The Best NES Games
, by Patrick Hetherton, 6 min reading time
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) had a legendary run, with a library full of classics that still hold up. Based on a mix of historical impact, critical acclaim, and fan love (pulled from web rankings and enthusiast discussions), here’s a rundown of some of the best NES games. I’m focusing on variety and influence, avoiding any fluff.
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Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990) - Refined platforming perfection. Mario’s moveset expanded with power-ups like the Tanooki suit. Level design is creative, challenging, and iconic. It’s often called the pinnacle of 2D Mario.
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The Legend of Zelda (1986) - A groundbreaking open-world adventure. Non-linear exploration, dungeons, and secrets set the template for action-adventure games. Its influence is still felt in modern titles.
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Metroid (1986) - Pioneered the Metroidvania genre. Samus Aran’s exploration of Zebes, with non-linear progression and power-ups, feels atmospheric and rewarding. Tough but fair.
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Mega Man 2 (1988) - Tight controls, memorable music, and tough-but-fair boss battles. The stage select system and varied weapons made it a standout in the action-platformer genre.
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Final Fantasy III (1990) - A deep RPG with the job system, letting you customize your party’s roles. Its story and mechanics were ambitious for the time and still resonate with JRPG fans.
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Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (1989) - Gothic action-platforming at its best. Multiple characters, branching paths, and a killer soundtrack. It’s a tougher, more polished sequel.
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Super Mario Bros. (1985) - The game that defined a generation. Simple yet precise platforming, iconic music, and level design that still feels fresh. It’s the blueprint for 2D platformers.
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Punch-Out!! (1987) - A unique boxing game with pattern-based gameplay. Little Mac’s underdog journey against quirky opponents like King Hippo is charming and addictive.
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Tetris (1989) - The ultimate puzzle game. Simple, timeless, and endlessly replayable. The NES version’s tight controls and music made it a household staple.
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Kirby’s Adventure (1993) - Late NES gem with Kirby’s copy-ability debut. Colorful, accessible, and packed with creative levels. It pushed the NES hardware to its limits.
These games shaped genres, inspired developers, and remain fun today. Rankings from sources like IGN, GameSpot, and Retro Gamer consistently highlight these for their innovation and replayability. If you want me to dig into specific genres, lesser-known titles, or details on any of these, let me know.