots that beat the ever living heck out of each other. Matches are a traditional one-on-one affair with numerous special moves for each of the mechs. Joy Mecha Fight is one of the best NES games visually because it uses separate parts that move independently to create the illusion of generating large characters on-screen. It’s good clean fun, and very impressive.
#60. – Konami Wai Wai World
I absolutely adore video game parodies. It’s even sweeter when they are made by the company in question. This is why I love Konami so much. Here they combine most of their popular franchises of the time into one action platformer. The results are wacky, but a load of fun. It sort of reminds me of Mega Man except that instead of gaining enemy abilities you instead unlock additional playable characters. The list includes such mainstays as Goemon, Simon Belmont, Vic Viper, Upa (from that Japan-only Bio Miracle game) and more. It’s a neat game, and one of the best Famicom only releases.
#59. – Super C
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned Contra had a sequel on the NES. The original was one of my most beloved titles, and though I lack nostalgia with Super C it’s still amazing to play. This is good old fashioned Contra; it’s a run and gun where you can play co-op with a friend as you fill the screen with bullets while battling soldiers and aliens. With loads of power-ups and stages exclusive to this NES version you really can’t go wrong if you’re looking to fight your way through hordes of foes with a buddy. It’s one of the best multiplayer games for the platform.
#58. – Balloon Fight
Some call this a Joust clone. Personally, I call Balloon Fight ‘better Joust.’ It’s a single screen game wherein you float in the air and try to disarm foes by destroying their balloons by landing on top of them. Thing is, you have balloons too which are lost in the same way. When both are gone you lose a life. Your character flaps his arms and this has an effect similar to swimming. At first this seems to limit controls, but it’s the mechanic on which this entire game is based. Balloon Fight is extremely addictive and that is even more true when you’re playing with a friend.
#57. – Double Dribble
It was unusual for me to enjoy sports games back in the NES days. There were a few occasions, and Double Dribble was one of them. My cousins brought this one over during a weekend stay and I attribute it to my love of the real life sport. You would think the ancient 8-bit hardware would struggle to support a full fledged game of basketball but that’s not the case. Double Dribble is surprisingly smooth and has great graphics. It’s easily one of the best sports games for the NES.
#56. – Parodius
Tired of hearing about video game parodies on this list yet? Well brace yourself for yet another, and perhaps the most famous of the bunch. Gradius was one of the most popular shooters of its day. The game I’m going to talk about however, is not Gradius. It’s Parodius. It takes the super serious formula of everyone’s favorite Konami shooter and turns it on its head. Instead of the Vic Viper ship you can instead play as a penguin, or various other wacky options. The foes are all colorful and goofy this time around, and the mustic is fun and bouncy. A perfect parody if you ask me.
#55. – Ninja Gaiden
This one is known for being hard. Sometimes facts like this are overstated, but that’s not the case here. Ninja Gaiden is HARD. It’s also unfair, and in terms of mechanics it has a lot of issues. Ninja Gaiden makes up for the struggle by being downright fun. It’s more complicated than your average action game with the ability to latch on to walls. Where Ninja Gaiden really excels however is its level design. There are few NES games that can offer such diversity in obstacles and require you to plan so much. The damage knockback is still BS however.
#54. – Mega Man 5
Many people are going to have issue with the fact that I put this above 3. The fact is I went in expecting Mega Man 5 a terrible game. I didn’t play it until I was an adult, and I read various rankings online. I’m not supposed to like Mega Man 5. I didn’t even want to. In the end I wound up falling in love with this game. I really liked the line-up of robot masters here with the likes of Star Man, Gravity Man, Crystal Man, etc all standing in your way of taking down Dr. Wily yet again. Mega Man 5 is easily one of the more underrated installments in the franchise, and certainly one of the best NES games.
#53. – Little Samson
Little Samson is widely known as one of the most rare NES games. You hear all the time about the high price it goes for, but not about how fun it is. Little Samson just so happens to be a fun romp. It’s a side scrolling platform game with a unique (for the time) character switching dynamic. I absolutely love the way that this game eases you into the mechanics of each playable guy in a way that feels organic. The level designs are also off the charts, the graphics are amazing, and the soundtrack is great. I just wish this one wasn’t stuck as a platform exclusive because it’s clearly one of the best NES games.
#52. – Kings of the Beach
If there was any NES game with a boxart that absolutely screamed ‘early 90s’ then Kings of the Beach is it. Volleyball never struck me as a sport that would translate particularly well to the realm of video games. Kings of the Beach taught me otherwise. The game is all about timing and placement. It’s extremely addictive and the difficulty ramps up almost immediately. It also helps that the graphics are excellent. Fun little fact about this one; my little brother purchased it with his allowance just because he wanted to buy a game he could afford. It blew my expectations out of the water and we played the heck out of it.
#51. – Gotcha! The Sport
Gotcha is one of the most unique games on the NES. This is a lightgun shooter, but not in the traditional sense. It’s one of the few games that requires both the zapper and a controller. It’s a title based around the old capture the flag concept. You have to shoot at your foes, move around, capture the flag, and return it to your base. It sounds complicated, and it is, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I really like how unique this game is, and as of now it’s still an exclusive release for the platform. It’s not just one of the best NES games of all time, but also one of the greatest light gun titles as well.
#50. – Elevator Action
Kids these days have it easy. They have games with so many options where you can play online with friends with a wide variety of gameplay. In my day we had titles like Elevator Action. NES games that were so expensive that you had to make them last because you weren’t getting another one until your next birthday. I actually fell in love with Elevator Action while visiting a cousin. This was the only game we had, and the gameplay was addictive so we sat glued in front of the television for an entire weekend. Because of this experience I still love it. It’s very simple, but at the same time fantastic.
#49. – Cowboy Kid
We never got the Ganbare Goemon games in the West. At least as far as the 8-bit releases are concerned. We had Cowboy Kid to make up for that, and that’s precisely what it did. Cowboy Kid does however take the polar opposite route of Goemon as far as setting is concerned. Instead of the far East this is set in the old West. You wander environments fighting foes, gathering items, shopping, etc. You can move in all directions which is pretty cool. What’s cool is the fact that you can tackle Cowboy Kid with a second player. It’s a blast in co-op, and great fun even solo.
#48. – Baseball Simulator 1.000
I’m not the biggest fan of sports games. Especially older ones. What I am a fan of however, is the developer Culture Brain, and their brand of sports is as zany and crazy as they are. Baseball Simulator 1.000 clearly isn’t meant to be a simulation or even realistic for that matter. The rules of baseball are the same, and it’s a solid effort at its core. What sets this apart is the power-ups. You can enable these which allow for things like pitching balls that snake in either direction, exploding balls, fielders that can jump to extraordinary heights to catch the ball, and even things like reversing your opponent’s controls. It makes this game unlike any other baseball title. Even without this it’s still one of the best baseball titles on the platform.
#47. – Cobra Triangle
Here’s the first Rareware title on this list. I picked Cobra Triangle up as a rental based off of the boxart (It’s a speedboat fighting a dragon, I mean come on!) I’m glad I did. This is a speed boat shooter with varying objectives and fantastic stage design. As a child I loved figuring out methods to make it through because the objectives are so diverse. It’s a real treat to play from start to finish. I still haven’t been able to beat that final boss.
#46. – Adventure Island III
Master Higgins had a lot of adventures on the NES, and this is one of them. It’s not the best, but I do like how it builds upon the elements introduced in the second game. This is a side scrolling platformer wherein you throw hammers, ride dinosaurs (each with their special abilities) and move your way from left to right in every stage. It’s pretty basic, but the dinosaur allies serve to mix things up a bit. You also have a hunger meter requiring you to collect food items to stay alive. It’s a great game and hard as nails.
#45. – Gradius II
I love me some Gradius, and this sequel kicks everything up a notch. It’s such a shame it was never released in North America. This game does things I didn’t imagine was possible on the old 8-bit hardware. Some of the environmental effects (such as the swirling flames) are really a sight to behold. What’s also cool is that they added in new upgrade paths for your ship. You now have a choice, and can actually come up with different strategies based on it. The stage design, weapons, and environmental factors push this one above the original.
#44. – Hammerin Harry
Here’s another one we never got in North America. For some odd reason Europe saw this release. We really missed out because Hammerin Harry is a legit action platformer. You play as the titular character who wields, you guessed it, a hammer. This is a pretty versatile tool as you can use it to block, strike foes, or even pound the ground to cause a minor earthquake. The special skills you have at your disposal paired with the excellent level design really hit the nail on it’s head. Get it?
#43. – Tennis
I’ll be straight with you. This is Tennis. Nothing more nothing less. There are almost no bells or whistles here. That’s okay because let me tell you; Tennis rocks. The gameplay is solid with smooth animations and surprising variety in terms of where the ball goes. You can play doubles or against a single foe (which can be either the CPU or a buddy). Did I mention that Mario is the referee? I was first introduced to this one via Animal Crossing on the Gamecube and my brother and I spent more time with this than the actual game.
#42. – Konami Wai Wai World 2
It’s not secret that I’m a big fan of the original Wai Wai World. It hits all the right notes to be both hilarious and fun. It’s the ultimate parody. Or, it was until the sequel was released. This time things are significantly more linear but I like the more focused approach. All the old characters return but Konami adds two more to the roster from Bio Miracle Upa and Contra. It’s a super fun little romp that shouldn’t be taken seriously story wise, but in terms of gameplay few other NES games surpass it. Seriously, this one is legit.
#41. – Bubble Bobble
Man, the memories I have with Bubble Bobble. I was looking for a co-op experience at the rental store as a kid. Little did I know I would still be playing it with my little brother decades later. This single screen arcade title has you (and another friend if you’re lucky) hopping and shooting bubbles through one hundred stages. Along the way you’ll find power-ups, extra lives, and food to increase your points. The stages are very simple but challenging. If you’re like me you’ll soon be addicted and find yourself returning. No matter how old I get I’ll never get enough Bubble Bobble.
#40. – Ganbare Goemon 2
Goemon is one of my favorite franchises of all time. It’s a shame we didn’t see more of the releases in North America, but in a way I’m thankful. As an adult I can play these all for the first time, and they haven’t aged a bit. Ganbare Goemon 2 was where the franchise found it’s sense of humor, and really, the spirit we would see from every installment down the line. This is an action adventure title of the best kind. I love everything from the gameplay, level design, and just general approach Konami took to this one.
#39. – Dragon Warrior
Dragon Quest is my favorite RPG series of all time. This is the one that started it all for me. Dragon Warrior is challenging but very basic. What drew me in as a kid was the world and atmosphere. I couldn’t wait to see what was around every corner. I loved discovering every part of the world map, and felt so adventurous when treading into dungeons. Few other games have rewarded my grinding as much as this one. I loved seeing how much more powerful I was with new equipment. Dragon Warrior drew out my imagination more than just about any other game.
#38. – Kid Niki: Radical Ninja
At first glance this one doesn’t look like anything special. It’s a basic side scrolling action platformer. You can walk, jump, and spin a sword for your attack. The level designs are pretty basic and there are pretty much no power-ups. Kid Niki’s sense of humor is what propels this one above the rest. You have boss characters that attack by shouting at you, farting, hitting you with their big head, etc. It’s a real riot, and I find myself laughing even today.
#37. – Bionic Commando
Bionic Commando was a popular game at my school. I remember lots of kids talking about it but I never had the chance to play it. It turns out that it wasn’t all hot air – Bionic Commando is a blast! It’s an action platformer of sorts but you lack the ability to jump here. Instead you use a bionic arm to sling yourself upwards or to simply swing using it. The game is entirely based around this mechanic but it’s no mere gimmick. It works fantastically well, and despite being hard as nails Bionic Commando is worth playing even today.
#36. – Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2
Even after the Super Famicom was released Konami was still hitting it hard on the 8-bit hardware. This is especially apparent with this sequel to their RPG spin-off of the Goemon series. Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2 is like the original only bigger and better. It picks up where the last one left off and represents some of the best turn based role playing gameplay available on the platform. The battle system is solid and the world is a real joy to explore. If you’re a fan of the franchise or if you want an RPG you’ve probably never played then this is a good pick for you.
#35. – Crisis Force
Crisis Force is a very interesting release by Konami. It’s a game pushed out after the Famicom was on its way out (which is probably why it was never localized outside of Japan). The thing about Crisis Force is that it is one of the most technically advanced games for the platform. It looks better than most early Sega Genesis titles. It also plays extremely well, and is a treat for fans of the genre. As far as overhead shooters go this is clearly one of the best 8-bit titles available. It also doesn’t hurt that Crisis Force is pure unfiltered pixelated eye candy as well.
#34. – Marble Madness
You really have to hand it to developers that tried their hand at something besides violence or action. Marble Madness is one of these such games, and at the time it was incredible original. You have to guide a marble around various terrain to an end goal. The thing is you have to mind the momentum it gains, and will often have only a small space by which to maneuver this glass ball. This is the definition of twitch gaming as you’ll struggle time and time again. Easy to learn, but impossible to master; Marble Madness is clearly one of the best NES games.
#33. – Final Fantasy
This is your father’s Final Fantasy. That is to say there’s no hand holding in this original release. You have to find the way forward by following small clues and exploring. All this while battling monsters which are constantly whittling down your supplies thus making it tough to hold out until you reach the end of the dungeon. This is Final Fantasy, and one of my proudest achievements as a kid was completing it without a guide. The encounter rate will cause you to pull your hair out, and the status elements will whittle away at your patience. Final Fantasy is extremely rewarding and fun to play even today. I prefer this original version to any of the remakes.
#32. – Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
The third installment is Castlevania’s finest moment on the NES. After an odd follow up with Simon’s Quest, Konami returned to what makes Castlevania so great. Then they amped it up to eleven, and the end result is Dracula’s Curse. With amazing level designs, multiple characters to play as, and non-stop action Castlevania III is everything the original was but so much more. If you’re only going to play one installment of the franchise I’d recommend going with this one.
#31. – Crystalis
Crystalis was the find of a lifetime for me. Long after I had moved on to the Super Nintendo I saw this curious boxart at a rental store. With my love for RPGs I couldn’t pass on it, and I’m sure glad I didn’t. This is an action RPG which takes place in a futuristic world brought back to medieval technology by the machine apocalypse. You explore the world, gain psychic abilities, and fight off an army of monsters using only your sword. I really love the atmosphere of Crystalis, and the combat is top notch. The focus on the RPG elements is the best part of this package.
#30. – Mega Man 4
I’m sure to get some hate for having this one so far up on the list. This is especially true when the critically acclaimed third installment was much lower. The fact is I loved the slightly different approach Capcom took with this one. They introduced a new villain (however temporarily) and the band of robot masters standing in your way is one of my favorite line-ups. I’m a huge fan of the aquatic based bosses and this is the only Mega Man title to feature two of them. It’s highly underrated and easily one of the best games in the original series.
#29. – Spy Vs. Spy
Based on an old MAD magazine sketch this game made some serious waves in the video game world with its emphasis on multiplayer. I’m actually surprised that Spy Vs. Spy isn’t still a big deal considering how interesting a concept it is. You play against an opponent (either human or CPU) via split screen. Each player guides a spy character through a series of environments wherein you set traps for the other guy and attempt to gather items to escape. You can actually run into each other and at this point engage in hand to hand combat. Like I said, it’s a really unique multiplayer concept and a great game to boot.
#28. – Little Nemo: The Dream Master
Little Nemo is an almost unknown entity in the NES library. It’s a shame because it’s a high quality platformer from Capcom, and might just be one of their best games. What makes this one so special is just how many power-ups there are. Nemo can put on a variety of costumes dropped by animals he has defeated. This gives you a huge variety of different abilities and you’ll need to use them to get past the extremely well designed stages. This could have been Capcom’s Super Mario Bros. 3, and is just as complex as the aforementioned legendary game. It’s a crying shame this didn’t become a franchise because it’s so much better than many other titles that did.
#27. – Famicom Wars
I (like most others) was introduced to the ‘wars’ franchise via Advance Wars on the GBA. I couldn’t get enough of it, and my newfound interest led me to where it all started. Famicom Wars on the Japanese NES is an amazing strategy game. It’s a little clunky and will be hard to get into for fans of the later installments of the franchise. For people like me who are used to 8-bit hardships they’ll find a lot to love with this one. Had this been translated for English audiences back then it would no doubt be a huge franchise by now. This is the best turn based strategy game on any 8-bit platform.
#26. – Snow Brothers
Bubble Bobble was great. It’s one of the best games for the NES. Few other arcade games of this era were as good. That’s why Snow Brothers scores so high on this list; I’ve always considered it to be a ‘better Bubble Bobble.’ The concept is much the same; it’s a single screen action platformer where you and a buddy work together to eliminate all on-screen enemies. You do so by throwing snowballs at them, and when they’ve been hit with enough they’re encased in a snowball. You can then roll said snowball across the screen and when it reaches the bottom they’re destroyed. What sets this above and beyond Bubble Bobble are the boss encounters and level designs. They’re clearly a step up from Taito’s own arcade hit.
#25. – Mega Man
This is where it all started. Capcom was primarily an arcade game developer but they saw how popular the NES/Famicom console was and opted to create an original action platformer for the system. The end result was Mega Man, and it quickly became a major part of video game culture. You control the titular character and in an original (for the time) move you can select the order by which to tackle the stages before you. Upon defeating the boss of each level you gain their special weapon as your own, and each robot master is weak to the ability of another. It added several layers of strategy to the game, and the unique concept made this one a hit. The original Mega Man is hard as nails but ultimately rewarding to play. If you haven’t played the first one then please do so because it’s amazing.
#24. – Little Ninja Brothers
Here’s the point of this list where people are going to be left scratching their heads. Almost no one has heard of this title despite it being localized in North America. Little Ninja Brothers is a highly comedic action RPG with a heavy emphasis on the role playing elements. It’s also the only co-op RPG on the platform. It has the traditional elements such as a world map, towns to explore and buy equipment in, and random encounters. These fights are strictly action based and you win when you’ve defeated a certain number of foes. You also gain experience points and levels. It’s the multiplayer elements and world building that push this one above the rest. Little Ninja Brothers is unique and incredible.
#23. – Startropics
Startropics is a very weird release for Nintendo. They had a hit in the action adventure genre with the Legend of Zelda, but that didn’t stop them from trying something different and making an original yet similar title. Startropics is this game. It has a tropical modern day motif wherein you’re uncovering the secrets of an island by exploring dungeons and exploring via a world map. It’s very similar to the original Zelda and its sequel. What’s cool is that the main character here uses a Yo-yo, and the novelty and range of attack keep it interesting throughout. As do the puzzles which are also very Zelda-like in nature. It’s a really cool game honestly and one of the best action adventure titles of all time.
#22. – Dr. Mario
Tetris was, and still is amazing. Nintendo tried their hand at the falling block puzzle genre and in my opinion the result is even better than the source material. Dr. Mario features everyone’s favorite plumber with a new profession. In this case he’s throwing differently colored pills into a bottle. These single screen areas are populated with colored viruses, and you can eliminate these by lining up the same colored capsules with them (three in a row). You move on to the next stage when all the viruses are gone. This aspect of the game adds some unique strategy to the otherwise tired puzzle genre. Dr. Mario is incredible addictive and is easily my favorite 8-bit puzzle game.
#21. – Ducktales
I was a huge fan of the show. It can’t stressed enough just how much I loved it. The theme song still lives rent free in my head. I was introduced to the game by my cousin Matt whom I watched play it whenever we visited them. It’s a side scrolling action platformer where the most unique element is that Scrooge McDuck can hop on his cane like a pogo stick. This is used to destroy enemies and also to bypass things like spikes and whatnot. The level designs here are among the very best on the platform. Ducktales is still incredible to this day. I may have jumped the gun when I said Little Nemo was the best the developer had to offer because Ducktales handily beats it.
#20. – Adventure Island II
As a kid I chose rentals based on their boxarts, and I remember being very enamored by this one’s. Adventure Island II is an off-shoot of the Wonder Boy series but Hudson decided to make the idea their own with this installment. You play as Master Higgins in a side scrolling platform adventure wherein you have to collect food to quell your ever draining hunger meter to stay alive. I absolutely love the vast number of power-ups you can collect here. On top of the hammer (which allows you to throw them at your foes) you can also find dinosaur friends that let you ride on their backs and use their abilities. This makes the game incredibly diverse, and the fact that you can store these powerups to use in other levels adds to the diversity. Adventure Island II is absolutely incredible.
#19. – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II – The Arcade Game
TMNT 2 introduced me to the beat em up genre. I was such a huge fan of the franchise at the time I simply couldn’t resist renting this one. Some of my fondest memories of gaming come from this title. My dad was never one to play video games with me, but this was one of the rare cases. He and I spent all morning trying to beat this one and laughing at our feeble attempts. It might sound dramatic but this game is what taught me to be a dad myself and how much of an impact it can make to take interest in what my kids are doing. It was that significant to me. The game itself is still a treat to play and one of the best beat em up titles ever.
#18. – Blaster Master
A friend introduced me to this one as she and I played it in the basement of her house when I was young. This game made me think the boundaries for video games were limitless. That developers could put us into any world and we would never be limited. The game has you playing as a young boy shrunk down trying to find his pet frog. He has a tank which can jump and shoot, but you can also exit the vehicle to reach new areas. It’s a side scrolling action platformer but some areas function like an overhead adventure game. Blaster Master is super challenging but has amazing gameplay and level design. It also doesn’t hurt that this is one of the best soundtracks in any video game ever.
#17. – Super Mario Bros.
Most people will put this one at the top of the list based on impact to the medium. That, or their memories of it being their first video game. I’m nostalgic but can recognize that there are better games on the platform. There aren’t many though. Super Mario Bros. Features some of the best level designs in any platformer ever. Mario has just his mushroom and fire flower power-ups, but the game takes smart note of this and allows you to tackle tasks differently based on what you have. It’s also very challenging, and not a game I was able to beat as a child. This was one of my first video games and will always hold a special place in my heart. Super Mario Bros. Is clearly one of the best games for the NES.
#16. – Life Force
I know I hyped up Crisis Force as the best overhead shooter but Life Force beats it out slightly. This is a combination side and overhead view shmup which is actually based on Konami’s Gradius franchise. It uses a similar power-up system but with more organic environments. You’ll be blasting your way through fleshy environments and enemies. Hazards that actually grow as you progress through each stage. What sets this apart from any Gradius installment however is that it features simultaneous multiplayer. You and a friend can play together, but just don’t forget the Konami code because you’ll need it!
#15. – Guardian Legend
There’s a lot to say about this game. Guardian Legend is easily one of the best 8-bit titles of all time. It’s also one of the early genre bending games. Guardian Legend is part overhead shooter with the rest being action adventure. It’s very similar to Zelda and Metroid in this regard, but with absolutely killer level design and fantastic gameplay variety. I first found this one as an adult when I bought this cartridge from a pawn shop. From there I became instantly glued to it because I love the concept, and the soundtrack is among the very best in any video game. Besides that the game is one of the few where you can tell the developers had a mission that they loved.
#14. – Mega Man 6
This is my guilty pleasure Mega Man game. I absolutely love the over-the-top robot master concepts and the stages are pure bliss. The weapons you gain from the boss characters are absolutely fantastic. Centaur Man’s stage is one of my absolute favorites across the entire franchise. Furthermore part 6 completely changed Rush the dog’s functionality. Now he becomes a part of Mega Man’s suit. He allows you to punch, fly, etc. This dynamic makes the tired dynamics of the franchise very interesting. I also really love the soundtrack to this game and I actually have it on my iPhone.
#13. – Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy III is where the job system of the franchise as we know it was created. Here you have four characters that, for all intents and purposes, are blank slates. As you progress in the story you unlock new jobs which give them stat bonuses, different equipment they can use, and abilities as well. These classes affect their proficiency in battle significantly. Whenever you get stuck you can try shuffling jobs and earning AP to make them stronger. There’s a ton of strategy here. Perhaps moreso than in any other 8-bit RPG. It’s also tough as nails. Final Fantasy III features some of the most ruthless dungeons ever. Seriously, in the final stretch you have to fight multiple bosses through a crazy labyrinth and without save points. It’s insane, but worth it.
#12. – Wario’s Woods
It’s crazy to think that Nintendo was still releasing first party titles for the NES as late as 1994, but here we are. One of the last games they put out for the 8-bit platform was a curious puzzle game focused around their new anti-hero Wario. This is a very different kind of puzzler. Instead of moving falling blocks you instead guide Toad around a single screen. He can’t run or jump. He can only walk, climb, and grab objects. These are what he must eliminate by moving them such in a way that you line up three like-colored enemies. At this point you put a bomb to it in order to eliminate them. These all fall from the sky and once they reach the top it’s game over. It’s a novel approach even today, and Wario’s Woods is still a blast to play.
#11. – M.C. Kids
This is a McDonalds licensed game. I kid you not. There was even a plan at one point to include it in with happy meals. This was abandoned (as was any sense of marketing) but what we’re left with is one of the most forward thinking platformers of its time. It’s strictly two dimensional, but the level designs are among the best you’ll find anywhere. Your goal is to find special tokens which are cleverly hidden in every stage. It’s like Super Mario 64, but years before it. There aren’t many power-ups but the game has some very clever obstacles. In some areas you’ll need to ride boats, and in others you have to flip gravity to run on the ceilings. No matter how you look at it this is one of the best NES games.
#10. – Super Mario Bros. 2
We know now that this was a reskinned version of Doki Doki Panic because Nintendo thought the real Super Mario Bros. 2 was too difficult for English speakers. That doesn’t matter because this is the better game. Super Mario Bros. 2 flips everything from the original on its head. You don’t stomp on foes and can now ride atop their heads. You defeat them by picking them up and throwing them. Either that or by pulling up vegetables from the ground and using them as projectiles. There’s a whimsical magic to this game that I can’t quite describe. Every level of sub-con is a treat to explore, and the sites are truly memorable. It’s not much of a Mario game, but it’s one HECK of a platformer on its own.
#9. – Mega Man 2
You didn’t really think a list of the best NES games could leave out Mega Man 2, right? Right. Capcom turned up the action with this sequel. Everything is bigger and better, and it’s not as convoluted as any of the other sequels. The line-up of robot masters is among the strongest in any installment of the franchise, and the level designs are without a doubt the best and most memorable. That’s not to mention one of the single best soundtracks on the platform. Seriously, Wily’s second theme goes above and beyond what the hardware SHOULD be able to synthesize. It’s seriously amazing. Also the game is tough as holy heck. You will really need to memorize and get to know this one in order to complete it. That’s hardly an issue because you’ll have so much fun with the time you spend with Mega Man 2.
#8. – Mother
I always thought it was weird to call a game ‘life changing.’ They’re just entertainment after all. With that said, Mother is life changing. I don’t say that lightly. When almost all developers were making their RPGs they focused on medieval plights. This is a modern day (or circa mid 20th century) spin on things. It’s still a traditional RPG with turn based battles, experience points, etc. The works. So what makes this game so darn enchanting? I’ve never played such a charming and atmospheric role playing game anywhere else. Mother draws you in with what seems like a weird story but evolves into something you just have to see through to the end. I didn’t care about the unbalanced difficulty because it’s just such a treat. The big shame is that we never had this released outside of Japan despite Nintendo themselves translating it.
#7. – Contra
Here we have the absolute best co-op game of the 8-bit era. Contra showed us just how fun twitch gameplay can be with a friend, and I’ll never forget the memories I have of playing this one with my cousins in their basement. We just had to make it just a little farther each time. This is the game I credit with my interest in the run and gun genre. The stages are just so fun to explore, and the foes (as well as their patterns) do such an incredible job of keeping you on your toes. Seriously, this is THE reason a second controller was packed in with the NES in my opinion. I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of achievement from completing this one, and I was able to share the experience thanks to the two player design.
#6. – Kirby’s Adventure
His first outing was very unfocused. That much is clear from the fact that Kirby was white at one point, and his only real skill was eating enemies and flying. It wasn’t until Kirby’s Adventure that HAL Labs finally figured out what to do with the pink puff of fluff. It’s here that he gained his ability to swallow enemies and absorb their skills. Believe you me there are a lot of these which keeps gameplay incredibly fresh through each and every level. Seriously, no other platformers from this time had this many power-ups that were so readily available. The only complaint I have is that it’s perhaps too easy. Kirby’s Adventure is a cakewalk, but a super duper fun romp. There’s a reason Kirby is still one of the most popular franchises worldwide.
#5. – The Legend of Zelda
Holy gosh darn is the Legend of Zelda ever an incredible game. Even today it’s on the spectrum of perfection. Back when it was released I couldn’t believe they managed to cram so much content into a single cartridge. It was almost unheard of. Exploring Hyrule was, and still is, such a treat for the senses. The dungeons are pretty basic in that you can rely on a few simple tricks whenever you’re stuck, but they’re still incredible in design, atmospheric, and an absolute joy. I still feel the thrills I felt as a child whenever I get a new tool, or whenever a boss rears its head. This is one of those games that has a lot of vague secrets that I have memorized. They’re all ingrained into my brain at this point, and the original Legend of Zelda will always remind me of the pure bliss of adventure.
#4. – Dragon Warrior IV
How fitting is it that this one is number four on my list? It’s pure coincidence to be honest, but it absolutely deserves such high placement. One thing I’ve always loved about Dragon Quest are what I call ‘rough beginnings.’ Getting your party strong enough early on to tackle the next dungeon. In this case you have several chapters wherein you play as different characters and experience this aspect time and time again. Where Dragon Warrior IV really shines is in how amazing each of these party members are. They’re surprisingly memorable for being a mere pile of pixels. Alena with her propensity for critical hits, Taloon with his merchants that help out in battle, etc. The world here is one of the most imaginative in the series, and the story is surprisingly flush for an 8-bit title. Simply put it’s incredible.
#3. – Sweet Home
There’s absolutely nothing else out that like Sweet Home. It’s one of the earliest survival horror titles, and also an RPG to boot. What’s most surprising however is that this is a licensed game. It’s based off a Japanese horror film, and actually transcends the source material. You play as five different characters that must navigate and escape from the haunted Mamiya mansion. Each has their own abilities which allow them to get past obstacles, and can split into a variety of different parties you can freely switch between. While wandering the mansion you get into random encounters which are settled via traditional turn based combat. It’s a bit odd at first but as you get into a groove you’ll discover that it fits the action exceptionally well. Sweet Home is one of the few genuinely frightening games with incredible backstory and a fun battle system.
#2. – Dragon Warrior III
This is the best Dragon Quest game. Hands down. What starts out as a game seemingly unrelated to the others eventually turns into a prequel to the original title. Leading up to this point we have an absolutely incredible world to explore, amazing combat system, and a deep and rewarding job system with character creation. Then you get to Alefgarde which is shrouded in darkness. You must save it from the archfiend Zoma, and only then you realize that you are living the legend so intricately laid out in the first two games. It’s just such an incredible system with the best balance of difficulty in any Dragon Quest game. Experimentation is rewarded in such a way that you don’t even have to grind. I love games that reward smart players, and Dragon Warrior III does so more than almost any other RPG.
#1. – Super Mario Bros. 3
No list of the best NES games of all time is accurate if this isn’t number one. I don’t say that lightly. The level designs represent the very best in classic Nintendo magic. Every second spent here is pure magic, and the power-ups are just… chef’s kiss. It’s that good. Anyone who grew up in the 80s will never forget the release of this one, or the hype that surrounded it. This is honestly the greatest 2D platformer of all time. I’ll never forget the first time I got the raccoon leaf, tanuki suit, or took to the waterways with Mario as a frog. This is also one of the most challenging Mario titles. If you own a NES this is the one game you need to get. Beyond the shadow of a doubt this is the best NES game of all time.
