I always say that I’m an 8-bit guy in a PS3 world (Boy, that’s deep isn’t it?), and so this blog is dedicated to my ten favorite games from the greatest invention of the 20th century, the Nintendo entertainment system.
My ten favorite NES games
# 10 - Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!
Long before he became a tattoo-faced, ear-biting, mentally unbalanced rapist, Mike Tyson was the invincible, gap-toothed leviathan waiting for kids at the end of the NES game that bore his name... Ah, but first you had to get to him.
Only in the 80’s could a scrawny white kid who wears a tank top in the ring and jogs in a pink sweat suit actually compete for the heavyweight championship of world (Trust me, I was one... A scrawny white kid that is). As Little Mac (Not to be confused with his tastier brother, Big Mac) you fight your way through a veritable United Nations of politically incorrect fighters. Cowardly Frenchman, thinly veiled alcoholic Russians, fat monosyllabic Samoans with tender bellies... Okay, I’m not sure if the last one is actually a stereotype, but it aint flattering. With the help of your tubby trainer, Doc Louis (Think Carl Winslow from the TV show ‘Family matters’) you duck, dodge and super-punch your way to the biggest mismatch since David VS Goliath. People actual claim to have beaten Mike Tyson, even going so far as to post obviously doctored video proof on Youtube, but I’m not buying it. The 8-bit Tyson is an unstoppable killing machine. To quote Rocky IV “Anything he hits, he destroys!”.
If you haven’t played this one in a while, do yourself a favor and dig it out... Mike Tyson is waiting for your challenge!
#9 - Contra
Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start. Before ‘The Da Vinci Code’ there was ‘The Konami Code’, and trust me it was no less controversial. In the case of Contra, it allowed you to start the game with thirty, instead of three, men. In some circles I’m told that’s considered cheating, but I mean honestly, have you played Contra lately? It’s a beast! I’ve beaten Contra, both alone and teamed up with a friend, but never without that damn code.
Part of what makes Contra so great is the ‘Co-op’ function which allows two players to work together, and by work together I mean fight over who gets the best weapons. Co-op was a novel concept in the play, die, pass (the controller) Nintendo world of the late 80’s.
A great way to kill a few hours (and a few aliens) with a friend.
#8 – Super Mario Bros.
I often wonder how this game ever got past the suits at Nintendo. Can you imagine that pitch meeting? “Okay, it’s about an Italian plumber and his brother who fight turtles and eat mushrooms in an effort to save a princess.” Thankfully for us they didn’t call the guys in white coats.
Super Mario Bros. is the one game almost everyone has played. Heck, even my Mom has played it. Deceptively simple and highly addictive, it’s really the mascot for the 8-bit era.
Chances are this was the first NES game you ever played, and likely the first one you beat. It’s still a heck of a lot of fun, and worth a revisit. “Doo-doot-doot-doo-doo-doot---doot!”
#7 – Ninja Gaiden
In the 80’s, platform hack ‘n slash games weren’t known for their storytelling. You usually got some poorly translated (From Japanese to English) background story in your game manual, but that was about it. “Ken you are. Your wife been kidnapped by the evil Loco Dragon! Can you defeat and win big prize?” (That’s not from a real game, but not bad, eh?) Then came Ninja Gaiden. Suddenly, you weren’t just fighting to get to the next level, but also to see the next chapter of the story.
There’s a part of Ninja Gaiden, about half way in if I remember right (It’s been a while), where you have to simply leap (or flip?) over a large chasm. The problem is that bird of some sort enters screen right as you reach the half way point and crashes into you, sending you to your death. Over the course of one afternoon I must have died dozens of times thanks to that bird and it lead to the creation of the following reaction from my friend, Jason. “Tony’s dead! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”. From that day forward, every time I bit the 8-bit bullet, he punctuated my shame with that phrase. On quiet Summer evenings I swear that I can still hear his voice.
Unique, challenging and a lot of fun. Sequels are great too.
#6 – Mega Man
Playing Mega Man for the first time was a religious experience for me... Okay, that’s probably a bit much. It had a big impact, though. I loved the imaginative backgrounds and the unique robo-bosses, but what I really loved was the ability to assimilate each defeated bosses weapon into your arsenal and the non-linear playing style that let you choose which stage you wanted to start on.
The original Mega Man is still a lot of fun to play (Not to mention tougher than a two dollar steak) but the sequels improve upon the formula and might be a better place to start.
#5 – Super Mario Bros. 3
SMB 3 is widely considered the best NES game ever and it’s tough to argue (Though it’s not my favorite). In terms of the graphics and sheer depth, SMB 3 makes SMB look like a cave drawing.
No trip down 8-bit memory lane would be complete without a visit with SMB 3.
#4 - Mega Man 2
MM2 is a big leap forward for from the already awesome MM. The graphics are better and the game play is smoother. You also have to love the sheer awesomeness of the Mega Man music. Nintendo music is super easy to find all over the web, and you can't go wrong rockin' a little MM (Though I'd start with MM3).
If you don’t like MM2 you don’t like video games.
#3 - Castlevania
It may seem ridiculous now, but back in 1987 Castlevania was so creepy and atmospheric that you actually felt like you were in a real haunted castle. It was also one of those games that nearly every kid in your school claimed to have beaten, but I get the feeling most were lying. I should know, I was one of them.
Personally, I could never get past Frankenstein, or more specifically, Igor. The Igor of legend is little hunchback who drags his knuckles. The Igor of Castlevania is a hopped-up super-monkey with kung-fu grip! The Frankenstein level is just a bastard in general, and by the time I got to Frank I was on life support as it was... and then he sicked his little gimp on me and my goose was cooked. About four years ago I finally defeated Frank and his boss, Count Dracula and watched as his castle crumbled at my feet. I’m only sorry that the good people of Transylvania had to wait almost twenty years for me to free them from their 8-bit bondage.
With it’s great old school music and challenging game play, Castlevania is a great place to visit (and re-visit) but you wouldn’t want to live there... Unless you’re Marilyn Manson.
#2 – Tecmo Super bowl
Until a few years ago, I thought that I was the only person who was mildly obsessed with awesomely strange nuances of the 1991 NES football classic Tecmo Super Bowl. Boy was I wrong. An innocent Google search revealed that there is a whole lot of you out there familiar with the god-like powers of the otherwise human and anonymous Bob Nelson. That have replaced Steve Grogan with Marc Wilson. Who have witnessed the majestic ‘Mighty Bombjack’ show time and time again.
Because it’s a sports game, TSB has more replay value than your average game and so it’s no surprise that I’ve probably spent more hours playing it than any other video game ever. I’ve played against friends, I’ve played against the computer, I’ve played against possums with surgically attached opposable thumbs... I’ve played... You get the idea. And you really do have to play TSB a lot before the secrets are revealed to you, Grasshopper.
You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy the greatest pigskin game of all time. Ready? Down! Hut, hut, hut, hut, hut....
#1 - Mega Man 3
On the surface it’s easy to think the Mega Man games are just repeats, but that’s not exactly true. They always managed to add a new wrinkle or innovation, and in MM3 we get one of the best innovations of all, Rush, the robo-dog! I love all the Mega Man NES games, but for me MM3 is the pinnacle of the series.
I got this one out a few years ago and finally beat it. I can still hear the Proto Man whistle playing as I run through that gassy, pixalized meadow. Ahhhhhh.
Mega Man 3 is what the NES is all about.
Honorable mention
Anytime you make a “top” list you’re going to have some tough choices to make, especially when you only have ten spots. Here are some of the games that were in the running for the last few spots (I’m sure leaving ‘Legend of Zelda’ off was a bit controversial, but it just didn’t make my personal top ten cut).
Bionic Commando
Double Dragon
Ghosts & Goblins
Kid Icarus
Kung Fu
Gradius
Legend of Zelda
Life force
Metal gear
Pro Wrestling
R.C. Pro-Am
River city ransom
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
Super C
Nintendo... now you’re playing with power!
Coming soon... My 10 favorite Atari 2600 games
Labels: NES, Nintendo, nostalgia, Video games
