There are many different companies that have left an undeniable mark on the development of the video game industry, yet Nintendo continues to be seen as a fundamental voice of change. Each new generation in the video game cycle highlights important new contributions from Nintendo, whether it’s the expansion of classic franchises or the debut of a fresh series.
Nintendo has grown tremendously since the days of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, but it’s incredible to consider how many of their formative series laid their groundwork on the fledgling console. Some of Nintendo’s earliest titles are considered retro classics that are still a lot of fun to play, while others do not pass the test of time quite so gracefully.
10 As Good As You Remember: The Legend Of Zelda Comes Fully Formed Right From The Start
Nintendo has established some iconic franchises since their inception and The Legend of Zelda remains one of their most popular and creative series. A new and challenging Zelda entry has become a tradition for Nintendo every few years and it’s remarkable how immersive the games have become.
The original Legend of Zelda is obviously a considerably more simplistic experience, but it’s a game that knows what it is right from the start. There’s so much confidence in the adventure and action that’s present in this 8-bit classic. It remains a retro Nintendo title that’s still a delight to revisit.
9 NOT As Good As You Remember: Ice Climber Turns Into A Repetitive Slog With Little Pay-Off
Any video game from the 8-bit generation is going to be quite rudimentary. Gaming elements that are now foregone conclusions, like a story, can be wholly absent and reduce a title to tedious actions.
Ice Climber has surprisingly gained an appreciation by modern gaming audiences thanks to its inclusion in Nintendo’s crossover fighting franchise, Super Smash Bros., but a return to Popo and Nana’s roots will leave most audiences frustrated, not excited. Ice Climber delivers monotonous levels that offer a very minimal sense of progression and lack the charm of similar games like Donkey Kong.
8 As Good As You Remember: Metroid Conveys An Epic Sense Of Adventure & Isolation Through Its Simplicity
Sometimes the original entries in a franchise can be far cries from where the games eventually end up, but it’s quite impressive how the DNA of the Metroid series is perfectly established from the first second of the NES’ Metroid.
Metroid doesn’t hold the audience’s hand and they’re left to navigate through an enormous space labyrinth. However, despite the large scope of Metroid, it never feels impossible or unfair. It successfully introduces the series’ iconic elements in a way that subtly prepares the player for what’s to come.
7 NOT As Good As You Remember: Excitebike Highlights The Limitations Of 8-Bit Racing Games
Nintendo has had a good deal of luck when it comes to original racing franchises. Excitebike marks one of the company’s first major successes in the genre, but there’s just not enough to hold onto.
There’s a certain charm in what Excitebike presents, but it’s become even more of a product of its time thanks to the drastic innovations in the racing genre. The jump forward with the Super Nintendo’s racing games, like F-Zero and Super Mario Kart, provide even less incentive to revisit cruder archetypes like Excitebike.
6 As Good As You Remember: Kirby's Adventure Establishes The Platformer’s Adorable & Addictive Baseline
Kirby might sometimes feel a little more disposable than Nintendo’s other major mascots like Mario, Link, or Samus, but new entries in the series are a regular occurrence and audiences never have to wait too long for new Kirby content. While not the first game in the franchise,
Kirby’s Adventure kicks off the series on the NES and it’s still an excellent example of how far a clear vision and precise gameplay will go. Kirby’s Adventure isn’t difficult or long, but it’s a purely fun game that feels different from the wealth of other platformers available during the early '90s.
5 NOT As Good As You Remember: Kid Icarus Turns Into A Muddled Adventure That Lacks Nuance
Kid Icarus is an important presence from Nintendo’s earlier years, but the company struggled to figure out what to do with the series and its protagonist, Pit, for decades until a modern renaissance on the Nintendo 3DS and crossover appearances in Super Smash Bros.
There’s a tremendous amount of personality and humor in the Kid Icarus series, but the entry on the NES is too ambitious for its own good. The end result is a platformer that often feels overwhelming because of how much it throws at the player and the radical eggplant-centric obstacles that it introduces. It simply lacks the precision that Nintendo was known for from the beginning.
4 As Good As You Remember: Punch-Out!! Perfects The Boxing Genre Decades Ahead Of The Curve
There’s a large cross-section of titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System that are needlessly difficult to the point that they stop being fun anymore. Punch-Out!! tows this line, but it creates a challenge that can realistically be conquered with the right amount of practice and perseverance.
There are still new video games that attempt to recreate a grueling match of boxing, but Punch-Out!! absolutely nails it. There’s excellent use of patterns and strategy, which makes the player experience a genuine sense of accomplishment whenever they win a match in the game.
3 NOT As Good As You Remember: Balloon Fight Feels More Like A Tech Demo Than A Full Game
It’s astonishing to look at how much a strong narrative is fundamental for a successful video game when so many of Nintendo’s earliest efforts don’t stray that far from the repetitive Game & Watch formula. So many of these early games have a basic premise that then gets repeated ad infinitum across endless screens with minor variations.
There’s less incentive to actually reach an ending and the game is more about the process of seeing how long one can last. Sometimes this can be a satisfying experience, but Balloon Fight lacks the ingenuity or personality of many of Nintendo’s early titles.
2 As Good As You Remember: Super Mario Bros. 3 Is Still Considered A High Point In The 35-Year-Old Franchise
Super Mario is still an integral force for Nintendo and it’s become standard practice for each new Nintendo console to also feature an inventive, new entry in the long-running platformer series. Mario has changed in some big ways, but it usually never comes at the cost of gameplay or enjoyment.
The first three main entries in the Super Mario series for the Nintendo Entertainment System are some of the best games for the console, but Super Mario Bros. 3 truly pushes the hardware to its limits. The level design, visuals, music, and power-ups are all nearly flawless even by today's standards.
1 NOT As Good As You Remember: Metal Gear Is An Overwhelming Experience That Confounds Gamers
One of the most insane and impressive video game franchises of the past few generations is Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus, Metal Gear Solid. These games helped put the stealth genre on the map and demonstrate just how eccentric and personal a game can become. Before the series’ rebrand on the PlayStation, there was the original Metal Gear series.
Many of the same ambitious ideas are present, but the basic hardware of the Nintendo Entertainment System struggles under Kojima’s hubris. It’s a deep game, but for most it’s just complicated and difficult to actually get anywhere.