Top Ten NES Games

The NES celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in North America this past Sunday. This means that in ten years, the NES will start dating younger consoles like the PS2 because of its midlife crisis. It also means that SuperPhillip Central is here with a special top ten list, detailing the best games of Nintendo's first home console. There were a lot of games to scan through to compile this list, so no doubt some of your favorites aren't covered. That's just a testament to how great the NES library truly was. Now, without further ado, here's the list.

10) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project

While Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game got a lot more hype due to it being a port of the ultra-popular arcade game, The Manhattan Project is preferred due to it being a wholly new game with interesting levels and environments, cooler action sequences such as boarding along the ocean waves, and a host of characters from the cartoon series that would make their only appearance in a TMNT game, such as Dirtbag and Groundchuck. Truth be told, SuperPhillip Central might be a little biased with this first top ten pick considering its love of the heroes in a half shell and beat-em-ups...

9) Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!

The fun of many NES games was continually seeing game over screens, but through doing so you increased your progress each time until you finally got to the end. Endings and credits sequences were earned in the NES generation, and a myriad of games put your finger-fu skills to the test. That first time you beat a game after many days, or maybe even months of practice, blood, sweat, and tears makes up for all the time you put into a game. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out! was one of these types of games, offering a charming collection of national stereotypes to learn their attack patterns, when to dodge, when to thrust your fist into them, and how to knock them out.

8) DuckTales

Bless ye bagpipes with this unforgettable licensed gem from Capcom. The first DuckTales game on the NES was an embarrassment of riches so great that even Scrooge McDuck would be envious. With a choice of five levels full of treasure, jewels, and loot, multiple pathways, hidden rooms, and terrifying enemies, DuckTales' secret to success isn't much of a secret anymore. A very good remake of the game arrived a few years ago, but nothing can compare to the original for being an important part of many gamers' childhood.

7) Metroid

Players joined Samus Aran on her first mission on the planet Zebes, earning new abilities and weapons to reach deeper into the maze of rooms the planet possessed. Sure, the prospect of drawing your own maps to remember locations of items and simply how to get around the labyrinthine complex of hallways and chambers may seem archaic nowadays, but at the time it was like you were exploring an alien planet all on your own. That was the point of Metroid, and it succeeded and still does succeed at making you feel all alone and isolated as you journey through planet Zebes.

6) Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

This next game is just in time for Halloween! Playing as an ancestor to Simon Belmont, players assumed the role of Trevor as he entered the dark hallways and sinister chambers of Dracula's castle. With a nonlinear structure, players can choose their route to Dracula through a series of branching paths, consisting of 15 total levels. With refinements over past games like better controls, the aforementioned nonlinear level structure, and help from assist characters, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a marked improvement over its predecessors without a doubt, and it stands as one of the best games the NES has to offer.

5) Kirby's Adventure

The previous Kirby games were very short-lived affairs that provided plenty of replay value and fun to be worth going through more than once. The pink puffball's premiere title on the NES, Kirby's Adventure, provided not only color and a decently sized campaign, but it also was composed of levels with plenty of hidden goodies in them for completionists to enjoy. What it all boils down to is a game where Kirby could inhale enemies, take their powers, and obliterate King Dedede's forces with ease.

4) Mega Man 2

The first Mega Man game to come with the traditional eight Robot Masters, delivering memorable levels and accompanying boss battles, Mega Man 2 is often stated to be the best of the classic series. While SuperPhillip Central disagrees (although just slightly), you can't argue that Mega Man 2 isn't a superb entry in the Blue Bomber's illustrious gaming history, offering tight controls, wonderful environments, top-notch level design, and an ultra-catchy soundtrack.

3) Mega Man 3

It was hard to ascertain which Mega Man game out of 2 and 3 SuperPhillip Central would choose as the best, but after some thinking and deep soul-searching, it was concluded that Mega Man 3 was the better of the two most popular entries in the classic series. Keiji Inafune might have said that development for Mega Man 3 was rough, but you can't tell that with how good the game plays and how highly competent the level design is. The length of Mega Man 3 is a bit longer than its predecessors, and it doesn't feature a lame Dr. Wily boss battle like the one requiring the Crush Bomb.

2) The Legend of Zelda

"It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!" ...And thus, a franchise was born as a green-hatted hero picked up a sword from an elderly man. Growing up without the help of a map, The Legend of Zelda was like getting lost in a fantastical world full of danger but also mystery and intrigue as well. Never before had players seen such freedom in a game, and the Zelda series itself would never see such freedom again either. Coming across dungeons, solving puzzles, acquiring new items, and defeating savage beasts of enemies were all memorable experiences for players. The Legend of Zelda remains a sensational entry in the Zelda franchise, and it remains a terrific, timeless title.

1) Super Mario Bros. 3

It might seem blasphemous to not include the game that helped save the video game industry on a list of the best NES games, but there are so many other titles that outshine the original Super Mario Bros. However, its second sequel, Super Mario Bros. 3, lets no other game takes it spotlight. The game was a masterful work of ingenious level design, tight controls that felt just right, and imaginative worlds with a load of creative enemies and obstacles to occupy them. This was one game where I'd feel bad about skipping levels with a trick--in this case, the Warp Whistle-- because that meant I'd miss out on multiple engaging and entertaining ideas Super Mario Bros. 3 would deliver to me as a player. It's for all of these reasons why Super Mario Bros. 3 is SuperPhillip Central's top NES game.

Play It Again, Sam! - Remarkable Remakes - Part One

Fresh off the news of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire remakes for the Nintendo 3DS, we thought we'd take the opportunity to dust off our brains and come up with some of our favorite video game remakes ever devised. These are the ones that made the originals look like student projects in comparison. Whether they updated the visuals, added cool new modes, or threw in extra playable characters, these are the remakes that get our hearts racing with excitement. Now, we don't want to overwhelm you with entries, so we're splitting up this feature into three parts. The other two will arrive on SuperPhillip Central in the following weeks.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)

Our first remake is one that many have called one of the greatest games of all time. We're inclined to agree, but this 3DS remake took several annoyances we had with the N64 original and overall made a much better game. Ocarina of Time 3D totally rebuilt the land of Hyrule with completely different assets, textures, and colors to create a more enthralling gaming world. The addition of optional gyro sensor controls for aiming made sniping foes with Link's bow and arrow combo not only easier but more fun too. The touch screen always displayed items, so players could swap items on the fly rather than continually pause and unpause the game, breaking the flow. Yes, equipping those Iron Boots in the Water Temple was no longer a tedious task like in the N64 original.

An unlockable Master Quest, that upped the challenge of Ocarina of Time 3D significantly, as well as introduced elements and puzzles that went against what the original quest had taught players, was a bonus for more skilled adventurers. All of this with a steady frame-rate makes The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D the best 3D Zelda experience to date.

Super Mario All-Stars (SNES, Wii)

Nintendo could have simply taken all four NES Mario games (we're including the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2, aka The Lost Levels, in this group) and ported them exactly to the Super Nintendo hardware. Instead, the development team decided to completely update the games visually and aurally. To this day, Super Mario All-Stars is one of the most impressive remakes ever created. If you somehow missed out on this too-good-to-be-true package when it originally released on the Super Nintendo, perhaps you can track down a copy of the ported Wii version, which was made for the Super Mario Bros. series' 25th anniversary. Regardless of which version you acquire, you will possess one of the grandest collections, featuring some of the very best games of all time.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (360)

Halo: Combat Evolved was a surprise hit when it arrived alongside the Xbox at the system's launch, and the Xbox brand's early success can single-handily be traced to this popular first-person shooter starring a helmeted hero named Master Chief. What the original Halo lacked was online play, so exactly a decade after the original Xbox release, developer 343 Industries brought this long desired feature into Combat Evolved's 2011 Xbox 360 remake. Alongside the addition of online play was greatly enhanced visuals, achievements, terminals, and skulls. It was a long wait for Xbox owners to be able to play the original Halo with players across the globe, but the wait was certainly worth it.

Perfect Dark (XBLA)

This 2000 N64 original by Rare was a first-person shooter way ahead of its time, presenting players with an abundant array of multiplayer options and different AI personalities. The Xbox Live Arcade remake by 4J Studios implemented the ability to play matches online with up to twelve players, or if there were any empty slots, spare AI simulants. Unlike the N64 game, all multiplayer options were available right from the get-go rather than needing to be unlocked through combat challenges. In addition to these multiplayer improvements, the visuals received a magnificent upgrade as well. For those longing for the days of console FPS games that don't follow the corridor shooter path that is so prevalent and popular now, one would do themselves well to check out this XBLA update of the sublime Perfect Dark.

DuckTales: Remastered (Multi)

Taking a NES classic from Capcom, developer WayForward created a retro revival and did the original source material supreme justice. Expanding upon the NES original, WayForward added in objectives in the game's levels, remodeled some areas, threw in a script that explained various story elements that the NES original made nebulous, implemented full voice acting with many of the surviving members of the old TV show cast, created a beautiful cartoon world come to life, added two new levels, and tossed in a Jake Kaufman-arranged soundtrack to put the proverbial cherry on top of this delicious and enticing sundae. While some can criticize the heavy focus on story elements, which do break the flow of the game, the overall package of DuckTales: Remastered makes us giddy with delight. We can only hope Capcom and Disney will allow WayForward more opportunities to recreate other classic games. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, perhaps? Aladdin? Darkwing Duck?

Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)

Not just a remake! No, no! It's an enhanced remake. All turning up our noses at semantics aside, Metroid: Zero Mission remade the highly antiquated original Metroid released on the NES and made one of the best Metroid games released. The development team successfully brought enough new content to make Samus Aran's debut adventure feel fresh while not completely forgoing the feeling of the original Metroid. With the inclusion of better graphics and a helpful map, no longer did players have to experience Metroid by exploring multiple similarly designed rooms, getting lost and frustrated in the process. The addition of story elements were unobtrusive and brought added dimension to Samus Aran's character. (No, not in a Metroid: Other M way either!) The biggest bonus was being able to play as Zero Suit Samus in an extra chapter that players could enjoy after Mother Brain was defeated.

Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (PSP) 

Whether you're a newcomer to Final Fantasy IV (formerly known in the West as Final Fantasy II) or have played through the game more times than you can remember, this PSP remake of Final Fantasy IV featured high resolution sprite work that was absolutely gorgeous on the PSP's screen. In addition to the original game, Square Enix included the WiiWare-exclusive The After Years, as well as a brand-new game in the form of Final Fantasy IV Interlude. Throw in a new arrangement for the classic Nobuo Uematsu-composed soundtrack, new CG scenes, and gallery mode, and you have the definitive version of Final Fantasy IV. (And boy, there have been many!)

Bully: Scholarship Edition (Wii, 360)

The PS2's Bully from Rockstar Games was a fantastic title that was a reprieve from the Grand Theft Auto series. In fact, we'd love to see Rockstar return to Bully sometime soon. The remake of the game, Bully: Scholarship Edition, hit the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 on the same day. Both versions feature multiple new inclusions, such as eight exclusive missions, new characters, four new classes, more clothing options, and minor additions to improve the experience. We preferred the Wii version for its engaging and enjoyable pointer controls, particularly in the various classes protagonist Jimmy Hopkins participated in. As for the PC version, we didn't list it as if that port was in school, it would have received a note from the teacher reading "See me after class."

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Let the Games Begin Edition

Other than the name of this edition of the VGMs, this installment really has nothing to do with the Olympics at all. Instead we will listen to five tracks from retro and more modern games. These are five picks that run the gamut of video game eras, franchises, and styles. From Super Monkey Ball to Bomberman, we have a lot to get to, so let's do it.

v161. DuckTales (NES) - The Moon

Not pony tails or cotton tails, no DuckTales. Who knew that one of the most classic and regarded 8-bit tunes would come from a licensed video game based on a Disney animated series? DuckTales was developed by Capcom, a powerhouse when it came to licensed Disney games. Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, Chip 'n Dale, and more, Capcom was incredible with platformers in the NES and Super Nintendo days. DuckTales is but part of this long line of excellent Disney platformers.

v162. Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (N64) - Game Planet Starlight

Set on the Game Planet Starlight, full of bright lights, casinos, and various ways to lose your hard-earned cash through gambling, this world of Bomberman 64: The Second Attack is complemented by some seriously catchy music. But there's no time to lounge around with one of the Astral Knights loose on the planet. The soundtrack was composed in part by the great Yasunori Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger/Cross and Xenogears fame.

v163. Super Monkey Ball 2 (GCN) - World 7 (Bubbly Washing Machine)

Giving off a distinctly Japanese feel as your monkey in a ball rolls around courses suspended above a bloody washing machine, World 7 from Super Monkey Ball 2's story mode is the penultimate world of the game. Super Monkey Ball 2 had some levels that were more based on luck than actual skill. This put some experts of the original game off quite a bit. Despite this, I managed to somehow complete every level in the game. That is one of my proudest accomplishments alongside my 95% finished F-Zero GX save data.

v164. Drill Dozer (GBA) - Art Museum

Before Pokemon, Game Freak worked on the game Pulseman on the Sega Genesis. Then they crafted a series that some had called a fad. Well, the Pokemon "fad" is still going strong more than a decade later with no signs of slowing down. In between Pokemon games Game Freak had the opportunity to develop one of the last Game Boy Advance games for the system, a unique platformer known as Drill Dozer. The cartridge of the game had rumble built into it. The main character of Drill Dozer, Jill, would see the light of day once more in a guest starring role as an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

v165. Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii) - Dusky (Both Versions)

We continue our Japanese theme from volume 163. Do you recall the name Hitoshi Sakimoto? Well, he was the man behind a good portion of the music of Final Fantasy XII and the Final Fantasy Tactics series. Dusky, particularly Dusky A, is a theme that I absolutely adore. It is perfect for venturing through wheat fields, through demon-filled forests, and across isolated mountaintops. Vanillaware (Odin Sphere) did a wonderful job with the visuals of the game. It is a work of interactive art, wouldn't you say?

===

That concludes this eclectic mix of music for the Let the Games Begin edition of the favorite VGMs. Next week we will have five more intriguing themes for your ears to take pleasure in. For now, take solace in the fact that you can listen to past installments with the Favorite VGM Database.

DuckTales (NES) Retro Review

We've made it to another weekend. Hope everyone is relaxing and having a great one. Time once again for a retro review. This time we're taking a quick look at DuckTales for the original Nintendo Entertainment System.

Not ponytails or cottontails-- no, Duck Tales.

Duck Tales was the beginning of a parade of games produced and developed by Capcom featuring characters from the wonderful world of Disney. Duck Tales is your standard 2-D platformer where you play the role of Uncle Scrooge McDuck as he searches high and low and from the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas to the hollowed and haunted halls of Transylvania for treasure. There are a total of six levels in the game, and after choosing one of the three difficulties at the title screen, you're thrust into Uncle Scrooge's control room where you'll choose to start your journey in either the Amazon (where you'll climb up large vines and thwart flies and apes), Transylvania (where you'll have to maneuver through a haunted castle filled with hidden passages and mirrors which transport you across the castle), some African mines (where your platforming skills will be put to the test), the Himalayas (where you'll tiptoe across the snowy slopes and enter an icicle-filled cavern, and finally the Moon (where you'll infiltrate a docked U.F.O.).

Out of the Amazon...

Each level includes various nooks and crannies to explore. The levels are seldom ever designed to have the player simply move left to right like Super Mario Bros. You'll need to survey the entire level, busting up bad guys, dodging attacks, leaping over bottomless pits, and navigating the labyrinth of the game's six levels to gain treasure. Treasure is hidden well in this game. Each treasure Uncle Scrooge picks up goes into a total at the top left corner of the screen. At the climax of each level is a boss fight where learning the patterns of your foes is your best bet of picking up a victory.

Uncle Scrooge isn't a feeble old duck either. He has a bag of tricks of his own. Scrooge can't just jump on the head of a bad guy like Mario can, Italians can get away with it-- ducks can't. By standing next to a block, Scrooge can use his cane to knock it into an enemy. Additionally, by leaping into air and holding down and B, Uncle Scrooge can use his cane as a pogo stick. This is great for bouncing off foes' heads, making high jumps, and crossing over spiked sections of levels.

...And into the African Mines!

Duck Tales is a television series that was fun, family-friendly, and easy to get into. The game is essentially the same. Seasoned gamers won't have too much difficulty beating the game in one sitting. Others might struggle as there is a certain toughness in this game even on the easiest setting. The beauty of classic games is playing through them multiple times, trying to beat your highest score. You can do this with Duck Tales as well. Simply see how much treasure you can pick up by the end of the game and you might unlock a secret ending. No promises though. *hint hint* If you see Duck Tales in a bargain bin, pick it up immediately. You won't be disappointed unless you have a duck phobia or something. Good luck with that if you do, however. The rest of us can and probably will enjoy this classic.

[SuperPhillip Says: 8.0/10]