The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) remains a pillar of video game history, igniting the passion of millions worldwide and laying the foundations for the modern gaming industry. With its iconic library of games, the NES continues to captivate gamers with its timeless classics and enduring legacy. Join us as we dive into the top 100 NES games that shaped generations of gamers and continue to inspire nostalgia today.
100 Ice Climber: Climb icy peaks and smash boulders in this platform game featuring the dynamic duo Popo and Nana.
99. The Guardian Legend: Explore an alien world as a Guardian, switching between shooting and adventure phases to save the Earth from destruction.
98. Shadow of the Ninja: Take on the role of ninjas Hayate and Kaede as they infiltrate enemy territory to thwart the evil Emperor Garuda's plans for domination.
97. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers: Team up with Chip and Dale to rescue Gadget from the clutches of the evil Fat Cat in this charming platform game.
96. Rygar: Wield the legendary Diskarmor as Rygar, battling through a mythical world to defeat the evil being known as Ligar.
95. The Goonies II: Navigate maze-like levels, solving puzzles and rescuing fellow Goonies, including Mikey's friend Annie, from the clutches of the Fratellis to ultimately save the day.
94. A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia: Players guide a boy and his shape-shifting blob companion through puzzles and platform challenges to save Blobolonia from an evil emperor.
93. Cobra Triangle: Pilot a powerful speedboat armed to the teeth through treacherous waters, confronting deadly obstacles and enemy ships in a frantic bid for survival.
92. Double Dragon II: The Revenge: Take to the streets as Billy and Jimmy Lee, seeking to avenge Marian's death, in this beloved beat 'em up with improved gameplay mechanics and intense action.
91. Adventure Island II: Join Master Higgins on a quest to rescue Princess Leilani from the clutches of the evil Doctor Witch in this tropical platformer featuring dinosaurs and skateboarding.
90. Star Wars: Experience the epic saga of the original Star Wars trilogy in this thrilling action game, piloting X-wing fighters and battling Imperial forces to defeat the evil Empire.
89. Marble Madness: Guide a marble through obstacle-filled courses in this challenging arcade classic, avoiding hazards and racing against the clock to reach the goal.
88. Journey to Silius: Take on the role of Jay McCray as he seeks revenge on the terrorists who killed his father in this action platformer known for its tight controls and futuristic setting.
87. Maniac Mansion: Explore a spooky mansion filled with puzzles and eccentric characters as you attempt to rescue your friend from the clutches of a mad scientist.
86. Wizards & Warriors: Embark on a quest as the brave knight Kuros, battling monsters and collecting magic items to rescue the kidnapped princess from the evil sorcerer Malkil.
85. Shadowgate: Explore a haunted castle filled with traps and puzzles in this classic point-and-click adventure game, testing your cunning as you uncover the secrets of the ancient fortress.
84. Legendary Wings: soar through mystical realms as a winged warrior, battling hordes of enemies and powerful bosses to save the world from an ancient evil.
83. Ghosts 'n Goblins: Guide the valiant knight Arthur through haunted graveyards and treacherous dungeons in this notoriously difficult platformer, battling demons and undead creatures in a quest to save Princess Prin-Prin.
82. Ikari Warriors: Take control of commandos Ralf and Clark as they traverse enemy territory, mowing down enemies with heavy firepower and blasting their way to victory.
81. Qix: An arcade-style puzzle game where players draw lines to claim territory while avoiding enemies, offering addictive and challenging gameplay.
80. Little Samson: Control four unique characters with different abilities as they embark on a quest to save the kingdom from the clutches of the evil Ta-Keed in this hidden gem from the NES library.
79. Adventures of Lolo 3: A charming puzzle game where players guide the eponymous character, Lolo, through a series of increasingly difficult levels to rescue Princess Lala.
78. StarTropics II: Zoda's Revenge: Return to the tropical islands as Mike Jones, fighting aliens and traveling through time to stop the evil Zoda from exacting his revenge.
77. Bubble Bobble Part 2: Join Bub and Bob in this sequel to the arcade classic, with new levels, enemies and power-ups to make your way through bubbles.
76. Lode Runner: Navigate through labyrinthine levels, dodging enemies and collecting treasures while strategically digging holes to trap pursuers in this timeless platform and puzzle game.
75. Battletoads & Double Dragon: Join forces with Battletoads and Double Dragons in this crossover beat 'em up, battling the evil Black Queen and Shadow Warriors to save the universe.
74. The Guardian Legend: Explore the mysterious spaceship Naju as a Guardian, battling alien creatures and uncovering the secrets of ancient civilization to save Earth from destruction.
73. Duck Hunt: Grab your trusty Zapper and take aim at ducks in this classic light gun shooter included with the NES, testing your accuracy and reflexes in a series of challenging rounds.
72. Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II: Embark on a heroic quest as the mighty Knight Kuros, wielding powerful spells and weapons to defeat evil creatures and conquer perilous dungeons in this action-adventure sequel.
71. Double Dragon: Make your way through the streets of New York as Billy and Jimmy Lee, battling gangs and rescuing Marian from the clutches of the Black Warriors.
70. Gargoyle's Quest II: Embark on a journey as Firebrand, a gargoyle hero, through perilous realms, battling monsters and uncovering secrets to save the Kingdom of the Ghouls from an ancient evil.
69. Little Nemo Dream Master: Enter the whimsical world of Slumberland as Nemo, using candy to tame creatures and navigate levels in this charming platform game.
68. Stinger: A thrilling action game where players pilot a spaceship through various levels, battling enemies and bosses to save the galaxy from an alien invasion.
67. Rush'n Attack: Infiltrate enemy territory as a lone commando, armed with a knife and deadly martial arts skills, to thwart a nuclear threat and rescue hostages in this intense side-scrolling action game.
66. Zombie Nation: Take control of a disembodied samurai head with mystical powers, unleashing destruction on a zombie-invaded post-apocalyptic America in this unique, action-packed shooter.
65. Double Dragon III: An action-packed fighting game where players control martial artists Billy and Jimmy Lee as they embark on a mission around the world to recover sacred artifacts and defeat a powerful crime syndicate.
64. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Join Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in this action game based on the famous animated series, battling the Foot Clan and their leader, Shredder.
63. Tecmo World Wrestling: A classic wrestling game featuring a variety of wrestlers, each with unique moves and abilities, competing in intense matches to become ring champion.
62. DuckTales 2: Return to the world of Duckburg as Balthazar Scrooge, embarking on another treasure-hunting adventure through exotic locales in this sequel to the classic platform game.
61. Spy Hunter: Take on the role of a secret agent driving a high-tech vehicle, equipped with an array of weapons and gadgets, to thwart enemy agents and complete dangerous missions in this classic, action-packed driving game.
60. Tecmo Super Bowl: Experience the excitement of NFL soccer in this enhanced version of Tecmo Bowl, with updated rosters, advanced game strategies and improved game mechanics.
59. Power Blade: Guide Nova, a cyborg armed with a boomerang weapon, through alien-infested levels to thwart a renegade supercomputer's plot for world domination.
58. Rad Racer: A frantic racing game where players compete in high-speed races on a variety of tracks, striving to master tight turns and win against computer-controlled opponents.
57. Dr. Mario: Join Dr. Mario in his quest to eliminate troublesome viruses by matching colorful capsules in this addictive puzzle game that will test your strategy and speed.
56. Astyanax: Classic side-scrolling action game on NES where players control a young hero battling monsters to save a princess and the kingdom of Remlia.
55. Tetris (Tengen): An unauthorized version of the classic puzzle game “Tetris”, with similar game mechanics but unique visuals and music.
54. Vice: Project Doom: A thrilling action game combining platforming, driving and shooting elements, where players take on the role of Detective Quinn Hart, battling a sinister organization to save the world from a deadly alien invasion.
53. Metal Storm: Pilot the Mech Gunner M-308 in this side-scrolling shooter, using its unique gravity-reversing ability to navigate levels and defeat enemies.
52. Fester's Quest: An action adventure game where players control Uncle Fester of the Addams Family, traversing dangerous environments filled with monsters and aliens to save his family and the world from impending doom.
51. Mickey Mousecapade: Join Mickey Mouse and his friend Minnie on a whimsical journey through enchanted lands, battling enemies and collecting items to save Minnie's lost bird in this charming platform adventure.
50 Klax: A challenging puzzle game where players must catch and organize falling tiles to create rows, columns or diagonals of the same color, aiming for high scores and clearing increasingly difficult levels.
49. Dragon Warrior V: classic RPG where players battle monsters and embark on a quest to defeat the Dragonlord and rescue Princess Gwaelin in a fantasy world.
48. Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: An intense action game published in 1991. The game follows Ryu Hayabusa on his quest to stop a worldwide conspiracy, involving deadly enemies and challenging levels. With enhanced graphics and a captivating soundtrack, it offers an exciting challenge with fast-paced combat and demanding platform sequences.
47. Life Force: Pilot the Vic Viper through hordes of alien enemies in this side-scrolling shooter, known for its intense action and memorable soundtrack.
46. Faxanadu: Cross the World Tree and defeat the evil Dwarves to restore peace to the land of Faxanadu in this action-RPG.
45. Crystalis: Wake up in a post-apocalyptic world and embark on a quest to master the power of four elemental swords and defeat the sinister Draygon in this action-RPG from SNK.
44. StarTropics: Set sail on a tropical adventure as Mike Jones, exploring islands and solving puzzles to save your archaeologist uncle from aliens.
43. Jackal: Command a jeep through enemy territory, rescuing POWs and destroying enemy bases in this top-down shooter.
42. Gradius: Classic side-scrolling shoot'em up where players pilot the spaceship Vic Viper, facing waves of enemies and boss battles while collecting upgrades to increase their ship's capabilities.
41. Super C: Team up with a friend as Bill and Lance in this thrilling sequel to Contra, battling your way through hordes of enemies and fearsome bosses to save the world from alien invaders.
40. Batman: The Video Game: Play as the Dark Knight, battling Gotham's most notorious villains through side-scrolling levels filled with thrilling combat and challenging platforming in this iconic superhero adventure.
39. Snake Rattle 'n' Roll: Control snakes Rattle and Roll as they navigate through obstacle-filled levels, devouring Nibbley-Pibbleys to gain length and access to new areas.
38. Battletoads: Join Zitz, Rash and Pimple as they battle through hordes of enemies in this notoriously difficult beat 'em up.
37. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos: Continue the adventures of Ryu Hayabusa as he battles demons and seeks revenge for the murder of his father in this demanding sequel.
36. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game: Join Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in this arcade-style beat 'em up, fighting through levels inspired by the hit animated series.
35. Baseball Stars: Step on the diamond and manage your own baseball team, customizing players and competing in thrilling matches to climb the ranks and become champions in this beloved sports simulation game.
34. Mega Man 4: Join the Blue Bomber in his quest to defeat the treacherous Dr. Cossack and his army of robots, using their own weapons against them to save the world once again.
33. Adventure Island: Race against time as Master Higgins, navigating treacherous landscapes and defeating enemies to save Princess Tina from the evil Doctor Witch.
32. Mega Man: Take on the role of the Blue Bomber as you make your way through six robot-infested levels, defeating Dr. Wily's evil creations and restoring world peace.
31. Micro Machines: Race miniature vehicles through everyday environments, such as kitchen tables and garden tracks, competing against friends or AI-controlled opponents in this fast-paced, chaotic racing game.
30. Bubble Bobble: Take control of Bub and Bob as they make their way through 100 levels of colorful fun, saving their girlfriends and defeating the evil Super Drunk.
29. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest: Embark on a non-linear adventure as Simon Belmont, roaming Transylvania in search of Dracula's body parts to defeat the vampire lord once and for all.
28. Mega Man 6: Join the Blue Bomber in his quest to defeat the sinister Mr. X and his Robot Masters in the latest installment of the NES Mega Man series.
27. Kirby's Adventure: In his first NES title, Kirby embarks on a quest to restore the Star Wand and save Dream Land from the clutches of the evil Nightmare.
26. Metal Gear: Infiltrate enemy territory as Solid Snake, a special forces operative tasked with rescuing hostages and preventing a weapon of mass destruction from being deployed in this pioneering infiltration game.
25. Kid Icarus: Play as Pit, an angel armed with bow and arrow, as he makes his way through perilous levels, battling monsters and bosses to save the goddess Palutena and the celestial kingdom from the army of darkness.
24. Blades of Steel: Make your way across the ice and take part in fast-paced field hockey action, dealing devastating checks and shooting slapshots to outmaneuver your opponents in this thrilling sports game.
23. Bionic Commando: Enter the action as Rad Spencer, armed with a bionic arm, on a mission to rescue Super Joe and thwart the plans of the Evil Empire.
22. Ice Hockey: Take to the ice and lead your team to victory in fast-paced, arcade-style field hockey action, choosing the sizes of your players to balance speed and strength in this classic sports game.
21. Mega Man 3: Join Mega Man on his quest to stop the evil Dr. Wily and his eight Robot Masters, using their own weapons against them to save the world from destruction.
20. River City Ransom: Make your way through the dangerous streets of River City as Alex and Ryan, battling gangs and bosses to save Ryan's girlfriend and restore peace to the city.
19. The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link: Explore the vast kingdom of Hyrule in this side-scrolling sequel to the original The Legend of Zelda, battling enemies and uncovering secrets in a quest to awaken Princess Zelda from a magical slumber.
18. Castlevania: Assume the role of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter on a mission to defeat Count Dracula and rid the land of his evil influence in this classic action-platformer.
17. Ninja Gaiden: Put on the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja seeking revenge for the death of his father, in this action-packed platformer known for its challenging gameplay and cinematic cutscenes.
16. Mega Man 5: Take on the sinister Proto Man and his army of robots as Mega Man, using their own weapons against them to save the world from destruction.
15. Excitebike: Speed through challenging motocross tracks, jumping obstacles while avoiding overheating your bike, in this adrenaline-filled classic from Nintendo.
14. Tetris: Arrange falling blocks in complete rows to clear the playing field and prevent it from reaching the top, testing your spatial skills and reflexes in this timeless and addictive puzzle game.
13. Super Mario Bros. 2: Journey through the dream world of Subcon as Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Toadstool, battling enemies and collecting vegetables to defeat the evil Wart.
12. R.C. Pro-Am: Race against AI-controlled opponents in this top-view racing game, collecting power-ups and navigating dangerous tracks to claim victory in the ultimate RC car championship.
11. Dragon Warrior: Embark on an epic quest to defeat the Dragon Lord and save Princess Gwaelin in this iconic RPG from Enix.
10. Final Fantasy: Embark on an epic quest with a group of heroes to restore light to the elemental crystals and save the world from darkness in this classic RPG adventure.
9. DuckTales: Take control of Scrooge as he embarks on a round-the-world adventure to amass wealth and thwart the plans of his rivals.
8. Contra: Join commandos Bill and Lance in a fierce battle against alien forces, fighting your way through hordes of enemies and fearsome bosses in this legendary action game.
7. Metroid: Embark on an intergalactic adventure as bounty hunter Samus Aran, exploring labyrinthine caverns, battling alien creatures and uncovering secrets to stop the spread of parasitic Metroids in this iconic sci-fi platformer.
6. Punch-Out! Put on the gloves as Little Mac and take on a colorful gallery of opponents, including the infamous Mike Tyson, in this boxing classic.
5. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse: Join Trevor Belmont and his allies as they battle the forces of darkness and confront Dracula in this classic episode of the Castlevania series.
4. Mega Man 2: Join the Blue Bomber in his quest to defeat Dr. Wily and his eight Robot Masters, using their own weapons against them to save the world from destruction.
3. Super Mario Bros: Join Mario on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the clutches of the evil Bowser in this groundbreaking platform game that revolutionized the gaming industry and remains a timeless classic to this day.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Embark on a quest to save Princess Zelda and defeat the evil Ganon in Nintendo's groundbreaking action-adventure game, known for its open world and non-linear gameplay.
1. Super Mario Bros. 3: Join Mario and Luigi on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the clutches of Bowser in this classic platformer, known for its colorful worlds and inventive power-ups.
The NES era holds a special place in the hearts of gamers, with its library of iconic titles that have stood the test of time. From unforgettable classics like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda to hidden gems like Crystalis and Little Samson, the NES continues to inspire and entertain gamers of all ages. As we celebrate the legacy of the NES, let's remember the countless hours of joy we've shared with you over the years.
