5 NES Games That Defined the 1980s

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The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a hugely important piece of gaming history. After a major crash in the North American video game market, Nintendo, a Japanese company, released a fresh and exciting console that quickly gained attention. The NES made Nintendo a well-known name and paved the way for its future success as a console maker. And, of course, it was packed with fantastic games! The following list highlights the games that truly defined that era – they aren’t always the best games, but they often are.

Here are the five NES games that defined the ’80s.

5) Duck Hunt

Let’s be clear: while Duck Hunt didn’t launch a huge franchise, it marked the beginning of Nintendo’s willingness to try new things. This light gun game was a real departure from what players typically saw on the system, proving Nintendo wasn’t afraid to be innovative and a little different.

Nintendo has consistently achieved great success by taking risks. From the motion controls of the Wii to the Switch’s innovative hybrid design, they’re not afraid to try something new. This willingness to experiment likely started with the success of Duck Hunt, which demonstrated that players were open to following Nintendo down unexpected paths.

4) Mega Man 2

The original Mega Man game didn’t immediately become a sensation, but it sold well enough for Capcom to greenlight a sequel. That was a good decision, as Mega Man 2 became the second most popular game in the entire series, proving that Mega Man had lasting appeal.

Following the original game, Capcom created many more titles in the Mega Man series. Without the strong performance of Mega Man 2, this incredibly popular franchise might not have survived the 1980s. Instead, Capcom became a leading game developer for home consoles throughout the 1990s and continues to be a major force today.

3) Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior

While Final Fantasy is often praised for revitalizing Square, the original Dragon Quest truly established the foundation for Japanese role-playing games during the 1980s and 90s. This beloved game boasted artwork by Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball Z, and quickly became a sensation in Japan.

Initially, Dragon Quest didn’t find much success outside of Japan. However, few series achieve the cultural impact it has within its home country – it’s become a national holiday! This recognition, along with its role in establishing the popular role-playing game genre, gives Dragon Quest a special place in gaming history.

2) The Legend of Zelda

Released in 1986, the game was both a hit with critics and a commercial success, selling over 6.5 million copies. It famously introduced players to the world of Zelda and its blend of action, adventure, and simple role-playing elements.

While many fans believe the series has improved over time, the original The Legend of Zelda game was truly revolutionary. It remains one of the most important and beloved game series ever created, and was excellent from the very beginning.

You don’t need to think about how The Legend of Zelda impacted Nintendo’s future to understand its importance in the 1980s. Released mid-decade, it was one of the best-selling games on the NES, and that fact alone makes it a hugely influential title of the era.

1) Super Mario Bros.

While The Legend of Zelda is a fantastic game, it’s different from Super Mario Bros. Though many people think Super Mario Bros. 3 is the superior title, the original Super Mario Bros was incredibly important in making the NES a success.

If you look at the best-selling games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Mario Bros. clearly stands out. Even though it came packaged with the console, it still sold over 10 million more copies than any other game – a huge number that proves it was the system’s most important and popular title.

Beyond being a top seller itself, Super Mario Bros. sparked the creation of three other games that also landed in the NES’s top ten bestsellers: Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Dr. Mario. While a different version of Super Mario Bros. 2 might have existed with another title, the point remains – the original Super Mario Bros. is the most impactful game on the NES, and its influence far outweighs any other title.

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2025-11-26 22:16