In 2026, the system will be 43 years old, but it remains a fan favorite and a hugely influential part of video game history. The games released for it established many of the core ideas that still define popular genres today, even though countless games have since improved upon those original concepts.
A Nintendo Switch Online subscription gives you access to many classic NES games, letting today’s gamers enjoy them on modern hardware. If you’re interested in the history of video games, these older titles are worth checking out – they’re still fun to play even after so many years.
Super Mario Bros. Is an All-Time Classic
The world of Super Mario Bros. is wonderfully bizarre. It starts with a plumber from Brooklyn, dressed in a bright red and blue outfit, who gets transported to a magical kingdom. There, he has to rescue a princess from an army of lizard creatures, and he gets help from talking animals and mushrooms along the way.
Many design decisions were driven by the technical limitations of the time. Explanations for character designs often came after the fact, simply to make characters like Mario and Luigi more visible on screen. Once players accept the unusual choices, they can see how Nintendo created one of the…
Okay, so Super Mario Bros. is pretty simple compared to the newer games, but it’s still awesome. The controls are really precise, which you need because there are tons of tricky obstacles. But seriously, avoid The Lost Levels like the plague. It’s basically Super Mario Bros. turned up to eleven – super hard and it will absolutely destroy you if you try to beat it.
DuckTales Is a Near-Perfect Licensed Games
Growing up with the NES, a lot of the games based on cartoons weren’t very good, honestly. But the original DuckTales game was different – it was seriously one of the best platformers on the whole system! What made it special was Scrooge’s cane – being able to bounce around really changed how you tackled each level. It didn’t stick super closely to the cartoon, but considering how limited the NES was, they did an amazing job!
The music from DuckTales is often considered among the best in NES history. The Moon Theme is a standout track, comparable to iconic songs from games like Super Mario Bros. and Final Fantasy. Combined with the level’s fantastic design, the Moon stage elevates DuckTales to a place among the greatest NES games ever made.
Mega Man 2 Is Endlessly Replayable
There are many great Mega Man games on the NES, but the second one is particularly special. It takes the core idea of letting players choose levels and gain powers in any order and perfects it, becoming a high point even for the rest of the series.
What makes Mega Man 2 so great? It strikes a perfect balance between items and level design. When you defeat a Robot Master, you get a new weapon that helps with future levels. This encourages players to replay the game, because changing the order you beat the levels creates a fresh experience each time.
The Metal Man upgrade is definitely very powerful, but you can still enjoy the game using other strategies. Just remember that Mega Man 2 is just as challenging as other NES games, and the final bosses will be tough if you don’t prepare.
Punch-Out!! Is a One-of-a-Kind Sports Game
At first glance, Punch-Out!! seems like a typical boxing game. But after playing through a few matches, you’ll discover it’s actually a rhythm game disguised as a sports title.
Man, I love Punch-Out!!. It’s not just about mashing buttons – it’s all about timing and reading your opponent. You really have to watch them closely, learn their patterns, and know when to strike. It’s crazy to think some people can even beat the game blindfolded! That just shows how much it’s about nailing the timing, and it’s something that really sets it apart from other games of that time.
Be warned, though – Mr. Dream (originally Mike Tyson) is a notoriously difficult final boss on the NES. To win, you’ll really need to get the hang of how the game works.
Super Mario Bros. 2 Is an Oddball Sequel
Often considered the odd one out in the Super Mario Bros. series, Super Mario Bros. 2 is a unique game with a strange history – it was originally a different game that was reworked. Instead of the usual Mushroom Kingdom, Mario and his friends find themselves in the dream world of Subcon, where they battle monsters by throwing vegetables and other items they dig up from the ground.
After getting used to how different it is, players will find that Super Mario Bros. 2 is actually one of the best Mario games. It’s packed with hidden secrets, and each of the four characters plays in a unique way. It’s a big improvement over the original Super Mario Bros. and is designed to be fun, not frustrating.
Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse Took the Franchise to a Next Level
The original Castlevania was innovative for its time, but suffered from clunky controls and awkward movement. The second game laid the groundwork for the ‘Metroidvania’ style that the series later became known for, though a poor translation made it difficult to enjoy without help.
Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse built upon what came before, making the controls smoother and letting players choose from several characters. The game also features multiple paths through each level. It’s still quite difficult, but much more enjoyable thanks to the ability to fight Dracula’s monsters with companions. Each playthrough teaches you more about the game, helping you progress further with each attempt.
Metroid Helped Create the Metroidvania Genre
It’s somewhat surprising that so many of the most popular NES games are fantasy-based, considering how relatively simple it would have been to create space games even with the older technology. Metroid stood out by setting its action on a dangerous planet, which really enhanced the feeling of being trapped and under constant attack. The game put players in the role of Samus, who had to fight off waves of flying creatures in narrow spaces.
The original Metroid is a pioneer of the ‘Metroidvania’ genre, even lending its name to it. It’s famously difficult, but this challenge is part of its appeal – you’re completely on your own. Players must carefully manage their limited resources while battling to reach save points, creating a tense and thrilling action experience on the NES.
The Legend of Zelda Is an Open-World NES Game
At first glance, The Legend of Zelda seems simple: a small hero with a sword explores a vast, empty world and fights monsters. But this straightforward gameplay actually created the basis for one of the most beloved video game series ever made, where the hero grows stronger and gains abilities to eventually defeat the final enemy.
While the original The Legend of Zelda isn’t as complex as newer installments, its enduring popularity is understandable. Even with its 8-bit graphics, Hyrule feels like a true adventure, and it’s still a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to explore the Zelda series.
Final Fantasy 3 Is Woefully Underrated
This game was originally only released in Japan, but fans have been playing it for years using emulators and community-made improvements. The recent HD version stays very true to the original, even more so than the 3D reimagining. It’s unfortunate, because this is a fantastic RPG with a deep and complex job system that really showcased what the console could do.
Final Fantasy 3 follows a group of Warriors of Light as they explore a world slowly being restored. The story is fairly simple, but the game features one of the most engaging battle systems ever created for the NES.
This game also debuted the famous summon spells that would become a staple of the Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy 3 is known for having some of the toughest boss battles on the NES, as well as a…
Super Mario Bros. 3 Is the Greatest NES Game
Super Mario Bros. 3 was a fantastic finale for the system. It built on everything learned from previous Mario games and other titles, offering a massive game world with a lot of freedom. Players could choose which levels to play first, store helpful power-ups for later, and play enjoyable mini-games to get extra lives.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is widely considered the best game on the NES. It’s known for its excellent controls, many hidden secrets, and a world that’s fun to explore again and again, offering a unique experience with each playthrough. It’s a game that’s instantly enjoyable and brings back a feeling of nostalgia for when it was first released.
For anyone exploring classic games on the Nintendo Switch Online app, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a must-play. It remains one of the best entries in the entire Super Mario series and holds up incredibly well even today – it’s a game everyone should experience.
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2026-03-30 16:13