10 Forgotten NES Games That Everyone Needs to Play, Ranked

I remember when Nintendo really took off with the NES – though over in Japan, it was originally called the Famicom. That console totally changed gaming! It pushed what was possible with the hardware, and honestly, it saved the industry after the big crash back in ’83. It was a huge deal, and the games were way better than anyone expected for the time.

Man, can you believe the NES is forty years old this year? It’s such a classic, and while everyone knows the big names, there are tons of awesome hidden gems you absolutely have to check out if you’re into retro gaming. I’ve been revisiting some old favorites, and games like *Adventure Island* and *Maniac Mansion* still hold up incredibly well – seriously, they’re a blast to play even now!

King’s Quest V Makes Players Feel Like Kings

King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder! is a classic adventure game where you click to interact with the world. Originally created by Sierra On-Line (with a special version for the NES made by Novotrade International and published by Konami), the game puts you in the role of King Graham. He must save his castle and family after they disappear following a magical attack. Along the way, he’s aided by a wise owl named Cedric, and faces challenging puzzles, unusual creatures, and the signature humor that Sierra games are known for.

The first version of *King’s Quest V* was impressive for its time, and the CD-ROM release even featured fully voiced characters. While the version for the NES isn’t as technically advanced or as polished, it still offers a lot of enjoyable gameplay. Ultimately, *King’s Quest V* on NES is a great option for fans of classic adventure games.

When it first came out on computers, *King’s Quest V* was really cutting-edge, and the CD-ROM version even featured characters speaking their lines! The version for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) isn’t as technically impressive, but it still manages to capture the feel of the original game, making it a great way for NES fans to enjoy one of the…

Maniac Mansion On NES Is Still Tons of Fun

Maniac Mansion is a classic point-and-click adventure game made by LucasArts. The game centers around a group of college students who sneak into the creepy home of the crazy scientist Dr. Fred Edison. They’re on a mission to save their friend Sandy, who has been kidnapped and is now part of a strange experiment orchestrated by an evil, conscious meteor that wants to take over the world.

Despite its unusual story, *Maniac Mansion* is as enjoyable as you’d expect. The version for the NES has slightly less suggestive humor than the original, but it still features the same funny conversations and smart challenges. It’s a classic, and it would be wonderful to see this groundbreaking adventure game available on today’s consoles.

Crystalis Is One of the Best NES RPGs

Developed and published by SNK, *Crystalis* is an action-adventure RPG set in a post-apocalyptic future. The game takes place in 2097, a hundred years after a devastating nuclear war, where magic and technology have strangely combined. Players control a young hero who awakens from a long sleep and must defeat the villain Draygon to save the world from another catastrophe.

Though often overlooked compared to classics like *Dragon Warrior* and *Final Fantasy*, *Crystalis* is still a fantastic game. It boasts a creative world and story, and it’s genuinely enjoyable to play. Using magic in battles is especially rewarding.

Street Fighter 2010 Is a Futuristic Street Fight

Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight is an action-platformer game developed by Capcom, branching out from the original Street Fighter arcade game. Set in the year 2010 (which was considered the future when the game was made), it features Ken Masters, formerly a fighter, now working as a scientist. When his lab partner, Troy, is murdered, Ken embarks on a quest for revenge, which drives the game’s story.

Unlike most *Street Fighter* games, this one is mainly a platformer – you run and jump through levels instead of fighting opponents head-to-head. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action, as Ken can use his classic moves against enemies. Be warned though, it’s a challenging game, so you’ll need to think carefully about every step you take.

Marble Madness Has Simple Visuals That Aged Perfectly

Marble Madness is a classic arcade game where players race a marble through challenging obstacle courses. Originally created by Atari and later adapted for the NES by Rare, the game requires careful control as players navigate tricky slopes, narrow pathways, and dangerous falls against the clock. Even a small mistake can cause the marble to fall off the course, making precision essential.

Truly a classic arcade game, *Marble Madness* should also be remembered as a gem on the NES. It’s a shame it’s often forgotten, especially since it inspired many later games like *Marble Blast*. Even though it’s short and challenging, *Marble Madness* remains a rewarding and engaging experience.

Adventure Island Is a Wonderful Adventure

Adventure Island is a classic platforming game originally created by Hudson Soft. Interestingly, it’s based on Sega’s Wonder Boy arcade game – a game that also appeared on Sega’s SG-1000 and Master System consoles, which were rivals to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game centers around a young hero who sets out to get revenge on the Evil King after a prologue attack, and also to rescue his girlfriend, Tina.

Even though *Adventure Island* was originally a Sega game released on a classic Nintendo console, it’s simply too fun to worry about the details. The game features a great selection of weapons that are enjoyable to use. You begin by throwing rocks, but you can eventually unlock better weapons and helpful power-ups to aid your progress.

The Goonies II Is Surprisingly Good for a Licensed NES Sequel

The Goonies II is an action-packed platformer game and a follow-up to the original Goonies video game, which was inspired by the 1985 movie. In the game, you play as Mikey and need to save his friends – and a mermaid – from the greedy Fratelli family.

Many people find *The Goonies II* to be an enjoyable game, especially if they’re willing to give it a chance. The gameplay is similar to *Castlevania*, and the game allows you to explore fairly freely while helping Mikey complete his tasks. Be careful though – it’s packed with traps! Ultimately, *The Goonies II* is a fun, unofficial continuation of the beloved movie.

R.C. Pro-Am Is Radio-Controlled Fun

Released by Nintendo and created by Rare, *R.C. Pro-Am* is a fun racing game where players control toy cars and compete against each other. The game keeps things interesting with tracks that are always changing and often feature challenging designs.

Though often overlooked, *R.C. Pro-Am* is a really important game in Rare’s history. It was a key title that helped launch the studio to success and influenced their future work. But beyond its historical significance, it’s just a genuinely fun game – challenging enough to keep you engaged, but easy to pick up and play.

Tiny Toon Adventures Is a Big Adventure

Tiny Toon Adventures is a video game inspired by the popular cartoon of the same name. Players take control of Buster Bunny and his pals as they embark on a mission to save Babs Bunny from the villainous Montana Max, traveling through four different and difficult levels along the way.

The NES had many excellent platforming games, but *Tiny Toon Adventures* is still one of the best, standing up to even classics like *Super Mario Bros. 3*. Players don’t just control Buster Bunny; they can also play as Dizzy Devil, Furrball, and Plucky Duck, each with their own special abilities. These abilities, combined with lots of power-ups, keep the game fun and engaging.

Wario’s Woods Saves the Best for Last

Wario’s Woods is unique because it was the last game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Developed by Nintendo, this puzzle game takes place in a tranquil forest where Wario tries to take control. However, Toad leads a rebellion to thwart Wario’s plans and bring peace back to the woods.

As a retro gaming fan, I always thought *Wario’s Woods* was a surprisingly great way for the NES to finish its run. It’s a really fun puzzle game – if you like *Tetris* or *Dr. Mario*, you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s unique and honestly, it deserves to be played by more people. It was a perfect goodbye to a classic console!

2025-10-10 06:44