Nintendo's All-Time Greats: Our Comprehensive Guide to the Best NES Games
A comprehensive video guide to the best games of the NES, from 1985 to 1994, with helpful advice on where to find these classic masterpieces legally!
This article first appeared on USgamer, a partner publication of VG247. Some content, such as this article, has been migrated to VG247 for posterity after USgamer's closure - but it has not been edited or further vetted by the VG247 team.
We've been looking back at the best games of the NES's lifetime, breaking it down in groups of two years at a time so it doesn't end up being the same Top 20 list of the same games every publication praises.
At long last, our video series wraps up with the the final years of the NES's life: 1992-94. With the Super NES available worldwide and the 16-bit wars underway, great NES releases slowed down considerably in those last few years... but the best creations for the system were as good as anything you could play on the more advanced competition.
Relive the rose-tinted pinnacle of the NES's life with our video looks back at these classics, and read on for info on how to most easily and cheaply (and, ahem, legally) play them today. Because frankly, you're probably going to want to go play them all.
The Best NES Games of 1992-94
Bucky O'Hare
Konami | Jan. 1992
Where to find it: Only available via the original NES cartridge.
Dragon Warrior III
Chun Soft/Enix | March 1992
Where to find it: While the NES version has never been reissued in the U.S., you can find the Game Boy Color remake for a decent price or grab it on iOS.
Gargoyle's Quest II
Capcom | Oct. 1992
Where to find it: Rejoice! It's available now on Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console.
Dragon Warrior IV
Oct. 1992
Where to find it: Only available via the original NES cartridge, though you can pick up remakes on Nintendo DS and iOS (as Dragon Quest IV).
Little Samson
Takeru/Taito | Nov. 1992
Where to find it: Sadly, it's only available as a shockingly expensive NES cart (we're talking $500 or more). Those who wish to brave Japanese auction sites might be able to find a copy of the Famicom version (Seirei Densetsu Lickle) for closer to the $100 range.
Bomberman II
Hudson | Feb. 1993
Where to find it: Surprisingly, the NES version of Bomberman has never been rereleased.
Fire 'n Ice
Tecmo | March 1993
Where to find it: Only available via the original NES cartridge.
Kirby's Adventure
HAL/Nintendo | May 1993
Where to find it: It's on Virtual Console (take your pick) and on Kirby Dream Collection for Wii. An enhanced 3D remake is available as part of Arika's 3D Classics series for 3DS.
Mighty Final Fight
Capcom | July 1993
Where to find it: Capcom has reissued Mighty Final Fight on Virtual Console for Wii U and 3DS, and a slightly squashed version can be found on Capcom Classics Collection for Game Boy Advance.
Mega Man 6
Capcom | March 1994
Where to find it: You can pick up Mega Man 6 on Virtual Console for both Wii U and 3DS, and it's also available in the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for PlayStation, Xbox, and GameCube.
Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
Nintendo | March 1994
Where to find it: While it hasn't shown up on Virtual Console for 3DS or natively on Wii U, StarTropics II can still be downloaded on Wii's Virtual Console.
The Best NES Games of 1991
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
Kid/Taxan | Jan. 1991
Where to find it: You'll need to find the original cartridge, as this game has never been reissued.
Metal Storm
Tamtex/Irem | Feb. 1991
Where to find it: Again, original cart only.
Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
Hudson | Feb. 1991
Where to find it: Rejoice! This cult favorite is available on Virtual Console for Wii and Wii U.
Kiwi Kraze
Taito, March 1991
Where to find it: While the NES version of this game has never been compiled, you can find the original arcade classic (The NewZealand Story) on Taito Legends for PS2, Xbox, PSP, and PC. A DS remake (New Zealand Story DS) is also available for pocket change.
Battletoads
Rare/Tradewest, June 1991
Where to find it: Surprisingly, this hyped-up classic has never been reissued. But it's always fun to call GameStop and ask to preorder it.
Tombs & Treasures
Rare/Tradewest, June 1991
Where to find it: Like many NES releases of this era, Tombs & Treasures can only be played in its original incarnation.
Adventures of Lolo 3
HAL, Sept. 1991
Where to find it: Bizarrely, this Lolo remains the only entry not to have hit Virtual Console. It's available on the original cart only.
Gun-Nac
Compile/ASCII, Sept. 1991
Where to find it: Original cart only.
NES Open Tournament Golf
Nintendo, Sept. 1991
Where to find it: Nintendo has reissued this classic on Virtual Console for Wii, Wii U, and 3DS. Hat trick!
Rockin' Kats
Atlus, Sept. 1991
Where to find it: Only on the original cart.
Uncharted Waters
Koei, Nov. 1991
Where to find it: Original cart only, though the excellent Super NES sequel has appeared on Wii and Wii U Virtual Console.
Batman: Return of the Joker
Sunsoft, Dec. 1991
Where to find it: Original cart only.
Tecmo Super Bowl
Tecmo, Dec. 1991
Where to find it: Unlike the original Tecmo Bowl, this entry is not available on Virtual Console. But in addition to the NES release, a visually superior version also appeared on Sega Genesis and costs practically nothing on eBay.
The Best NES Games of 1990
Clash at Demonhead
Vic Tokai | Jan. 1990
Where to find it: Unfortunately, this game has never been reissued; you can only play it legally with the original cartridge
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
Technos/Acclaim | Jan. 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
River City Ransom
Technos | Jan. 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS), River City Ransom EX remake (GBA)
Batman
Sunsoft | Feb. 1990
Where to find it: Original cartridge only
Super Mario Bros. 3
Nintendo | Feb. 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), Super Mario All-Stars (Super NES, Wii)
Code Name: Viper
Capcom | March 1990
Where to find it: Original cartridge only
Final Fantasy
Squaresoft | May 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (Wii), various remakes (PSP, Game Boy Advance, iOS)
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
Tecmo | May 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
Crystalis
SNK | July 1990
Where to find it: The original cart or the Game Boy Color remake
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Konami | Sept. 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
Maniac Mansion
LucasArts/Jaleco | Sept. 1990
Where to find it: Only available as the original cartridge, though the very similar original DOS version is fairly easy to come by.
Mega Man 3
Capcom | Nov. 1990
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), PSN (as PSOne import classic "Rockman 3"), iOS
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
Konami | Nov. 1990
Where to find it: Only as the original cartridge, unless you bought the Wii Virtual Console release before it was delisted (presumably for licensing issues)
The Best NES Games of 1988-1989
Contra
Konami | February 1988
Where to find it: Unlockable as a bonus mode in Contra 4 (DS)
Double Dragon
Technos Japan/Tradewest (Million) | June 1988
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
Life Force
Konami | August 1988
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
Super Mario Bros. 2
Nintendo | October 1988
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
Bubble Bobble
Taito | October 1988
Where to find it: Virtual Console (Wii)
Blaster Master
Sunsoft | November 1988
Where to find it: Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS)
Bionic Commando
Capcom | Dec. 1988
Where to find it: Capcom Classics Collection Mini Mix (GBA)
Tecmo Bowl
Tecmo | February 1989
Where to find it: Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS)
Ninja Gaiden
Tecmo | March 1989
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
The Guardian Legend
Compile/Brøderbund | April 1989
Where to find it: Original cartridge only
Mega Man 2
Capcom | June 1989
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), PSN (PS1 import classic "Rockman 2"), iOS
Dragon Warrior
Enix/Nintendo | August 1989
Where to find it: As NES or Game Boy Color carts or on iOS
The Best NES Games of 1985-87
Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo | Oct. 1985
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), Super Mario Bros. DX (Game Boy Color), Super Mario All-Stars (Super NES, Wii)
Castlevania
Konami | May 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), NES Classic series (GBA)
Rygar
Tecmo | July 1987
Where to find it: Original cart only
Section Z
Capcom | July 1987
Where to find it: Original cart only
Solomon's Key
Tecmo | July 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms)
The Legend of Zelda
Nintendo | Aug. 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), NES Classics series (GBA)
Metroid
Nintendo | Aug. 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), NES Classics series (GBA), unlockable in Metroid Prime (GameCube) and Metroid Zero Mission (GBA)
Punch-Out!!
Nintendo | Oct. 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), giveaway item in Animal Crossing (GameCube)
The Goonies II
Konami | Nov. 1987
Where to find it: Original cart only
Mega Man
Capcom | Dec. 1987
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), PSN (PSOne import classic "Rockman")
The Best NES and Famicom Games from Before the U.S. Launch
Donkey Kong
Nintendo | June 1983
Where to find it:
Lode Runner
Brøderbund | July 1984
Where to find it: Original cart only for NES version, but the original Lode Runner has been widely ported to numerous platforms
Excitebike
Nintendo | Nov. 1984
Where to find it: Virtual Console (all platforms), 3D Classics (3DS), unlockable in Animal Crossing (GameCube)
Tower of Druaga
Namco | Aug. 1985
Where to find it: Original cart for NES import only, but the original arcade version is available on multiple Namco Museum volumes
Star Force
Tecmo | June 1985
Where to find it: Original cart only for NES version, but the original arcade version is available on Virtual Console Arcade (Wii)
The Portopia Serial Murder Case
Enix | Nov. 1985
Where to find it: Original cart for NES import only