6 Nintendo Games From the 1980s That Still Hold Up Today

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The video game industry faced a huge crisis in 1983, but Nintendo emerged as a leader. Their arrival in the home console market in 1985 helped revitalize the entire industry. Although gaming has evolved significantly since the 1980s, many of Nintendo’s classic games remain enjoyable today. Despite their older graphics and design, these memorable titles are still fun to play.

Here are six Nintendo games from the ’80s that still hold up today.

6) Mother

Ape Inc.’s Mother was released in July 1989, right before the end of the 1980s. It’s a humorous take on classic role-playing games, sending players on an amusing adventure across America. Remarkably, this was director Shigesato Itoi’s first game, but it already featured strong RPG gameplay and a captivating story.

While Earthbound became a beloved classic, the very first game in the series is still enjoyable and worth playing. Luckily, Nintendo has made it accessible with a digital re-release called Earthbound Beginnings. Now fans are hoping Nintendo will also release Mother 3 internationally.

5) Metroid

The first Metroid game is a challenging platformer that first introduced players to the bounty hunter Samus Aran. While its quick pace might be difficult for some, it was a fantastic start to a beloved series. A helpful feature was the password save system, which allowed players to easily resume their progress.

Similar to how some classic movies are overshadowed, the original Metroid often gets overlooked because Super Metroid is so popular. While many players immediately think of Super Metroid when discussing early Metroid games, the first game is still a fun and enjoyable experience.

4) Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!

Featuring Mike Tyson on the cover was a guaranteed way to make the 1987 boxing game a hit, but Punch-Out!! also stands out for its incredibly fun and engaging gameplay. While newer games like Fight Night and Undisputed offer more complex and realistic boxing, Punch-Out!!‘s straightforward approach is a big part of what makes it so enjoyable.

While some of the characters in Punch-Out haven’t aged well, the game still offers a fantastic and varied group of opponents. The challenge is significant – Mike Tyson is notoriously difficult! – but the gameplay is so enjoyable that most players didn’t mind the difficulty.

3) The Legend of Zelda

Looking back, the very first Legend of Zelda game seems simple compared to today’s games. It’s incredible to see how far the series has come, from that original screenshot to the stunning visuals of Tears of the Kingdom. But one thing has always remained constant: the joy of exploration. The original Legend of Zelda truly defined what an action-adventure game could be.

It takes a bit to get comfortable with the older controls, but The Legend of Zelda is a game where overcoming those challenges is incredibly satisfying. You’ll find yourself exploring a captivating world packed with hidden secrets, battling enemies, and discovering valuable treasures. While the NES had several excellent games, Zelda is arguably the very best.

2) Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong first appeared in arcades in 1981. Nintendo created it as a desperate attempt to recover from the failure of their previous game, Radar Scope. Unlike Radar Scope, Donkey Kong was a huge success, becoming a global phenomenon. Its simple yet engaging gameplay quickly made it one of the most popular games of the early 1980s.

For more than a year, the arcade game Donkey Kong was selling over 4,000 machines each month. By 2015, this had generated over $4 billion in revenue – and that includes updated versions of the game. Donkey Kong was often people’s first experience with Nintendo, and its simple, fun gameplay still makes it enjoyable to play today.

1) Super Mario Bros. 3

Okay, so Donkey Kong got Nintendo noticed, but Super Mario Bros. is what really made them huge. I remember playing the first one back in ’85, and it was an instant classic. It’s one of those games that’s super easy to start playing, but seriously hard to get good at. Honestly, it’s amazing how much stuff Nintendo managed to fit into such a simple game!

Super Mario Bros. 3 really improved the formula. It introduced a world map that allowed players to choose their own route, and added new boss battles with Bowser’s kids. The game even let you fly using the Tanooki Suit! Many consider this 1988 release to be the best of the classic Mario platformers, and it remains a standout title in the genre.

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2026-03-01 00:41