Summary

When theNintendo Entertainment System(NES ) set up in 1986 , it show in the first of a new age for telecasting games . Nintendo ’s legacy over the years has built upon the foundation that the NES lay and many of the pop Nintendo game franchises that began on the console table are still going strong . FromSuper Mario Bros. toThe Legend of Zelda , the game and characters that many raise up with began on that simple , yet staggering , machine .

Though the exact number can get fuzzy count on the criterion used , over 700 biz were released for the NES during its ten - twelvemonth lifespan . Many still stand out in people ’s minds , and it would perhaps be better to make a list of the top 100 games rather than the top 10 due to the nostalgia and passion that the games on the NES hold . The games choose here have earned their place due to the lasting encroachment they left on the picture game community as a whole , their replayability even by today ’s gaming standard , and the popularity they sustain at the metre of their release . That enunciate , there are still many , many more games that could have been included , and everyone has a right to their personal front-runner .

2024 will be a busy year for the Nintendo Switch , with several titles announced for the cabinet over the class including many conversant franchises .

Artwork of Mario from the original Super Mario Bros. next to a render of Mario and Cappy from Super Mario Odyssey, both in front of a blurred background of Peach’s Castle from Super Mario 64.

10Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! (1987)

Boxing, Fighting

In the first class of its handout , Mike Tyson ’s Punch - Out!!sold over 2 million copies in North America , the same number as was reached byThe Legend of Zelda . This boxing TV game was made as an version of the popular arcade games , Punch - Out!!andSuper Punch - Out ! ! , include the world heavyweight sensation Mike Tyson as the big boss at the end of the biz . Despite the plot only being advance between 1987 and 1990 , the length of Nintendo ’s contract bridge with Mike Tyson , it has continued to be one of the best NES game ever sold .

9DuckTales (1989)

Platformer

TheDuckTalesvideo game is a platformer that was based on the popular animated serial publication of the same name which had get down airing episodes two years before the game ’s launch . With itssurprisingly efficacious game controls , vivacious nontextual matter , and exciting story , the plot rapidly became a favoritefor many . In 2013 , a remastered version of the game was released , bringing the chronicle back into the glare as many stay to play back it even today .

8Dragon Warrior (1986)

RPG

Although the name may continue to mix up some , the NES gameDragon Warrioris the first game in theDragon Questfranchise which stay to see successful new entries in the primary series , such asDragon Quest XI S , and many twisting - offs , including the recentDragon Quest Monsters : The Dark Prince . The original NES biz , Dragon Warrior , may have had to practice a unlike title , butit marked the debut of the now - iconic slime monsters and RPG quest of a young hero off to defeat the Dragonlord .

The fan - made Dragon Quest + is an telling remaking of the first DQ secret plan with fresh dungeons and postgame content , and it ’s completely free to play .

7Metroid (1986)

Action-Adventure

Metroidcaptivated its players in 1986 with its sci - fi horror risky venture set on the satellite Zebes , as Samus attempted to recuperate the Metroid parasites that had been stolen by Space Pirates . It was a deviation from the platforming game that had hitherto been the bulk of NES games , with a more nonlinear action - style gameplay and a deep sci - fi write up culminating with the lurid reveal that Samus is a cleaning lady . Its success breed legion other games in theMetroidseries and secured Samus ' role as an iconic heroine .

6Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (1989)

Action-Adventure Platformer

Castlevania 3was made as a prequel to the originalCastlevania , adjust a few centuries prior and laying a bit of groundwork for the story that would go on to let go of over 30 game . With clever new game mechanics such as a selection of playable characters and four unlike endings establish on decisions made during the game , it had many far-famed improvements over previousCastlevaniagames . Although it has not had a remaster or remake , the plot has been rereleased several times over the years , including as part of theCastlevania Anniversary Collectionin 2019 .

5Super Mario Bros. (1985)

One of the launch titles for the NES , and frankly , the outset of a world-wide gambling phenomenon , the platformerSuper Mario Bros. stay to be regarded among the best video game ever created . Today , Mario is one of the most recognizable video plot type in the world and has spread across every word form of media , including a successful pic in 2023 . The straightforward concept of the firstSuper Mario Bros. plot on the NES was an example of how much fun a basic platformer with bright colors and simple game mechanics could be , and continues to be replayed today .

The Mario dealership has a rich bequest as Nintendo ’s flagship gaming mascot , and these are the 20 good games to contain the adventurous plumber ’s name .

4Tetris (1989)

Puzzle Game

Tetrison the NES had a bit of an interesting chronicle with effectual struggle charter place between Atari and Nintendo over who take the rights to the game , despite its creator receiving nothing for it at the time . The dramatic tale behind the puzzler biz was comparatively unknown to consumer , however , andmany were first present to the classic title , with its catchy music , on the NES . To its players , the game continues to put up an timeless puzzle experience that is take exception and piquant .

Tetris is one of the best - sell television games ever , and its history is now a motion picture . Here are some of the idle fact about this simple puzzler game .

3Mega Man 2 (1988)

Besides offering one of the undecomposed video plot soundtrack of all time , Mega Man 2combined its side - scrolling chopine gameplay with sci - fi shooter mechanics flawlessly on the NES . The unique robotic henchman of Dr. Wily who went up against Mega Man introducedmemorable personas such as Bubble Man , Flash Man , Wood Man , and more . With each dissimilar paper that the levels and check robot boss provided , players became even more capture by the plot .

2The Legend Of Zelda (1986)

If not forSuper Mario Bros. obtain there first , it is quite potential that Link andThe Legend of Zeldaseries could have easily become the most famous mascots of Nintendo ’s franchises . The activeness - escapade gameThe Legend of Zeldagave players an early model of an open - earth game , including many hidden secret to find . Its dungeons were filled with ingenious puzzles while Link makes his style through a Hellenic fairy story adventure of defeating monstrosity to deliver a princess , and went on to sell over 6.5 million transcript .

The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo franchise that has become synonymous with produce great games but which Zelda titles are the best ?

1Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990)

The innovational gameplay mechanics , graphics , music , and canonic construct presented in the 2D political platform adventureSuper Mario Bros. 3immediately caught the attention of histrion everywhere , as well as its eye - catch tanooki suit world power - up . In its first two solar day , the biz sold over 250,000 copies and die on to deal 18 million in its first year . While there are many rumor about a remaking or remaster of the game , this iconic form of address from theNintendo Entertainment Systemdoes not need any touch - ups to remain popular , and many people still replay it on the Nintendo Switch through Nintendo Switch Online ’s retro libary .

colorful Tetris blocks

Link from Breath of the Wild, Link from Wind Waker, Link from Ocarina of Time.

A Nintendo Entertainment system surrounded by pixelated characters from its most famous games, including Link, Mario, and Samus.

Collage of images of Nintendo Games Coming In 2024

Screenshot of Mike Tyson from the NES game Mike Tysons' Punch-Out.

A screenshot from the DuckTales video game with scrooge on his pogo stick cane jumping over an enemy

Dragon Warrior NES Dragon Quest

DQ Plus gameplay showing the hero’s sprite in the overworld, along with the blonde-haired version of DQ1’s hero holding a sword.

Castlevania III Dracula’s Curse

Super Mario Bros. game still from the NES with Mario on a 2d plane facing a Goomba and blocks to jump into.

A shot of Mega Man fighting Crash Man in Mega Man 2

A screenshot of Link fighting Aquamentus, the first boss in the original Legend of Zelda for the NES.

Nintendo