Launching in 1985 in North America, theNintendo Entertainment Systemwould become the best-selling console of the 8-bit generation. It would remain the best-selling console of all time until the success of the PlayStation two entire console generations and some 11 years later. A huge part of theNES’s success was its ability to bring arcade games to the home console, and the majority of these titles were of the shoot ‘em up and run and gun genre.
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That being said, the Nintendo Entertainment System was an architect of the 2D platform genre, with many legendary titles finding fame on the platform. While the gaming system was certainly home to a few duds, it’s easy to overlook them thanks to the vast array ofgreat platformersit gave players access to.
10Kirby’s Adventure
A rare instance of an NES game following up a Game Boy title,Kirby’s Adventureis a charming, colorful platformer and one of the platform’s best offerings. Releasing in 1993, late in the NES’s life cycle,Kirby’s Adventurebrought the use of bright colors and the copy ability to the franchise for the first time. The story is simple; Kirby must traverse across Dream Land to put the Star Rod back together.
Using inhalesto either swallow enemiesor self-inflate to fly remains the core mechanic of this accessible and inviting side scroller. The cute and childlike presentation should not dissuade a potentially interested gamer as the level varieties and sizes in this game are outstanding.
9Bionic Commando
A year after its initial arcade release,Bionic Commandowould drop on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. Taking the role of Ladd, the player must traverse stages and environments to take down the Empire and its evil Generalissimo Killt. Setting it apart from many platform games,Bionic Commandois a rare instance of a platformer with no jumping involved. Instead, the player can climb ledges or travel over gaps using Ladd’s bionic arm as a grappling hook.
Fascinatingly, the NES release would face some localization changes for its depiction of the antagonists resembling Nazis; however, the base game and all its gameplay remain entirely untouched.An outstanding title on the NESre-released and remade times over, this is one of the best games on Nintendo’s original home console.
8Little Samson
Released late in the NES life cycle,Little Samsonis one of the most colorful and entertaining platformers on the console. Using a similar mechanic to theMega Manseries, the player must jump and fire projectiles to overcome the terrain and enemies across 20 stages. Despite its eponymous character, the player can choose to control Samson and three others: Kikira the Dragon, Gamm the Golem, and K.O the Mouse across the game’s numerous locales of jungles, castles, caves, ruins, and rivers.
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Like many NES games late in the life cycle, the visuals are a standout for the game, with this being one of the most vibrant on the platform. Designed creatively with plenty of depth and challenge across its lengthy campaign,Little Samsonis one of the NES strongest platform offerings.
7Batman: The Video Game
In a day and age where licensed video game tie-ins could be frankly disastrous, the NES release ofBatmanwas the polar opposite. Developed by Sunsoft to release in the same time frame asthe Tim Burton movie,Batman: The Video Gameis a well-crafted, engaging, and outstandingly fun platformer.
Differing from the film’s plot to fit five levels before a confrontation with the Joker, the game presents some of the best graphics on the NES and captures the feel of Burton’s Gotham superbly. Soundly implemented mechanics like the grappling hook and even wall jumping set this platformer apart from many on the NES.
6DuckTales
Based on the animated Disney TV series and a childhood favorite of many a gamer,DuckTalesis a vibrant, lively platform adventure for the NES. Winning plaudits for something ahead of its time was its far from linear style of level design alongside some tight controlling platforming,DuckTaleswould go on to beCapcom’s best-selling title on the NES. Unlike many a Disney tale, the player inhabits the role of antihero Scrouge McDuck on his dream to become the world’s most wealthy duck.
Scrooge’s cane is used as a pogo stick and acts as a form of attack and as a method of traversal while players proceed through a deceptively challenging series of levels. Something of a beloved NES title for many, it would receive a remaster in 2013, but this original on the NES is one still worth any platform enthusiast’s time.
5Mega Man 2
Equipped with a soundtrack that is rated among the best ever put on a video game,Mega Man 2stands as a pinnacle in the long-running franchise. The original entry in the series did not prove a commercial success, so this sequel was something of a rebound, continuing the story of Mega Man’s battle with Dr. Wily’s creations.Mega Man 2offers some of the best visuals on the platform.
Complimented by a smart use of a broad color palette alongside a series of creative and challenging bosses,Mega Man 2became the standard-bearer for the series moving forward and an inevitable point of comparison.
4Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins
Known asMakaimurain Japan, this hard-as-titanium platformer is as enticing as it is difficult.Ghosts ‘n’ Goblinswas initially released in the arcades by Capcom in 1985. It charmingly hides a frenetic run-and-gun formula underneath a medieval art style and makes for one of the hardest games any player can encounter. Curiously, the NES edition was not the most flawless port and arguably made a difficult game even harder, but that didn’t stop it from selling over 1.6 million copies across the globe.
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The player takes the role of Sir Arthur, a knight who must rescue Princess Prin-Prin from the king of the Demon World, Astaroth.Ghosts ‘n’ Goblinsis a brilliant game. It’s far from easy, but if the player is willing to take aDark Soulsmentality for it, there are seldom retro platformers more rewarding.
3Ninja Gaiden
A gameremembered as much for its difficulty as its quality,Ninja Gaidenis not one to miss. This iconic action platformer brings remarkably fast and moreish gameplay to the 8-bit system. Equally surprising is the effective use of cinematic cutscenes in a near anime style and an unforgettable soundtrack. In a curious futuristic (for the time) vision of 1988, the player takes the role of Ryu Hayabusa, who comes to America to find and avenge the people who murdered his father.
It should be stated thatNinja Gaiden, for all its engrossing, brilliant attributes, does get hard. Any NES gamer can play it raw, but those wishing to complete it will fare better finding a re-release with save states.
2Castlevania
Konami’s 1980s heyday of carving out brilliant franchises is no better exemplified than withCastlevania. A cinematic vision ofgothic horror meets carefully crafted pixel artto create a platform classic for the ages. Inspired by Bram Stoker’sDracula, the player is put in the shoes of Simon Belmont, who must fight his way through Dracula’s castle before destroying the legendary vampire himself.
Most famously, Simon is equipped with a whip, making attacking enemies a pleasure, and a big clunky jump. An iconic 8-bit platformer with an art style and vision to match a deliberate and demanding gameplay loop,Castlevaniaremains one of the best games ever made.
1Super Mario Bros 3
Taking everything learned from the originalSuper Mario Bros.and 5 years of learning the NES capabilities, Nintendo brought the franchise to whole new heights. Given a radically expanded art style and pixel usage,Super Mario Bros. 3was favorably compared toSuper Mario Worldon the SNES, with some commentators preferring it. Many new mechanics came to the series in this game, such as an Overworld map, items granting unique powers, and the ability to slide down slopes and even take flight.
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Super Mario Bros. 3was a remarkable success at the time and has gone on to sell 17 million copies worldwide. This Mushroom Kingdom adventure to take down Bowser is a franchise highpoint and is consistently regarded as one of the best video games of all time.
