Top 25 Best Famicom Disk System Games of All Time

The Famicom Disk System is interesting for a number of reasons. It always seemed to me that all add-on consoles were doomed to fail. Little did I know of the Famicom Disk System. This floppy disk based add-on was only released in Japan, and kicked the original NES console up a few notches. Due to the re-writable format of the storage Nintendo even released kiosks where you could have new games written to disk. You could then take these home, pop them into your console, and voila you had a brand new game for cheap. While many of these titles are simple NES ports (or were later ported to the NES) it also had some exclusives. That is why today I’ve decided to highlight the top 25 best Famicom Disk System games of all time. Here we go.

#25. – Wrecking Crew

This is the Mario game you never knew was a Mario game. Wrecking Crew puts you into the role of a demolishion expert armed with a hammer. Your goal? Destroy everything in the environment while avoiding all of the monsters trying to send you to the underworld. It’s a 2D single screen arcade game (although it scrolls up and down). There aren’t a lot of differences between this and the NES version, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Fun fact: this was the game someone overwrote the disk I had of Zelda with. At first I was mad, but then after playing it I quickly fell in love with it.

#24. Yokai Yashiki

I love horror themed games from this era. Yokai Yashiki originated on the MSX computer but was remade for the Famicom Disk System. This is the definitive version of the title. You guide the blue haired hero through a series of single screen environments shooting at various horror based enemies. Is it good? Yes, but there’s nothing revolutionary in play here. Yokai Yashiki has you on a quest to rescue the main character’s sister from a miriad of baddies across screens full of hazards. It’s tough, but definitely fun and worth playing. I can see why this wasn’t released on the NES however because it would be a tough title to market.

#23. – Kaettekita Mario Bros.

Remember the original Mario Bros? I’m not talking about the goomba stomping, mushroom nabbing adventure. What I’m referring to is the original arcade game where you play as Mario and Luigi (back when they were actual plumbers) and defeat enemies in the sewer. You do so by jumping underneath the platforms koopa troopas and other enemies and then knocking them off screen. So imagine that game, but one that licensed out a brand of ramen. That’s Kaettekita Mario Bros. It has some intermission scenes that are basically advertisements, and while that’s not a good feature in and of itself, the base game is fun. It’s kind of a collectors item if you can get a disk with this title on it.

#22. – Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race

Here’s an exclusive racing game for the Famicom Disk System. Is it good? Yes, well sort of. It’s not an amazing title but Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race does have some fun hidden inside this plastic disk. This is an overhead title wherein, you guessed it, you’re trying to come in first place on a variety of different courses. The controls are pretty on point for an 8-bit title, but some of the tracks can be a little confusing. Regardless this is one of the best racers available on the platform, and beats out most similar NES titles.

#21. – Cleopatra No Mahou

Did you know that Squaresoft made an RPG adventure game for the Famicom Disk System based on the historical figure of Cleopatra? Well, I didn’t until I really dug into the FDS library but here we are. It has turn based battles, and traditional adventure game trappings in terms of exploration. This isn’t a typical genre for Squaresoft both then and now. The title itself does a great job in terms of atmosphere. This isn’t a time period or setting that video games both now and then explored. This is why Cleopatra No Mahou is so interesting. That, and a killer soundtrack and fun world to explore if I’m being honest.

#20. – Super Mario Bros. 2

No, I’m not talking about the vegetable grabbing/throwing adventure where you can play as the Mario bros as well as Toad and Princess Toadstool. This is the real Super Mario Bros 2. It plays more like an expansion of the original title than anything else. The graphics are largely the same, as are the enemies and obstacles. New to the franchise are poison mushrooms, and Luigi’s floaty jumping mechanics. Nintendo went all out as far as difficulty goes and this is easily one of the hardest video games of the 8-bit era. I felt motivated to keep playing and ‘get good’ because of the incredible level design. The Famicom Disk System version is still the best one to play in my opinion.

#19. – Silviana: Ai Ippai no Boukensy

There weren’t a lot of exclusive titles for the platform. Silviana has the privelege of being one of these. This action RPG is unusual because it stars a female protagonist, but it’s far from a cutesy affair. Silviana is far from an easy game. You move around from an overhead perspective as you explore various environments fighiting foes and collecting treasure. So how is combat? Well, like in the Ys series you defeat enemies by ramming into them. It’s not as easy as it sounds because you have to hit foes at just the right angle. The game takes a lot of time to master. When you do it’s incredibly rewarding, and the world itself is a lot of fun to explore.

#18. – Dead Zone

Now we arrive at one of the many text only games for the platform. Fans of adventure games on the PC of this era will no doubt rejoice, but this isn’t a genre I grew up with. Thankfully there’s now a fan translation released for this text adventure. The story takes place in the far future where Earth has been overpopulated and space colonies are a reality. Fans of classic adventure games will find a lot to love in this title. You select text based commands on scenes which just show you the background. Figuring out what you need to interact with to proceed is a good part of the fun. I absolutely love the atmosphere in Dead Zone. Although I’m not the biggest fan of this genre I really liked this one.

#17. – Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally

Many consider this to be the predecessor to Super Mario Kart. This is because it’s a behind the back 3D racing title, and you can play as both Mario and Luigi. To hit this point home further you can collect items which in this case are called ‘hot marks.’ When you gather enough of these you can activate a fifth gear in any of the three cars you can choose to race in (all of which have different general statistics). This is one of the few games that made use of the 3D glasses for the FDS (3D was all the rage after all). There are three courses to choose from, but they have different paths which you can travel. In addition there’s also repair points to fix up your vehicle. The action is surprisingly smooth, and it’s surprisingly fun for an 8-bit racer.

#16. – Dirty Pair Project Eden

If you have any interest in classic anime then there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Dirty Pair. I’m aware of it, but I haven’t seen it. If you haven’t already guessed it this title is based on the series. Dirty Pair Project Eden is a super interesting side scrolling shoot em up. You can ride flying vehicles at which point the game feels very traditional for the genre. The stage designs are excellent putting a great emphasis on environmental hazards. When you take enough hits you’re stuck progressing on foot. It is at this point that Dirty Pair Project Eden feels more like a traditional action title of the era. You can run, shoot, and jump. It’s basically a run and gun at this point, and a very good one. Dirty Pair Project Eden is absolutely one of the best Famicom Disk System games.

#15. – Bubble Bobble

Yes, this title was available on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The port to the Famicom Disk System is almost untouched. Some of the music compositions sound more complex to me, but other than that there’s not a lot that’s new. With that said Bubble Bobble is still an incredible game here. It’s a side view single screen arcade title where you encase foes in bubbles, pop all of them, and then move on to the next area. Bubble Bobble is infinitely replayable with pick up and play gameplay that will never age. This is absolutely the best co-op multiplayer title available for the Famicom Disk System. Honestly, even going it alone you’ll find it’s still incredible.

#14. – Akumajou Dracula

For those that don’t know this is Castlevania. This title in particular is the original release which saw a version on the Famicom Disk System, and that’s what I’m talking about here. This is a port of the Famicom version, but with a couple of enhancements. First of all the audio clearly has more channels, and the music sounds amazing. In addition this is the only version of the original title that has a save feature (thanks to the disk format). Either way, this is still Castlevania. Regardless it’s an amazing title. Perhaps it’s the horror elements, or the difficult gameplay elements that make progression so darn rewarding but Castlevania is chicken soup for my soul. I prefer this version to the NES release so of course it’s going to place on this list.

#13. – Monty on the Run

People who have played this title are probably wondering why it’s on this list. I can completely understand how someone would hate this one. It’s a very unforgiving game. If you make the wrong choices you’ll have to start over from the beginning. Thankfully Monty on the Run is so fun that I didn’t mind learning these nuances. It plays like a side scrolling platformer. You play as Monty and must gather specific artifacts in order to progress. You can jump, and shoot, but the highlight here is in the dynamic level designs. This is one of the few titles where I just needed to see what obstacles the developers would throw at me next. It’s frustrating, but if you’re like me you won’t mind.

#12. – Nazo no Kabe

I freaking love Breakout. It might just be my favorite puzzle game of all time. With that said I also love a lot of clones of Breakout. If you haven’t guessed by now Kazo no Kabe fits comfortably within this category. This iteration has a pseudo horror theme. That’s something I love, but not the reason Kazo no Kabe places so high. It does so because of how amazing the level design is. It gets technical in some very neat ways. You really have to stay on your toes, but also must plan ahead for how you’re going to maneuver the ball into advantageous areas. This is an incredible game. Simply put it might just be the best Breakout clone ever released.

#11. – Falsion

The Famicom Disk System didn’t add a lot of extra hardware to the Famicom. With that said Falsion (a FDS exclusive) does what few other titles on the base platform could. It’s a behind the ship 3D shooter and it runs surprisingly amazing. I am surprised by just how smoothly this one runs. To me it feels like a barebones and early version of Star Fox. The real highlight here is in the stage design which really serves to keep you on your toes. The Famicom Disk System didn’t have a lot of exclusive shooters for it (let alone 3D ones). Falsion gets extra points for just how ambitious it was. This one definitely delivers the goods.

#10. – Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Clu Clu Land

Clu Clu Land was an early title for the original NES. It’s a top view single screen action puzzle game that I liked quite a lot. You guide a fish who automatically moves forward and you can only change it’s direction by holding out your hand on either side. Things get tricky because the left and right buttons on the directional pad are used to do so. You have to really think and put yourself in the character’s position to figure out how to proceed. It’s a great game, and this Famicom Disk System edition has new levels. It can fairly be considered an expansion. Because the basic game is so good, and the new stages are great, Clu Clu Land Welcome to the New is easily one of the best Famicom Disk System games.

#9. – Super Mario Bros.

Yes, the original Super Mario Bros was released for the Famicom Disk System. The good news is that it’s basically the same game, and you don’t have to constantly switch disk sides. Everyone has played the original Super Mario Bros and this is almost a 1:1 port of the original. With that said this is simply one of the greatest video games of all time. As Mario (or Luigi) you play hop and bop your way through a series of different side scrolling levels. The stage designs are absolutely incredible. You’ll have to think on your feet, and plan your jumps accordingly. There are also well placed warp points to jump ahead worlds. It was a great game on the NES, and it’s just as great on the Famicom Disk System.

#8. – Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa

Not many games put you in the role of a baby. Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa is one of these. This is a side scrolling platform game where your crawl your way through every stage. Your main method of attack is striking enemies with a rattle. It’s unconventional sure, but the effects are too. It disables foes but from this point you can push them as projectiles in the direction from which they were hit. Upa can even ride on them like platforms at this point. It’s a very bizarre game with a weird and somewhat off-putting premise. Once you really dive in though you’ll find this is simply one of the best Famicom Disk System games ever.

#7. – Armana no Kiseki

Growing up I yearned for a good Indiana Jones game. Sure, developers tried, but almost none were able to deliver the goods. While it isn’t based on the franchise, Armana no Kiseki is pretty darn close. The game is from Konami, and so you know it’s got to be good. It’s also one of their many titles that never made it over. In this case I assume it’s because they didn’t want to put in the effort to convert it to cartridge. Either way, Armana no Kiseki is one of the best Famicom Disk System games stuck on the platform. It’s a side scrolling action game where you explore dark caverns and ancient ruins, and your primary weapon is a whip. It’s surprisingly fun and I know I would have loved it as a kid.

#6. – Vs. Excitebike

Who doesn’t love Excitebike? This is the NES game that almost everyone I knew played and loved. The core mechanics of riding dirtbikes, hitting ramps, and adjusting your angle for landing is super simple and approachable. Somehow it’s one of the most addicting 8-bit titles anywhere. Vs. Excitebike for the Famicom Disk System is the best version of the original title on any platform. Core gameplay is the same, but now it features multiplayer. The track editor returns, but in this case, it’s the only version where you can actually save your user created courses right on the disk. That alone makes this the best version. Add to that the slightly enhanced graphics, and completely re-done soundtrack and you have one of the best Famicom Disk System games of all time.

#5. – The Legend of Zelda

Here’s a little known fact; the Famicom Disk System version of the original Zelda was actually the first release of this classic game. Yep, it didn’t actually originate on the NES as we have long been led to believe. This is likely due to how expensive large memory cartridges were to produce, but there’s also an added benefit. This was one of the first action adventure games to feature the ability to save your progress without using passwords. Of course Nintendo later released it in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System with battery backup. There’s not a lot of difference between the two versions, but it’s Zelda. This was one of the greatest games ever for the NES, and as such, it’s also one of the best games for the Famicom Disk System.

#4. – Ai Senshi Nicol

Konami was on fire when it came to the NES, and that clearly carried over to the Famicom Disk System in some major ways. Their 1987 release, Ai Senshi Nicol, caught me off guard in a number of different ways. First of all this is a game I had never even heard of before playing. It’s a top down action adventure game where you guide a flame haired youth through a series of labyrinths. Your goal is to collect a variety of items, and then face off against a boss character. It sort of reminds me of Alien Syndrome, but this is much better. For one thing there’s no time limit, and the setting leans more into sci-fi than horror. It works amazingly well for a game like this. Ai Senshi Nicol is yet another Famicom Disk System game that never saw release outside of Japan in any format.

#3. – Yume Koujo: Doki Doki Panic

By now every fan of retro gaming knows the story behind this one. It was an original title created by Nintendo for the Famicom Disk System around the same time as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan. Nintendo deemd the latter too difficult for North America, and instead opted to reskin Doki Doki Panic as a Mario title for the rest of the world. The end result was one of the most unusual titles in the series even today, but also one of the most memorable. In this original version you play as a family of characters with a variety of different abilities as they tackle platforming obstacles a middle Eastern style world. The most inventive element is that you can stand atop enemy heads, and even pick them up and throw them. I prefer the US version of Super Mario Bros 2 but Doki Doki Panic is still amazing.

#2. – Esper Dream

Here’s yet another Famicom Disk System exclusive game from Konami on this list. This time they went out of their comfort zone a bit with an action adventure RPG. Esper Dream crafts one of the best fantasy based worlds I’ve seen in an 8-bit title. You explore a large fairytale world as you solve light puzzles, and defeat enemies using swords and magic (it’s actually ESP, but same difference). What’s interesting about this title is that while it appears to be a Zelda clone there are some key differences. For starters when you are touched by foes you’re whisked away to a separate battle screen ala Final Fantasy. These encounters are real time, but successfully defeating the enemies awards you experience points which in turn make you stronger. Esper Dream is absolutely worth playing even today, and is easily one of the best Famicom Disk System games.

#1. – All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.

This was a promotional release, and at its core is just the original Super Mario Bros. Nintendo teamed up with a Japanese radio program called All Night Nippon for this release. This version features revamped graphics with enemy designs replaced by the various radio hosts. It looks weird, but as someone who has the original Super Mario Bros memorized by heart the changes really tickled me. What’s also interesting is that many of the daytime stages have been changed to nighttime, and vise versa. The neatest thing about this release however is that Luigi has been given his abilities he gained in the sequels. That means he has the slippery handling, and floatier jumps. Playing the original game with these mechanics is an absolute blast. It might be similar to the original, but this is still one the best Famicom Disk System games in my opinion.