The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES, needs no introduction. It helped gaming to rise out of the ashes of the 1983 North American video game crash and was the system where many beloved game series got their start. The system had dozens of great games, but for now, let’s look at 6 of the greatest NES games of all time.
1. Crystalis
This game isn’t well-known, but it deserves to be remembered among the best NES titles. It’s an action RPG that tells a great story where you are a magic user who wakes up a hundred years after an apocalyptic war. You have no memory of your life before, but you are called on to save the world. The game provides satisfying exploration through an engaging world full of colorful characters. Different swords are effective against different enemies, adding a layer of strategy to the hack-and-slash combat. While many RPGs from the 8-bit era can be difficult to get into now, Crystalis is still fun and accessible for the modern player.
2. Contra
Sometimes simplicity makes for the best experiences, and Contra does simplicity very well. You run, you jump, and you shoot down everything in sight. The action is fast, tight, and satisfying. In fact, the NES version is faster and tighter than the original arcade version. If you don’t believe me, get the Contra Anniversary Collection and play the arcade and NES versions back-to-back. The amazing music and addicting challenge make it fun to keep practicing, trying again and again to get a little bit further.
3. Super Mario Bros. 3
Most people would list this game as #1, but we’re doing things a bit differently today. However, being Number 3 doesn’t mean this game doesn’t deserve all the praise it gets. It revolutionized the Mario series, introducing many staple elements such as overworld maps, flying power-ups, and themed worlds. The game was first revealed in the movie The Wizard, and while that may seem like overhyping, for this game, that level of hype was completely deserved. No matter how expansive the Mario series gets, Super Mario Bros. 3 will remain a classic.
4. Metroid
Metroid was a departure from Nintendo’s usual colorful, family-friendly aesthetic. Instead, it took the player to a dark, claustrophobic planet where they must face hostile aliens alone. The game’s creepy atmosphere enhanced the open-ended gameplay where you had to find upgrades before you could proceed to new areas. Of course, the reveal that Samus Aran was a woman is one of the most classic twists in the history of gaming. Here’s hoping that the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond maintains the legacy of this stellar series.
5. StarTropics
This lesser-known adventure game deserves more attention. You are Mike Jones, who traverses a series of tropical islands to rescue his uncle, archeologist Dr. Jones (no relation to Indiana). Armed with your yo-yo weapon, you solve puzzles in a Legend of Zelda-style adventure, but the tropical setting and heavy dose of humor help set this game apart from Zelda. The game got a sequel on the NES, but after that, the series came to an end. Perhaps someday Nintendo will revive it.
6. The Legend of Zelda
The game that launched an epic series still holds up well, despite how you might need a walkthrough for some sections. Even though the game drops you into a world without much guidance, that’s what makes it appealing. It’s fun to just wander around and discover things while fighting off enemies and listening to that classic tune. This game provided an expansive adventure that was a refreshing change for gamers who were used to playing through structured level after structured level. As the Zelda series grows and evolves, we should always remember how much we enjoyed getting lost in the original 8-bit version of Hyrule.
