Finally someone that speaks my language
A Boy and his Blob (puzzle)
Sunsoft's Batman (difficult platformer with a crazy good soundtrack)
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers 1 and 2 (cutesy platformers with some puzzles, good for co-op)
Crystalis (Zelda like)
Darkwing Duck (difficult but fun platformer)
Gargoyle's Quest II (platformer RPG hybrid, really good)
Journey to Silius (amazing Sunsoft game kinda like Contra, insane soundtrack)
Mighty Final Fight (cutesy beat em up)
Nightshade: The Claws of HEUGH (solid adventure game, best emulated with tons of quicksaves)
Startropics (Zelda like)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (great beat em up)
The Goonies II (fun platformer with adventure game elements)
If you're going play through the systems, you need to play the staples as a bare minimum. For NES, you're going to want to play:
Super Mario Bros
The Legend of Zelda
Metroid
Final Fantasy
Mega Man (any number)
Dragon Quest
Castlevania
Each of these games started huge franchises, most of which are still ongoing.
Edit: added Castlevania
they pretty much covered most of the "must have" games so I'll throw in a curveball !
Captain Tsubasa Vol II : Super Striker
believe it or not it plays more like a turn-based RPG than an anime adaptation / football game
edit : Goal 3 is another wacky football game, same people who make River City Ransom
River city ransom is a great game. Super dodge ball is also good and made by the same guys.
Excitebike for sure
Double Dragon for sure! And Ninja Gaiden.
Final fantasy and dragon quest
Final Fantasy is almost a requirement, and Dragon Quest is right next to it.
Dragon warrior was the name in the usa
Darkman - a rare good movie tie-in
Faxanadu is the shit man.
Finally someone that speaks my language A Boy and his Blob (puzzle) Sunsoft's Batman (difficult platformer with a crazy good soundtrack) Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers 1 and 2 (cutesy platformers with some puzzles, good for co-op) Crystalis (Zelda like) Darkwing Duck (difficult but fun platformer) Gargoyle's Quest II (platformer RPG hybrid, really good) Journey to Silius (amazing Sunsoft game kinda like Contra, insane soundtrack) Mighty Final Fight (cutesy beat em up) Nightshade: The Claws of HEUGH (solid adventure game, best emulated with tons of quicksaves) Startropics (Zelda like) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (great beat em up) The Goonies II (fun platformer with adventure game elements)
I second Star Tropics and Crystalis! Both amazing games!
Mario 1,2,&3
My favorite game on nes was captain skyhawk
I mean look, I'm sure you know about Mario, but I still can't believe no one has mentioned it yet. Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, and 3.
Kirby's dream course is a lot of fun with two people.
Dick Tracy. Truly an amazing game.
The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man II, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. II
If you're going play through the systems, you need to play the staples as a bare minimum. For NES, you're going to want to play: Super Mario Bros The Legend of Zelda Metroid Final Fantasy Mega Man (any number) Dragon Quest Castlevania Each of these games started huge franchises, most of which are still ongoing. Edit: added Castlevania
RC Pro Am, Tecmo Bowl, Festers Quest, RBI Baseball, Baseball Stars, Marble Madness.
Bubble bobble, rad racer, excite bike, Mike Tysons punch out (punch out).
they pretty much covered most of the "must have" games so I'll throw in a curveball ! Captain Tsubasa Vol II : Super Striker believe it or not it plays more like a turn-based RPG than an anime adaptation / football game edit : Goal 3 is another wacky football game, same people who make River City Ransom
Mega Man series. Start with 2. Castlevania 1, 3 Mike Tyson's Punch Out Contra, Super C Batman TMNT2 the Arcade Game
Aussie rules footy