The top five games of the NES –

5. RC Pro-Am

There is only one NES game that I enjoy playing to this day. There is only one NES game that I find as entertaining now as I did in the 1980s, without exception or extenuating circumstances. It was developed by Rare and is spelled Pro-Am. And it is incomparably good.

4. Super Mario Bros. 2

I know, I know. Super Mario Bros. 3 is the most popular choice here. Not to mention the iconic first game that defined what the entire form of entertainment stood for, but for me it’s the runner-up that rules this entire 8-bit series. There is so much charm in the old ultra-Japanese Doki Doki Panic remade into Super Mario &Co ‘s second adventure, so much personality and fun design. I love the somewhat stiff controls, I love the ability to pick up enemies (and objects) and the music.

3. Mega Man 2

Although Mega Man (the original game) was good for its time and still amuses, it is clearly the sequel that stands out. Because Mega Man 2 is a platform masterpiece so difficult and unashamedly iconic that the very first level will have you pulling your hair out. Capcom has found the perfect recipe for the mix between difficulty and reward, the design is excellent and the music almost obscenely good.

2. Duck stories

In the 80s/90s, Disney ruled the world of licensed games with titles like Quack Shot, Duck Tales, Aladdin, The Lion King, Castle of Illusion and many more. Best of all was Capcom’s wildly charming, challenging and varied platform adventure starring Dagobert Duck. It was really quite brilliant and contains probably the best game music ever made.

1. Strike out

A somewhat strange winner? Well, maybe. Perhaps the most expected would have been to put Super Mario Bros. 3 in here (the Mario game I actually like the least for the NES) or why not the super classic The Legend of Zelda (which is and was great, but not in the top five in my book). Instead, it is Nintendo’s immortal boxing project that dominates my top list, and much of that is due to the fact that the game is still as fun, challenging and mechanically perfect today as it was 40 years ago.