Board 8 > Board 8's Top 20 NES Games - The Results

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#20. Ninja Gaiden (1988)
Total Points: 16
List Appearances: 13
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/9a21ddaa.jpg

Write-up provided by tazzyboyishere
I didn't like Ninja Gaiden back when I initially played it over a decade ago, but returning to it recently was a fun experience. I remember hating the game for it's crushing difficulty, but it really doesn't get that way until 6-2 and everything after. The first five acts are some solidly designed platforming with fun, reflex-driven combat spliced in. 6-2 is certainly problematic in it's design, and the final boss is a bit too confusing to figure out at first, making the punishment of returning to 6-1 after losing your lives at any phase feel a bit much. Still, it's more fair than most games of the era, since you don't get kicked to the beginning of the game at any point (aside from losing in the first act, though it's pretty easy).

It's also the first action game, to my knowledge, to try its hand at complex storytelling. It's a fairly dull and cheesy story but the prospect was cool at the time I'm sure. There is some excellent talent on display with the use of detailed spritework to create a unique cinematography, which feels surreal to see on a system like the NES. Cutscenes can also be mercifully be skipped, so there's no excuse for any game to not allow for unskippable cutscenes after 1988.

Yeah I found 90% of Ninja Gaiden to be really fair or at least not overly punishing. Levels aren't too long that you can't just memorize a few of the cheap deaths and push through. Really too bad about how the game flips the rules at the end though! Couldn't finish it myself because I just didn't want to do the final level over and over again for a multi phase boss.

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Yeah the last level absolutely kills Ninja Gaiden for me, but it holds up surprisingly well before that.

I like Ninja Gaiden and voted for it, but I've never finished it either. 6-2 is such a step up in difficulty that I rarely manage to clear it... and then the final boss rush crushes me, boots me back to 6-1, and then I get mad & quit.

Great game until the birds of 6-2 though!

And yet nobody mentioned Jaquio in that Difficult Boss Mount Rushmore topic. For shame.

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FLOUR posted...

And yet nobody mentioned Jaquio in that Difficult Boss Mount Rushmore topic. For shame.

I definitely thought of the game, it being notoriously hard, but no specific boss came to mind

tazzyboyishere posted...

Nothing on the list has needed to have a tiebreaker

Huh......I guess I miscounted then? I thought TMNT 3 also had 16 points.

Cheaters

#19. Dragon Quest/Warrior III (1988)
Total Points: 19
List Appearances: 8
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/6/609d2c98.jpg

Write-up provided by tazzyboyishere
While I've only played the SNES version myself, this is a massive improvement from both 1 and 2. The combat is snappier and there is far more balance with the dungeons and battles. The way the story plays out was far more ambitious and involved too. There were a lot of moments where I was kind of stunned by the creativity on display for how to progress the plot. It felt quite fun to explore and progress through the world with my team. I do wish there was some sort of communication between the characters, and that the long-running plot thread of your father's whereabouts wasn't so intensely anticlimactic. But I have to acknowledge the age of the game in some of these lesser parts, as the spots it does well are a ton of fun. Never once had an issue of confusion either, despite it being a fan translation, which wasn't the case for DQ2 with it's official translation. Not sure what fans typically think of the NES official translation, but props to the crew who worked on DQ3!

Last one tonight

#18. Mega Man 6 (1993)
Total Points: 19
List Appearances: 12
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/27154626.jpg

Write-up provided by NBIceman
A delightfully quirky entry in the series and, Id argue, one that spent too long being somewhat overlooked and underrated. Mega Man lore is always good for a chuckle, but 6 might have my favorite with the newly formed World Robot Alliance organizing a straight-up anime tournament arc to find the strongest robot in the world before Wily stuff happens. Its a great setup for getting to go out and fight a centaur robot in a Greek-themed stage or Yamato Man in a Japan-themed stage.

Outside of the soundtrack, which I think is easily one of Mega Mans best, and maybe the ultra colorful stage visuals, 6 may not do anything amazing, but it does everything pretty well. The aforementioned Robot Masters mostly have interesting designs after some missteps in 5, the Rush suits were a nice twist on his abilities, and the endgame feels worthy of it being the closing of the book on the NES games. Im glad that its starting to get some retroactive recognition in recent years. Its hard to blame fans for having a bit of Mega Man fatigue for the sixth title in the franchise (especially because Id argue even the developers did), but Mega Man 6 showed that there was still plenty left in the E-Tank.

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metal storm just missed noooo

WOW

This contest prompted me to replay TMNT 3, and now I would actually put it #1, even over SMB, which obviously would have gotten it into the top 20 here. Not just to get it into the ranking, but after replaying it, I would honestly put TMNT 3 #1, it's the best NES game, but it didn't make the top 20 here. LuL.

Too bad

Too many idiots voting TMNT2 cuz they didn't play TMNT3

honestly TMNT3 not making this list voids the whole thing, no joke

https://youtu.be/GVhyR2Y4TIE?si=dDik7HX5QfRmytID

Yes, TMNT 3 was pretty awesome in the 90s and also today lol. Glad it was part of my youth lol

You all BLEW IT

this whole contest is just for 2nd place now

Tag

Only one of these I've legit played is DW3. (Unless 2 minutes of Ninja Gaiden counts.)

In 1988, I was introduced by my neighbor to Dragon Warrior. I was 8 years old, and this was the first time I had ever seen anything we would describe today as an RPG. In fact, it was to my amazement that it was an NES game where we could actually save our progress, too. I fell in love, hard, but unfortunately I rarely got to play. When I was at my friend's, he almost always took the controller. Still, I thought I was hot stuff for getting to level 9 and making it to Rimuldar to buy magic keys for the first time. Grinding, to me, was fun, and I was prepared to spend hours walking in circles waiting for random battles to happen. Still, DW1 had its flaws.

A few years later, I had the opportunity to play Dragon Warrior 3, and it basically solved all of that. Though my friends at the time were partial to DW4 and its stronger characterization and story, I preferred 3 where I could play the same people throughout and just grind grind grind. I was convinced back then (and for a long time after) that the proper way to play these games was to mash the fight button and then use MP strictly to heal once the battle was over. My party choice reflected this.

And that was the cool part -- I'd played a few party-based games on computer by now, so it wasn't a completely novel concept, but being able to choose my party was awesome. (I would not play Final Fantasy for another couple years.) The large, sprawling overworld, the winding dungeons, and the colorful enemies that I would mentally train myself to learn the HP totals for while I strove to earn the gold necessary for upgrades was simply engrossing. Not to mention, that was before you fell into a volcano and landed in the world of the first game, where we find out that this is actually the prequel to game 1.

Were I to play it today, I'm sure it would lose a lot of its luster. I probably would prefer 4, now, almost 35 years later. But as far as what it represented to me at the time, Dragon Warrior 3 was one of the greatest games of its era.

Before the next few reveals... ARCADE SIDE LISTS ARE DUE BY 10:00 PM CENTRAL

I intend to announce that top 10 after #14 tonight.

#17. River City Ransom (1990)
Total Points: 22
List Appearances: 13
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/21bd7a06.jpg

Write-up provided by tazzyboyishere
Still the best brawler I've ever played. The shift from single-screen fights to an open-world is a welcome change of pace, relative to it's predecessor, Renegade. There's also the RPG-like progression mechanics which add some versatility to how you can go through the game. I also love the charm this game has like when I accidentally picked up an enemy and used him as a weapon, or the sign that says "Trash Pickup" with a trashcan that you pick up and throw at people. The world itself is pretty fun. I like the idea of an entire city overrun by teenage delinquents who are mostly pretty dumb and goofy. The fighting is also significantly smoother than in most brawlers of the 90s that come after it, if my memory serves me correctly. Not much else to say. Super fun game.

I played RCR with a neighbor. We didn't have the manual and were just trying to figure out the game for ourselves. We legit had no idea there were stat increases or anything. We just ran around in 2P beating stuff up, with the game gradually getting harder, until we got to an area where it seemed like we weren't able to keep going. I never knew why. (And still don't.) There was just nothing at the end of that screen.

#16. Mega Man 4 (1991)
Total Points: 23
List Appearances: 11
First-Place Votes: 1
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/5/5b852d75.jpg

Write-up provided by NBIceman
Theres nothing special or revolutionary about Mega Man 4. It doesnt have the bevy of wacky development stories of its predecessors and most of its changes were more incremental refinements. But playing through it is just so pleasant. Its comfort food video gaming in the best way. Its Mega Man in full stride, backed by three games of experimentation and learning and building of confidence. Every bit of this game gives off an air of, Yeah, we know what were doing now.

Though I have more personal, nostalgic affection for Mega Man 2 that leads me to call it my favorite, I think 4 is where the series actually peaked. This is the formula perfected. Balanced weapons. Cool stages that mostly had memorable, enjoyable gimmicks and ALL had great music (this is my personal favorite Mega Man soundtrack). The introduction of the charge shot that was always good but never a crutch. None of the technical issues from prior games. Good Cossack/Wily stages that dont overstay their welcome. No frustration, all fun.

Boring writeup, I guess, but I dont know what more to say. Its just excellent.

Predicting all Mega Mans get in except the first one which is underrated.

Mega Man 5 definitely got in and 2/3 should be near the top

I realize it's a lot of Mega Man games making the list but the thing is, they're all really good lol, like I'd still rather play Mega Man 6 than most other NES games

I'm assuming this is without the dude with the alts, too.

That's crazy. Play more NES games people. I could probably only fit 2 or 3 MM games on my list.

Aw sorry I missed the voting topic!

azuarc posted...

I'm assuming this is without the dude with the alts, too.

Yep, none of the MM games would have appeared yet if I hadn't removed those

I feel like Mega Man is one of those series that if you like one, you generally like them all. Excluding MM1, of course.

Speaking of which, I'm surprised Ninja Gaiden II didn't garner more votes, I think it's a much better game than the first Ninja Gaiden (I assume III is as well but I haven't played it)

I never got around to playing 2 or 3 yet...

Proud to be MM4's only #1 vote. It was the best anything-Mega Man game until MM9 took that title over.

And if only MM1 misses this list, I think that's more of a point for list-credibility than against it. Capcom found an excellent structure for a game series and then took six shots at it on one system while they were already making other fun games too. They had it going on, and Mega Man was their best example of it.

But, to be clear, having all six on the list would be too much.

#15. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
Total Points: 24
List Appearances: 11
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/d/d8e99d6d.jpg

Write-up provided by tazzyboyishere
Zelda II is a relatively controversial entry within the prestigious Legend of Zelda franchise. Throughout the years, its gone from being one of the more hated entries in the series to gaining a bit of a cult following which respects its innovations. The sword combat in particular is far more involved than the simple flow of the original. Combat is notoriously challenging, as it asks you to learn enemy attack patterns while also expecting you to have the twitch reflexes required to know whether to crouch, jump, or move into an attack. Most every encounter is involved and deliberate. The lives system is among the more punitive ones from this era, as losing all your lives will send you back to the starting screen, regardless of if youre in a dungeon on the other end of the map. I think this is the main reason for the controversy, as there are many absolute gauntlets you will have to make it through on limited resources throughout the game. This rule mercifully changes at the final dungeon, where losing all your lives will only kick you back to the entrance. Its a very divisive type of challenge, but one which makes the game memorable if nothing else. It truly is some of the most exciting 1-on-1 combat on the NES, and its a shame we didnt get anything else in the franchise with a similar feel to this one.

#14. Metroid
Total Points: 28
List Appearances: 15
First-Place Votes: 1
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/87cbff3e.jpg

Write-up provided by tazzyboyishere
I recently played through the Atari 50 collection, and, if nothing else, seeing the types of games other developers were pumping out in the mid-1980s has given me a newfound respect for some of Nintendos more archaic titles. Metroid, for example, has gone from a game I found to be far too ambitious, to one that, while still probably being far too ambitious, manages to come together brilliantly given how hard development had to be in 1986. Few ongoing franchises as old as Metroid can claim to have seen few changes to their formula since they began. Mario, Zelda, Mega Man, Castlevania, etc. all have seen major shifts in design as theyve transitioned into grander scales in both technology and scope. Metroid, however, has a near-identical gameplay loop throughout each of its mainline releases, as recent as 2022. Its kinda crazy to think about how good the Search Action genre already was back in 1986.

The game itself is quite rough, as most games from the era are. It still uses a password system, theres no map and there isnt enough diversity in the color palette to allow for similar rooms to be easily distinguishable, the enemies can damage you on screen transitions, and theres a lot of grinding you have to do to replenish your resources after dying. These technical problems can get in the way, but if youre able to look past them, youll find yourself engaged with one of the most creative and unique experiences the hardware has to offer.

Metroid is awesome. The map is huge and the game design is so far ahead of its time, and it's still really fun to play. The only thing that kinda sucks is that you always start with 30 energy instead of full energy.

Hot take: password systems were cool. Saving your game is convenient but I love that passwords allow you to basically edit the game to any state you want. I think Metroid had one of the first-ever password systems of its type.

BOARD 8'S TOP 10 ARCADE (1980s & Prior) GAMES

#10/9. Rampage (1986)
Total Points: 3
List Appearances: 2
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c0fb66b3.jpg

#10/9. Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road (1989)
Total Points: 3
List Appearances: 2
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a22856a5.jpg

#8. Pac-Man (1980)
Total Points: 3
List Appearances: 3
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/4782c1dc.jpg

#7. Contra (1987)
Total Points: 4
List Appearances: 2
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a2cbd11d.jpg

#6. Ms. Pac-Man (1982)
Total Points: 4
List Appearances: 3
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/be83c587.jpg

#5. Final Fight (1989)
Total Points: 5
List Appearances: 3
First-Place Votes: 1
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/39457bb9.jpg

#4. Donkey Kong (1981)
Total Points: 6
List Appearances: 4
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a4892d98.jpg

#3. Space Invaders (1978)
Total Points: 7
List Appearances: 4
First-Place Votes: 0
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/780dbcdb.jpg

#2. OutRun (1986)
Total Points: 8
List Appearances: 5
First-Place Votes: 1
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/3db42737.jpg

#1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
Total Points: 10
List Appearances: 4
First-Place Votes: 2
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/6/63a73521.jpg