Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games represented the beginning of the gaming careers for many of us, and many titles from this area will have special places in our hearts forever. We’re glad to present to you our own selection of the best NES games ever made, and you are free to tell us your own proposals in the comment section.
The NES console may be obsolete, but try not to get nostalgic while reminding yourself about the titles below:
7. Battletoads
When it comes to beat ’em up games for NES, this one takes the cake for being one of the hardest. Battletoads was released in 1991. The player is in charge of one of three goofy looking characters (Rash, Zitz, and Pimple), but they are as strong as they can be. Their limbs get bigger once they hit opponents, and they often like to grab various weapons and use them in battle. In Battletoads, the player also has to crawl, climb, drive a car, and adapt to all sorts of hostile environments.
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters
Released in 1993, this is a classic fighting game where you get to confront each character at a time. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters features some beautiful and realistic graphics for its time. Well, as realistic as fighters resembling cartoon turtles can be. Each fighter has two unique and powerful techniques, but also his own level of strength. You’ll do more damage when punching with Donatello then you do while hitting with Casey, for instance. Furthermore, there’s a ball of energy thrown into the arena once in every match, and you might consider catching it for releasing a devastating wave at your opponent. If not, the enemy will use it against you. If you get tired with the story mode, bring a friend over to your place and compete against each other in one-on-one battles.
5. Super Contra
Grab a gun of various types and pierce hordes of enemies with bullets, that’s the best definition of the Super Contra game that was released for NES over three decades ago in 1988. You have exciting boss battles at the end of each level, just like in the classical NES way that many of us love. But you’ll need tons of practice to finish Super Contra, as it’s one of the hardest games ever made for the legendary 8-bit console. If you’re shot one single time, you’ll lose a life. If you’re shot three times, you have to start the game all over from the very first level. This high difficulty also contributed a lot to the beauty of Super Contra.
4. Super Spy Hunter
Here we have a ton of action into one single game. For the first levels, you’re in charge of a car that can shoot balls of energy in all directions and gets often overwhelmed by hordes of vehicles, helicopters, and jets that try to kill you. Powerful mechanical bosses are at the end of each level and doing their best to prevail. Your car even turns into a battling boat and plane at some point, so you’ll have to deal with enemies using different weapons. In Super Spy Hunter, you’ll also get numerous power-ups, bonuses, and weapon enhancements.
3. Batman
Released in 1989, this was an outstanding game for its time. The amazing soundtracks represent the first aspect that captures your attention, as they’re simply delightful. You’ll get to lead the way for Batman in his quest to take down various enemies in a beat ’em up style. The legendary Caped Crusader will use his fists and a set of deadly ‘toys’ for taking down opponents. Be careful while you’re playing this game to pick up all those power-ups after defeating opponents because they will refill your arsenal of weapons. And yes, you’ll definitely need those weapons for boss fights and more! There seems to be no way of prevailing only with your fists. You’ll meet the Joker as the final boss of the game, and he’ll be using every dirty trick in the book for trying to stop you.
2. Rockin’ Kats
This is one of the most highly-addictive NES games if you’re not willing to take things too seriously. Rockin’ Kats was released in 1991, and it presents the adventures of a cat armed with a pistol that unleashes a powerful mechanical fist. Your job as a player is to use that fist in various ways: you can beat up opponents, bosses, but also use it to jump higher or catch objects and throw them back at your enemies. You can also upgrade your weapon with powerful energy balls, a devastating mace, and more.
1. Battletoads and Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team
They don’t call it ‘The Ultimate Team’ for nothing, that’s for sure. This game features ultra-immersive battles for its time, and it takes the cake in our top. The player enters a realm of beat ’em up confrontations, and he can take down enemies in multiple ways. Words are useless when it comes to Battletoads and Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team, just play the game and see for yourself how majestic it is!
This is the list of our favorite NES games, and feel free to tell us yours! Don’t blame us for not mentioning Super Mario. We like all versions of it, and we respect the tremendous influence that the little plumber has for the gaming industry. But we just like to play other titles more.
