Ranking the Top 100 NES games

Happy 30th birthday Nintendo! As I tribute to my favorite console of all time, I've put together a ranking of my top 100 NES games. 

My love affair with Nintendo began in the late 80's when my brother and I got an NES for Christmas. It came with 'Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt' and from the first time I played, I was hooked. As I got older, I moved on to the newer consoles, but felt most of their games were too complex. I hated the long tutorials and just didn't enjoy them as much as the classics I grew up with. 

Instead of opting for the latest versions of PlayStation or Xbox, I've spent the last few years building a collection of old school Nintendo games. It's been awesome revisiting all the classics and I've been amazed at the number of great games that I didn't even know existed.

Keep in mind this is only my opinion of the top 100 games, not necessarily the "all time" best. I'll also only be considering games I own (no emulators) so if you don't see something, I probably don't have a copy.

I'd love to get some comments, so let me know what you think is missing or what's over/under rated. Either way, I hope you enjoy the list.

 100.  The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants

While this is far from being a great game, it was the first (and best) Simpsons game on the NES. I remember getting it for my ninth birthday and was beyond excited. When I first played it, I thought it was...just okay.

You control Bart as he tries to prevent the Space Mutants from taking over Springfield. Along the way you get help from the entire Simpsons family. There are even appearances from secondary characters like the Babysitter Bandit, Sideshow Bob and Jebediah Springfield.

The only problem is that the controls are terrible. Getting Bart to pull off just a basic jump can be challenging. There are also no continues - so beating it is nearly impossible. With just a few slight changes, this could have been a classic.

99.  Back to the Future

Like 'The Simpsons', 'Back to the Future' is an average game at best, but because it's based on one of my favorite movies - I had to put it on the list.

You control Marty McFly as he navigates his way through Hill Valley in 1955. The main levels are incredibly repetitive, but the boss fights are kind of fun. You fight Biff Tannen in the cafe', rock out to 'Johnny B. Goode' and drive the DeLorean back to 1985.

98.  Ghosts and Goblins

'Ghosts and Goblins' starts off with a great opening; a guy named Arthur and his girlfriend are having a picnic when all of a sudden - Satan swoops down and kidnaps the girl. You take on the role of Arthur, who puts on an armored suit and sets out on a quest to rescue his girlfriend.

It's a Capcom game, so the controls and graphics are great. The only problem is that it's insanely hard. You can get only hit twice - and there's a million ghosts and zombies trying to kill you. There are six insanely tough levels and if you're lucky enough to defeat the final boss - the game tells you to beat it again and starts over. You literally have to beat it twice in a row to save your girlfriend and get the "real" ending.

97.  R.C. Pro AM

'R.C. Pro AM' is one of the best racing games on the NES. It's a port of the arcade classic (which was played with a wheel), but it's pretty close to the real thing. There are 32 levels in total and each has a different variety of powerups and obstacles.

My only complaints are that it's very repetitive and very hard. The levels are all pretty similar and the overhead view can be confusing. For it's time (1987), R.C. Pro AM was amazing and it helped pave the way for games like 'Super Mario Kart' ten years later. 

96.  Golgo 13 

'Golgo 13' is kind of a mixed bag. The graphics are sub par and the plot is pretty confusing. What makes it unique is that it's one of the most graphic and violent games on the NES. 

You play as "Golgo" who is sort of like a Japanese version of James Bond. Golgo fights bad guys in side scrolling levels, an underwater scuba level and even a sniping level where you blow off enemies' heads.

The best part? To regain Golgo's health, you smoke cigarettes and hook up with chicks. Seriously, there's a part in the game where you have (implied) sex with a woman in her apartment. 

95.  Rainbow Islands

At first glance, 'Rainbow Islands' seems pretty lame. You play as a little boy that shoots rainbows at your enemies. I wasn't interested in playing it until I realized that it's a sequel to 'Bubble Bobble' (one of my all time faves).

The gameplay is similar to 'Bubble Bobble' except you're killing enemies with rainbows. With only 32 levels (compared to 99+), it's shorter than the original and not quite as memorable, but it's still definitely worth checking out.  

94.  Batman Returns

'Batman Returns' was developed Konami so you'd think it would be awesome, but compared to the other Batman games - it's a bit of a let down. It feels like Konami just reused the controls from 'TMNT II'; most of Batman's offense is jump kicking bad guys. This wouldn't be a bad thing except it's the SAME bad guys OVER and OVER every level until you reach a boss fight.  

It's worth checking out if you're a big Batman fan, but only after you play the far superior 'Batman' and 'Batman: Return of the Joker'.

93.  The Adventures of Dino Riki

In this odd shoot 'em up, you play as a caveman battling dinosaurs. The game pushes you forward while you battle an endless barrage of prehistoric beasts. Your weapons include axes, fireballs and boomerangs and unlike almost any other shoot 'em up - you can jump.

The ability to jump is necessary at times when you have to jump over water. Just timing the jumps is difficult, but when there's a pterodactyl trying to eat you - it's enough to make you smash your controller. 

92.  Dr. Mario

As a huge fan of the Mario games, I really wanted to like 'Dr. Mario'. It's a simple puzzle game where Mario drops pills that you must rearrange to make them disappear. It's pretty fun - even though it's sort of a 'Tetris' rip off. 

My main complaint is that it doesn't have an end, you just play for high score. While that's to be expected in older arcade games, 'Dr. Mario' came out in 1990. If the game had an actual ending and they threw in some cameos from Luigi, Toad or Princess Peach - this would have been way better. 

91.  Super Dodgeball

Even if you don't like sports games, you'll enjoy 'Super Dodgeball'. You control a team of six players representing the U.S. in an international dodgeball tournament. You'll start in the U.S. and then go on to face your opponents in their home country. If you can make it to the end, you'll face Russia in the finals (Russia was always the "evil country" in NES games).

The best part is that when you hit an enemy with a "super throw" it KILLS them - they literally die and an angel floats up from their body. Once you master the super throw, it's almost too easy. Despite the lack of a challenge, it's still really fun and defeating Russia on their home turf is very satisfying. 

90.  The Little Mermaid

As you'll start to see, Capcom released a lot my favorite games for the NES. They struck a deal to produce games for Disney - and hit a home run almost every time. 

In 'The Little Mermaid' you control Ariel as she swims her way through five underwater levels. You get help from your friends Sebastian and Flounder and eventually go on to fight Ursula. It's perfect for when you want an easy (yet fun) game that you can beat in less than an hour. 

89.  Tiny Toon Adventures

Despite being a blatant ripoff of 'Super Mario Bros 3', 'Tiny Toons' is pretty fun. The story has Buster Bunny in a quest to rescue his girlfriend Babs from the evil Montana Max. There's a character select option and you can choose to play as Buster, Plucky, Dizzy or Furball before each stage. 

The gameplay and controls are great, but it's unnecessarily hard. You have to make it through six difficult worlds and can only get hit once before you die. With no warps or cheats (you'd think the Konami code would work, but it doesn't) this is way more difficult than you'd expect. It's fun for about half an hour, until you want to smash your controller and go play 'Mario 3' instead. 

88.  Felix the Cat

I always thought it was odd that Felix the Cat got his own NES game. No one from my generation watched 'Felix the Cat' growing up -  because the show ended in 1961. So why did they decide to make a 'Felix' Nintendo game thirty years later? I can think of dozens of other cartoons that would have been better choices for NES games (like 'He-Man', how awesome would a 'He-Man' game on the NES have been?).

Anyways, the game is actually really fun. You control Felix in a side scrolling adventure to save his girlfriend. The unique power ups make the game stand out; Felix can ride on dolphins, tanks and even a spaceship. The only negative is that it's not much of a challenge; experienced gamers should be able to beat it on their first try. 

87.  Nightmare on Elm Street

'A Nightmare On Elm Street' is loosely based on the third (and best) film in the series, 'The Dream Warriors'. You control four different teenagers trying to defeat Freddy Krueger. If you can collect his bones you'll be safe - but if you're not fast enough, the game switches into an "evil" dream world. 

Once you've collected his bones, you'll face Freddy at the end of each level. Just like in the movie, he takes on different forms for each fight.

I'm not saying it's one of the all time classics, but 'Nightmare On Elm Street' gets a bad rap because it was developed by LJN. It's arguably the best game they put out (which isn't saying much) and it's a favorite of mine to play around Halloween. 

86.  Galaga

In 'Galaga' you control a spaceship trying to shoot down infinite waves of aliens. It's a port of the arcade game and the music effects/controls are spot on. 

The best part is getting two ships at once. If you let your spaceship get captured by the alien's tractor beam, you can rescue him and have two ships at once for twice the firepower!

Younger audiences may not appreciate 'Galaga', but it's been a favorite of mine since I was a kid and for game that debuted in 1981 - it has certainly stood the test of time. 

85.  Bionic Commando

With 'Bionic Commando', Capcom took a big risk and developed a side scrolling action game without the ability to jump. Instead of jumping, you use a grappling hook to swing from place to place. It's as weird as it sounds and takes a while to get used to. 

If you can make it to the end, you'll face Hitler as the final boss. I wish I could say I've gotten that far, but the game is insanely hard.

Many critics place 'Bionic Commando' in the top twenty NES games - which I think is too high. In my opinion, it tends to be overrated because of its' unique lack of jumping and boss fight with Hitler. 

84.  Totally Rad

While it might seem "totally bad" based on the cover, 'Totally Rad' is a really fun game. I bought this based on a recommendation from one of my favorite retro gamers on YouTube - Michael B The Game Genie (check him out!).

You play as "Jake", a teenager learning magic from an old guy named Zeb. Jake speaks in 90's slang ("Awesome Dude", "That's Rad"), which is fun to look back at twenty some years later. As the game progresses, Jake gains magical powers (kind of like 'Mega Man') and you fight bosses that are ten times your height. 

The gameplay is somewhat average but the surrounding elements are weird enough to make it worth checking out. 

83.  Kid Icarus

In 'Kid Icarus' you control "Pit" - a young angel trying to escape from the underworld. Most of the levels scroll vertically and you shoot enemies with your bow. You can also increase your life meter by killing enemies, which was very unique for its' time (1986). 

Many critics consider 'Kid Icarus' to be among the classic NES games, which I can totally understand. It's an original concept with great controls and music, but it's insanely difficult. If I could get past the first level, I'm sure I would have rated it higher. 

81.  Rad Racer

For a game that came out in 1988, 'Rad Racer' is amazing. You race through eight different tracks battling other drivers to make it to the check points on time. The courses all have different backgrounds including sunset/night stages later in the game.

'Rad Racer' is also one of the only NES games that came with a 3D mode - which can be activated by pressing select. 

80.  Dragon Spirit

In this relatively unknown shooter, you control a fire breathing dragon. The game scrolls vertically and your job is to destroy everything in your path. It features a very unique power up system; when you collect special items your dragon will grow additional heads. You can max out at three heads which is like having the Spreader gun in 'Contra' (it kicks ass).

Shoot 'em ups tend to over do the whole "spaceships vs aliens in outer space" bit, so playing as a fire breathing dragon is a welcome change. 

79.  Captain Skyhawk 

'Captain Skyhawk' is a shoot 'em up that was very innovative for its' time. There are vertical scrolling levels, space docking levels and boss fights with alien spaceships. My favorite are the hyper-speed levels where the screen moves fast enough to melt your brain. 

There were a lot of bad flying based games for the NES (I'm looking at you, 'Top Gun') so this isn't saying much, but 'Captain Skyhawk' is probably the best game in the airplane genre. 

78.  Heavy Barrel

'Heavy Barrel' is an overhead shooter with a pretty standard terrorist/military rescue plot. You can shoot in eight directions and have to kill endless amounts of bad guys before reaching a boss fight at the end of each level.

If it sounds familiar that's because there were dozens of other NES games with the same premise. 'Heavy Barrel' is still a lot of fun - there are just plenty of other military shooters I'd recommend checking out first ('Contra', 'P.O.W.', 'Guerilla War', etc). 

77.  Yo! Noid

During the early 90's, Dominos hired Capcom to make a game based on their mascot, "The Noid". It's generally considered a bad game by critics - but I enjoy its' weirdness.

You play as the Noid in a side scrolling adventure to save New York. An evil villain named Mr. Green is terrorizing the city so the "Mayer" (they spell Mayor wrong in the intro) hires the Noid to save the day. 

The Noid hits the streets and fights random enemies like ice skating polar bears and clowns on unicycles. Each time you complete a level, you'll enter a pizza eating contest. It's very strange, but worth checking out if you're a Capcom fan.

76.  Wrath of the Black Manta

In 'Wrath of the Black Manta' you play as a ninja fighting to rescue a group of kidnapped kids. The game rotates between New York City, Tokyo and Rio De Janiero and you learn different ninja powers as you progress. 

As you build up your ninja skills you'll realize some of them are useful like the "Art of Invisibility" (your enemies can't hit you) and some are completely pointless (the "Art of Teleportation" just lets you disappear and reappear).

While it's not quite 'Ninja Gaiden', 'Wrath of the Black Manta' is still one of the best ninja based games on the NES. 

75.  The Guardian Legend

In 'The Guardian Legend' you play as the secret protector of the the Earth, an unnamed female astronaut. The gameplay is a hybrid between two genres; there are vertically scrolling shooter levels and overhead exploration levels. It's often described as "Zelda in Space".

While I absolutely love the shooter levels, I get frustrated with the overhead levels (like 'Zelda'). I'll get completely lost if I don't use the internet (which I hate having to do). Despite these frustrations, 'The Guardian Legend' is still one of my favorite games that most people have never played. 

74.  Pinball

 

'Pinball' was among the original launch titles released on the NES in 1985. It features an early version of Mario, sporting an orange shirt (?) trying to save his girlfriend Pauline (who must have been dumped shortly after for Princess Peach).

The game features a split level screen with flippers on the top and bottom level. The controls are near perfect and it feels like you're playing an actual pinball machine. There are also some cool bonuses like dancing penguins and a secret room with Pauline.

73.  Gun.Smoke

'Gun.Smoke' is a unique shoot 'em up that takes place in the old west. You're a cowboy that's called in to save the town of "Hicksville" (I'm not making that up) from a group of outlaws. As you kill off the outlaws, you'll collect money which can be used to upgrade your guns or even buy a horse.

My only complaint is that it's very repetitive. You'll have to blast your way through the same bad guys for nearly an hour if you want to reach the end. 

*You might have noticed the game is titled 'Gun.Smoke'. Capcom didn't want to be sued by the TV show 'Gun Smoke' so they added the period in the middle - which I think is hilarious. I'm not a lawyer or anything, but there's no way you could get away with that today. That's like if someone made a game called 'Ghost.Busters' and didn't expect to get sued.

72.  Astyanax

In 'Astyanax' you play as the titular character - a sixteen year old high school student. One day after school, a magical fairy named kidnaps Astyanax (yeah, it's that random) and takes him to her home land of Remlia. They need him to rescue their princess from the evil Blackthorn.

Against his will, Astyanax is taken to Remlia and you begin your quest. Armed with a giant axe, you'll battle through six stages before an epic battle with Blackthorn at the end. Yes, the plot is a little half baked, but smashing enemies with your axe can be very satisfying.   

71.  Metroid

In 'Metroid' you play as "Samus" - a mysterious human trapped on an alien world. In order to escape, you must find special upgrades - like the ability to shoot missiles or drop bombs. If you can make it to the end, you'll fight Mother Brain and *spoiler alert* find out that Samus is a female.

As a kid, I was always frustrated with 'Metroid'; writing down long passwords and drawing homemade maps. Revisiting it as an adult I feel the same way - it's just too confusing. I know lots of NES fans consider it a top ten game, but I think it's overrated. 

70.  Snake Rattle and Roll

'Snake Rattle N Roll' is one of the weirdest games on the NES. You play as a snake (either "Rattle" or "Roll") and go around eating balls in an isometric world. Your snake will grow in length the more balls you eat. Once your snake is long enough you can jump on a scale to reach the next level.

Despite its' weirdness, the game is really fun. It has a great soundtrack and the levels are all very unique. The are also unlimited continues and a simultaneous two player mode if you can find a friend.

69.  TaleSpin 

In 'TaleSpin' you play as Baloo - a cargo delivering pilot. Your job is to navigate through eight levels and defeat the evil Don Karnage. Along the way, you collect fruit and money bags which will let you make upgrades to your plane. 

Unlike other shooters, you can reverse your plane's direction at any time by pushing A. This helps when trying to grab power ups and is often necessary for the boss fights.

It has the great music and controls that came with all Disney/Capcom offerings, but unlike most of their games, 'TaleSpin' is very hard. It's really fun overall - just make sure you're up for a challenge. 

68.  Solstice

In 'Solstice' you play as a wizard named Shadox. Following the intro, you're placed in an isometric world without any instructions. Your goal is to collect different keys and potions and go on to face the evil wizard Morbius - who has kidnapped your girlfriend.

I normally don't like puzzle/RPG games, but 'Solstice' won me over. The level design is excellent and it has some of the spookiest (and best) music on the NES. Like feeding Gremlins, you should never play 'Solstice' after midnight - or its' soundtrack will haunt your dreams. 

67.  Clash at Demonhead

'Clash at Demonhead' is probably the weirdest game on this list. You play as Billy "Big Bang" Blitz in an RPG/platformer. Your goal is to defeat the Chief of the Seven Governors - an evil cape wearing skeleton (see the badass cover above) who is trying to destroy the world with a Doomsday Bomb. 

During your quest, you'll attain special powers like an Aqua Lung that lets you breathe underwater or a Jet Pack that lets you fly. If you can make it to the end, there are some crazy plot twists involving aliens.

Words can't really describe how weird yet awesome 'Clash at Demonhead' is. It was heavily referenced in the 2007 film 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World' and has become a cult classic among retro gamers. 

66.  Marble Madness

In 'Marble Madness' you control a blue marble and must navigate an obstacle course within a given time limit. The first level is easy but the difficulty ramps up quickly. There are six levels in total - the last of which is next to impossible.

Overall, 'Marble Madness' is way more more fun than you'd expect it to be. It's a perfect option when you only have half an hour to play something quick. 

65.  Burai Fighter

'Burai Fighter' is a relatively unknown Japanese shoot 'em up. Instead of the standard spaceship - you control a flying astronaut that can shoot in eight directions. The bosses are awesome including one against a giant dragon (from the cover).

The only downsides are the title and the lack of plot. Due to translation issues, there isn't much of a story or even an ending when you beat the last boss. If they could have added a plot and came up with a better title - this could have been a classic. 

64.  Rush'n Attack

In Konami's 'Rush'n Attack' - it's you against the entire Russian army. You're armed with a small knife and have to kill endless amounts of bad guys. There are some special weapons like grenades and rocket launchers, but for the most part - you just have a knife. 

The lack of weapons makes 'Rush'n Attack' brutally hard. There are six levels and you only get five lives. There's also no life meter, no health and no continues. It's a really fun game overall - just expect to get your ass kicked. 

63.  Ms Pac-Man

'Ms. Pac Man' was my always favorite arcade game growing up. It was only a quarter to play and I could never pass up an opportunity to try to beat the machines' high score.

While Tengen's 'Ms. Pac Man' is a pretty good port of the arcade - it has several flaws. The main problem is that you can't see the entire screen at one time. The NES controller is also weird if you're used to a joystick. Maybe someday I'll have enough money to buy a 'Ms. Pac Man' arcade machine, but the Tengen version will have to do for now.  

62.  Ice Hockey

Even if you don't know anything about sports, 'Ice Hockey' is simple enough that you can just pick it up and play. The controls are tight and an entire game only takes about ten minutes. There's also some strategy as each team has one fat kid; you can either use him as the goalie or a hard shooting (but slow skating) forward. 

You can choose from six different teams and there are options for exhibition, tournament mode or two players. If you play in the tournament, you'll face Russia in the finals (just like every other sports game).

61.  Battletoads / Double Dragon

Towards the end of the 8 bit era, Rare and Technos teamed up for a crossover of their biggest franchises - 'Battletoads' and 'Double Dragon'. You can play as the Dragons or the 'Toads and face a barrage of enemies from both worlds. 

I don't have any complaints about 'Battletoads/Double Dragon'. If anything, it makes me wish there were more crossover games on the NES (how sweet would a "Mega Brothers" - Super Mario/Mega Man game have been?).  

60.  Tecmo Bowl

Most football games on the NES were terrible. Early releases like '10 Yard Fight' and LJNs 'NFL Football' were so bad that if you wasted your money on them as a kid - you'd probably vow to never play sports games again. 

When 'Tecmo Bowl' came out - it blew away every football game that preceded it. The controls were nearly perfect and you could run specific plays. When you scored, you would be rewarded with an awesome cut scene. Tecmo even paid the NFL for the licenses, so there were actual player rosters from 1989.

The best part? Even though Bo Jackson wasn't on the cover, he could easily outrun everyone else in the game.

59.  Guerilla War

Most shooters on the NES were either way too hard or way too easy. 'Guerilla War' falls into the second category.

The gameplay is similar to 'Contra' with a top down perspective. You control a soldier and your mission is to kill everything in sight. There are plenty of machine guns and grenades to pick up and even enemy tanks that you can overtake.

Overall the game is really fun, I just hate how it gives you unlimited continues. Unlike most games with unlimited continues - you don't have to go back to the start of a level - you just continue right where you died. This makes it impossible to NOT beat the game and completely ruins the replay value.

58.  Kirby's Adventure

In 'Kirby's Adventure' you play as a pink ghost that can suck up enemies to gain their powers. You progress through an overworld map (similar to 'Mario 3') and there are seven worlds in total. The game has a wide variety of powerups and several bonus levels to load up on extra lives. 

Overall, 'Kirby' is super fun and benefits from having some of the best graphics on the NES. At times, it actually looks like you're playing Super Nintendo. My only complaint is that it's too easy; experienced gamers should be able to beat it on their first try.

57.  Adventure Island

In 'Adventure Island' you control "Master Higgins" a shirtless dude on a mission to save his girlfriend. You'll run through six island themed levels while eating fruit to stay alive. Along the way you'll collect power ups like axes and skateboards. 

It's a lot of fun until you realize that you only have three lives. Thankfully there's a code for unlimited continues, but good luck knowing that in 1988 with no internet. In my opinion, Hudson Soft really 'effed up by making it so hard. If it was a little easier and had unlimited continues - it could have been on par with the 'Super Mario Bros' series. 

56.  Powerblade

In the year 2191, Earth's master computer is attacked by aliens and only one man has the power to save the world. His name is "Nova" - a musclebound dude in a tank top and jeans. You control Nova and kill everything in sight with the "Power Blade"; a giant knife that works like a boomerang.

'Power Blade' can best be described as "Mega Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger" - which for me is a dream come true (I'm a huge fan of both). It's easily ten times better than any game that's actually based on Schwarzenegger ('Terminator', 'Predator', 'Total Recall' all suck), so just pretend you're Arnold and have fun saving the world. 

55.  Mega Man

The first Mega Man game was revolutionary for its' time. You control Mega Man in a side scrolling platformer and fight a robot boss at the end of each level. Each time you defeat a boss you gain their powers. It also has a stage select, so you can go through the six levels in any order you want.

The genius part was that each stolen power would be a weakness for another boss. For example, once you've defeated Iceman - you would use his power to defeat Fireman. If you can defeat all six robots, you would go on to face their creator, the evil Dr. Wily.

'Mega Man' went on to have five sequels, but the original is my least favorite in the series. It's missing a lot of the things that made the sequels so great - like the ability to slide or charge your weapons. It's also the hardest game in the series, which will be a turn off for first time players. 

  

54.  Blades of Steel

Even though I'm not a big hockey fan, I consider 'Blades of Steel' the second best sports game on the NES (skip ahead to #9 for my number one). The controls are nearly perfect and it's simple enough that a first time player can have it down in five minutes. The game features full NHL rosters, a tournament mode, difficulty settings and an option for two players (which was A LOT in 1988).

What really set 'Blades of Steel' apart were the quirky additions from Konami. When you check an opponent, it can trigger a "fighting mode" where you'll square off in a boxing match. There were also mini games between periods including a playable demo of 'Gradius' and an in game commercial for 'Contra'. 

53.  Kabuki Quantum Fighter

'Kabuki Quantum Fighter' is a relatively unknown side scrolling platformer where your character's main weapon is his hair. When you press the B button, he whips his hair forward and kills most enemies in one hit. I'm guessing this was inspired by headbanging bands like Metallica (but I really have no idea).

The game was made in Japan, so the plot doesn't make much sense. All you need to know is that you're inside of a giant computer and you need to kill everything with your hair. There are six levels in total and the music will get your adrenaline pumping. Do yourself a favor and check it out. 

   

52.  Abadox

'Abadox' is probably the weirdest shoot 'em up for the NES. You control a spaceship that enters the insides of a giant alien named Parasitis. Your goal is to destroy Parasitis before it swallows your home planet of Abadox.

There are six levels filled with eyeballs, mouths and intestines that you kill with your lasers. It might be the hardest shooter on this list, but thankfully there are unlimited continues. If you're up for a challenge (and aren't grossed out by blood and guts) you'll dig 'Abadox'.

51.  Maniac Mansion

'Maniac Mansion' is a point and click adventure from Lucas Studios (yes, the same Lucas of 'Star Wars'). The plot has a group of teenagers trying to rescue their friend from Dr. Fred - an evil scientist that has turned himself blue. There are some crazy plot twists along the way like an alien tentacle that eats wax fruit and a hamster that explodes when put in the microwave. 

The game is like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" on the NES. You can play as seven different characters and each one has their own unique path and ending. This gives it a high replay value as each character's experience is completely different. Even though point and click games aren't really my thing, 'Maniac Mansion' is too much fun to pass up. 

50.  S.C.A.T.

'S.C.A.T.' or 'Special Cybernetic Attack Team' features two heroes on a mission to save the world from aliens. You can play as either "Arnold" or "Sigourney" - which is obviously a reference to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sigourney Weaver.  

The gameplay is similar to 'Contra' with one major difference - your character can fly. There are also some insane power ups like an orbiting shield or lasers that can shoot in any direction. 

The only thing not to love about the game is the title (SCAT? What the hell were they thinking?). If they would have went with the European title, "Action in New York", it might have been a bit more mainstream.

49.  Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link

'Zelda II' is one of the most divisive games for the NES. Some people praise its' originality, while others consider it the black sheep of the Zelda franchise. 

The main difference is that it abandons the top down view and has Link fighting in a side scrolling adventure. There are also several new potions and a "leveling up" system to increase your power. 

I have mixed opinions about 'Zelda II'. In some ways I think it's better than the first game - it has way better graphics and music. It's also much less cryptic (no burning random bushes). On the other hand, it's even harder than the original. After gathering a few necessary items you'll face "Death Mountain" an insanely tough level that's more frustrating than it is fun. 

48.  Shadow of the Ninja

'Shadow of the Ninja' takes place in the year 2029. You play as ninja on a mission to save the U.S. from an evil emperor named Garuda. While the plot may be somewhat lacking (due to Japanese translation) - the controls, music and graphics are all top notch. 

Sure it's kind of a 'Ninja Gaiden' rip off - but so were a lot of games back then. 'Shadow of the Ninja' borrows some of 'Ninja Gaiden's best features and actually improves upon them in many ways; there's a simultaneous two player mode and the game is actually beatable (unlike 'Ninja Gaiden' which is impossible).

47.  P.O.W.

'P.O.W.' places you inside of a war camp with a mission to kill everyone in sight. You start off with only your bare fists and obtain weapons from your enemies' dead bodies. 

There are only four levels which doesn't seem like much - but 'P.O.W.' is hard. Most enemies take several hits and you only have a few lives. Despite the high difficulty, it's still super fun. There are literally dozens of other NES games in the military/shooter genre - and this is my favorite outside of the 'Contra' series. 

46.  Whomp 'Em

Despite the incredibly racist cover, 'Whomp Em' is a great game. You play as a young warrior named 'Soaring Eagle" in a quest to prove yourself to the tribal elders. Following an introductory stage, you must complete six different levels in any order you choose. When you defeat the bosses at the end of each level, you'll gain their abilities. 

Yes - it is somewhat of a 'Mega Man' clone, but what matters is that 'Whomp 'Em' is super fun. The graphics, controls and music are all top notch and if you like challenging platformers (like 'Mega Man') - you'll enjoy 'Whomp 'Em'. 

45.  StarTropics

In 'StarTropics' you play as a teenager named Mike Jones. You're on a mission to find your uncle, who has been captured by aliens. You start off on an island and have to talk to several people (and animals) in order to progress. 

Unlike other RPGs, the clues are pretty straightforward. This keeps the game going at a reasonable pace and you don't have to use a walk through. Some parts of the game can get repetitive, but I really enjoy the boss fights and the plot is right up my alley (I love anything with aliens).

44.  Darkwing Duck

'Darkwing Duck' was always my favorite of the 90's Disney cartoons. The show was an extension of the 'DuckTales' universe with Darkwing and his sidekick Launchpad solving crimes. Compared to the other Disney shows, it was more witty and had jokes for adults (like 'The Simpsons').

In the video game, you control Darkwing in a mission to save the city of St Canard. It features a stage select with four levels based on the show's villains (Mega Volt, Bushroot, Quacker Jack). The music and controls are excellent and my only complaint is that it's a little too hard. 

43.  Double Dragon

'Double Dragon' begins with one of the memorable opening scenes in video game history; some asshole punches your girlfriend in the stomach and kidnaps her. From there, you (Billy) hit the streets in a mission to rescue her. 

You control Billy as he takes out rival gang members one at a time. You'll use punches and kicks for the most part, but you can also throw items like garbage cans or knives. At the end of each level you'll face a boss that's twice your size twice.

There are some flaws (like being way too hard and not having a two player mode), but if you keep in mind it was released in 1988, you have to consider 'Double Dragon' a classic. 

42.  Gradius

'Gradius' puts you in control of a small spaceship with a mission to kill everything in sight. Your ship uses an innovative power up system that lets you choose which weapons to upgrade. There are seven levels in total and each one ends with an intense boss fight.

'Gradius' was amazing for its' time and introduced us to the "shoot 'em up" genre. 'Gradius' was also the first game to use the "Konami code" for thirty lives. Like 'Contra' - it's next to impossible without the code, so it's not really considered cheating. 

41.  The Flintstones : The Rescue of Dino and Hoppy

'The Flintstones: Rescue of Dino & Hoppy' is a really fun game that's often over looked. You play as Fred in a prehistoric side scrolling adventure. You're armed with a giant club that can be charged up to crush enemies. Each time you complete a level, you'll face a boss fight against a giant dinosaur.

Overall, 'The Flintstones' is super fun. The quality level is on par with the Capcom/Disney games, it's just overlooked because the Flintstones weren't that popular with my generation. Even if you weren't a big fan of the show (like me), you should totally check it out.

40.  Shatterhand

'Shatterhand' borrows elements from 'Double Dragon', 'Mega Man' and 'Contra' yet provides an unique twist on the side scrolling formula.

The game takes place in the year 2030. You're a police officer in New York that loses his arms in a gunfight. You're then surgically repaired with cybernetic arms and given the code name "Shatterhand". Your mission is to seek revenge on the gang that cost you your arms (kind of like 'Robocop')

From the first level, it's established that your new arms are crazy strong. You can literally punch the side of a building and watch it crumble to ashes. You can also power up with a gun that hovers above your body.

39.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Some people hate the original 'TMNT' because it's too hard and confusing - which I'll certainly concede. For me though, 'TMNT' has a special nostalgia factor as it was one of the first games I owned growing up.

It starts off pretty easy with boss fights against Bebop and Rocksteady. But the next stage is insanely difficult - it's the infamous underwater level with the bombs and deadly seaweed. As a kid, I could just barely get past this part and would always die soon after.

Overall, this was a great game it was just way, way too hard for the target audience. I'm sorry, but there's no way in hell any six year-old kids were completing this in 1988.

38.  Batman : Return of the Joker

'Batman: Return of the Joker' is the sequel to Sunsoft's original take on the Dark Knight. Since it wasn't based on a movie - Sunsoft had the freedom to try something different. They included a lot of weird stuff - like Batman relying heavily on guns, Batman flying with a jet pack and Batman fighting tigers in the jungle (see above). 

Hardcore fans complain that the plot has nothing to do with Batman - but who cares? It's still a really fun game that holds up well today. It also has some of the best graphics on the NES - with backgrounds so detailed you'd think you're playing Super Nintendo. 

37.  Monster in My Pocket

'Monster In My Pocket' is an action platformer based on a line of toys from the early 90's. You can play as either Dracula or Frankenstein's monster and the idea is that you're only an inch tall. You'll have to fight through six levels where everything is ten times your size. 

I decided to check this game out based on a recommendation from Cygnus Destroyer - one of my favorite retro gamers on YouTube (check him out!). I didn't expect much going in, but 'Monster in My Pocket' turned out to be super fun.

I should have known it would be great based on Konami's track record. Like 'Contra', you're just killing every bad guy in sight - except you're playing as Dracula. If that doesn't sound awesome to you - I'm not sure if we can be friends.  

36.  Mega Man V

'Mega Man 5' has the Blue Bomber returning (once again) to fight the evil Dr. Wily. It's the same story as usual with Mega Man's brother, Proto Man being thrown into the mix. As always, there are eight robot masters to get through including Wave Man, Gravity Man, Crystal Man and Gyro Man.

The biggest improvement is the graphics - which look amazing. My favorite levels are Star Man's stage which takes place in outer space and Napalm Man's stage which has you fighting tigers in the jungle.

A common complaint is that 'Mega Man 5' adds very little to the series. For that reason, some people consider it a bad game - which is totally wrong. While it's true that it's not much different than the fourth installment, the graphics are much better this time around (if nothing else). 

35.  Crystalis

'Crystalis' is an underrated RPG with a crazy sci-fi plot. In the year 1997, a nuclear war has mutated every creature on Earth. You play as an unnamed hero who survived the war in a cryogenic chamber. Your mission is to collect four elemental swords in order to build an "ultimate weapon" that can save the world. 

As you progress, your abilities will get stronger and you'll encounter some epic bosses. The game has a great soundtrack and unlike most RPGs, it will point you in the right direction. Even if you're not a big fan of RPGs (like me) you need to check out 'Crystalis'.  

34.  Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers

'Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers' lets you play as the title characters in an excellent side scrolling adventure. Your mission is to prevent your arch nemesis Fat Cat from taking over the city. The unique part is that Chip and Dale are only six inches tall - so everything looks huge in comparison. 

This is one of my favorite games in the Capcom/Disney series. It has a stage select, a two player option and it's very generous with extra lives. It's probably the easiest of the Disney games, which makes it a great starting point before taking on the more challenging 'DuckTales' or 'TailSpin'. 

33.  Donkey Kong Classics

'Donkey Kong Classics' was a great deal for its' time. You got two arcade games for the price of one; the original has Mario dodging barrels from Donkey Kong, while 'Donkey Kong Jr' reverses the roles and has Mario as the villain. 

Unlike 'Ms. Pac-Man', this plays just as good on the NES as it does in the arcade. Couple that with the fact that you got two games on one cart - and you have one of the best arcade ports on the system. 

32.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project

'The Manhattan Project' begins with the Turtles vacationing in Florida. They're just chillin by the beach one day when Shredder kidnaps the entire city of Manhattan. To save the city, the Turtles must battle their way back to Manhattan and face Shredder in the Technodrome.

In several ways, this is better than 'Turtles II: The Arcade Game'. The plot is more interesting, the graphics are better and so are the controls. My only complaint is that it's SO similar to part II, it feels more like an extension of part II than its own game. It's still awesome, but 'TMNT II' will always be considered better because it came first and had a much bigger impact.

31.  Tetris

Who doesn't love 'Tetris'? The classic puzzle game was everywhere in the 90's. After its' success on the NES, Nintendo included it as a launch title for the Game Boy. Between the two versions there were over 14 million copies sold.

Almost thirty years later, 'Tetris' is still super fun. The NES version has an infectious soundtrack and includes several difficulty settings. The best part? If you can beat it on the highest level, you'll be rewarded with a celebration screen featuring Nintendo favorites Mario, Donkey Kong and Kid Icarus. 

30.  Duck Tales 2

Scrooge McDuck returns in a sequel that's just as fun as the original. Like the first game, you lead Scrooge in a quest that spans the globe. You'll travel to the Bermuda Triangle, Egypt and Scotland before an an epic showdown against Flintheart Glomgold. 

'DuckTales 2' was one of the last games released for the NES (after Super Nintendo was out) so it didn't sell as well as the original. As a result, its become one of the more rare (and expensive) NES titles. Since the price has gotten out of hand, this is one of the few times I'd recommend using an emulator. 

29.  Vice Project Doom

'Vice Project Doom' is an underrated action platformer with a ridiculous (yet awesome) 80's style plot. You play as Detective Hart, a member of the Vice Unit caught up in a conspiracy involving aliens. It turns out that aliens have been secretly living on Earth for centuries and are planning to poison the entire human race. 

Armed with a 44 Magnum and a laser whip, it's up to you to save the world. Most levels have you fighting standard issue bad guys before reaching an epic boss fight at the end. Each time you complete a level, you'll be rewarded with cut scenes that advance the plot (similar to 'Ninja Gaiden'). 

When my friends ask me to recommend a game that they haven't played, 'Vice Project Doom' always comes to mind. I'm not sure why it wasn't more popular, but I'm guessing the cheesy cover art didn't help.

28.  Journey to Silius

'Journey to Silius' is another awesome game that most people have never played. You control a character named "Jay" in a side scrolling adventure fighting evil robots. There isn't much of a plot, but that's made up for by the soundtrack - which is among the absolute best for the NES.

The plot seems random because the game was supposed to be based on 'The Terminator'. Sunsoft lost the license during the development process and the 'Terminator' rights were given to LJN. While the actual 'Terminator' game turned out to be terrible (like all LJN games), the newly retitled 'Journey to Silius' was great. Even though it went unnoticed in the early 90's, 'JTS' is now considered a "hidden gem" by many retro gamers.  

27.  Mega Man 6

'Mega Man 6' was one of the last games released for the NES in 1994. While most developers had moved on to the Super Nintendo, Capcom took their time to give Mega Man a proper swan song. They included some very weird robot masters this time around (Centaur Man, Tomahawk Man) and instead of the same old Rush Coil /Rush Jet upgrades, there was an upgrade that allowed Mega Man to fly!

'Mega Man 6' shines with better graphics than its' predecessors and gives you everything you'd expect from a Mega Man game. Capcom did a great job ending the series on a high note and in doing so - solidified Mega Man's legacy as the best all around franchise for the NES. 

26.  Toki

'Toki' is an underrated platformer featuring an ape that spits to attack his enemies. The story begins with Toki in human form in an island setting. One day, he's visited by the evil wizard Vookimeldo who kidnaps his girlfriend and turns him into an ape. 

Playing as Toki, you spit your way though six levels in a quest to rescue your girlfriend. Each level has a different island theme and ends with an insane boss fight. Along the way, you'll collect some unique powerups like three way spit or a football helmet that allows for extra damage. 

I hadn't even heard of 'Toki' until I saw Pat the NES Punk's review on YouTube. He praised the game's originality and smooth controls, so I decided to check it out. I wasn't expecting much, but 'Toki' turned out to be one of one of my all time favorites (thanks Pat!).

25.  Life Force

'Life Force' is hands down best shoot 'em up on the NES. It has an innovative power up system, awesome boss fights and amazing graphics for its' time (1988). It also has a simultaneous two player mode - making it one of the best games to play with a friend.  

The only flaw is the difficulty; you're only given three lives - so (like 'Contra') it's almost expected that you cheat with the Konami code. If you can defeat the final boss (spoiler alert), you'll escape the alien planet right before it blows up - which is reminiscent of the Death Star blowing up in 'Star Wars'.

24.  Gremlins 2

In 'Gremlins 2', you play as the lovable Gizmo in a top down platformer. Armed with a bow and arrow, you fight off all the crazy Gremlins from the second movie (Spider Gremlin, Electric Gremlin, etc). The level design and boss fights are excellent and the soundtrack is badass. 

I consider 'Gremlins 2' the second best movie based title on the NES (skip ahead to #10 for number one) and it's a shame Sunsoft didn't get more movie licenses. While movie based video games are almost always terrible, 'Gremlins 2 ' stands out as an exception to the rule. 

23.  Mega Man 4

Mega Man's fourth installment has the Blue Bomber fighting robot masters designed by the mysterious Dr. Cossack. All the levels are great and my personal favorites are Toad Man's stage (above) and Pharoah Man's stage - based in ancient Egypt. 

Critics often complain that it's too similar to the previous games, but who cares? It still has the top notch controls and level design you'd expect from 'Mega Man'. It might not be quite as memorable as the second or third installment, but it's still every bit as fun.  

22.  Ninja Gaiden

  

'Ninja Gaiden' is one of the most challenging and intense platformers for the NES. You play as Ryu Hayabusa in a quest to avenge your father's death. The game is full of cool weapons (like ninja stars and firepower) and there's a memorable boss fight at the end of each stage.  

Almost every aspect of 'Ninja Gaiden' is perfect; the controls, graphics, music and cut scenes are all incredible. The only problem is that it's way, way too hard. With enough practice you might be able to get to the sixth and final level, but to beat it you'll have to defeat three insanely difficult bosses in a row. 

After spending countless hours on the final level, I've officially given up on trying to beat 'Ninja Gaiden'. It's the only game on this list that I consider impossible. If it was just a little bit easier, it would have easily made my top ten.  

  21.  The Legend of Zelda

'The Legend of Zelda' is one of the most classic and influential games for the NES. It set a new standard for adventure games and intrigued an entire generation with its' shiny, gold cartridge. 

You play as Link, a young boy in a quest to collect eight fragments of the Tri Force. You navigate your way through an overworld seeking out hidden dungeons in order to progress. If you can collect all eight parts of the Tri Force, you'll go on to fight the evil Ganon and (hopefully) rescue Princess Zelda.

  

'Legend of Zelda' is a great game, even though it can be super frustrating. There are parts where you have to burn random bushes or bomb the side of a mountain in order to progress. Yes, you can just look online (which I hate doing), but as a kid this was next to impossible. 

20.  Double Dragon II

'Double Dragon II' has the same beat 'em up action as the original and ups the ante with a simultaneous two player mode. It's a big improvement over the first game and is easily the best in the series.

The plot has the Double Dragons, Billy and Jimmy Lee seeking revenge against a local gang, the Black Warriors. In the first game they kidnapped Billy's girlfriend, but this time they've murdered her in cold blood.  

The easy to use controls make 'Double Dragon II' one of best beat 'em ups on the NES. It's also one of the best two player games, so grab a friend if possible. If you can defeat the final boss, you'll find out (spoiler alert) your girlfriend is still alive and rescue her for an epic finale.  

19.  Bucky O'Hare

Konami's 'Bucky O'Hare' is my favorite "hidden gem" on the NES. It's based on a cartoon of the same name which only aired for one season. Despite the show's lack of success, Konami went above and beyond to make 'Bucky O'Hare' a fun and unique platformer.

You start off as Bucky with an option to choose from four different planets. Each planet has a unique design and every time you finish a level, you'll rescue one of your friends. You'll then be able to switch between characters that have different powers (like the original 'TMNT').

Once you've conquered all the Mario's, Mega Man's and Contra's - Bucky O'Hare is a great option to fulfill your platforming needs. The intense gameplay can be frustrating at times, but with unlimited continues an experienced gamer should be able to make it to the end. 

18.  Little Nemo The Dream Master

'Little Nemo the Dream Master' is one of my favorite games in the Capcom library. You play as a boy named Nemo who enters a dream land in his sleep. Each level has different animals that you can ride on by feeding them candy. You'll ride gorillas, bees and frogs in your quest to wake Nemo from his dream.  

In the final level, you'll face the Nightmare King - the evil ruler of your dreams. You must defeat him in order to wake up and return to the real world. Almost every aspect of this game is perfect (controls, level design, soundtrack) and I really appreciate Capcom's attempt to try something different. 

17.  Blaster Master

'Blaster Master' is one of the weirdest games of the 8 bit era. It begins with a boy named Jason and his pet frog. One day, his frog jumps into some radioactive material and quadruples in size. The frog then jumps into a hole in the Earth. Jason follows him down the hole and lands in a tank named Sophia the 3rd.

It only gets weirder as you explore eight underground levels in search of your frog. Along the way, you'll gain upgrades for your tank like the ability to fly and climb walls. You'll also encounter some crazy end level bosses, including a floating brain and a giant crab. 

Because of its' great gameplay, infectious soundtrack and unmatched creativity - I consider 'Blaster Master' the best exploration style game on the NES (sorry, 'Zelda' and 'Metroid' fans).

16.  Super Mario Bros / Duck Hunt

For an entire generation, 'Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt' was the game that started it all. It came bundled with most NES consoles and was the perfect launch game for the system. Like many 80's kids, this was the first video game I ever played.

In my opinion, the most impressive part of 'Super Mario Bros' was the controls. They were easy to use and ten times better than anything that came before it. From young kids to adults, almost anyone could pick up a controller and be hooked within minutes.  

Even though this isn't my favorite Mario game, it's by far the most important game in NES history. By including a copy with every new console, Nintendo dominated their competition and earned a 90% share of the video game market. It's scary to think how different things would have been if Nintendo had instead chosen 'Kung Fu' or 'Golf' as their launch title. 

15.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II:  The Arcade Game

Unlike the first Turtles game, this is what every kid back then wanted - a straight forward beat 'em up. It was basically the same as the arcade version with two additional bonus levels. There were also ads for Pizza Hut within the game - (which I believe was a first on the NES).

Anyways, you battle through seven levels on a mission to save April O'Neil. Along the way, you'll fight Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman and others before reaching the Technodrome. It's not too tough to make it to the last level, but Shredder is insanely hard. It takes like 100 hits to defeat him, but he can kill you in just one hit with his Mutagen Ray. As Michaelangelo would say, "That's totally bogus, dude".

14.  Bubble Bobble

In 'Bubble Bobble' you play as one of two cute dinosaurs named Bub or Bob. Your goal is to shoot your enemies with bubbles and there are over 100 levels. As weird as it sounds, popping bubbles filled with bad guys can be pure bliss. My favorite part is the wide variety of bonus items; there's everything from grapes and watermelons to rainbows and magic potions. 

'Bubble Bobble' went to on to have several sequels and spin-offs (including the 'Bust a Move' series), but the original is by far the best. It still holds up well today and it's among the best two player games on the NES. 

13.  Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

'Ninja Gaiden II' improves on almost every aspect of the original classic. The plot has Ryu Hayabusa returning to battle an evil emperor named Ashtar. It's just as intense as the first game and slightly easier as Ryu has gained several new abilities.

The most useful upgrade gives Ryu two "phantom ninjas" that split off from his body. They react like shadows and can inflict damage on enemies. This is especially helpful during end level boss fights.

When you consider it was released in 1990, the graphics are nothing short of amazing. Many levels have 3D layered rain or snow (like above) and the between level cut scenes are second to none. It's easily the best of the Ninja Gaiden trilogy and is the envy of every other "ninja" based game on the NES.

12.  Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

In 'Castlevania III' you play as Trevor Belmont, a vampire hunter on a mission to kill Dracula. It has the same bone chilling atmosphere as the original and lets you choose from different paths and characters.

After slaying a few dozen monsters, you'll begin to rescue your friends that become playable characters. There's Sypha, Grant Danasty and my favorite - Alucard. Each one has different powers; Sypha shoots magic spells, Grant can climb walls and Alucard (Dracula spelled backwards) can turn into a bat.

You'll have to get through mummies, cyclops and the Grim Reaper before reaching Dracula. It's tough, but you're given unlimited continues and you'll be rewarded with a different ending depending on which character you use to beat the game.  

11.  Super C

'Super C' delivers one of the best run and gun experiences on the NES. Shirtless heroes Bill and Lance return to battle evil robots and aliens in an attempt to save the world. It kicks just as much ass as the original 'Contra' and improves upon the graphics and level design.

It's pretty much impossible not to love 'Super C'. The controls are near perfect and killing hordes of bad guys is the great way to blow off stress. It's amazing how many games have failed trying to replicate the 'Contra' formula, which is a testament to how great it really was. 

10.  Batman

'Batman' is by far the best movie based title on the NES. You control the Dark Knight and track down the Joker through five side scrolling levels. Sunsoft does an excellent job portraying the dark vibe of Gotham City and sets the mood with a haunting soundtrack.

The final showdown with the Joker is one of the most challenging boss fights you'll ever encounter. He starts off by asking if you've ever "danced with the devil in the pale moon light?" and then kills you in just two hits. Despite the high difficulty, 'Batman' is an incredible experience that still holds up well today.

9.  Mike Tyson's Punch Out!

Playing as the ultimate underdog, Little Mac, your goal is to earn a "dream bout" against Mike Tyson. You'll have to make your way through memorable opponents like Soda Popinski, King Hippo, Bald Bull and Super Macho Man before getting a shot at Iron Mike.

In my opinion, 'Punch Out' is easily the best sports game on the NES. Aside from just being really fun, it has a catchy soundtrack, classic training scenes and Mario as the referee. 

If for some reason, 'Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt' wasn't available, I think 'Punch Out' could have filled in as the launch title for the NES. Its' simple controls and addictive gameplay make it one of the most universally loved games of the 8 bit era.

8.  Mega Man 3

With 'Mega Man 3', Capcom did a great job improving on their previous masterpiece. The plot has Mega Man's creator Dr. Light teaming up with the evil Dr. Wily to unleash a new set of robot masters. Equipped with several new upgrades (Rush Jet/Rush Marine), you must conquer Dr. Wily and rescue Dr. Light in the process.

Many fans consider 'Mega Man 3' the best game in the series - which is hard to argue. It has some of the most memorable robot masters, perfect controls and a great soundtrack. The only downside is that the high level of difficulty can be a turn off to first time players. If you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting with 'Mega Man 2'  

7.  Battletoads

Despite being a ripoff of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 'Battletoads' gets my vote as the best beat 'em up on the the NES. Playing as a hulked up toad, you must fight your way through twelve insanely tough levels to defeat your nemesis, the Dark Queen. 

'Battletoads' stands out by having a unique layout for each stage. You'll fight countless enemies while riding speeder bikes, surfing over waterfalls and riding giant snakes. Even though it's next to impossible, it's so addictive you'll keep you coming back for more. If it wasn't so insanely hard, it would be in contention for the #1 spot.  

6.  Castlevania

The original 'Castlevania' was nothing short of amazing for it's time (1987). You play as Simon Belmont on a mission to kill Count Dracula - who has risen from a 100 year slumber. You'll have to kill a million zombies along the way and Konami sets the mood with an adrenaline pumping soundtrack. 

It's really tough to decide between the first and third 'Castlevania' (the second one sucks). I slightly prefer the original because it blew my mind as a kid. While most other games of the time seemed like cartoons, 'Castlevania' felt like an R rated movie. 

5.  Super Mario Bros 2

If you're a big fan of the series, you already know the backstory; Nintendo thought the original 'Super Mario Bros 2' was too difficult, so they remade a Japanese game named 'Doki Doki Panic'. As a result, it's completely different than every other Mario game.

The most notable difference is the character select option before each stage. You can choose to play as Mario, Luigi, Toad or the Princess (who can float). The gameplay is also different; instead of jumping on your enemies - you attack them with vegetables. 

Even though most people seem to prefer the original, I think 'Super Mario Bros 2' is a more enjoyable experience. I love all the weird additions and I wish Nintendo would would revisit this format in a future Mario game.

4.  DuckTales

As I've said earlier, I'm a huge fan of the Capcom/Disney series and 'DuckTales' was their masterpiece. Playing as Scrooge McDuck, your goal is to become the richest duck in the world. Along with your pilot Launchpad, you'll travel the globe in search of hidden treasures. 

The game begins with a stage select screen and five options; the Amazon, the Himalayas, African Mines, Transylvania and the Moon. Your only weapon is a cane, which you can use like a pogo stick to jump on enemies. 

In addition to being super fun, 'DuckTales' is known for having an excellent soundtrack. The highlight is the theme for the Moon level, which gets my vote as the all time best music on the NES.

3.  Contra

'Contra' kicked all kinds of ass and helped redefine the action genre. It stood out by having simple controls and gave us one of the most memorable weapons in video game history - the Spreader gun. 

  

The plot features two soldiers sent to destroy an enemy base that's controlled by aliens. It's notoriously difficult as you're only given three lives to battle endless waves of enemies. Thankfully, Konami included a code for thirty lives - which became a staple of many of their future games.

In my opinion, 'Contra' is easily the best "shooter" of the 8-bit era. Nothing compares to its' intense action even though dozens of other games tried (and failed) to replicate its' formula. 

2.  Super Mario Bros 3

'Super Mario Bros 3' was by far the most popular game released for the NES. It came with unprecedented hype (including its' own cartoon and huge cameo in the movie 'The Wizard') and Nintendo delivered a game that was perfect in every way. 

In order to save the Princess, Mario must make it though eight worlds that each have their own theme. There's an ice world, a desert world and a giant world world where everything is big. You're given several new power ups like the raccoon suit and it's filled with tons of secrets and extra lives. 

Twenty five years later, 'Super Mario 3' hasn't aged a bit. It's still incredibly fun and it will be one of the first games I'll introduce to my kids. I consider it the best overall game for the NES, but it's not my all time favorite. Which bring us to...

1.  Mega Man 2

I've always been a huge fan of Mega Man and consider this the best game in the series. It has some of my favorite robot masters, a perfect level of difficulty and an amazing soundtrack. 

The game begins with an awesome intro song followed by a stage select screen. You must defeat eight robot masters created by the evil Dr. Wily; Metal Man, Air Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Crash Man, Flash Man, Heat Man and Wood Man. Each level is incredibly well done and the music fits each stage perfectly.  

If you can make it to end (spoiler alert) you'll have to defeat Dr. Wily with Bubble Man's weapon, which is the weakest in the entire game. You'll chose not to kill him, but instead watch him beg for mercy. It's incredibly satisfying and so fun that I play it at least once a year. 

Thanks Mom and Dad for buying me my NES and thanks to all my favorite retro gamers online - Michael B The Game Genie, Cygnus Destroyer, Pat the NES Punk, Ian Ferguson, Dylan Cornelius of Questicle.Net, Mike Matei and of course, The Angry Video Game Nerd.