5 Best NES Run-and-Gun Games That Still Hold Up Today

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The Nintendo Entertainment System revitalized the video game industry in the early 1980s, bringing a wealth of fantastic games into people’s living rooms. A particularly popular style of game on the NES was the “run-and-gun” genre. While the NES didn’t have the technical power for today’s complex first-person shooters, these classic games remain fun to play. Many were adapted from popular arcade games, but some were originally designed for the NES.

Here are five great run-and-gun NES games that still hold up today.

5) G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a fairly typical action game developed by KID. While it doesn’t offer any groundbreaking combat mechanics, and isn’t particularly unique in that way, it’s memorable for one important reason.

The game lets you control three different G.I. Joe characters, and you can switch between them during gameplay. Each character has unique skills, so choosing the right one for each situation is key. But there’s more – the game actually features five characters in total. This means you create a new team of three at the start of each playthrough, which really boosts the game’s replay value and makes this fast-paced, action-packed game a lot of fun.

4) Blaster Master

Master Blaster combines fast-paced, action-packed gameplay with a unique feature: it offers two distinct ways to play. You can control Jason as he runs and jumps through 2D levels, or switch to his tank to recover health and fight off attacking mutants.

The game also features a classic run-and-gun style. In this mode, you control Jason from a top-down view, navigating maze-like levels filled with monsters. You’ll find new weapons throughout the game, which will help you defeat the tough bosses. While Master Blaster isn’t a standard run-and-gun title, it’s worth playing to experience the unique ideas the developers were experimenting with.

3) Gun.Smoke

The setting of the game Gun.Smoke is significant. Capcom likely wanted to avoid legal issues with the makers of the well-known TV show of the same name. While the game isn’t related to the show, it does share a similar Wild West theme, featuring a bounty hunter who eliminates outlaws.

Okay, so the NES version takes the basic idea from the arcade game, but they really spiced things up with a whole new story and a fresh soundtrack. Gameplay-wise, it’s pretty similar – you’re still shooting enemies as the screen scrolls upwards. Honestly, the scrolling speed is perfect. It’s slow enough to react, but there are so many enemies coming at you that anything faster would be totally chaotic and impossible!

2) Heavy Barrel

Originally an arcade game released by Data East in 1987, Heavy Barrel was later brought to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. The game puts you in the role of a soldier tasked with stopping terrorists who have seized control of a secret underground missile base. For the most part, it’s a classic run-and-gun shooter, but it features a unique gameplay element that sets it apart.

While battling enemies in Heavy Barrel, you can find parts to create a powerful new weapon. Collect all six pieces, and you’ll unlock an energy cannon capable of quickly defeating most enemies with a single blast. It only lasts for 30 seconds, so it’s best used during boss battles. You can build the cannon three times per run, giving you a total of 90 seconds of incredible firepower.

1) Contra

There’s really no question about it. Though Super Contra is a strong contender and some might even say it’s better, the original Contra had to be number one. Konami’s timeless classic started as an arcade game, and it translated incredibly well to the NES.

Some players actually preferred the NES version of the game, and there were a few key differences that contributed to this. The most famous was the inclusion of the Konami Code, which instantly gave players 30 lives at the beginning instead of the standard three. Since this version wasn’t for arcades, where players spent money to continue, the developers were able to be more generous.

Just because some stages were adjusted doesn’t mean Contra is any less difficult. The gameplay remains challenging, and completing the original NES version is still a real test of skill.

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2026-03-31 01:14