50. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
The worst game on this list. If the controls weren’t so fucked up, and the direction of the game not a complete mess, it’d be pretty cool. But even still, it was a fairly open game. One of the first where you can search just about anything. Closets, drawers, carpets, linens, your pants, anything.
49. Ghostbusters
All I remember of this game is going up stairs, over and over and over again killing ghosts. But again, it was like a Grand Theft Auto in that you could drive around anywhere you want, stop off at stores to buy shit. Pretty poorly executed though.
48. StarTropics
This is a pretty cool adventure game. I hadn't played this game til I was an adult, and I played with with my buddy Guybrush. The game was a blast to get through, and then we couldn't beat the last boss. We tried over and over, and it was driving us insane. Until finally Guybrush completely blacked out, and didn't get hit fucking once against him. It was pretty awesome.
47. Jaws
From what I remember of this game, it was absolutely shit. But when Jaws came, once every 20 minutes, it was freaky as hell.
46. Bad Dudes
A game that opens up with two guys flexing their muscles and then saying “I’m BAD”, has to be good. Fun beat em’ up 2 player co-op game. Always nice to have a game to play with your friends, no matter how boring.
45. Snake Rattle, and Roll
This game always tripped me out. You’re a snake? Eating balls to make your tail longer and then you escape through a hole. Bizarre, and the controls were tough as shit. Up meant right, right meant down, everything was one over.
44. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
While a favorite in most minds, I found it to be very monotonous. The only thing I loved about it was the two player action, and the last boss: Shredder. FUCK he’s hard. Turning you into Turtle Soup with one friggin hit. Man…
43. Bubble Bobble
Great 2 player action. Lots of little secrets, and fun for boys and girls. Gets long at points, but overall is a great experience that will last you a good hour or so. Short levels to keep your attention.
42. Commando
Awesome soundtrack, shooting grenades and killing people. Rescuing prisoners, secret staircases, and you can finish it all in under 10 minutes.
41. Kung Fu
Mr. X was hard. Getting to him was harder. The basis of ‘The Gauntlet’, all the bosses at the end were unique, and fun to play. I love the idea of climbing levels to rescue you’re girlfriend. Brilliant.
40. Adventure Island II
That fat fuck is never satisfied. I’d play this game in the arcades everytime my brother had a hockey game. I loved going to them because of this one game. Lots of fun, addictive, and surprisingly tough to beat. A FUCKIN PIG!!!!
39. Life Force
Of all the shooter games that Nintendo made, this one is my favourite for one reason - music. The music in this game is so friggin' badass, especially stage 3. It's a tune that I have rocking on my iPod more often than I'd care to admit. My brother Erik said this game can't be beat without using continues or the extra lives cheat code, and I told him that's bullshit, I'll do it right now. I beat the game only dying 3 times; he was stunned. It's one of my favourite NES moments.
38. Double Dragon II
Another great two player game that’s tough to beat. These games that are just unrelenting. You get 5 lives, and that’s it. No continues, no extra lives, if you die, you suck, start over. Don’t make em like this anymore.
37. Batman
This was just a really well made game. It was very dark, good controls, lots of weapons, and one of the first well adapted movies into games.
36. Friday the 13th
I’d be sitting in my room at night, around 2:00am playing this game in the dark with the volume turned up and my face right up against the screen. I’d enter a house, and turn and corner and the music would flash and there’s Jason with a fuckin’ machete trying to chop my head off. What a freaky ass game. And hard as shit. Jason moves around the camp grounds like nothing, when you’re trying to do a side mission, like get the machete, he’s always killing a kid somewhere. The game is actually a piece of shit and you love left, and it turns out you're turning right on the map, it made absolutely no sense. But from a horror perspective, this game was the first one to genuinely scare the living shit out of me.
35. Super Mario Bros
The original. Fantastic, great soundtrack, sound controls, and a template that would be used to this day for side scrollers.
34. Excitebike
Fun racing game with good acceleration mechanics. The game was surprisingly very sensitive to jumps, landings, and response times. Not to mention the build your own level addition, which gave the game almost unlimited replay value.
33. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
A tough, complicated game. Don’t think I ever finished it. This game was fuckin’ hard. Maybe it was because I was 10 years old when I was playing it, but it was a lot of fun being able to drive the turtle van, and much like Zelda 2, flip flopping to side scroll, and top down play.
32. Ice Hockey
What a hockey game. Obviously, the best part about it was being able to pick the guys you wanted on your team. Not you’re team, the players! The fat, slow but strong, the skinny, fast but weak, or the medium guy. A lot like Blades of Steel, but the options of picking your team still is just… so cool.
31. R.C. Pro-Am
Best racing game that came out of the NES console. Upgrading your car’s tires, acceleration, top speed, and then getting car upgrades the better you do was great. An RPG style of racing game.
30. Karnov
Another fat protagonist who needs to place a ladder to get where he needs to go. This was such an underground hit in side scrolling adventures, but it was a fabulous game. Picking up new equipment, and weapons along the way, it was just a good, fun, hard game. Many like it, but this is one of the better.
29. Ninja Gaiden II
While not as good as the original, Ninja Gaiden II was almost identical to the first, but some games just have better memories. The second was great, but it just seemed like the first one set the bar so high, all it could do was match it, and it did, but the first always wins out for me because of sweet, sweet memories.
28. Crystalis
Any game where you kill monsters and get gold to buy armour and weapons is just dandy. Then add in some dungeons, huge maps to explore, involving storyline, and badass music. You got yourself a pretty sweet RPG.
27. Castlevania
This was one of the first Nintendo games to be released, and it is easily one of the best. The music is still to this day, one of my favourite sound tracks in video games and it helps set a gothic mood unlike any other. The 'Castlevania' series has a spot in my heart, because the game is just so well made, and so complete with it's enemies, weapons, items, and stage design. There were 2 more 'Castlevania' games spawned after this one, and the sequels only got better and better, but the original is the one that got it all started, and I got mad respect for that.
26. Hogan’s Alley
Some liked Duck Hunt, other’s preferred Hogan’s Alley. I liked the option of being able to choose between 3 different game play modes. One was about speed, another about accuracy, and another about reflexes. Shooting the bad guys made the game finish with a sense of satisfaction, although I always shot that fuckin’ cop for smilin’ at me.
25. Contra
While famous for it’s up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start code, have you ever tried beating the game without using it?! That’s because it’s near impossible. Two players, upgrading weapons, different styles of gameplay through alternating stages, awesome soundtrack, and wicked bosses.
24. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
Probably would be higher if I actually ever made it to Dracula’s castle. But getting the guy where you can crawl on walls, and other characters which were just awesome REALLY turned a normally linear side scroller, into an interesting non-linear RPG type side scroller. An interesting hybrid.
23. Blades of Steel
Take the pass, take the pass. The idea that when you lose a fight, you’re the only one that goes to the penalty box is genius, Changing the rules of hockey to make it more fun. The mini games between periods actually made intermissions fun! It's the first sports game I ever played, and I played the living hell out of this game. It really helped carve out my passion for hockey as a young Canadian kid.
22. Super Mario Bros 2
A game with options again. Being able to pick all the characters was awesome. It’s a shame how the hero from number one, and the main character is easily the worst character. Pick Princess and just run through the game. It took the success of number one, and improved on it, in every which way. Except the last boss isn’t Bowser, it’s a fuckin’ frog. Yes…. A fuckin’ frog.
21. Marble Madness
The only game in the world that I can beat in 7 minutes. That’s not a lie. Perfect gameplay mechanics, and a fun sound track. Because the game can be beaten in 7 minutes, it really pushes you to try and beat your score, over and over. It’s a timeless game, that everyone loves. Frustrating as hell sometimes, but the controls are just so amazing.
20. Wizards and Warriors
A cool action adventure game. The first time I played this I was in Chicago and my cousin Steve had this game. I was super excited to try a NES game I've never played before, and there was a weird allure with this game. The box art, the name of the game, and the insane music that starts it. The game seems like it'd be something I love, but it's controls are dreadful. You don't really swing your sword, you just kinda poke people with it. I keep falling from the top of the map down to the bottom because of a tiny tiny little mistake a made, and I have to start it up all over again. The game is pretty ruthless that way. But once I got the hang of it, I cruised through it. I replayed this with my buddy Chiefy Poo, and we absolutely demolished it, and had a pretty good time doing it.
19. Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
This game was so cool, I almost named my first band after it. Simon’s Quest. This game, this fuckin’ game. I got to a point where I’m standing on a ledge and there’s 80% water and at the other end of the screen is where I need to get to. How the FUCK would I know that you have to kneel there for 10 seconds and wait for a whirlwind to throw you to the other side. This game requires patience, skill, and a little thing called Nintendo Power. It was so much fun to beat. The changing from night to day, the towns, the hints and clues, it had it all.
18. Ghosts n’ Goblins
The only reason why this game is so high is because it’s officially the hardest game ever made. Ever. You can get to stage 7/8 after 5 hours of playing, but then trying to get up the stairs in the last stage, facing every boss you’ve seen along the way in one stage, and you’re only allowed to get hit twice. Yep. Twice and you’re dead. Then you start all over. It was so hard, I would throw the controller at walls and want to pick up the Nintendo and smash it through a window. Yeah, it’s that hard.
17. Bionic Commando
An extendable arm, and a gun. It was a really cool game. Long, hard, interesting, had twists and turns. Haven’t played it in 15 years, but when I did, it was always one of my favorites.
16. Little Nemo: Dream Master
Even though he jumped like a little homo, he would be able to ride moles, frogs, lizards, all this cool stuff through some seriously tripped out stages. You’d have to find keys, and feed candy to monsters. It was a dream world, and one of the staples of the NES system.
15. Casino Kid
The game that got me into poker. This game was so addictive, if it weren’t for the 600 letter passwords, I would have beat the King (last boss) so many times. It taught you how to play blackjack and poker, with fun characters and building your bankroll to get to a million. I still remember spike. Fuckin’ hated that guy.
14. Battle Tanks
I played this game more than any other 2 player game on NES. Upgrading your tank to get the gun that can shoot through metal was so cool. All the upgrades you could get while protecting your base from enemy fire was wicked. So many stages, I never actually finished the game. Another one where there are no continues, you have to be good. And I was good… but never saw the end.
13. Super Spike V-Ball
Who ever would have thought a volley-ball game would be fun. Well, this one was amazing. You could pick your team of strong guys, fast guys, defensive guys, average guys, and then travel the world beating the best volley-ball teams there are. Super attacks, diving plays, and shit it gets hard in the later goings. A sensational sports game.
12. Ducktales
A very fun experience. Fun soundtrack, really good controls; it’s Mega Man for kids. There’s not much more to say about this other than, it was just, fun!
11. Mega Man 3
The exact same as all the other Mega Man’s, but with one HUGE different. He can slide! Adding the slide ability added a whole new dimension to the Mega Man franchise. It added a bit more skill to the game. He characters were really cool, Gemini Man, Snake Man, Pharaoh Man, really neat bosses.
10. Super Mario Bros 3
The top 10. Super Maro Bros 3?! Yeah, this game was awesome, but I always felt it was over hyped. It was a lot of fun, but when it came down to it, it was just like number one except you can get a feather and the useless frog. The ability to move through stages, to castles, wild cards, toad’s hut, and use flutes and hammers was amazing. This game is flawless, but, not the most fun, and memorable in my opinion.
9. Ninja Gaiden
Side scrolling ninja named Ryu who can get ninja star upgrades and jump off walls; need I say anymore? This game was so fuckin’ hard I don’t even know where to start. You get to the last level, and it’s in 2 parts. You get to the second part (which takes forever) and that’s fine, when you die, you start again at the 2nd part, but when you get to the last boss and die, you think it would send you back to the beginning of the second park right? WRONG. It sends you back to the beginning of the level. WTF?! So hard, so rewarding, amazing story line, awesome cut scenes, better music, incredible game play, and you’re a ninja named Ryu.
8. Bad News Baseball
Even with the graphics now a days, this is still the top 3 baseball game ever made. With around 10 teams to choose from, with all fictional characters (I know these characters better than actual MLB ones) cartoonish graphics, and surprisingly responsive gameplay, this game has eaten up more than my fair share of days trying to be the champ. The cheat to unlock the girls league was awesome too. So much fun.
7. Faxanadu
RPG? This was the defining RPG of Nintendo. Huge, and deep, the storyline pulls you in with a simple quest. Our castle is crumbling, we’ve lost everything, here’s a 1000 gold. Please go and save our kingdom. You’re sent out on a quest where you get upgraded weapons, armour, potions, shields, magic, huge bosses, complicated quests, intricate levels, keys, and trolls. This game is huge, hard, and an absolute must play for RPG fans.
6. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Quite possibly one of the biggest changes to its predecessor ever made. The original Zelda was a top down adventure very simple, and enjoyable. This game turned into a side scroller, and takes forever to beat. Experience, level ups, awesome magic, amazing items, bosses from Knights, to Dragons, (and then one of the coolest last bosses) and some of the best music to go into a video game. You just feel so right when playing this game.
5. Mega Man 2
The whole sound track is an anthem. The mini bosses are amazing, Dr. Wily’s stages are incredible, the gameplay is top notch, the concept is fantastic, and the execution is fuckin’ perfection. Talk about one of the best games on Nintendo, but one of the best games ever made. It’s a 10/10 for just about every criteria you can name. The music though, resonates throughout video game history as the best. Hands down.
4. Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!!
The characters are so fun, and enjoyable, Glass Joe, Bald Bull, King Hippo, Mr. Sandman, they’re all in a class of their own, all with unique attacks, and again, an awesome soundtrack to play with. Then there’s Mike Tyson. Beating him is like solving the question “why?”. He is so hard, that it’s impossible to beat him first try. Once you get past the first round, it’s not that bad, but man, good luck getting by the first round. The last time I beat him, I through the controller down and ran outside ala Rocky. I never felt so proud….
3. Kid Icarus
The most under-rated, underappreciated game of Nintendo. This game was fuckin’ awesome. The last boss is Medusa, and you can get an egg plant stuck on your head and need to go to a hospital to get it off. You get awesome upgrades, battle really hard dungeons, buy maps, pencils, pens. This game is a complete package, and one that you remember after finishing it for years and years.
2. The Legend of Zelda
Doesn’t get much better than this game. The first, the classic, the original, and one of the best of the franchise. A huge map to explore, so many little secrets to unveil, and a catalyst for so many other games. Amazing soundtrack, cool save system (which never works) and requires so much recalling of where the fuck the 5th stage was, or where the master sword is located. The Legend of Zelda. It’s my desktop wallpaper on my computer, it’s that fuckin’ good.
1. Metroid
Best game ever made on NES. It has just about everything a game could ask for. It takes forever to finish, and when you finish it, you feel like taking a nap because it’s that epic. The best mini bosses ever in game – Ridley and Kraid. This game single handedly brings me back to my NES at least once a year. But the sheer size, and massiveness of it is so intimidating, I’m glad I’ve finished it once before already.
