Summary
With the home video game console market being as omnipresent as it is today, it is almost unfathomable to imagine a time when there was such a possibility it would not exist at all. That is precisely, however, the crossroads the industry was facing in North America after thearcade crash of 1983, which put the future of video games as a viable medium in jeopardy. To imply that Nintendo singlehandedly saved the video game business that is beloved today is an understatement.
Though the Nintendo Famicom (short for ‘Family Computer’) system debuted in Japan in 1983, it was not until 1985 that North American gamers got to experience a redesigned version of Nintendo’s revolutionary foray into home gaming. Boasting an impressive lifespan that stretched from 1985 to 1994, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was the birthplace of many landmark gaming franchises. Out of the 700+ games released on the console, many of these still stand the test of time through their 8-bit artistic vision, enduring gameplay mechanics, and impactful influence.
Console Gaming’s Savior
Super Mario Bros.
Do you have what it takes to save the Mushroom Princess?You’ll have to think fast and move even faster to complete this quest! The Mushroom Princess is being held captive by the evil Koopa tribe of turtles. It’s up to you to rescue her from the clutches of the Koopa King before time runs out. But it won’t be easy. To get to the Princess, you’ll have to climb mountains, cross seas, avoid bottomless pits, fight off turtle soldiers and a host of black magic traps that only Bowser, the Koopa King, can devise. It’s another non-stop adventure as the Mario Bros. become “Super”!
The game that cemented the NES upon its American arrival was a pack-in title, one which would go on to become synonymous with video games. The originalSuper Mario Bros. proved the value of having a home video game console again, and its simple yet addictive approach ensured that it could cater to the entire family. The success ofSuper Mario Bros. also affirmed thaticonic developer Shigeru Miyamotowould be a name to be associated with high quality and innovation.
Even to this day, playing through the originalSuper Mario Bros. stands the test of time, and still proves to be amazingly fun. It is no surprise that the core mechanics have endured for decades, whether it be jumping on Goombas or Koopa shells to eating mushrooms or throwing fireballs from a flower power-up. The precision control, signature art, and whimsical music have lasted generations that dates back all the way to the original. Wahoo!
Donkey Kong
DONKEY KONG is an action game released in 1981 by Nintendo. Avoid a variety of obstacles while heading through a construction site to make it to the top and rescue Lady. Use the hammer to destroy the barrels and fire coming towards you to earn more points. This version contains both the early and later versions as well as the international version.
The Arcade Archives series has faithfully reproduced many classic Arcade masterpieces. Players can change various game settings such as game difficulty, and also reproduce the atmosphere of arcade display settings at that time. Players can also compete against each other from all over the world with their high scores*.
Please enjoy the masterpieces that built a generation of video games.
Before Mario officially got his name inSuper Mario Bros., he would have been seen by North American gamers through the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981, where the player would take control of a character simply known originally as ‘Jump Man’. The goal was simple: to rescue the damsel in distress kidnapped by a giant gorilla beast named Donkey Kong while traversing through various obstacles on each stage. This was the game that truly put Shigeru Miyamoto on the industry map with the initial arcade release.
An arcade port brought forward to the NES, gamers could finally have that addictive arcade experience right on their own television, with the same superb quality. While Donkey Kong eventually turned awayfrom his villainyand became a star in his own rightin future titles, the originalDonkey Kongconcept once again proved that a core gameplay mechanical loop was the key to sustaining interest from an audience.
The Legend of Zelda
The epic series The Legend of Zelda began here, with the heroic Link on a hazardous journey through the fantastic world of Hyrule. Using your sword, your shield and your wits, retrieve the eight fragments of the Triforce and save Princess Zelda.This groundbreaking game introduced innovative ideas that are still present in Zelda games more than 25 years later. Not only is Link’s original adventure action-packed, it also features puzzling dungeons to explore and a myriad of secrets to discover.
While the concept of an open-world game today can be seen in many mainstream releases, back at the time of release of the originalLegend of Zelda, it was a truly novel idea. The prospect of the player having full access to a world to explore, using any tools discovered through the journey at their disposal, laid the foundation for theZeldaformula. This action adventure became another flagship franchise for Nintendo, and whether now in 2D or 3D, many elements of the original can be seen in the DNA of modern action RPGs.
Much likeSuper Mario Bros., theLegend of Zeldaalso introduced animmediately recognizable main characterwhich the player could take joy in controlling. Whether battling through the overworld as Link or solving puzzles in various dungeons, the success ofLegend of Zeldacan be attributed to the amount of depth the game had for its era.
Super Mario Bros. 2
This time it’s a fierce action-packed battle to free the land of Sub-con from the curse of the evil Wart. It’s up to you, along with Mario, Luigi, Toad and the Princess, to fight your way through bizarre multi-level worlds and find him! This time you’ve got a brand new kind of power - plucking power — and now anything you find can be a weapon. But beware! You’ve never seen creatures like these! Shyguys and Tweeters! Ninji and Beezos! And you’ve never had an adventure like this! Only cunning and speed can save you now…
Though not theSuper Mario 2release that Japan had received,Super Mario Bros. 2in time has also come to prove its merit. Due to the perceived difficulty of Japan’sSuper Mario 2(later ported to North America asThe Lost Levels)potentially deterring American gamers, theSuperMario Bros.skin was applied to a game known in Japan asDoki Doki Panic.
Very much a different approach to the classicSuper Mario Bros.formula as most would identify,Super Mario Bros. 2still introduced many mechanics which had their own value. From the option to choose between a set of characters, each having their own variation of ability attributes, and plucking vegetables from the ground to hurl at enemies, there was a lot of fun to be had in this uniqueSuper Mariotitle. The game even eventually got ported to Japan asSuper Mario USA, proving that it was not a simple throwaway for gamers not in Nintendo’s homeland.
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Action!- The stage is set for conspiracy, mystery and evil in America.Come with Ninja Ryu as he takes you on his fateful journey.Tecmo’s unique cinema display system develops the story stage by stage.- You piece together the puzzle while watching the movie-like graphics.Decide what action to take!- Use the secret sword and items collected during the action scenes to fight your way to your goal.
Team Ninja may have revitalized the dormant franchise back in 2004 with its reboot ofNinja Gaiden, but the success of Tomonobu Itagaki’s reimagining in no way takes away from the superb value and quality of the original. Developed by Tecmo, the first of what became a trilogy on the NESwas a challengingyet approachable side-scrolling action beat ‘em up.
Controlling Ryu Hayabusa, players got the chance to live out the fantasy of being a ninja, which in itself lends well to laying the groundwork for a great game. The art style still pops today for an 8-bit title, and the crisp audio creates an ambiance fit for a ninja experience. The responsive control also ensured that the experience, though difficult, always encouraged the gamer to hone their skill. Modern-dayNinja Gaidenfans owe it to themselves to go and check out the original (an unlockable in the reboot!) that spawned the franchise.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Fight monsters and mini-bosses, avoid ghosts and the burning sun. Make your way through water and quicksand. Dodge cannon balls and bullets and rescue the King’s wand!In Super Mario Bros. 3, there are more warps, more chances at extra lives, and new special suits! The raccoon suit lets you fly and knock out blocks. The frog suit helps you out-swim deadly fish. There are suits for every occasion! Store up flowers and mushrooms to use later on.Play gameshow-type bonus rounds! Go back to that last screen and get a mushroom! Pause to take a break, then continue where you left off!Super Mario Bros. 3 is fun to play alone, or team up with a buddy to prolong the adventure!
Going three for three, it may seem redundant to have yet anotherSuper Mariotitle on the list, butSuper Mario Bros.3is simply undeniable. Arguably the greatest game of all on the NES,Super Mario Bros. 3pushed the NES to its limit, showing exactly the full extent of what can be achieved with 8-bit technology.
Super Mario Bros. 3also stands toe to toe with its16-bit successorSuper Mario World, a testament to its design and legacy. Whether it’s the theatrical art portrayal or the bevy of new items that enabled varying gameplay experiences and progression,Super Mario Bros. 3is a classicthat a gamer of every generation needs to play.
The Adolescent Reptiles' Worthy Amphibious Rivals
Battletoads (1991)
The wait is over! Rash, Zitz and Pimple are returning at last to smash-hit their way through an all-new action-packed adventure of choreographed chaos, and couch co-op may never be the same again.1-3 players will take control of the Battletoads and team up to storm through wild and unpredictable stages with only one rule – expect the unexpected. Teamwork makes the dream work in a drop-in, drop-out gameplay blast, filled with over-the-top gameplay moments that anyone can enjoy, but only a True ‘Toad’ can master.With a unique hand-animated cartoon style and packed with memorable characters and locations, the Battletoads are back for a larger-than-life brawl across the universe that promises to be fun alone, and unforgettable together.
Ninja Turtleswas a hot commodity in the early 90s (more on that later), so it is no surprise to see other companies wanting to cash in on their success. British developer Rare took their swing at an anthropomorphic action title withBattletoads, a title today that attributes much ofits notoriety to its excruciating difficulty.
The challenge aside, however,Battletoads’ edgier design elements and bombastic action made it a worthy competitor to its reptilian counterpart. A classic action game containing all of the tropes one would look for in the genre,Battletoadswas one of Rare’s best titles for the NES, paving the way for them to be a majorcontributor to Nintendo’s home successin future generations. It is with good reason thatBattletoadsresonates with gamers to this day.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project
COWABUNGA, IT’S A FIRST! VACATIONING TURTLES TAKE ON THE ULTIMATE TOURIST TRAP!Surfs up, dudel The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles make a little getaway to the Sunshine State. Until Shredder makes a major getaway with the entire island of Manhattan! His power hungry plot gets even more bogus when April O’Neil becomes part of the heist. What a relaxing vacation. Not Those mondo mutants must make waves to get back home to save April and Manhattan, and send Shredder on a one way trip to geeksville.The hippest in new turtle travel, featuring jet powered surfboards, a blimp and a spaceship to whisk you through 8 awesome levels.Shredder will show you all kinds of sinister new sights including the Typhoon Tidal Pool, Baron Von Spleen’s Battle Barge and a never-before-seen tour of Manhattan’s most wicked haunts.Bodacious new turbo attack moves! Leonardo has the cyclone sword spin to send enemies flying. Raphael charges headfirst with his tubular power drill attack. The kangaroo kick is Michelangelo’s radical new specialty. And Donatello is like a mutant bowling ball with his knockout roll.Shredder’s got a few moves of his own, inflicted by a slewof slugs like Leatherhead, Rahzar, Groundchuck and Tokka.So unless you want Shredder to ninja kick sand in your face and make off with your best girl and your hometown, you better get busy. Squashing him once and for all will be no holiday.
Not to be overshadowed byBattletoads, theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesget their spot on this list for 1992. The thirdTMNTtitle for the NES,The Manhattan Project is easily thefranchise’s best entryavailable on the console.
By the NES’ later lifespan, it became clear that developers had finally determined how to take full advantage of its capabilities, thereby producing even better results.The Manhattan Projectis still a blast to play today, especially with a friend cooperatively on the couch. This title can’t help but put a smile on the face of a gamer of any age and will have players saying “Cowabanga dude!” or “It’s Pizza Time” in no time at all!
Kirby’s Adventure
The only Kirby game ever made for NES, Kirby’s Adventure was a groundbreaking platformer famous for introducing Kirby’s ability to copy the powers of his enemies. By sucking up foes, Kirby can fire lasers, burst into flames, use a giant mallet and more. Kirby can also combine powers with some unexpected results. With lots of minigames and secrets to discover, Kirby’s Adventure – like Kirby himself – is full of surprises!
TheKirbyfranchise lands on this list in 1993, once again calling back to Nintendo’s ability to produce incredibly iconic and long-lasting mascot characters. This 2D platformer was another game that could be enjoyed by an entire family, and its bright color palette really allowed the art to pop and have an everlasting appeal.
Kirby’s Adventure also expanded on the gameplay found inKirby’s Dreamlandfor the Game Boy, by introducing Kirby’s copy mechanic. Now being able to swallow enemies whole and absorb their abilities made for new innovative gameplay loops and addictive experimentation, adding to replay value as well. The little pink roundball character and his charm would not be as beloved as it is today without the success of its NES debut.
Mega Man 6
A franchise that imprinted astrong legacy on the NESwas Keiji Inafune’sMega Man(Rockmanin Japan) series, so much so that we received six titles across the console’s lifespan. While most of the titles all share the same loveableMega Mangaming identity, it only seems fitting that as the console winded down in 1994, this slot should belong to the ‘Blue Bomber’.
As Capcom was transitioning to the SNES and Sony Playstation, their confidence inMega Manas their own mascot character was garnered much from his popularity on the NES.Mega Man 6continued the tried-and-true formula of being able to play any level of the player’s choosing, in order to attain a boss’ ability by defeating them and facilitating further progress in game.Mega Man 6is a fitting swan song for both the series on the system and the system itself.
