♫ Happy happy birthday / from all of us to you! ♫
Nintendo is a household name today, but for gamers with lower back pain and undereye cream regimens, the relationship goes much further back — 42 years, to be exact. More than four decades ago, the global media giant released its first home game system to players in the United States: the Nintendo Entertainment System. The clunky console, rectangular controllers, and interchangeable cartridges allowed gamers to bring the arcade to the living room. No lines, no quarters, no onus to be home when the streetlights come on.
The NES’s charming, 8-bit art style is still beloved nearly 50 years after its release, and many of its games beget massive franchises in the years following their launch. Feeling nostalgic? These 10 classics aged like fine wine, all serving as powerful reminders of the home console’s colossal cultural impact.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1989)
There’s no denying the footprint left by earlier Mario sidescrollers, but Super Mario Bros. 3 is something special. The game gave players some exciting new abilities via collectible power-ups like the Cape Feather and Super Leaf, but man, that cute Tanooki Suit took our mustachioed plumber to new heights — literally.
New moves aside, the vibrant colors, fresh environments, formidable new enemies, and even its minimal soundtrack were more exciting than ever. Super Mario Bros. 3 is still just as challenging as it was when we first played, but approachable enough to introduce to a new generation of Nintendo fans.
Metroid (1987)
The suit on our girl Samus Aran isn’t nearly as flashy as the version we can expect in Nintendo’s upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but she’s still out there chewin’ gum and kickin’ cans in the franchise’s first installment. While gamers still scrolled from left to right, the non-linear world incentivized and rewarded stage exploration in an all-new way. The popularity of Metroid‘s grab-items-and-go-back gameplay progression led to the widespread introduction of a unique genre, known as the “Metroidvania.”
The game is among the most noteworthy early titles to feature a female protagonist.
Ninja Gaiden (1989)
Gamers first joined the stealthy Ryu Hayabusa in ’89, but the franchise’s slick, action-packed gameplay, short film-like cutscenes, and memorable soundtrack enthralled players in ways they’d never felt before. The Ninja Gaiden series is still around, and while it’s since pivoted from pixel art to three-dimensional visuals, the new games are just as tough as the OG release.
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Kirby’s Adventure (1993)
Our favorite pink wonder is, of course, still swallowing up the competition. The cutie stepped (well, hovered) into the spotlight in the Nintendo Game Boy hit Kirby’s Dream Land more than 30 years ago, but it’s the NES’s Adventure that first introduced the character’s beloved Copy Abilities. Years later, those moves are still one of Kirby’s main draws.
Whether Kirby’s your Smash main, your Dream Buffet buddy, or you’re a fan of his more absurd states (lookin’ at you, Car Mouth Kirby), the Planet Popstar denizen remains a global icon.
Contra (1987)
Run-and-gunners still name Contra as one of the genre’s most memorable entries. Whether playing solo or with friends, the high-octane shooter feels less like an 8-bit arcade game and more like an action flick. Even after several decades, Contra can heighten player adrenaline like no other.
Contra is also one of the titles that popularized the Konami Code (↑, ↑, ↓, ↓, ←, →, ←, →, B, A, Start), but you already knew that, didn’t you?
Dragon Quest (1986)
Dragon Quest was Dragon Warrior when it first landed in North America in 1986, and despite an early name change, it’s only grown in popularity since.
The JRPG was a novel genre in the 80s, its ultra-grindy gameplay garnering love (and frustration) from the most goal-oriented gamers. Just like many modern role-playing games, players invested real-world time to improve equipment, abilities, and ultimately come out on top. Since its first stateside appearance, Dragon Quest boasts 11 unique installments under its belt.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
As a millennial born in a post-Zelda world, the IP has been an entertainment staple in the States for as long as I’ve been breathing. Weird to think about, but cool.
The sword-wielding Link first pursued Princess Zelda in the late 80s, and thanks to obsessed fans just about everywhere, the longstanding franchise now boasts a whopping 20 original releases (not even touching on all the series remasters, ports, or re-releases).
Punch-Out!! (1987)
Punch-Out!! was an arcade staple for a few years prior to its home console arrival, but that only fueled its commercial and critical success. Punch-Out!! players then and now lean into pattern recognition and expertly-timed attacks, as well as some serious grit and determination, to get green gear-wearin’ Little Mac through the gauntlet (mostly) unscathed.
Castlevania (1986)
Spooky aesthetics, action-packed gameplay, immersive music, and satisfying platforming make Castlevania a fave among old heads and modern players. The franchise has become an all-timer since its inaugural stateside appearance, leading to several original installments, offshoots, and small-screen adaptations.
Without Simon Belmont’s longstanding impact, we wouldn’t have contemporary classics like Vampire Survivors, Blasphemous, or Hollow Knight.
Donkey Kong Jr. (1982)
As a kid, I preferred Donkey Kong Jr. to the original game. As an adult, I feel the same.
Jr. flips the first arcade game on its head by making Mario the “big bad.” Players instead control D.K.’s son, leading him through more complex obstacles to save his pops. Regardless of which protagonist you preferred to play as, one thing is true: Without the success of early hits, D.K. wouldn’t be the star he is now.
The arrival of the character’s much-hyped 3D platformer, Donkey Kong Bananza, is just days away. More recently, a Nintendo filing hints at a possible standalone movie, too.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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