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The 10 best NES games on Nintendo Switch Online

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NES revitalized the home video game market, offered an impressive library of diverse games, and made Nintendo one of the largest companies in the industry. Many of the biggest franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. debuted on the NES and helped establish Nintendo’s reputation for developing compelling titles.



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Since the release of Nintendo Switch Online, subscribers have had access to a wide variety of NES games that helped define the ’80s console. New games are added regularly, but if you’re feeling nostalgic for 8-bit action, these are the games you should check out.

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Ten metroid

The original Metroid game was praised for its eerie atmosphere and puzzles upon release and quickly became a must-have title for anyone with an NES. Revolutionizing non-linear adventure games, Samus the bounty hunter gave viewers a bold new experience featuring Alan.

We’ve come a long way since Metroid was released in the mid-’80s. It was monumental for its time, but its controls and combat weren’t that old. Both Super Metroid and Metroid Dread are also available on Switch, offering a smoother experience. If a Game Boy Advance game is coming to Switch, check out Metroid: Zero Mission, a fantastic remake of the NES original.

9 star tropics

Star Tropics is one of the few entries on this list that didn’t become one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, but it still offers a fun adventure worth checking out. However, Star Tropics includes a yo-yo-like weapon to help distinguish between the two.

When Star Tropics was first released, it shipped with a physical letter that had to be submerged in water to receive a code and progress. This was a cool concept that didn’t work well on virtual platforms. In the Nintendo Switch version of Star Tropics, there’s no substitute for letters, so you’ll have to look up answers online to finish the game.

8 Kirby’s Adventure

Many of Nintendo’s biggest characters debuted on the NES, but Kirby is one of the few to first appear on the Game Boy. After the success of Kirby’s Dream Land, the developer released his Kirby’s Adventure. This was the first game with heroes having the ability to copy enemy powers.

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The ability to absorb power from opponents has become a hallmark of Kirby throughout the franchise and in games such as Super Smash Bros. Kirby’s Adventure features over 20 unique Copy Abilities such as Sword, Needle, and Tornado to keep the game fresh with each playthrough. of this fascinating game.

7 river city ransom

The side-scrolling action genre was unavoidable in the late ’80s, and it was difficult to stand out in the then-saturated market. Games like Final Fight and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dominated the market, but a few hidden gems like River City Ransom came much later to receive the love they deserved.

River City Ransom not only has some of the best box art in the NES’s library, but its RPG elements and open world make it stand out from many other fighting games on the console. It feels as 80s as it gets, but if that’s not to your taste, check out the excellent River City Girls, also available on Switch.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is one of the most difficult games in the series to complete, but also one of the most satisfying. Princess Zelda was put to sleep by a terrible curse. It’s up to Link to travel her perilous Hyrule to gain the power of the Triforce that awakens her.

It’s hard to deny how brutal The Adventure of Link can be at times – perhaps as hard as Dark Souls and other FromSoftware titles. saving can be used to avoid the annoying death of returning to the beginning of the dungeon, making the journey easier.

Five super mario bros 2

Super Mario Bros. 2 is one of the strangest entries in the series. This is mainly because it was never originally intended to be a Mario Bros. game. Nintendo of America decided to release a modified version of Doki Doki his Panic, who transformed himself into Mario to appease fans in the western market after deciding the original Super Mario Bros. 2 was too difficult and lacking in innovation. decided.

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This decision ultimately paid off for the best, and Super Mario Bros. 2 is still highly regarded. All four playable his characters have their own unique abilities, and it was also the first time you could play as Princess Peach or Toad. Characters such as Shy-Guys and Birdo were originally from Doki Doki Panic, but quickly became fan favorites and have officially joined his cast of Mushroom Kingdom Colors.

Four punch out

It’s surprising that Nintendo hasn’t released a new Punch-Out for Switch. Especially considering how easy it is to hold a single Joy-Con in each hand to emulate sports. Punch-Out is still fun to play with its timeless gameplay and soundtrack.

Punch-Out is all about recognizing enemy patterns and using sharp reflexes to defeat some of the most memorable characters in the NES catalog. Switch’s rewind feature and save state make your ascent to the top much easier, but you still need to prove yourself in the ring to be declared a champion.

3 Super mario bros.

It’s hard to imagine what the gaming industry would be like today without Super Mario Bros. After the video game crash of 1983, the industry was hung by a string until a certain plumber in overalls gathered mushrooms and stomped on Goombas.

Mario’s first adventure has been praised for its controls, soundtrack and level design, most of which are very well done. Each world is full of little secrets that are still uncovered today, and it’s still a marvel to beat difficult platforming sections. Super Mario Bros. is still considered one of his greatest games of all time, and it’s easy to understand why if you play his World 1-1.

2 legend of zelda

The original Legend of Zelda transported players into a fantasy world with deadly dungeons, clever puzzles, and immersive gameplay. While it may feel a little dull by today’s standards, it was Link’s first journey and contains a surprising amount of mechanics and ideas that were fundamental throughout the legendary franchise.

All key elements such as the Triforce, Ganon, and familiar locations such as Death Mountain are present in the first Zelda game. The dungeons are fun and engaging, made easy with some of Link’s classic weapons such as bombs and boomerangs. To do.

1 super mario bros 3

The original Super Mario Bros. reinvigorated the industry with its simple premise and fun gameplay, but Super Mario Bros. 3 introduces a slew of new and exciting ideas that make it the ultimate entry in the trilogy. increase. Its soundtrack was just as influential as the first game, and the new Tanuki his suit allowed Mario to fly and explore levels in new and exciting ways.

Super Mario Bros. was a very linear game, but Super Mario Bros. 3 shakes up the formula by introducing an overworld map where you can choose your path to a castle. Its sharp graphics and tight platforming make for a much more engaging and playful experience, making Super Mario Bros. 3 one of the most impactful and satisfying games in the NES library. It continues and it’s a real pleasure to play on Switch.

Next: Best NES Game Ever

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