Top 5 Games of 1985

The start of an era of Nintendo domination. Though maybe it wasn't a bad thing...

5. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (PC, RPG)



















4. Tiger-Heli (NES, Shmup)



















3. Ghosts 'n Goblins (NES, Platform)



















2. Tetris (NES, Puzzle)



















1. Super Mario Bros. (NES, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1986

A mostly Nintendo year but this time with one Sega game thrown in. Yeah, that system got a bum rap by the general public but it had some great games.

5. Solomon's Key (NES, Puzzle)



















4. Ikari Warriors (NES, Run 'n Gun)



















3. Gradius (NES, Shmup)



















2. Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Sega Master System, Platform)



















1. Bubble Bobble (NES, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1987

Here's Nintendo at its peak. Nothing could touch em. Check out those classics.

5. 1943 (NES, Shmup)



















4. Final Fantasy (NES, RPG)



















3. Mike Tyson's Punch Out! (NES, Sports)



















2. Metroid (NES, Platform)



















1. Legend of Zelda (NES, RPG)

Top 5 Games of 1988

The NES was a powerhouse. Just look at this Top 5 list... it's pure domination.

5. Bionic Commando (NES, Platform)



















4. Contra (NES, Run 'n Gun)



















3. Blaster Master (NES, Platform)



















2. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, Platform)



















1. Zelda II: The Adventures of Link (NES, RPG)

Top 5 Games of 1989

No question as to who dominated this year. Sega had just released the Genesis but hadn't unleashed Sonic yet.

5. IronSword: Wizards & Warriors II (NES, Platform)



















4. Ninja Gaiden (NES, Platform)



















3. Batman (NES, Run 'n Gun)



















2. DuckTales (NES, Platform)



















1. Mega Man 2 (NES, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1990

The Genesis only had one showing on this list but the fact they were making good games at all was more than enough to make Nintendo nervous. The SNES would be rushed out within the next year as a result. It should be noted though that had this list continued furthur it would have been majorly PC. This is where the PC really started to become the center of gaming.. you just can't tell it from the Top 5.

5. Phantasy Star II (Genesis, RPG)



















4. Mega Man 3 (NES, Platform)



















3. Little Nemo: The Dream Master (NES, Platform)



















2. StarTropics (NES, RPG)



















1. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1991

The SNES exploded onto the scene with several good games and one that was nearly perfect.

5. Super Castlevania IV (SNES, Platform)













4. Gradius III (SNES, Shmup)













3. Battletoads (NES, Beat 'em Up)



















2. Final Fantasy II (aka IV) (SNES, RPG)














1. Super Mario World (SNES, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1992

A little bit of a slow year but still plenty of hits to be had all around.

5. Ecco the Dolphin (Genesis, Hybrid)



















4. Super Mario Kart (SNES, Racing)













3. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, RPG)














2. Wolfenstein 3D (PC, FPS)



















1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis, Platform)

Top 5 Games of 1993

A wide range of systems have a good showing this year with the Genesis having the best turn out. Even the venerable NES comes back for one more.

5. Mortal Kombat II (Genesis, Fighting)



















4. Aladdin (Genesis, Platform)



















3. Kirby's Adventure (NES, Platform)



















2. Doom (PC, FPS)



















1. Secret of Mana (SNES, RPG)

Top 5 Games of 1994

The PC went into hiding as the console war raged around it. While I was a Sega owner at the time this year had the SNES win out the top spots.

5. Earthworm Jim (Genesis, Platform)



















4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis, Platform)



















3. Donkey Kong Country (SNES, Platform)













2. Final Fantasy III (aka VI) (SNES, RPG)














1. Super Metroid (SNES, Platform)