The Nintendo Entertainment System is a console that changed gaming forever. Released in the U.S. with a myriad accessories and games, it quickly gained a reputation as a high-tech entertainment machine that could also play some of the best titles that gaming had to offer.
Many of the NES’s greatest games are platformers or heavily influenced by platforming. This is certainly the case with games like Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, both of which exemplify the platforming genre perfectly.
Ninja Gaiden Provides a Great Challenge
Ninja Gaiden was one of the first console games to use cutscenes to help tell its story. Here, Ryu Hayabusa is in America to avenge his father. He ends up embroiled in the affairs of the CIA, which leads to him becoming responsible for stopping the machinations of a demon.
Great as Ninja Gaiden is, especially when it comes to platforming and combat, players are unlikely to ever finish it due to its sheer difficulty. Despite the consistent likelihood of falling backward into doom, players will be too hypnotized by the game’s action to ever quit.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers Sees the Power Duo on Their Greatest Adventure
Based on the short-lived yet beloved animated series of the same name, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers sees the titular duo out to supposedly rescue a kitten. However, this mission proves to be a cover for the nefarious Fat Cat’s ploy to kidnap Gadget. This forces the dynamic duo to go to great lengths in order to rescue her.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is an immensely enjoyable platformer that proves to be even more fun in multiplayer mode. Player one controls Chip and player two controls Dale, with them working together to overcome daunting obstacles by throwing objects and performing precise maneuvers.
Batman: The Video Game Is the Perfect Superhero Platformer
Batman: The Video Game is easily the greatest superhero platformer of all time. Based on the DC Comics franchise of the same name, Batman: The Video Game sees the titular superhero battling Gotham City’s many nefarious figures. They include Nightslayer, Killer Moth, and, naturally, The Joker.
Batman: The Video Game is a truly exciting action-platforming romp that features a plethora of interesting platforming mechanics. For example, players can make use of Batman’s grappling hook to reach higher platforms or, alternatively, wall-jump onto them.
Castlevania marked the not-so-humble start of one of the most challenging yet enjoyable horror-themed video game franchises of all time. The game is set within the confines of Dracula’s castle. Vampire hunter Simon Belmont is in this castle to take on Dracula, but only after he deals with his goons.
Hard as Castlevania may be, it is also easy to get into, and not just because of its engaging soundtrack. In addition to the default whip, players can find additional weapons that make the game easier.
Kid Icarus Is Nintendo’s Most Underrated Platformer
Kid Icarus is a video game franchise that never truly got the respect it deserves, going all the way back to the first installment. Here, Pit is sent to retrieve treasures guarded by the world’s fiercest monsters. Equipped with his bow and arrow, Pit is prepared to take on anything that stands in his way.
Kid Icarus deserves more credit than what it got for its ingenious game design, with the game playing more like an action-adventure romp than a simple platformer. It’s always great to upgrade Pit’s bow, improving its range and number of usable arrows.
DuckTales Is the Best Disney Platformer
DuckTales is by far the best Disney game on the NES, as well as the best Disney platformer of all time. The game makes good use of the DuckTales license and has an entertaining plot, as Scrooge McDuck frantically competes against his rival Flintheart Glomgold.
Scrooge will go through great lengths to amass riches, up to and including visiting the Moon. His ability to use his cane both for platforming and as a weapon is only half the fun players will have with DuckTales.
Kirby’s Adventure Is a Step up From Its Predecessor
Whereas Kirby’s Dream Land was meant to get novice gamers into platformers, Kirby’s Adventure is designed to help players improve their platforming skills. The game is much larger in scope too, featuring seven worlds and forty-one levels. It has Kirby taking on a nefarious force that is consuming Dream Land into darkness.
One of the later NES titles, Kirby’s Adventure still packs a lot of punch. One of its standout gameplay mechanics is the copy ability. Kirby can ingest certain enemies in order to copy their powers, which makes getting through levels a whispy breeze.
Bucky O’Hare Is More Than Just a Platformer
Bucky O’Hare is a game that few players have likely ever heard of; fitting, considering it’s based on an obscure animated adaptation of a forgotten comic series. However, the game is worth playing for its extreme challenge and variety.
Bucky O’Hare is primarily a platformer, although parts of the game also include shoot ’em up and action-adventure elements. This is especially the case when playing as characters other than Bucky himself, including Blinky, who is able to shoot in multiple directions.
Metroid Gives Players Many Paths
Metroid is set on the home base of the Space Pirates, a nefarious intergalactic criminal organization led by Ridley. The Space Pirates have captured Metroid samples and are planning to use them for their devious deeds. It is up to Samus Aran, a skilled bounty hunter, to put a stop to the Space Pirates’ plans.
An early pioneer in the non-linear Metroidvania genre, Metroid offers multiple paths to the end. Needless to say, no two Metroid playthroughs are truly the same, with players finding different items and power-ups that will help them to take on their enemies.
Super Mario Bros. 3 Is the NES’s Greatest Platformer
Super Mario Bros. 3, at the time of its release, was the largest Mario game ever made. It has ninety levels and takes place over the course of eight worlds, each with its own terrain, climate, and hazards. Mario has to traverse these eight worlds in order to get to Bowser, who is holding Princess Peach captive.
On top of its diverse level design, the game also hosts some of the best power-ups of any Mario game. They include the tanooki suit, which allows Mario to turn to stone, and the frog suit, which allows him to swim with ease.
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