July 15, 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Japanese home console, the Famicom, which became the NES in the West. To celebrate, we’re republishing our reader-ranked list of the best games on the system.
Note that this is a dynamic list that updates in real time according to user ratings for each game in our database. If you haven’t yet rated a game you’ve played, feel free to rate the game below. Rankings are subject to change. fun!
Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES (Ness? Nezu? Huh, huh?) is a typical home video game console. Certainly early machines such as the mighty Atari 2600 pioneered the basic concept of a console under the TV with interchangeable software and controller accessories, but the pragmatic design of Nintendo’s 8-bit system and Hardware innovations set the stage for modern console gaming.
After the video game “crash” of 1983, the NES (Famicom in Japan) defied the naysayers and single-handedly took over the industry thanks to clever marketing and, more importantly, an excellent software library. It revived as strong as ever. The early days saw solid ports of hits like: Donkey Kong Giving players a taste of the arcade at home, game design innovations (and the introduction of on-cartridge chips) further enhanced and expanded the possibilities for developers to create games on the humble NES. Compare the 1983 Donkey Kong Port with the 1988 Donkey Kong Port super mario bros 3 I can’t believe these are running on the same system.
Below is a list of the top 50 NES games ever made. As with many other Top 50 Systems lists, the rankings below are driven by user ratings submitted by Nintendo Life readers. This list is not final.Ordering methods will continue to evolve automatically Based on user scores (0-10) for each game in the Nintendo Life game database. Disagree with the order? Scroll down to rate and give your opinion now! Already rated? Sit back and enjoy.
If there’s a game you’d like to rate below the top 50, feel free to use the search tool below to find it and give it a score out of 10. If not, scroll down and enjoy our roundup of the best games. NES games so far…
Note. A game must have a total of at least 25 user ratings to qualify.
the publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
The presence of VS. Excitebike I made an original with the Famicom Disk System excite bike Slightly redundant, this was the basic version of the game we got in the West. Offering a seemingly deep 8-bit ride, where the acceleration and the pitch of the bike on landing blend beautifully, this bike is definitely worth trying. We just love VS. Enhanced mode has also been slightly improved.
the publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D 1
It set the template for the series, pioneering a delicate mix of exploration and gradual empowerment, but let’s be honest here: it might be hard to go back to the original Metroid, even if you played it back then. yeah. The audio and atmosphere it evokes is still incredible, but the refinement of controls and quality-of-life features we’re used to these days are largely absent from the original Famicom Disk System/NES and a proper mindset. or returning without a background can be uncomfortable.
The biggest problem is that there is an excellent Game Boy Advance remake called Metroid Zero Mission. Just the best way to experience Samus’ first adventure. Even the original has its charm. These days, you have to dig deeper to find them.
the publisher: Tecmo / Developer: Tecmo
fun in fire and ice Depends a lot on how much you enjoy logic puzzles, this game doesn’t have a hint feature, but it does make it easier to understand the basic concepts before finally introducing new mechanics such as jars that can be lit. I am doing my best to All these frameworks are well made. It has a cute tale of an old lady who tells her grandchildren Dana stories like in a fairy tale, the visuals are simple but very well animated. Beyond his initial 100 stages, there are 50 additional stages, plus the option to create your own levels.
the publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
don’t let Mighty Final Fight‘s childlike art and style will fool you. This is a challenging fighting game where the combat is surprisingly complex and the story and art are fresh and interesting, especially when compared to the gritty realism that many games today are looking for. Gamers looking for some old-school fun should check out Mighty Final Fight. They don’t like this game anymore.
the publisher: axis game / Developer: Technos Japan
This fighting game sequel fully includes the all-important two-player element that was missing from the original NES game, and although the brawl between Vimmy and Jimmy isn’t likely to be remembered for long, It has the ability to involve your friends in battle.make Double Dragon II: The Revenge pair selection.
the publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
A radical departure from the template of the first game, Zelda II has enjoyed a sort of reappraisal in recent years after Dark Souls. It’s a cryptic game, and if you’re playing via Nintendo Switch Online or have your state saved elsewhere, it’s perfectly fine to use the rewind feature, but it’s worth persevering with. There is For a series that previously risked becoming a by-the-numbers adventure by sticking to the formula, this first sequel was more than just a repeat. A deeper combat system with RPG leveling elements and side-on platform villages, the dungeons made this an entirely different experience than the original.
Some might argue that the sense of adventure and ‘surprise’ is lost too much to frustration, but like any challenging 8-bit game, there’s no such thing. If you’ve been frustrated with “Link’s Adventure” in the past, please try again.
the publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Konami’s steel blade Better than Nintendo’s unimaginative name Ice hockeyholds up pretty well compared to . double dribble, that too. If you liked the game back then, or if you liked ice hockey games in general, this is still worth a look. Even if you’re not a hockey fan, you have about a 50% chance of playing a hockey-based mini-game during the second break. Gladius, which is pretty nifty.don’t understand or in ice hockey.
the publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D 1
A cheeky lightgun shooter with a lot of character, many players experienced this because it came bundled with the NES and Zapper (not a bad buy, as it came bundled in a dual cart with Super Mario Bros.). Duck Hunt provides simple, wholesome light gun fun for the whole family. As long as you don’t feel down when countless digital waterfowl are killed unjustly while snorting bloodhounds watch.
For the official Wii U Virtual Console release in 2014, the game was reworked to work on modern non-CRT TVs with Wii remotes and on-screen cursors. As of the end of March 2023, that version is no longer available for purchase.
the publisher: trade west / Developer: rare
This rareware and technos crossover, developed by the Battletoads team, adds Billy and Jimmy to their toad-like brawler line-up. As you can imagine, Battletoads & Double Dragon much more battle toad than double dragonbut it was a fun little 8-bit beat game experience and we have very fond memories of it.
the publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
A game that stands out even in Nintendo’s back catalog, star tropics Blend elements from Zelda, The Mother Series, and classic RPGs to create something different. It’s not entirely successful and the usability is disappointing, but it’s well worth the trip to C-Island via Nintendo Switch Online just to see a rare Nintendo game that didn’t have a dozen followups. (although there was one sequel).
