TOP 8 NES GAMES
THE NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
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FINAL FANTASY
NUMBER 8
Final Fantasy was the evolution of RPGs for those interested in a more strategic approach to battle. Creating our party with six different classes to choose from was something we had never seen before. You had the Fighter, a favorite for his weapons welding. The rogue class Thief, able to master the skills of ninja. Not to be outdone by the martial artist Black Belt, killed in hand to hand melee. Then you have the Mages: The White Mage, utilizing white spells including healing; The Black Mage, welding a more sinister dark attack spells, and The Red Mage, utilizing more aggressive attack spells and some healing ability. Why did it become a favorite though? Its difficulty, this game was brutal, and completing it was a level of gamer credit akin to landing a jet in Top Gun for the NES. Another nod has to go out to the soundtrack.
Developer Square
Release Date December 18, 1987
Genre RPG
Modes Single-Player
TETRIS
NUMBER 7
Tetris is a difficult game to categorize. While it is actually an incredibly complex game to master, it is perhaps the grandfather of causal gaming. Everyone you’ve ever met has played this game. There is no barrier to entry, anyone can play it. The only limitations is your hand I coordination dictating how far you can get. Maybe it should be higher on the list… that music is so damn catchy.
Developer Alexey Pajitnov
Release Date June 6, 1984
Genre Puzzle
Modes Single-Player, Multiplayer
CASTLEVANIA
NUMBER 6
A vampire hunter that fights of hordes or bats, dragons, medusa heads, and mermen on his way to squaring off with Dracula himself. Yeah, we could end it there. Belmont was one of the original bad asses on the NES. It may not have had the advanced controls or leveling systems of other games, but in was a well executed for what it does, and let’s admit that subject matter counts. To this day there is something so satisfying about confidently striding up to an evil creature and taking them out with a well judge lash of your whip.
Developer Square
Release Date December 18, 1987
Genre RPG
Modes Single-Player
MEGA MAN 2
NUMBER 5
aka Rockman 2: The Mystery of Dr. Wily
Because, you know… reasons.
Developer Capcom
Release Date December 24, 1988
Genre Action, Platformer
Modes Single-Player
METROID
NUMBER 4
Metroid has some of the best gameplay on the NES. This game evolved as you played it. New areas became accessible to you only as you upgraded your capabilities and arsenal. This game not only inspired many FPS games with it’s level creation, but later iterations of games such Castlevania. Back in the day, finding out Samus was a female was something you needed to be an amazing gamer to find out as the reveal wasn’t until the end. She was the first strong female lead in gaming.
Developer Nintendo
Release Date August 6, 1986
Genre Action-Adventure, Platformer
Modes Single-Player
SUPER MARIO BROS.
NUMBER 3
Super Mario Bros. is one of the most influential games in history. Super Mario Bros. could have been as simple as running, and jumping. Just think of the innovations they brought beyond simple mechanics. Secret levels, power ups such as fireballs & invincibiliy. Let’s not forget that classic 8bit soundtrack.
Developer Nintendo
Release Date September 13, 1985
Genre Platformer
Modes Single-Player, Multiplayer
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA
NUMBER 2
Few games have inspired a sense of wonder and adventure the way the Legend of Zelda has. Mixing Action, Adventure, and puzzle. A young boy going off on a journey to in a high fantasy world might be the quintessential adventure story. The freedom the game offered, inspired the sense of awe and exploration they intended. It really was a special moment in gaming. Before we even knew what that even meant in terms of video games, this game was a classic.
There is also something to be said for the game save mechanics that the Legend of Zelda brought to the table, without it. These game wouldn’t have existed.
Developer Nintendo
Release Date February 21, 1986
Genre Action-Adventure
Modes Single-Player
SUPER MARIO BROS. 3
NUMBER 1
Super Marion Bros. 3 [SMB3] was a refinement of everything that had been established in the series* before it. It expanded on the art direction and creativity of the levels and power ups. Even the level skipping system (warp whistles) as reinvented. As much was they refined they also innovated with the introduction of the world map and an inventory system. What we have in it’s place is a game that while 25 years old, is still a joy to play, and sets the standard it 2D platformers.
Developer Nintendo
Release Date October 23, 1988 (Japan)
Genre Platformer
Modes Single-Player, Multiplayer