Essential Games List
The NES games we think are still worth your time today, voted on at the end of every episode. Listed in the order we covered them.
43games voted Essential
19were unanimous
24split the room
004DUCK HUNT
REVIEWLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1985 · Nintendo Research & Development 1
Unanimous
014SUPER MARIO BROS.
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1985 · Nintendo Research & Development 4
Unanimous
024BALLOON FIGHT
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1986 · Nintendo Research & Development 1
Mike + Sean voted
035GRADIUS
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1986 · Konami
Unanimous
044CASTLEVANIA
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1987 · Konami
Unanimous
057METROID
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1987 · Nintendo Research & Development 1, Intelligent Systems
Sean + Joe + Sam voted
058THE LEGEND OF ZELDA
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1987 · Nintendo Research & Development 4
Unanimous
076MIKE TYSON'S PUNCH-OUT
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1987 · Nintendo Research & Development 3
Unanimous
088MEGA MAN
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1987 · Capcom
Unanimous
092CONTRA
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1988 · Konami
Unanimous
093GUN.SMOKE
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1988 · Capcom
103DOUBLE DRAGON
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1988 · Technōs Japan
Mike + Sean voted
111LIFE FORCE
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1988 · Konami
Unanimous
132SPY VS SPY
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1988 · Kemco
Sean + Joe voted
133SUPER MARIO BROS. 2
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1988 · Nintendo Research & Development 4
Unanimous
135BLASTER MASTER
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1988 · Sunsoft
Unanimous
164TECMO BOWL
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1989 · Tecmo
Mike + Sean + Sam voted
170Ninja Gaiden
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1989 · Tecmo
Unanimous
172The Adventures of Lolo
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1989 · HAL Laboratory
Unanimous
176The Guardian Legend
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1989 · Compile
Mike + Sean + Joe voted
190MEGA MAN 2
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1989 · Capcom
Mike + Sean + Joe voted
207Faxanadu
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1989 · Hudson Soft
Mike + Sean + Joe voted
216DuckTales
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1989 · Capcom
Sean voted
238Archon
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1989 · Bullet-Proof Software
Sean + Joe voted
246Shadowgate
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1989 · Kemco
Sean + Joe voted
250Willow
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1989 · Capcom
Mike + Joe voted
257Double Dragon II
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Technōs Japan
Mike + Sean voted
264River City Ransom
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Technōs Japan
Sean + Joe voted
275Super Mario Bros. 3
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Nintendo Research & Development 4
Mike + Sean + Joe voted
303Super C
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Konami
Sean + Joe voted
308Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
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1990 · Tecmo
317Disney's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
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1990 · Capcom
Mike + Joe voted
338Crystalis
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1990 · SNK
Unanimous
341Final Fantasy
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1990 · Square
Unanimous
345Snake Rattle N Roll
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Rare
Unanimous
357Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
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1990 · Konami
Unanimous
363Kickle Cubicle
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Irem
Sean + Joe voted
367Maniac Mansion
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Lucasfilm Games, Realtime Associates
Joe voted
394Mega Man 3
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Capcom
Mike + Sean + Joe voted
409Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Now Production
Mike + Joe voted
415StarTropics
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1990 · Nintendo Research & Development 3, Locomotive Corporation
Unanimous
423G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1991 · KID
Unanimous
441Metal Storm
REVIEWNOTESLINKSTRANSCRIPT
1991 · Tamtex
Mike + Joe voted
This list updates itself from our episode spreadsheet. Want to see how every game scored? Check the stats.