Back in the mid-1980s, the Nintendo Entertainment System hit homes in North America for the first time. The console was a literal game-changer for entertainment, becoming the must-have item. It ushered in a new era of home gaming, and, of course, it provided us with many classic games we still love today.
When looking back at older games, it is important to balance nostalgia with an appreciation of technical limitations and how titles influenced future games. This is also true of other areas of entertainment. Many classic movies, for instance, can feel timeless, but we do sometimes look at them through rose-tinted glasses. Similarly, some of the best casino games (online and offline) have stood the test of time, yet it is also important to judge them on how they have shaped modern releases.
Nonetheless, the golden era of Nintendo still has a strong pull for many of us. Let’s look back at 10 of the best and most influential releases.
Please note the release date refers to the year of release in the US. Some titles will have been released earlier in Japan and often much later in Europe.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Alright. Let’s start with one that needs no introduction. You know the deal: It’s a groundbreaking platformer that introduced the world to Mario and his never-ending quest to save Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The imaginative gameplay, technical difficulty, and fast-paced action meant that, thanks to our mushroom-consuming friend, gaming would never be the same.
Super Mario Bros. Speedrun in 4:55.913 (Former World Record)
The Legend of Zelda (1987)
The open-world, fantastical elements of The Legend of Zelda was arguably the first mainstream answer to the question of whether we could bring high-fantasy to the console. The action-adventure game follows Link as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat the evil Ganon. An eye-opener and a glimpse of what gaming could be.
Metroid (1987)
A slow burner in terms of success, Metroid tends to divide critics back in the 1980s and today. It was ground-breaking in several respects, including the reveal that Samus was a female protagonist. There have been several remakes, plenty of sequels, and Metroid is a popular choice for players using emulators.
Mega Man 2 (1989)
Known for its challenging gameplay, innovative level design, and memorable soundtrack, it’s become kind of fashionable to hold the contrarian view that Mega Man 2 isn’t the best of the extensive Mega Man series. It is.
Castlevania (1987)
As with Final Fantasy (see below), Castlevania gave us a glimpse into the future of gaming while still holding players in thrall in the 80s. A gothic horror action-platformer where players control Simon Belmont on his quest to defeat Dracula, its artwork, atmospheric score, and difficulty made this ode to horror an instant classic.
Contra (1988)
As you’ll note, most of the games on this list were influential, bringing something new to the table. Contra was no different. A run-and-gun action game famous for its cooperative gameplay and notorious difficulty, players control commandos Bill and Lance as they battle alien forces. In addition, the iconic Konami Code became widely known thanks to Contra.
Punch-Out!! (1987)
Okay. Let’s be honest: Punch-Out!! looks a little shabby when you compare it to fighting games that came around just a few years later. But this boxing game where players control Little Mac as he fights his way through various quirky opponents was quirky enough to remain memorable. It’s a nice nostalgia hit if you replay it today.
Duck Hunt (1985)
One of the first games to showcase interactive gaming peripherals, Duck Hunt introduced us to Nintendo’s zapper. Yes, it’s a little repetitive, and you’ll probably get bored after a few minutes when playing today, but this captivated us back in the 1980s.
Excitebike (1985)
Excitebike is a motocross racing game that allowed players to race against the clock or compete in races. It was way ahead of its time due to the design mode where players could create their own tracks, adding a level of customization unheard of beforehand. Much of the gameplay has held up almost 40 years later.
Final Fantasy (1990)
Yep, we are cheating a bit as FF didn’t have its US release until 1990, but we wanted to include the title that set the stage for a beloved franchise still going strong today. Players control a party of heroes on a quest to save the world. Its deep story, turn-based combat, and character customization were groundbreaking for its time and arguably changed gaming forever.
***
English (US) · 