Top 10 favorite NES games of all time
Remembering the NES-
The Nintendo Entertainment System was the first console I ever owned as a kid and therefore remains the #1 most nostalgic gaming rig to me personally. While the system employed many kid friendly titles, the NES also was not without its fair share of mondo triumphant 'tude-filled releases! One things for sure... these games were hard as HELL and would mold even the laziest gamer into a keen eyed predator if you gave them enough of a chance before giving up in frustration. Welcome to the generation of POWER !
Whether it be a cryptically puzzling affair that was hard to figure out (like Castlevania II: Simon's Quest for example) or a brutally tough action game with relentless enemy a.i. and twitchy platforming (Ghosts 'n Goblins fits nicely here), NES titles brought it in the difficulty department and provided my childhood with many sleepless nights of "just one more try" when I should have probably been catching some zzz's. I swear, there's just something about the challenge from Nintendo's little grey box that makes beating these games very accomplishing and rewarding despite the usually disappointing single-screen ending that would typically loiter itself at the finish of many of these adventures. Regardless though, the journey is what matters the most anyways (especially in video games) and the NES acted like a wise and disciplined sensai training all those who were worthy to become better, faster and more coordinated in the gaming world whenever you were able to overcome any of its more difficult challenges.
It wasn't all about difficulty though. Accessibility to new players as well as an extensive library of games for all ages provided the NES with even more incentive to give it a spin especially for families. Peripherals such as the Zapper were so easy to understand that they got my 90 year old great-grandparents to give Duck Hunt a try despite barely understanding the concept of what a video game even was! Who doesn't comprehend shooting things with a gun? I know they did and it was a blast for the whole family to watch Nana and Papa squint their eyes at the t.v. to try and get a clear shot at one of those pesky flying mallards. Additionally, the NES controller was relatively simple for most people to grasp and paired nicely with the multitudes of different games that adorned the grand library of Nintendo's 8-bit behemoth.
Speaking of games (...that is why we're here after all), the NES was chocked full of exciting and challenging titles that were sure to keep you busy for many trips around the Sun. Action games, puzzlers, shooters, arcade ports... they're all here and given the chance will supply tons of entertainment to players of all varieties. Picking a favorite's list will not be easy considering the size of the library combined with the other previously mentioned attributes but it's a challenge that I'm willing to take considering my love of the NES and its vast array of awesome games. Now you're playing with power dudes !
The following is a list of The 'Tude Dude's 10 favorite NES games of all time.
Honorable Mentions
-Mega Man series, Duck Tales, Jackal, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Double Dragon 1 & III, Gun Nac, RBI Baseball series, Super C, Golgo 13 & Mafat Conspiracy, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Baseball Stars, Little Nemo: The Dream Master, Rollergames, 1942 & 1943, Tecmo Bowl, Blaster Master, Pirates!, Castlevania, Duck Hunt, Ikari Warriors, Track & Field 1 & II, Rad Racer, Silkworm, Double Dribble, Rygar, Gun.Smoke, R.C. Pro-Am II, Bionic Commando, The Three Stooges, Ring King, Kirby's Adventure, Shadowgate, Pro Wrestling, Ninja Gaiden II & III, Micro Machines, Super Dodge Ball, Crystalis, Kid Icarus, Adventures in the Magic Kingdom, Bases Loaded series, Bomberman II, Arkanoid, Dr. Mario, Battletoads, Elevator Action, Willow, Chip 'N Dale's Rescue Rangers, Bubble Bobble, Batman: The Video Game, Life Force, Ice Hockey, Skate or Die 1 & 2, Commando, Bo Jackson Baseball, Metroid, Donkey Kong Classics, Kings of the Beach, Paperboy, Journey to Silius, Kung Fu, Gradius II, Deja Vu, Final Fantasy, Guerilla War, Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 and the turbo-gnarly T&C Surf Designs.
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