Super Mario Bros. 3 1988
Why it still holds upIts level design holds up today because the power-ups change how each level can be crossed, and the difficulty rises gradually toward the eighth world.
NES games that still hold up
First released on the NES
Games
Super Mario Bros. 3 1988
Why it still holds upIts level design holds up today because the power-ups change how each level can be crossed, and the difficulty rises gradually toward the eighth world.
Tetris 1989
Why it still holds upIts single simple rule is why it still plays well: it is easy to understand, and it gets harder as the speed rises.
In a bundle
Mega Man 2 1988
Why it still holds upAn open stage order with weapon weaknesses lets you pick your own route, and the difficulty setting suits newcomers and veterans alike, which is why it is worth playing now.
Super Mario Bros. 1985
Why it still holds upLevel design, enemy placement and precise physics, with a difficulty that ramps steadily, are why it still plays well.
Jurassic Park 1993
Why it still holds upA hunt that makes its biggest dinosaur something to dodge, not to shoot, still gives each level some tension today.
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! 1987
Why it still holds upSet patterns and a heart meter that punishes missed punches make each bout a lesson in timing today.
Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi 1990
Also known as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Why it still holds upEven now, a cast of 52 units with fixed classes gives each choice of who to send a clear logic.
StarTropics 1990
Why it still holds upEach chapter ends on a solved local trouble, which still keeps the quest easy to follow.
Dragon Warrior IV 1990
Also known as Dragon Quest IV
Why it still holds upFive chapters with different leads still let the story be told from several sides.
Kirby's Adventure 1993
Why it still holds upEvery enemy is still a possible tool, since swallowing one takes its power.
In a bundle
Disney's DuckTales 1989
Why it still holds upA cane that is both weapon and pogo stick still makes jumping the center of everything you do.
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom 1991
Why it still holds upEvery level is still a vertical space to move through, with walls to climb and pipes to hang from.
In a bundle
Disney's DuckTales 2 1993
Why it still holds upYou can still plan your own route, tackling levels in any order and revisiting them with new gear.
The Legend of Zelda 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, a world with secrets hidden under rocks and trees rewards looking at everything.
Clash at Demonhead 1989
Why it still holds upThe map is still something to wander, with forty routes and powers you collect.
Battletoads / Double Dragon 1993
Why it still holds upA cooperative brawl with a crossover cast still gives two players a challenge.
Faxanadu 1987
Why it still holds upAn adventure with some role-playing in it still makes a good way to spend an afternoon.
Super Dodge Ball 1988
Why it still holds upFast, simple matches still suit a game with a friend.
Treasure Island Dizzy 1988
Why it still holds upCollecting items and thinking about where to use them is the heart of it, and it is still a good puzzle to try.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, power ups are few, so you rely on your own action skills more than anything else.
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos 1990
Why it still holds upA wall to climb, clones to call and attacks to throw are still a few tools to work with in each stage.
Adventures of Lolo 1989
Why it still holds upPuzzle rooms that reward careful thinking are as satisfying now as ever.
Blaster Master 1988
Why it still holds upExploring in two perspectives keeps its variety up, as it still does for players who try it.
In a bundle
Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 1993
Why it still holds upTwo players who can throw each other and bosses with hazards of their own still make it a game to share.
In a bundle
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project 1991
Why it still holds upFour turtles with four weapons are still a good way to bring friends together.
In a bundle
Disney's Darkwing Duck 1992
Why it still holds upThe order of the first three stages and a gas gun with swappable gases still give each run decisions to make.
R.C. Pro-Am 1988
Why it still holds upA toy car race with missiles is still a lively way to spend a few minutes.
Micro Machines 1991
Why it still holds upSimple arcade controls and a head to head mode make it easy to start today.
Lunar Pool 1985
Why it still holds upTables with odd shapes and adjustable friction are still the twist that defines it today.
On sale
Bases Loaded 1987
Why it still holds upPlay it now and the controls are not hard to learn, with a pitcher whose habits you can read.
F1 Race 1984
Why it still holds upA course you can learn in a couple of tries still makes a short session easy to start.
In a bundle
Mega Man 6 1993
Why it still holds upA charged shot and a free choice of stage order still make it worth returning to.
In a bundle
Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 1990
Why it still holds upA pair of chipmunks throwing crates is a game for two players that is still easy to share.
In a bundle
Mega Man 3 1990
Why it still holds upThe order of stages is yours to choose, which is still a reason to keep returning.
Dragon Warrior 1986
Why it still holds upA first quest with one clear goal still makes a good starting point.
In a bundle
Battle City 1985
Why it still holds upDefending a base while clearing the board still asks for attention today.
In a bundle
Castlevania 1986
Why it still holds upA whip with a short delay and a running clock make every stage a careful one, and that is still the case.
Tennis 1984
Why it still holds upA set of tennis against the computer or with a partner is easy to start today.
In a bundle
Mega Man 5 1992
Why it still holds upEight stages with tricks of their own, such as switching gravity or riding a vehicle, are still there to be picked in any order.
In a bundle
Mega Man 4 1991
Why it still holds upEight stages to choose from in any order, each with an obstacle of its own, still leave the route to you.
Batman: The Video Game 1989
Why it still holds upWall jumps and three weapons to choose from still make a stage worth planning today.
Battletoads 1991
Why it still holds upEach level brings new enemies, hazards and rules, and the game still avoids repeating itself.
Final Fantasy II 1988
Why it still holds upGrowing a character through the weapons and spells used, and opening talks with keywords, still gives you things to try.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels 1986
Why it still holds upA harder run through eight worlds is still a challenge that draws players to it.
Kid Icarus 1986
Why it still holds upThe mix of side scrolling, vertical and dungeon levels still varies what each world asks of you.
Final Fantasy 1987
Why it still holds upIt is still a good place to see where a long series began.
Hudson's Adventure Island 1986
Why it still holds upRunning along a clock of draining health is still a lively way to play.
In a bundle
Mega Man 1987
Why it still holds upChoosing your own order of stages is an idea that is still a good one today.