Top 13 NES Games

[Kugyince]

Video gaming is now a nearly $20 billion industry in the United States each year, but that would have been unimaginable when the Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES) was released in 1985. Following the collapse of the American gaming industry in 1983, this Japanese import became a vital cultural phenomenon for a generation of youth and made the name of its maker synonymous with the very idea of video games in America. Without the NES, the video game industry - once again dominated by Nintendo - wouldn't be nearly as large as it is today. Between Nintendo's in-house game development and third-party licensing, over 700 games were released for the system; here are the Top 13 NES Games.


1. SMB3
2. Punch-Out!!
3. Zelda
4. Tecmo Bowl
5. Contra
6. Metroid
7. Final Fantasy
8. Double Dragon
9. Double Dribble
10. Mega Man 2
11. Duck Tales
12. Excitebike
13. Bionic Commando


Full article here:
The Top 13 Nintendo (NES) Games | The Top 13 | www.thetop13.com (http://thetop13.com/nintendo-nes-games-L98/)

[Tails]

I would say DD2 > Double Dragon

[Dudebro]

11. Duck Tales
Really? I didn't think the show or the game was that popular.

[TrakMastaTom]

...

...

Contra sucks.

<.<.
.>.>

...

[Seahawk]

Contra sucks.

It's overrated and short, but it's even better than the AC version, which is saying something considering it's on NES =P.

The only thing that is constant on "Top X NES games" lists is that Mario 3 will always be #1. Every other spot is personal preference.

[Kong]

I loved the Duck Tails cartoon. I rushed home every day so I could dance to the theme song.

[Dudebro]

I loved the Duck Tails cartoon. I rushed home every day so I could dance to the theme song.
Same minus the dancing part. Man, you are a weirdo huh? ;)

[ZedIsDead]

I don't really understand the Double Dribble pick. That game was merely okay.

[sabby]

I loved the Duck Tails cartoon. I rushed home every day so I could dance to the theme song.

I watched this too, minus the dancing.

I don't really understand the Double Dribble pick. That game was merely okay.

Yeah, but just about everyone had it, at least that I knew.


The only thing that is constant on "Top X NES games" lists is that Mario 3 will always be #1. Every other spot is personal preference.

That's usually how it goes.

[Tails]

When I think of Double Dribble, I think of Double Bubble bubblegum.

I never owned that, but when I played it I thought it was boring.

[LunaAngelRose]

Contra is one of my all time favorites when it comes to NES games and Mega Man 2 I could play those over and over.

[Slime Slayer]

I don't find contra over-rated at all, I'm not sure I'd put it in my top 13, but it's not over-rated.

[Wolf]

I never played bionic commando for nes. Is it good

[Tails]

Well, it's online here, so go play it. ;D

[Slime Slayer]

I never played bionic commando for nes. Is it good

I loved when I was a kid, the gameboy color version is good too.

[Wolf]

I always played the arcade version.

[Kugyince]

I could make a much better list.

[samejamesbond]

Contra deserves at least a 3

[Kugyince]

Contra wouldn't make the top 15.

[Slime Slayer]

Im gonna rush out a list:, dont engrave it on my tombstone. (limit one game per series)

1. dragon quest 4
2. river city ransom
3. zelda 2
4. super mario bros. 2
5. destiny of an emperor
6. 1945k 3
7. kirby's adventure
8. final fantasy
9. punch-out
10. battle of olympus
11. metroid
12. crystalis
13. little samson
14. maniac mansion
15. clash at demonhead

This list does not include famicom, and i just typed them as they came to me, if I spent the time these would all most likely be in my top 30.

[Kugyince]

1945k 3?

Alright, we need to get the 10 biggest NES nerds on this site to make a proper list, make it top 100.

[Slime Slayer]

Count me in. This will be interesting.

[Seahawk]

I want in too =). You can't have a list without Gimmick and the JP version of Castlevania 3!

[Kugyince]

A few things of note for further entrents. When I say NES nerds I'm being literal. If you haven't played at least 400 NES games (roms count) then don't bother.

[Slime Slayer]

So are we including the fami or no?
Are we going to disregard personal nostalgia for this and be resonable?
Is r.u. being difficult for everyone or just me?

[Seahawk]

400 games? Lol count me out then, I'd be surprised if I've played 200.

[Kugyince]

RU is being a pain. I've created a private group. You two have been sent invites. We'll bang out what kind of limits we want to set in their and release it when it's done.

[Kong]

Server was having issues for the past hour or two. Should be fixed now. Web host wouldn't tell me what the problem was, just that it was on their end and they fixed it.

For the top 100 list I think the judging criteria should be "Standing the Test of Time". Is it still fun today even without the nostalgia of it being your favorite game 20 years ago or being the first of it's kind or selling the most copies or anything else similar. Just is it fun. I also think it should include famicom.

Here are some that would make my top 100 list. Alphabetical order. Some of them (such as: American Gladiators, Duck, Mermaids of Atlantis, Robot Gyro ) are questionable and would probably not be on most people's list.

Adventure Island
Adventures of Dino Riki
Adventures of Lolo
American Gladiators
Balloon Fight
Battletoads
Binary Land
Blaster Master
Boy and his blob
Bubble Bobble
City Connection
Darkwing Duck
Deblock
Dizzy The Adventurer
Duck
Earthbound Zero
Felix the Cat
Fire N Ice
Fire Embelm Gaiden
Ice Climber
Ice Ice Hockey Challenge
Immortal
Klax
Lode Runner
Mermaids of Atlantis
Micro Machines
Moai Kun
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Kun
North and South
Nuts and Milk
Palamedes
Poyan
R.C. Pro AM
Rampart
Riki Kunio
River City Ransom
Robot Gyro
Rygar
Shinobi
Solomon's Key
Star Trek 25th Anniversary
Super Dodge Ball
Tetris
Thunder & Lightning
Tom and Jerry
Venus Wars Back to the City IO

[LunaAngelRose]

Adventure Island
Adventures of Dino Riki
Adventures of Lolo
American Gladiators
Balloon Fight
Battletoads
Binary Land
Blaster Master
Boy and his blob
Bubble Bobble
City Connection
Darkwing Duck
Deblock
Dizzy The Adventurer
Duck
Earthbound Zero
Felix the Cat
Fire N Ice
Fire Embelm Gaiden
Ice Climber
Ice Ice Hockey Challenge
Immortal
Klax
Lode Runner
Mermaids of Atlantis
Micro Machines
Moai Kun
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Kun
North and South
Nuts and Milk
Palamedes
Poyan
R.C. Pro AM
Rampart
Riki Kunio
River City Ransom
Robot Gyro
Rygar
Shinobi
Solomon's Key
Star Trek 25th Anniversary
Super Dodge Ball
Tetris
Thunder & Lightning
Tom and Jerry
Venus Wars Back to the City IO

I agree with you on the list that you made you mentioned some of my favorites like Rygar,Shinobi,Adventures Of Lolo and Battletoads.:clap:

[sabby]

For the top 100 list I think the judging criteria should be "Standing the Test of Time". Is it still fun today even without the nostalgia of it being your favorite game 20 years ago or being the first of it's kind or selling the most copies or anything else similar. Just is it fun. I also think it should include famicom.


But what is fun to some isn't fun to others. I like sports games and think they are real fun, but many are not in the same boat.

[DrunkN]

JP version of Castlevania 3!
What's the difference?

[samejamesbond]

Nothing aside from an added soundchip to improve the soundtrack.

English:
YouTube - Castlevania III - Dracula's Curse (NES) - Stage 1

Japanese:
YouTube - Block 1: Akumajou Densetsu (Castlevania 3) Music

[DrunkN]

Nothing aside from an added soundchip to improve the soundtrack.

English:
YouTube - Castlevania III - Dracula's Curse (NES) - Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlHL1vncvaQ&feature=related)

Japanese:
YouTube - Block 1: Akumajou Densetsu (Castlevania 3) Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC4fYdrfS64)
The second sounds too echo-ey for my taste.

[Winnebagel]

I'm forgetting some that I'm sure I will regret not adding later, but here are my 13 off hand (really in no particular order).


1. Battletoads
2. Punch-Out!!
3. Zelda II: Adventure of Link (LOZ pales in comparison IMHO)
4. Metroid
5. Duck Tales
6. Double Dragon II
7. Ninja Gaiden
8. Rush 'n' Attack
9. Guardian Legend
10. Shatterhand
11. Excitebike
12. Star Trek 25th Anniversary
13. Donkey Kong


@ DB, Duck Tales was huge! For a long period it was one of the highest rated cartoons on television, and ran for a long time. They even made a theatrical movie (Treasure of the Lost Lamp), and several TV movies. It's also still one of my favorite cartoons of all time.

@ Kong, do the Duck Tale! :dance:

[samejamesbond]

My personal 13:

1. The Legend of Zelda
2. Super Mario Bros. 3
3. Contra
4. Tetris
5. Mega Man 2
6. Double Dragon
7. Castlevania III
8. Final Fantasy III
9. Ninja Gaiden
10. Dr. Mario
11. Zelda II
12. Kid Icarus
13. 1943

[DrunkN]

Tetris is great, but I don't know if it's Top NES material. It's probably high on the most addicting NES games.

[LunaAngelRose]

14. Tetris

Differently agree with you James 1+ for your awesome choice in games including Tetris.

[Dudebro]

@ DB, Duck Tales was huge! For a long period it was one of the highest rated cartoons on television, and ran for a long time. They even made a theatrical movie (Treasure of the Lost Lamp), and several TV movies. It's also still one of my favorite cartoons of all time.
Uh yeah, I know all that. I'm just surprised the game is regarded so highly, this is the first I'm hearing of it. I liked the game but I didn't think it was anything special.

[Slime Slayer]

Uh yeah, I know all that. I'm just surprised the game is regarded so highly, this is the first I'm hearing of it. I liked the game but I didn't think it was anything special.
solid game start to finish, great graphics, fun gameplay, decent title, not top 13 though. in the top 100 for sure.

[Kugyince]

I'm just surprised the game is regarded so highly, this is the first I'm hearing of it.

That's surprising. While I disagree with the decision, Duck Tales is nearly always including in these NES lists.

[Dudebro]

I guess I must've forgot about seeing it mentioned then. I've always liked the game but like I said it didn't seem to stand out.

[jim5cents]

I never played bionic commando for nes. Is it good

yes....you get to make hitler's head explode...awesome!!!!!


as far as the list goes...there are some games i would like to add to the all time list, but i do have a problem with debating any of the games that do appear on that list. i do believe that they are legit contenders to belong on that "top 13" list.

[LunaAngelRose]

Here's my list of my top 13 favorite 13 NES video games to take a look at. :-[
1.Logan's Alley
2.Duck Hunt
3. Super Mario Bros.
4. Burgertime
5 Dig Dug
6.Pac Man
7. Tetris
8.Defender ll
9.Devil World
10. Donkey Kong
11.Excitebike
12.Fantasy Zone
13.Galaga

[Kugyince]

Damn Logan and his God-forsaken alley!

[samejamesbond]

Logan's ally was like the first FPS.
It rocked hard.

[LunaAngelRose]

Logan's ally was like the first FPS.
It rocked hard.

Especially when you used the NES zapper for Logan's Alley I was always a dead shot with that game and Duck Hunt hated the dog laughing at me for missing as few ducks he was rather annoying to listen over and over again.

[samejamesbond]

That dog was annoying.
I was like he was made to screw with your mind.

[Slime Slayer]

Ya know what show used to be awsome? Logans Heroes. Man that show was good.

[Kugyince]

Remember Hulk Logan the wrestler? What ever happened to him?

[Kong]

Logan's Run was alright.

[Winnebagel]

Ya know what show used to be awsome? Logans Heroes. Man that show was good.

That's also one of my favorite sandwich places Logan's Heroes. I love their Lero sandwich.

Another favorite of mine if Paul Logan who played that Crocodile Dundee guy.

@ Kong, Logan's Run was a classic. Several memorable lines from that including, "Sanctuary!" which I still run around saying all the time.

[Kugyince]

Anyone catch that tennis match with Stefan Hogan yesterday?

[Tails]

You guys are giving me a headache. X_X

[LunaAngelRose]

That dog was annoying. I was like he was made to screw with your mind.

Yea quite they came out with a hack you could shoot the Duck Hunt dog from that video game was awesome.I know that Duck Hunt at one of the level's there is a kill screen am not sure I never got that far up.

[Slime Slayer]

What was wolverines real name? I cant think of it for the life of me...

[Winnebagel]

What was wolverines real name? I cant think of it for the life of me...

Wasn't it Hogan? Actually it was James Howlett wasn't it?

Also, I used to enjoy that old TV show the Logan Family. Funny stuff.

[jim5cents]

Interesting fact, a "Logan" is the traditional home built by the Navajo people.

[AVGNJr1985]

I love Castlevania III.

[CrispyChicken]

Legend of Zelda is my favorite of the NES games. I mean...just so epic lol

[samejamesbond]

Personally, I think Contra was the best.

[Tails]

My 13:

1. Double Dragon 2
2. TMNT 3: The Manhattan Project
3. Megaman 2
4. Kirby's Adventure
5. Yoshi's Cookie
6. Darkwing Duck
7. Super Mario Bros. 3
8. Legend of Zelda
9. Contra
10. Back to the Future
11. Dr. Mario
12. Battletoads
13. RC Pro-AM Racing

[joz]

Megaman 2

[njohnson11]

Either Earthbound or Earthbound Zero (Mother)

[bearhawk72]

The Guardian Legend

[wollybob]

I voted mario 3 but am very surprised that double dragon hasnt had a single vote.

[thetedster]

My Vote was for Other, and was for the unforgettable and very little-hyped game of Startropics... Probably one of the biggest contributors of the NES Name in my mind ever to Use ALL of the aspects of the NES, even the User Manual to keep going!

And this was back before the internet!

[rocket man]

mega man 2

[CatalystiCam]

Bucky 'o' hare

[Vurpa]

Missing GunSmoke, Gradius and/or Salamander for sure (and that's just a quick glance). Also Mappy is a favorite but don't know if it even came to EU/US?

[Incubator]

I think i played most of the nes/famicom games, some more, some less, and i think some nostalgia is involved as well in my list, but for me these are the best nes games, however i didn't take the time to write this list, just wrote it down here in this post, so it's very much possible that i've forgotten a few...
Batman (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/349/)
Battletoads (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/398/)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/7649/)
Bucky O'Hare (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/622/)
Castlevania (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/708/)
Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/7594/)
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/786/)
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/787/)
Conquest of the Crystal Palace (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/862/)
Darkwing Duck (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/971/)
Double Dragon (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1100/)
Double Dragon 2: The Revenge (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1107/)
Gun Nac (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1639/)
Kunio Kun no Nekketsu Soccer League (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/8962/)
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10898/)
Little Samson (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2194/)
Mega Man 2 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2369/)
Mighty Final Fight (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2457/)
Nekketsu Kakutou Densetsu (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10827/)
Ninja Gaiden (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2723/)
Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2728/)
Ninja Gaiden 3: The Ancient Ship Of Doom (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10726/)
RC Pro Am 2 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/3205/)
River City Ransom (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/3311/)
Summer Carnival '92 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/3908/)
Super C (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/3952/)
Super Mario Bros 3 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/4000/)
Super Spy Hunter (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/4071/)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/4201/)

And a few worth mentioning:
Mission Impossible (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2492/)
KickMaster (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2011/)
Zen: Intergalactic Ninja (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/4770/)
Trolls in Crazyland (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10844/)
RoboCop 2 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10786/)
POW: Prisoners of War (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2824/)
Panic Restaurant (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/2871/)
Kaiketsu Yancha Maru 3: Taiketsu! Zouringen (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1984/)
Jurassic Park (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10714/)
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1853/)
Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak! (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1409/)
Duck Tales 2 (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/1176/)
Adventures of Bayou Billy (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/10807/)
Disney's Adventures in the Magic Kingdom (http://www.retrouprising.com/game-menu/game/75/)

[lastexposfan]

You forgot Gyruss.

[Incubator]

You forgot Gyruss.
that's one of those games that i haven't played much, so i'm not sure how good it is...

[lastexposfan]

Very different from the coin-op version but a great NES game nonetheless.