Best 25 Nintendo NES Games of All-Time Ranked

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a gaming console that revolutionized the video game industry in the 1980s. It introduced gamers to classic titles such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, which have become iconic games in the history of video games. The NES has a vast library of games that have stood the test of time and continue to captivate gamers of all ages.

In this article, we will take a look at the best Nintendo NES video games of all time, from the classics that started it all to lesser-known gems that deserve recognition. These games have made a significant impact on the video game industry and continue to be enjoyed by gamers today.

So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the top Nintendo NES games of all time.

Super Mario Bros.

Developed and published by Nintendo in 1985, Super Mario Bros. is an iconic platformer that set the standard for 2D side-scrolling titles. In it, players take control of Mario and his brother Luigi as they traverse the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Toadstool from Bowser. With a variety of power-ups, secret levels, and iconic enemies such as Goombas and Koopa Troopas, Super Mario Bros. is considered one of the most influential titles of all time and laid the foundations for much of Nintendo’s later success.

The Legend of Zelda

Released in 1986 by Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure title that follows Link as he embarks on a quest to save Princess Zelda from the evil Ganon. With its large world to explore, variety of weapons and items to collect, and top-notch puzzle design, it set a new bar for open-world adventure games. It also helped popularize nonlinear gameplay and expand the scope of what could be done with video games.

Metroid

Developed by Nintendo and released in 1986, Metroid is a side-scrolling action-adventure game where players take control of Samus Aran as she explores the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates. It was one of the earliest games to feature exploration and nonlinear progression, allowing players to tackle areas in any order they chose. Its unique power-up system allowed for abilities like clinging to walls and shooting missiles.

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

Released in 1989 by Konami, Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse is an action-platformer that follows Trevor Belmont as he journeys through Transylvania to battle against Count Dracula. Featuring multiple ending paths, a wide variety of weapons and abilities, and vibrant 8-bit visuals, it is considered one of the best titles in the series.

Mega Man 2

Released in 1988 by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Mega Man 2 follows the titular robot hero as he battles against eight new Robot Masters to save the world from Dr. Wily’s evil plans. With its classic gameplay loop, tight controls, expansive toolset of weapons and items, and catchy soundtrack, it was one of the most beloved games on the console and helped to define an entire genre.

Contra

Developed by Konami and released in 1987 for NES, Contra is a side-scrolling shooter where players take control of Bill and Lance as they battle their way through alien forces in a bid to save the world. Featuring memorable characters, intense 8-bit graphics and sound, and a variety of weapons to choose from, it is one of the most beloved games on the console and helped define the genre for future titles.

Final Fantasy

Released for NES in 1987 by Square Enix, Final Fantasy is an iconic role-playing game that follows brave adventurers as they journey through perilous lands in search of the four elemental orbs. With its classic turn-based combat system, expansive job classes and magic spells, memorable characters, and stirring soundtrack, it was hailed as one of the best RPGs ever released at the time and set a new standard for the genre.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

Released in 1990 by Tecmo, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos is the sequel to the original NES game. It follows Ryu Hayabusa as he battles various enemies across 8 stages, while using his Ninpo magic and powerful weapons such as shuriken and fireballs to defeat them. Featuring intense levels, tight controls, fluid animation, and a variety of secrets to uncover, it was one of the most beloved titles on the console and helped define action-platformers for years to come.

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!

Originally released in 1987 by Nintendo, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! is a boxing game that follows Little Mac as he battles his way through the ranks of the World Video Boxing Association. Featuring iconic characters such as Glass Joe, Bald Bull, and Mike Tyson himself, it was one of the most beloved titles on the system and helped define sports games for decades to come.

Dragon Warrior IV

Developed by Enix and released in 1992 for NES, Dragon Warrior IV is an early role-playing game set in Alefgard. It follows five heroes as they battle against monsters and dragons in order to save their kingdom from destruction. With its unique chapter system allowing players to switch between protagonists at any time, expansive world with a variety of secrets to uncover, and unforgettable soundtrack, it remains one of the most beloved titles in the series.

DuckTales

Developed by Capcom and released in 1989 for NES, DuckTales is a platformer where players take control of Scrooge McDuck as he travels to far-off lands in search of treasure. Featuring memorable characters, catchy theme song, and vibrant 8-bit visuals, it was one of the best games on the console and helped define the genre.

Kirby’s Adventure

Released for NES in 1993 by HAL Laboratory, Kirby’s Adventure follows Kirby as he embarks on a quest to restore color to Dream Land after a mysterious evil force steals it away. With its intuitive controls, colorful visuals and soundtrack, and wide variety of power-ups to collect, it was one of the most beloved games on the console and helped define action-platformers for years to come.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Released in 1988 by Nintendo, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a critically acclaimed platformer that follows Mario and Luigi as they travel through various lands in their quest to recover the stolen royal wands from Bowser and his children. With its vibrant visuals, tight controls, expansive world with secrets to uncover, and memorable soundtrack, it is considered one of the best titles on NES and set a new standard for platformers at the time.

Tecmo Super Bowl

Developed by Tecmo and released for NES in 1991, Tecmo Super Bowl is a sports game that allows players to compete in American football matches. With its realistic 8-bit graphics and sound, an expansive roster of teams and players to choose from, and its innovative playcalling system, it helped define the genre for years to come.

Bionic Commando

Developed by Capcom and released for NES in 1988, Bionic Commando is an action-adventure platformer where players take control of Rad Spencer as he battles enemies while swinging across levels with his mechanical arm. Featuring fluid animation, intense boss battles, expansive world with secrets to uncover, and memorable soundtrack, it was one of the most beloved games on the console at the time and helped define action-platformers for years to come.

Double Dragon II: The Revenge

Released in 1989 by Technos Japan for the NES, Double Dragon II: The Revenge is a beat ’em up game that follows Billy and Jimmy Lee as they battle their way through various gangs of enemies in order to save Marian from her captors. With its intuitive controls, vibrant visuals and sound, and expansive levels with secrets to uncover, it was one of the most beloved games on the system and helped define brawlers for years to come.

Excitebike

Developed by Nintendo and released for NES in 1984, Excitebike is a classic racing game where players take control of a dirt bike racer as they compete against computer-controlled opponents or other human players. Featuring intuitive controls, memorable soundtrack and colorful visuals, it was one of the most beloved titles on the console and helped define racing games for future titles.

Gradius

Developed by Konami and released for NES in 1986, Gradius is a side-scrolling shooter where players take control of the Vic Viper spacecraft as they battle their way through alien forces in an effort to save planet Gradius from destruction. With its responsive controls, challenging levels, upgradeable weapons system and intense sound effects, it was one of the best games on NES at the time and set a new standard for shooters going forward.

Metal Gear

Developed by Konami and released in 1987 for NES, Metal Gear is an action-adventure game where players take control of Solid Snake as he infiltrates Outer Heaven and attempts to stop the evil leader Big Boss. With its expansive world, multiple endings, colorful visuals and sound, and innovative stealth gameplay mechanics, it was one of the most beloved games on the console at the time and helped define the stealth genre for future titles.

Shadowgate

Developed by ICOM Simulations and released in 1989 for NES, Shadowgate is a classic point-and-click adventure game where players take control of an adventurer who must explore a haunted castle in order to destroy an evil wizard. Featuring unique puzzles, immersive atmosphere, memorable soundtrack and vibrant 8-bit graphics, it was one of the best games on the system and helped define the genre for years to come.

StarTropics

Developed by Nintendo and released in 1990 for NES, StarTropics is an action-adventure game where players take control of Mike Jones as he travels through a tropical paradise in search of his missing uncle. With its vibrant 8-bit visuals, engaging storyline, intuitive controls and memorable soundtrack, it was one of the best titles on the system at the time and set a new standard for adventure games going forward.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game

Developed by Konami and released in 1989 for NES, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game is a side-scrolling beat ’em up where players take control of the legendary heroes in a half shell as they battle their way through waves of enemies. Featuring colorful 8-bit visuals, intuitive controls, and catchy soundtrack, it was one of the most beloved games on NES at the time and helped define brawlers for years to come.

Bubble Bobble

Developed by Taito and released in 1986 for NES, Bubble Bobble is an arcade-style platformer where players take control of two dinosaurs as they traverse various levels while collecting power-ups and blowing bubbles at enemies. With its vibrant visuals, responsive controls, variety of secrets to uncover, and memorable soundtrack, it was one of the best games on the console at the time and set a new standard for action-platformers.

Adventure Island II

Developed by Hudson Soft and released in 1991 for NES, Adventure Island II is an action-adventure game where players take control of Master Higgins as he battles his way through various levels filled with monsters while collecting power-ups and bonus items. Featuring vibrant 8-bit graphics, intuitive controls, and catchy soundtrack, it was one of the most beloved games on the console at the time and helped define adventure games going forward.

Blaster Master

Developed by Sunsoft and released in 1988 for NES, Blaster Master is an action-adventure platformer where players take control of Jason Frudnick as he traverses various levels while battling enemies and collecting weapons upgrades. With its expansive world, memorable soundtrack, challenging boss battles, and colorful visuals, it was one of the best titles on the system at the time and helped define action-platformers for years to come.