50+ NES Games Worth Playing | Beyond Mario and Zelda | Best Nintendo Top 64 recommendations Gems

[@mlc4050]

List of Games: Life Force Toki S.C.A.T. Power Blade King's Knight Kabuki Quantum Fighter Gun.Smoke Duck Tales Cobra Triangle Kung Fu Astyanax Final Fantasy Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers Blaster Master Heavy Barrel R.C. Pro-Am Xexyz Batman Shatter Hand Jackal Bubble Bobble Little Nemo Double Dragon 1-3 Trojan Super Dodge Ball Kirby's Adventure Crystalis Felix the Cat Marble Madness Dragon Warrior Gremlins 2 Ice Hockey Solstice Stinger Legend of Kage Solar Jetman Shadow of the Ninja River City Ransom Tetris Guardian Legend Code Name: Viper Baseball Stars Karnov Darkwing Duck Eliminator Boat Duel Metal Gear Wizards & Warriors Tecmo Bowl Journey to Silius Snake Rattle N Roll Gradius Maniac Mansion Kid Icarus TMNT Dr. Mario Whomp 'Em Strider Metal Storm Adventure Island Faxanadu Bucky O'Hare Gargoyle's Quest 2 TMNT 2: The Arcade Game Bionic Commando Classics: Super Mario Bros 1-3 The Legend of Zelda/The Adventure of Link Mega Man 1-6 Castlevania 1-3 Ninja Gaiden 1-3 Contra/Punch-Out!!/Metroid

[@NESComplex]

Thank you for doing... that that’s really cool

[@NESComplex]

Pinned! 👍🏼

[@jross3680]

@@NESComplex I think RYGAR and Legacy of the Wizard should have made the list in place of Chip n dale and Darkwing. haha.

[@fervcorsica3358]

The NES is such an amazing console. It injected a much needed life boost to a fading videogame industry and left a legacy that entertained and inspired generations for decades.

[@thegoldenchild4657]

It's amazing the memories flooding back, when I see all these games I loved, but have forgotten. Thank you for that.

[@retroislandboy9708]

welcome back :) !!! now we just need more Nintendo Power Time Machine :) . im like a stuck record when it comes to that hehe

[@NESComplex]

NPTM is coming. im working towards a time when all i really do are Is It Fun? and Nintendo Power and really make those long running series

[@MoamSongs85]

Love it. Honestly, one of my all time favorite NES games that I keep replaying is Little Nemo Dream Master :)

[@jamesdunn5842]

It's always a good day when NESComplex uploads!!!!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you James.... every time the planets align

[@masterrserch3971]

Hope all is well man...u made that heartfelt video about what is going on in your life, after a LONNNNG break from the channel, then made a few vids, then stopped, then a couple more, then stopped again, and now this.... hope this is the start of a sustained run of vids.. u were one of the 1st channels I subscribed to, and now I'm a KZbin addict!! So it means a lot to me to habe this channel up and running consistently!!!

[@NESComplex]

I'm doing well.... just taking time to build up new ideas and assets. Thank you for your kind words

[@masterrserch3971]

@@NESComplex good to hear Chris. Like i said, i was always a fan and one of the first channels i really looked into was yours. Your top 20 SNES games was great. You put a lot of passion into your "reviews" of them, it makes you really believe the games are as good as they are known for, or as good as you say. I showed the Top SNES #'s 10-1 to a couple of buddies of mine, ones who actually never played SNES or even had one...and they were like "wow, i missed out, i gotta start playing these"...but unfortunately, they are gamers who really only stick to the new stuff...which is a shame, and a TRAGEDY lol, cuz if you've never played Super Mario World, Link to the Past, and of course, arguably a top 3 game ever made, now and in the future, our beloved SUPER METROID, well then...i just feel sorry for them lol... Super Metroid IS, as you say, a MASTERPIECE, and at the very least, ONE OF, if not the, finest gaming experience one can have, like you said... just the music alone, my god..it's hard for me even to press start and play the game, cuz that opening music and title crawl..it's BONE CHILLING!

[@NESComplex]

@@masterrserch3971 I'm so glad you enjoy these videos and i hope the stuff i'm working on is just as exciting for you! I hope to do a full Review and Retrospective for SMW in the coming months. We will see... LONG LIVE SUPER METROID

[@masterrserch3971]

@@NESComplex will be looking forward to the SMW one... it's so hard to actually pick your favorite SNES game...when im playing Super Metroid, im STILL floored by how awesome it is, and i go "come on, nothing can compare to this game, it's the greatest..." then i pop in Link to the Past, and THAT game's music is amazing too, and i go "nah, i was wrong, it's this game, this is the best"......then you play Super Mario World, and you go "oh boy. How can any game beat this game, the graphics, the tight game play, the just FUN vibe and smiles it provides lol".... but i think, actually not even mentioned in our talks, my favorite game ever might be Final Fantasy 2 (4)... i just love that story line so much. I love all the characters. It's not too sappy, it's one of the best battle experiences in a role playing game. I actually LOVEEEEE the fact that you have to go to the Moon, and then you find all the lore about it, and the people there, and your heritage. I love the fact that, as a MEGA Star Wars fan, Golbez is kinda like Darth Vader, and that SPOILER WARNING FOR ANYONE THAT HASNT PLAYED FF2 AND WANTS TO PLAY IT AND NOT BE SHOCKED/SPOILED.... . . . Golbez and your character Cecil (or SeRcH, as i always rename him lol), are brothers. It has that "No...I am your father..." Empire Strikes Back reveal feel to it, when they show that you 2 are related.... Then on the other hand, FF 6/3 is amazing too, has such incredible music, and storyline, and also has some VERY hard hitting emotional scenes. I think maybe that is why i sometimes consider it to be the best, because of the weight of the emtion in those scenes. And i get caught up in the moement, not reazling that OVERALL, perhaps in my opinion, FF2/4 is actually better..... i dont know kiddo, it's tough...it's def tough..

[@PixelGameSquad]

Ahhhhhhhh this felt epic! Killer backgrounds and lower thirds as well man 💥

[@snowontheweb]

You're alive!!!!! You're alive!!!!!!!!! Love u buddy! Glad to see u back!!!

[@NESComplex]

i'm well... just took some time off to gear up for another volley of videos

[@zeroa6m5b]

Thanks for the upload Chris! Always like to watch your videos at the end of the day when i come home from work.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks for watching

[@radicalretro2067]

Editing quality like this is motivating. We have all seen game footage from these games before but due to the quality of the presentation it is like new again. Great job!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment!

[@nnomed1975]

chris is back!! its been a long time bud! 5 months.. but worth the wait...

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! More videos are coming

[@DavetheNESGuy]

Dude, this video is going to get a lot of attention. It's concise. With variety. It's perfect!

[@NESComplex]

we will see... i'm not expecting it to do much. i did it for myself

[@greglemieux9809]

@@NESComplex EPIC comment based on the truth, not selfishness. Just how I feel about it 👍

[@NESADDICT]

My Dude is back!!! Winning!!

[@NESComplex]

I'm set for another volley of videos... i hope they're good ones

[@NESADDICT]

NESComplex oh I'm sure they will be!

[@samuraikarasu]

I'm always excited to see games that even I don't recognize, and I've been playing NES stuff for years! Thanks for the great video

[@timwasylyszyn9838]

NES Complex! Great to have you back!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Tim!

[@mathewdempsey16]

I’ve played some of these, but not all. I must say, Faxanadu is a GREAT game

[@GrannySingaporePVP]

Good to see content from you brother!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I hope youre doing well

[@patrickdiggins85]

I legitimately got excited when I saw that this was a new video! Hope this means that there's much more to come, great to have you back!

[@NESComplex]

I'm really looking forward to the next one... but it's a ton of work.

[@patrickdiggins85]

@@NESComplex I completely understand. You have a life and a family. Thank you for the content you are able to produce. Quality is always worth the wait.

[@thetramp123]

Great video on a great library. Love the NES.

[@venvon6433]

Holy Crap!!!!! I’ve been waiting for your return!!!! Life is complete!!!

[@NESComplex]

I was just gearing up for another volley of new videos. i'm looking forward to what's ahead. i hope you like them too

[@RetroR0bbie]

Power Blade and Shatterhand for sure

[@NESComplex]

woo hoo. i love them

[@Matt_Desrochers74]

This most definitely only scratches the surface! So much awesomeness!

[@PrettyBlueThings]

Brilliant I just bought an NES again after probably 30 years, going to RGB mod it and play some of these suggestions, thank you for the awesome video! :)

[@downforwardjab5503]

He never left. He just posted a new video! Always excited to watch your content brother. Cheers!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you and EXACTLY... i just took a break to create some new assets for a new round of videos

[@dr.p.wellington3604]

Dude your picture rocks. Bubble Bobble FTW!

[@BainesMkII]

I guess I'm showing my age because I not only recognize all those games, I remember when many of them were viewed as NES classics, rather than being forgotten in an era where kids only know of Nintendo titles like Super Mario Bros and a handful of third parties like Mega Man.

[@masterrserch3971]

So mNy of the games on this video ARE actually classics that I'm surprised he put on this... Metal gear, stinger, wizards and warriors, ducktales, and baseball stars just to name a few!

[@BainesMkII]

@@masterrserch3971 Yeah, but they are only classics to someone who knows they exist. Long ago, I was sad that there were Zelda fans who only knew Link to the Past on the SNES, not the NES games. Then I started running into people who only knew Ocarina of Time, they'd never even played SNES games. Then I started running into people who'd never played the N64 Zeldas. Same with other franchises.

[@NESComplex]

@@masterrserch3971 What ive noticed is there are "classics" in some people's minds, but other pockets of kids never ever played them. They are completely unaware of them so i just put out a list of that second tier type of game to try to cover all the bases.

[@NESComplex]

@@BainesMkII That's exactly what i was going for... to cover the bases for everyone... growing up i had never played Wizards and Warriors or Stinger... i'm glad someone showed them to me... hopefully this video does the same thing

[@masterrserch3971]

@@NESComplex oh dont get me wrong, i'm not criticizing or anything, im just saying that i think some of them are definitely classics, and probably more well known than you'd think.... some of them are "classics," but only to the players that actually played them, like Lil Samson, which was hard to find...like i mentioned, i have that Raspberry Pi thing, so im able to watch vids like these and then go on and try out games that i never played, which for as many as i konw here and say are classics, there are a bunch i never played...adventure island is one, faxanadu is another... good stuff, all around though...

[@tgiRETRO]

The man, the myth, the legend has returned. Hopefully this is the beginning of another round of excellent content.

[@NESComplex]

I hope so too. I’m working hard

[@tgiRETRO]

The quality of material you put out proves how hard you work. I'm just selfish and want more, NOW! lol

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Steven. New video tomorrow

[@tgiRETRO]

@@NESComplex ...and here I thought it was going to be a bad weekend because we're going to lose an hour of sleep. I'm looking forward to the new video, thanks man!

[@Animedia87]

Welcome back! I can’t wait for more videos

[@NESComplex]

They are on their way

[@viewtifuljoe99]

Definitely keeping this video handy for my everdrive sessions on the famicom!

[@NESComplex]

That’s why I made it honestly. To give people suggestions

[@whatwas44]

Faxanadu, Adventure Island, TMNT 2, and ghost busters 2 were my favorites on NES

[@deadseveredheads]

The Donatello / Rock Steady trick from TMNT, NOICE!!!

[@PersianImm0rtal]

Welcome back!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks... more to come soon

[@NES_Wizard]

Great list of Nes games. You are a true supporter.

[@Fluoride_Jones]

So many great games. This video truly brought a smile to my face!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@Fluoride_Jones]

+NESComplex Do you have any standout favorites from that list, by chance?

[@NESComplex]

Hmmmm. Aside from games in the top 20 videos.... I really like Shatterhand, SCAT, and Shadow of the Ninja

[@Starscreamlive]

Simple and to the point. Welcome back! Glad to see Super Dodge Ball make the list.

[@TwistedIdentity]

Awesome video. Actually named a couple I'd never heard of. But erm..Tetris is by no stretch of the imagination a hidden gem :P

[@Animosity00]

Astyanax, River City Ransom, Codename: Viper, and Guardian Legend were some of my favorites as a kid. The only one of them I could actually beat was RCR, but they were still amazing games.

[@NephilimShaman]

I have always loved Super Dodge Ball since I was a wee laddy!!! Will you be making another video to follow up with that cliff hanger?

[@SuperApaxton]

Awesome list of super affordable games. Well done.

[@CaptainStupendous]

Love the nostalgia overload!

[@NESComplex]

Hahaha! Mission accomplished

[@aaronluke665]

Dude, as a kid i loved kabuki quantum fighter. it's a weird one, but super cool! Wizards and warriors is great too, but the icefire mountain theme from wizards and warriors 2 is one of my all time favorite nes tracks

[@Grisomsun]

Hey Chris! More NINTENDO POWER episodes please!!!

[@NESComplex]

They are coming... Duck Tales is next

[@dev639]

I like this kind of list with the less obvious titles. I have some of those Chinese multi carts and I am glad that most of the titles here that I didn't knew about are present on them.

[@bobinestoroski8880]

Awesome video crazy graphics some of the games nes and snes famacom are the best consoles of all time today's games have 3d graphics but games will never be like that ever again respect from Australia

[@starofjustice1]

I love how in the Astyanax clip how the invincibility cheat's clearly on...

[@neon_one]

I recently got some 253 in 1 multicart that has everything shown in this besides kings knight, kabuki, legend of kage, eliminator, and trojan. Idk why it's so hard to get a good collection of nes games on 1 cart, but that's the most potent one I could find.

[@kennethlivengood]

Glad to see you uploading again! :-)

[@SLagonia]

A few to add; NES Open - The best golf game Nintendo ever made Space Shuttle Project - Very intense and fun, especially if you were a kid into The Space Shuttle Captain Skyhook - Pure awesome. Should have been considered a classic RBI Baseball - I probably played this more than any other game on The NES Bases Loaded II: Second Season - Also a great baseball game Little League Baseball - Yeah, more baseball, but a lot of fun Commando - VERY addictive arcade-style game Double Dribble - Best basketball game on The NES

[@xchuckd]

Watching for my 5th time atleast..love ya NEScomplex

[@TimBitten]

Code Name: Viper was my favorite as a kid BY A MILE

[@jcawthon99]

Nice list, some that I would call classics and some I've never heard of.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks... i hope you find some new favorites

[@rustynail9620]

I've missed you! Nice to have you back.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I truly appreciate the support!

[@7thangelad586]

I always end up taking notes when I watch your videos! To whom does the background music belong?? I love it!

[@greglemieux9809]

Music for this vid is quality AF

[@masterrserch3971]

Hahaha yeah, I have a saved playlist of vids like this,,so I can go on my raspberry pi and play them. I missed a lot of games growing up, and its vids and channels like this that I value cuz I can take screenshots and just look up each game

[@NESComplex]

@@masterrserch3971 That's EXACTLY why i made this video

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! Its "The Killers" from Kevin McCleod

[@masterrserch3971]

@@NESComplex my friend came over before, then had to leave, but is on his way back now, and before i even watched this video, we were bored after the Mets game, so i suggested weplug in the Pi and play some games... i'll def be pushing a few of these on him now!

[@FrankFrankly711]

Nostalgia Overload!

[@OMGpandemic]

Complex is theeee best! Welcome back ❤

[@NESComplex]

no you're the BEST

[@nuklearwinter2892]

Great editing!

[@greglemieux9809]

Another quality vid man. My patients has been rewarded 😎👍

[@masterrserch3971]

Ur a doctor?

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! More to come soon!

[@andremarc1275]

yeah i would add Adventure Island 2-3, Rygar, Balloon Fight, Kid Niki and Bio Miracle UPA... fun games...

[@raddadgaming4423]

Lots of great titles. Nice and clean video..saw a few in there that I don't have that caught my eye..😎🎮😎

[@NESComplex]

Awesome! Hopefully you’ll discover some new favorites

[@dotheevolution78]

Complex! My man! This is turning out to be great day. Cheers buddy!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks

[@dotheevolution78]

@@NESComplex No, Thank You!

[@halveliko5731]

Gargoyles quest 2!!! totally forgot about it thnx time to set up my raspberry!!!

[@Shankbuster]

What is the music playing at the end of the video?

[@pfromdapab]

Man I love your vids Chris!!!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I try

[@pfromdapab]

NESComplex I know it must not be easy with what life throws at us all. But keep them coming! I know I speak for everyone when I say we love and appreciate your content

[@michaelknight8459]

You nailed a lot of them but a few I would like to add to this list. If you haven't played G. I. Joe's Real American Hero's, you gotta try it probably one of the most overlooked games on the NES library. Cabal is also another very overlooked game, its a whole lot fun with 2 player coop game play similar to Wild Guns on the Super NES. Vice Project Doom is also one of those games with different play style that's really good.

[@NESComplex]

I had a list of about 20 more games that I wanted to add to that. G.I. Joe cabal and vice project and we’re definitely on the list. The song I used kind of limited how many games I could fit. Plus that took a lot of work to capture footage for every one of those games

[@pudgegranddaddy]

I would have added Ikari Warriors to this list. Also, two of the most difficult games to complete ever made. Ghosts n' Goblins & Battletoads.

[@ggonzale69]

I agree with most, but how are Black Box games, Double Dragon, Ice Hockey, and Blaster Master not “classics”?

[@NESComplex]

to many all of these are classics... to some, they've never tried them

[@jiggab20]

Bro, its nice to see your making content again. Please stick around this time.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks. I took a break. I’m sure I’ll take more in the future, but I have several videos in the works and many tricks up my sleeve

[@TheReNesance]

When I saw the notification for this, I hoped you had gotten to check out Solstice.. glad to see it on the list. Nice, man..

[@NESComplex]

I've always liked Solstice... beautiful and unique

[@TheReNesance]

@@NESComplex Ah ok.. I thought you had just picked it up recently. I couldn't agree more..

[@ChairmanMeow1]

Power Blade, Shatterhand, and Kabuki Quantum Warrior are my go-to recommendations for new platforming games for ppl. edit - and journey to silius!

[@biiiiiiiiiix]

I can't remember what is the game's sound at the end, can you help me please?

[@coolgreek79]

Good to see you back bro... I was kinda worried... Just post a video every once in a while just to let us know you're ok. Keep it up bro.

[@NESComplex]

lol. yes just took a break to gear up for another volley of videos

[@gru3som3rick]

What's the song playing at the end credits? Sounds so familiar

[@NESComplex]

It’s from Castlevania 3

[@NesrocksGamingVideos]

Haven't played duck tales in seriously more than 20 years. I'll give it another shot.

[@NESComplex]

I still think it holds up pretty well too. Especially if you explore and look for secrets

[@TuxEarth]

About 80% of these are already well known by the vast majority of us old schoolers. Even though I liked TMNT for childhood reasons, I would replace it with Super Tecmo Bowl. Also, Blades of Steel over Ice Hockey, sorry. But I am glad that you put Baseball Stars in that montage, because it's easily the best baseball game on the NES period. It also should be part of NES Online on the Switch, dammit!

[@Dusty_B]

Woo! He's back!

[@sivberg]

yey my hero nescomplex. You give it to ricky and riff. You pwn those boys😉

[@NESComplex]

lol... i'm not gonna argue

[@sivberg]

you know, it just seems like such a paradise where you guys live, sun always shines and you seem to have everything. Im happy for you🙂. Not very happy for myself living in cold sweden and have assburgers and add but trying to find my way and making progress. I just cant do as much stuff you can, only a few things good and it happened to be videogame and loving others. Well it could be worse. i just found those nes pursuit episodes and btw you totally needed that marioclock. So no good arguments from riff either, dont feel guilty😄

[@sivberg]

im sorry for pooping out my problems. others have way worse than me and its getting better. Atleast i look good. Im sure your worlds aint perfect either. but i wish they where😊

[@sivberg]

what are you, some kind of california creep? not caring for your prenumerants. Well good to know

[@CartridgeFun]

Solid list and well put together!

[@beaglelad]

Oooww what's the Soundtrack playing? Loving it

[@NESComplex]

"The Killers" from Kevin McCleod

[@retrononsense582]

This was cool. Nice work.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks RN :-)

[@skalitstudio2208]

this is one epic video. love it

[@NESComplex]

Thank you

[@NefariousWes]

My buddy recently talked me into getting Eliminator Boat Duel, and it's actually not too bad. Who would've thought it? There are actually quite a few games on this list that I've yet to play. Hope you're doing well, Chris!

[@NESComplex]

Doing well thanks Wes

[@tiagofernandes8389]

NES greatness!

[@evan_6594]

Great video brother

[@NESComplex]

Thank you Evan

[@anekisamurai6492]

5:12 of my existence well spent,every bit of it.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you!!!

[@anekisamurai6492]

@@NESComplex i even got some of these games as roms,great list.

[@xavieroriongames5195]

Could use some Kickle Cubicle, Trog, Mendel's Palace, Mighty Final Fight, Project VICE, and that's just a few off the top of my head

[@illingr]

lots of great games highlighted

[@kneelbeforezod2160]

Iron tank is one of my favorites

[@steves3116]

Just gotta add two seem to be missing from many best of lists Thrilla’s Safari and Sky Kid

[@RetrobertAZ]

This makes me want to play nes

[@applememesboom5057]

Yeas I found that old game thanks bro

[@superduty2023]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Have you played Little Samson? It’s a great game

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! Oh yes I’ve played it... I was trying to put a lot of games that people can afford.

[@ivananaya4805]

I recognize some of the games because of the "Is it fun" series!

[@NESComplex]

lol... and some games that will be 'Is it Fun?' games in the future

[@Ruudos]

Great list of titles. Solstice isn't by Acclaim though.

[@NESComplex]

It was developed by Acclaim Studios Manchester 👍🏼

[@stevendudley5687]

Adventure Island 2 and 3 are better than the first one in my honest opinion, Chris. I played the 3rd one the other day on an emulator.

[@eliminator3109]

Nice video and editing

[@NESComplex]

Thanks... it took me long enough to capture all that footage... only God knows how long

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

Surprised there’s no Little Samson. That’s my personal favorite nes game

[@justsayinit6789]

Hey buddy love your videos! Please make the unnabridged version of this video, would be great to hear your thoughts on each. :)

[@krtolebiohazardcs1.681]

Good list

[@GetLostGames1]

Good list. Would like to have seen RoboWarrior on it

[@NESComplex]

i have at least 30 other games that could've been on this list... the song was only 5 minutes long....lol

[@bradc4847]

Are you back!!!! :)

[@NESComplex]

I never left... just taking breaks... this is a hobby for me, not a job. but i love doing them when i get the time

[@bradc4847]

Always enjoy your videos man! Hope you enjoy making them for a long time