Our most recent podcast episode involved expressing our love and adoration for Nintendo. Thinking back, Nintendo consoles have really made an impact on me, and have made a lasting impression on my gaming tastes and preferences. Nintendo made many strides over the years, and has made countless impression on me. I’m going to let you know the baker’s dozen of Nintendo games that have been my favorites over the years. A few guidelines have to be established first. One, only one entry in a franchise is allowed, otherwise I’d have several entries from the Super Mario series. Two, I’m limiting the list to games that I’ve personally played and experienced, either by playing on the actual console or the not officially sponsored nor officially condoned emulated version of the game because EMULATION IS BAAAAAD! *wink* Why thirteen? Because I’m sooooo original! So let’s get things started!
#13 – NES: Gyromite
Yeah, I know many people are going to have an issue with this title. It was a title that was available in the initial release of the NES that included R.O.B., the Robotic Operating Buddy. R.O.B. would assist you as you played Gyromite, and also Stack-Up, and would loudly move and reposition disks onto two pads to interact with the game on screen. It was a novel idea, but ultimately was pushed aside for other…stuffs…
Almost as annoying as the Gameboy in the Captain N: the Game Master cartoon.
#12 – NES: Urban Champion
This game. This fuckin’ game. When the NES came out in the mid-80s, my cousins had the console before I did, and this was one of the games that they had, and also insisted to play. The set up was simple: two guys are fighting on the street, occasionally breaking away so that the police wouldn’t arrest them, until one person was knocked back into the sewer. Simple in its conception but clever in its execution, this game sparked the competitive spirit in me, so for that I thank it.
We’re just going to fight until the cops show up…yeah.
#11 – Virtual Boy: Wario Land
When the Virtual Boy was released in 1995, I was totally excited! Not for the ensuing splitting headaches and eye strain, but for the chance to play games in 3D! There were shops, called “video stores” that not only rented movies and games, but also video consoles provided that you also give them a credit deposit to ensure you didn’t steal their property. I rented a Virtual Boy and Wario Land, and was extremely impressed with the game, when I wasn’t experiencing temple-splitting pain, and having to use eye drops every 20 minutes of playing. Thankfully, Wario went on to other platforms and games.
Imma Wario! Red with-uh raaaage!!!
#10 – Gameboy: Tetris
The Gameboy was a revolutionary system, establishing the portable gaming market securely in its first year of release by including the popular puzzle game that was taking the nation by storm, and exposing gamers to classic Russian music. I remember the satisfaction of getting my first tetris and hearing that haunting sound in my headphones, like a psudo-animal voicing its own demise, going on to greener pastures…or something to that extent.
C’mon, long piece!!!
#9 – SNES: Mario Kart
Ah, Mario Kart. Ever since I first played you, I’ve been enthralled and mesmerized by your simple charms. Jump into a cart, and race with seven others, all the while using the various weapons of destruction at my disposal to ensure that I can ensnare first place and collect the coveted gold cup. How many friendships have I tested over the years through your trials? I don’t know, but there’s no better satisfaction when you’ve “lapped” your friend in a cup race…
May the best racer out lap the other!
#8 – NES: Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The elongated title alone turned many a Zelda fan off from trying it, yet alone from enduring it. It introduced a number of RPG elements that to this day confused many a fan, and haven’t been present in later titles, but it did establish itself as a unique, if not frustratingly complicated, entry in the series.
You know who I am? I AM ERROR!!!!
#7 – SNES: StarFox
This game. Oh, man this game! In the heyday of the SNES, this game stood out prominently. It utilized the FX chip to its fullest while giving an engaging and difficult aviator shooter, while delivering many memorable and established characters like StarFox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy. With his beady eyes, staring intently towards you…never knowing what he/she/it is thinking…just those blank and soulless pools…..AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!
Slippy is always watching…EWWWW!
#6 – DS: Rhythm Heaven
I love rhythm games, and Rhythm Heaven is just wave after wave of rhythm-based stages that, although they don’t really have any end in site, because of the music and presentation compel me to keep playing and make it to the next level. It’s like you’re watching a j-pop music video that you can play along with, and just have unabashed amounts of fun along the way.
GO! GO! MARIKO!! ~
#5 – DS: Elite Beat Agents
Another rhythm game, that puts you in the shoes of the EBA, heading out into the world to solve people’s problems…though music! All the songs are familiar, from the late 80′s to the early 00′s, that surprisingly has an engaging story as the agents attempt to not only solve people’s dilemmas but also save the world.
The Elite Beat Agents are here! Especially if there’s cake!!!
#4 – DS: Hotel Dusk – Room 215
This game is touted as a mystery novel adventure, and it truly is. You play as private detective Kyle Hyde and try to figure out the mystery of Hotel Dusk by talking to the people residing there and investigating the areas. As the mystery unfolds, you find yourself questioning the people you encounter, digging deeper into their pasts, and along the way discovering things about yourself. It truly is one of the best mysteries I’ve played in a long while.
Yeah, but do you have enough time to chat ON me?
#3 – NES: Super Mario Brothers
It’s the mother of all platform games. You play as Mario on his quest to save the princess being held captive by King Koopa in his castle, traversing through eight worlds. The game was included when you purchased the NES, but it provided quite a bit of challenge and strategy upon the player back in the day. We all had experienced the frustration of being told that the princess was in another castle after enduring many trials and tribulations.
The European cover art is so much cooler than ours.
#2 – NES: Anticipation
Back in the day, many games were developed by other companies but released officially as a Nintendo title. This game was of that ilk. It was fashioned after Pictionary at the time, but the computer would draw out the clue, waiting for a player to buzz in and guess what the image was. If you played the game repeatedly, you would be familiar with the image that was being drawn, and totally have an advantage over the computer players, or your friends that chose to play with you despite the huge handicap.
SPACE INVADER!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!
#1 – SNES: Super Metroid
Holy shit. I mean, HOLY SHIT!!!!! When Metroid was released for the NES, I played it, and I was impressed on many leveld. Not only was the world expansive and exploratory, the power ups and hidden bonuses made it all the worthwhile to explore and find everything to make sure you had the best ending. Super Metroid blew all those elements and expectations out of the water! This was an upgrade, and buffed up the experience compared to the last. Sure, you started out basically as before, with only your wits and bare minimum equipment, but as you advanced and explored, you gained the much need power and tech to progress further, and be better equipped to deal with the ensuing entities that you encountered. Not only was the soundtrack top notch, but Super Metroid had the most impressive and best intro level/tutorial that I’ve experienced. Like, better than Mega Man X! And that’s saying something!
Eat my missles!
OH NO YOU DIN’T!!!!!!
So, I hope you enjoyed this list! If you think there are some Nintendo games that I missed, or you think should be mentioned, post them in the comments below. I’d love to hear your feedback!
