20 Other Great NES Games

If your favorite wasn't in the Top 10 NES Games list then it may be here. These are in no particular order and are just 20 of the greatest games for the NES that didn't quite make the list.

Final Fantasy (RPG, 1987) - The first Final Fantasy (ha!) became the standard of all future RPGs. Six different classes are available and a lengthy story filled with surprise twists and great 8-bit symphonics.


Mega Man 3 (Platform, 1990)- This narrowly missed out of the Top 10 but I had to go with the 2nd just for its originality and soundtrack but 3 is nothing to be scoffed at.


Bubble Bobble (Platform, 1986) - Warning: beating it in single player mode will upset you greatly. 2-player is where its at for the proper (and slightly less disappointing) ending.


Tetris (Puzzle, 1985) - Ever come home from school and find your mom hogging the system? If so this is probably the culprit. Tetris is Russian slang for crack cocaine.


Kid Icarus (Platform, 1987) - Combining an amazing amount of game styles this Kid is the oft ignored Nintendo product with plenty to offer.


Batman (Platform, 1989)- You either love it or hate it. I fall into the former. Just don't expect it to follow any sort of plot. I just don't remember that Chemical Factory scene in the comics or movies.


Ninja Gaiden (Platform, 1989) - Ninja Gaiden fueled our love for all things ninja and the first is still the best if you ask me. And you're reading my list so I guess, in a way, you did.


Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Platform, 1990) - The last of the NES Castlevanias was also the biggest and most epic but just as hard and just as fun as the previous ones.


Battletoads (Beat 'em Up, 1991) - Now here's a hard game. Full of stupid racing style stages that could only be pasted by memorization but in between those the beat 'em up glory would ensue.


River City Ransom (Beat 'em Up, 1990) - Another beat 'em up but with some light RPG elements thrown in for additional flavor. Tastes like a radical adventure.


Zelda II: The Adventures of Link (RPG, 1988) - The ugly step sister in the Zelda series is still pretty hot compared to the competition. This time we see link in profile and notice his unfortunate hunchback.


Super Mario Bros. 2 (Platform, 1988) - So it's not really a Mario game. Who cares? It's really Doki Doki Panic? Well Doki Doki Panic with Mario's face cut/pasted on is still a lot of fun.


Dragon Warrior III (RPG, 1991) - The other classic Japanese RPG series that's still running next to Final Fantasy (now it's called Dragon Quest). Enix eventually merged with Squaresoft so now both those series are under one roof. Wow.


Gradius (Shmup, 1986) - The start of the best schmup series ever. The weapons upgrade system was really what made this game shine.


A Boy And His Blob: Trouble On Blobolonia (Platform, 1989) - An incredibly strange game involving an unhealthy amount of jelly beans and a ton of illogical platforming puzzles.


Blaster Master (Platform, 1988) - Combining a couple different styles of play Blaster Master still manages to bring out the kid in me.


IronSword: Wizards & Warriors II (Platform, 1989) - A platformer with some RPG elements isn't very common but judging from this title there's no reason they shouldn't be.


Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (Platform, 1990) - A great game featuring a lot of box throwing action. Just be careful and don't hit your partner. Not cool.


Micro Machines (Racing, 1991) - Tiny cars were cool but what made this game were the highly original tracks. Weather you were in a boat in the bath or in a car on the breakfast table Micro Machines was a tiny package full of huge fun.


1943 (Shmup, 1987) - The logical sequel to 1942. Apparently in 1943 power-ups started dropping more and the levels would actually become somewhat varied. It was a good year.