TheNintendo Entertainment System(NES) was part of an 8-bit revolution. It helped revitalize the video game market during bleak times for the industry. The bright minds at Nintendo are always innovating. Their latest flagship console, theNintendo Switch,enables players to play retro SNES and NES games with upscaled resolutions.
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14Ghosts ’N Goblins
An infamously difficult game,Ghosts ‘n Goblinsis such a punishing title that it’s likely to be a polarizing experience for most players, especially those who did not grow up with the NES release. Putting that aside, there is still a lot to appreciate here, be it the fun combat system, the Halloween-esque visuals, or the neat enemy designs.
While there are better platformers on Nintendo Switch Online,Ghosts’n Goblinshas proven to be one of the most memorable releases from the NES era.
13Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link
The firstThe Legend of Zeldasequel is quite a different experience than its predecessor. The series shifted from being action-adventure to includingrole-playing elements.Zelda 2: The Adventure of Linklets players level up Link’s health, magic, and attack.
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It might not be as groundbreaking as the original, yetZelda 2: The Adventure of Linkis an immensely enjoyable experience. Despite popular belief, it’s possible to save the game on the NES. Open the inventory screen and press UP+A on the second controller.
12Kid Icarus
If someone has played a recentSuper Smash Bros.game, chances are they have met the character Pit. InKid Icarusfor NES, Pit is an angel who is caught in the Underworld.
Surprisingly, there have only been a handful ofKid Icarusgames.Kid Icarus, the first in the series, is worth playing for fans of Pit. This fantasy game delves into Greek mythology and is one of the most overlooked games on the NES.
11Donkey Kong
One of the most influential games of all time,Donkey Kongis not just a historical relic. An arcade game and a launch title for the NES, this classic platformer sees a familiar plumber gradually climb up a tower in an attempt to rescue a damsel from thetitular ape. Simple and timeless, the gameplay is instantly understandable, and the point system incentives repeat playthroughs as people try to outdo their scores.
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Donkey Kong Jr.andDonkey Kong 3are also available through Nintendo Switch Online, and they are great games in their own right. However, there is just no beating the original.
10Kirby’s Adventure
After completingKirby and the Forgotten Land, why not try outKirby’s Adventureto see where many ofthe franchise’s enduring ideas originated?Kirbyis one of Nintendo’s most consistent properties, and while 1992’sKirby’s Dream Landis a classic, its successor is a notable step up. A 2D platformer that is endlessly charming,Kirby’s Adventurefollows the eponymous puffball as he goes through more than 40 levels, consuming all sorts of enemies along the way.
This entry introduced Copy Abilities, a mechanic that allows Kirby to acquire new moves by swallowing enemies. Later entries would expand on this concept, but it still works really well inKirby’s Adventure.
9Super Mario Bros. 2
It wouldn’t be a complete NES video game compilation without the inclusion of at least a fewSuper Mariogames. NES was the birthplace of the highly acclaimedSuper Mario Bros.series.
The firstMariosequel,Super Mario Bros. 2, came back with Poisonous Mushrooms and multiple characters to choose from. It wasn’t an enormous leap concerning gameplay, but it remains to be a timeless platforming game on the NES.
8Ninja Gaiden
Like the more recentNinja Gaidengames, the originalNinja Gaidenhas a high difficulty level. The combination of tight platforming and numerous enemies leaves little room for error.
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The artwork is phenomenal for games of the era, and the boss fights are intense.Ninja Gaidenhas an exciting narrative. It follows Dragon Sword-wielding Ryu Hayabusa, who sets out to avenge his father. This game is essential for those with Nintendo Switch Online and fans of theNinja Gaidenseries alike.
7River City Ransom
This hidden gem of the NES featured beautiful illustrations and was perhaps way ahead of its time. It’s a retro open-world game that containsbeat ‘em up gameplay.
The story ofRiver City Ransomis about high school students Ryan and Alex, who try to rescue Ryan’s girlfriend. Clashing with student gangs, players become immersed in the game’s world.River City Ransomis feature-packed, and it’s one of the best games to play on Nintendo Switch Online.
6Excitebike
Nintendo developed this launch title for the NES.Excitebike,as one may have guessed, is a motocross racing game. Performing perfectly timed tricks allows players to drive faster in the game. Obstacles like rough terrain can prevent a driver from claiming a victory. It has been speculated thatExcitebikeinspired several other games, including the mini-gamePikachu’s BeachinPokemon Yellow.Excitebikewas widely popular when it released, and it continues to be relevant as a Nintendo Switch Online NES game.
5EarthBound Beginnings
Added to Nintendo Switch Online early in 2022,EarthBound Beginningsrefers to the first entry in theMotherseries, an RPG franchise that has inspired the likes ofUndertale. Although its sequel is generally considered to be the superior game,EarthBound Beginningsis nevertheless impressive for its era, and it has arguably aged better than most other NES RPGs.
Set in the present day, the game follows a group of children as they investigate strange disappearances that involve psychic powers and aliens.EarthBound Beginnings’ storytelling is its strongest element, and it still manages to captivate even after all these years.
