🎮Best NES Games of All Time
The NES launched an era of platformers, adventures, and arcade ports that defined gaming. From groundbreaking design to cultural icons, these titles shaped what consoles could achieve. Vote for your favorites to rank them.
What counts: Best means influential gameplay, innovation, and lasting appeal on the NES hardware; figures are approximate sales and ratings.
Super Mario Bros. 3▲ Rising
Super Mario Bros. 3 revolutionized platforming with power-ups like the raccoon suit and massive overworld map. Its 1988 release showcased Nintendo's mastery of the NES. It earns top spot for unmatched level design and creativity.
Year: 1988Genre: PlatformerRating: 9.5/10Sales: 18 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 7 rankingsSuper Mario Bros. 3
29Metroid▲ Rising
Metroid pioneered non-linear exploration and atmosphere on the NES with its alien planet and power-up upgrades. Samus Aran's 1986 debut created the Metroidvania template. It earns its spot for moody immersion.
Year: 1986Genre: Action-AdventureRating: 8.8/10Sales: 2.7 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRMetroid
21The Legend of Zelda▲ Rising
The Legend of Zelda introduced open-world exploration and item-based progression that still influences games today. Its 1986 debut on the NES set the template for adventure titles. It ranks high for pure discovery and puzzle depth.
Year: 1986Genre: Action-AdventureRating: 9.3/10Sales: 6.5 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda
14Contra delivered intense run-and-gun action with co-op that became legendary on the NES. Its 1987 release popularized the Konami code. It ranks for pure adrenaline and replayability.
Year: 1987Genre: Run and GunRating: 8.7/10Sales: 2 MDeveloper: Konami
added by IJRin 2 rankingsContra
14Super Mario Bros. defined the platformer genre with tight controls and level variety that sold the NES worldwide. Its 1985 launch turned a struggling console into a phenomenon. It holds its place for foundational influence.
Year: 1985Genre: PlatformerRating: 9/10Sales: 40 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 6 rankingsSuper Mario Bros.
11Mega Man 2 refined the boss-weapon formula into an addictive loop with memorable music and stages. Its 1988 release is often called the series peak on NES. It stands out for polished challenge.
Year: 1988Genre: Action-PlatformerRating: 9/10Sales: 1.5 MDeveloper: Capcom
added by IJRin 3 rankingsMega Man 2
10Final Fantasy introduced deep RPG mechanics and job systems that launched a franchise on the NES. Its 1987 release proved consoles could handle epic stories. It ranks for foundational world-building.
Year: 1987Genre: RPGRating: 8.4/10Sales: 0.7 MDeveloper: Square
added by IJRFinal Fantasy
10Ninja Gaiden▲ Rising
Ninja Gaiden brought cinematic storytelling and wall-climbing action to the NES with its ninja protagonist. Its 1989 release felt like an arcade experience at home. It stands out for narrative drive.
Year: 1989Genre: Action-PlatformerRating: 8.6/10Sales: 1.2 MDeveloper: Tecmo
added by IJRNinja Gaiden
9Dragon Warrior brought turn-based RPG grinding and epic quests to Western NES players for the first time. Its 1989 release launched the genre locally. It earns credit for accessibility.
Year: 1989Genre: RPGRating: 7.5/10Sales: 1.5 MDeveloper: Chunsoft
added by IJRDragon Warrior
8Mega Man 3 added the slide move and more bosses to refine the series formula on the NES. Its 1990 release kept momentum high. It ranks for continued quality.
Year: 1990Genre: Action-PlatformerRating: 8.7/10Sales: 1.2 MDeveloper: Capcom
added by IJRMega Man 3
7Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Castlevania III expanded the series with multiple paths and character switching for deeper replayability on the NES. Its 1989 release pushed hardware limits. It earns ranking for ambitious scope.
Year: 1989Genre: PlatformerRating: 8.5/10Sales: 1 MDeveloper: Konami
added by IJRCastlevania III: Dracula's Curse
6Punch-Out!! delivered humorous boxing with memorable opponents and pattern-based fights on the NES. Its 1987 release became an arcade port standout. It ranks for personality and timing.
Year: 1987Genre: SportsRating: 8.8/10Sales: 2 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPunch-Out!!
4Super Mario Bros. 2 brought vertical gameplay and character selection to the NES with its vegetable-pulling mechanics. Its 1988 release expanded the Mario formula. It holds for creative variety.
Year: 1988Genre: PlatformerRating: 8.3/10Sales: 7 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 2 rankingsSuper Mario Bros. 2
1Blaster Master▼ Falling
Blaster Master combined run-and-gun action with vehicle exploration in a seamless NES experience. Its 1988 release felt ahead of its time. It stands out for genre blending.
Year: 1988Genre: Action-AdventureRating: 8.2/10Sales: 0.5 MDeveloper: Sunsoft
added by IJRBlaster Master
0DuckTales delivered charming platforming with Scrooge's pogo cane across globe-trotting levels on the NES. Its 1989 release captured the cartoon spirit. It stands out for fun traversal.
Year: 1989Genre: PlatformerRating: 8/10Sales: 1 MDeveloper: Capcom
added by IJRin 3 rankingsDuckTales
0Battletoads mixed beat 'em up and vehicle sections with over-the-top humor on the NES. Its 1991 release became known for brutal difficulty. It earns ranking for memorable co-op.
Year: 1991Genre: Beat 'em upRating: 7.6/10Sales: 0.5 MDeveloper: Rare
added by IJRin 2 rankingsBattletoads
0Tetris brought addictive puzzle gameplay that hooked an entire generation on the NES with its endless blocks. Its 1989 release became a pack-in classic. It earns its place for universal appeal.
Year: 1989Genre: PuzzleRating: 9.2/10Sales: 8 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 5 rankingsTetris
-2Kirby's Adventure showcased vibrant colors and creative copy abilities late in the NES lifecycle. Its 1993 release proved the hardware still had surprises. It stands out for charm and polish.
Year: 1993Genre: PlatformerRating: 8.9/10Sales: 1.8 MDeveloper: HAL Laboratory
added by IJRin 2 rankingsKirby's Adventure
-2River City Ransom mixed beat 'em up action with RPG stats and shopping in a unique NES package. Its 1989 release offered deep customization. It ranks for replay and humor.
Year: 1989Genre: Beat 'em upRating: 8/10Sales: 0.3 MDeveloper: Technōs Japan
added by IJRRiver City Ransom
-2Castlevania established gothic platforming with whip combat and haunting stages on the NES. Its 1986 release launched a long-running series. It earns its spot for atmosphere.
Year: 1986Genre: PlatformerRating: 8.1/10Sales: 1.5 MDeveloper: Konami
added by IJRCastlevania
-2Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Zelda II mixed side-scrolling action with RPG elements in a bold departure for the series on the NES. Its 1987 release experimented with leveling. It earns discussion for innovation.
Year: 1987Genre: Action-RPGRating: 7.8/10Sales: 4 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 2 rankingsZelda II: The Adventure of Link
-4Tecmo Bowl brought arcade-style football with big plays and roster management to the NES. Its 1989 release became a multiplayer staple. It ranks for sports fun.
Year: 1989Genre: SportsRating: 8.3/10Sales: 1 MDeveloper: Tecmo
added by IJRTecmo Bowl
-6Excitebike▼ Falling
Excitebike offered track-building and racing thrills that showed NES versatility early on. Its 1985 release highlighted Nintendo's first-party creativity. It earns mention for editor mode.
Year: 1985Genre: RacingRating: 7.9/10Sales: 2 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRExcitebike
-7Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! featured the champion as final boss in an iconic boxing challenge on the NES. Its 1987 release boosted sales dramatically. It ranks for star power and tension.
Year: 1987Genre: SportsRating: 8.9/10Sales: 3 MDeveloper: Nintendo
added by IJRin 2 rankings
-7Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game▼ Falling
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II brought faithful arcade beat 'em up action to the NES with pizza power-ups. Its 1990 release captured the cartoon craze. It earns spot for co-op joy.
Year: 1990Genre: Beat 'em upRating: 7.8/10Sales: 1.5 MDeveloper: Konami
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