#01
Super Mario Bros. 3
A side-scrolling platformer about Mario crossing a world map and using power-up suits to reach Bowser.
1990
NES
Platform
NES
The Nintendo Entertainment System, including IGN's classic Top 100.
Ranked after IGN's classic Top 100 U.S. NES list. Each cart links out to StrategyWiki, GameFAQs, and a live web scan. Walkthroughs aren't rewritten here.
Opened most here
Up to ten guides — the ones people open most often on NES. The ranking further down is a separate list.
Now the full ranking
Ranked on NES
IGN's classic Top 100 U.S. NES list.
100 ranked · #01–#100
#02
The Legend of Zelda
An adventure about Link exploring Hyrule, finding the Triforce pieces, and confronting Ganon.
1987
NES
#03
Super Mario Bros.
A side-scrolling platformer about Mario jumping through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach.
1985
NES
#04
Mega Man 2
A run-and-gun platformer about Mega Man taking weapons from eight robot masters.
1989
NES
#05
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
A platformer about Trevor Belmont and his allies climbing toward Dracula's castle.
1990
NES
#06
Metroid
An exploration platformer about Samus Aran hunting Space Pirates and Metroids on planet Zebes.
1986
NES
#07
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
A boxing game about Little Mac working up the ranks of the World Video Boxing Association.
1987
NES
#08
Dragon Warrior
A turn-based RPG about a descendant of Erdrick crossing Alefgard to defeat the Dragonlord.
1989
NES
#09
Bionic Commando
A platformer about a commando who swings on a bionic arm instead of jumping.
1988
NES
#10
DuckTales
A platformer about Scrooge McDuck bouncing on his cane through the world in search of treasure.
1989
NES
#11
Final Fantasy
A turn-based RPG about four warriors restoring the crystals and saving the world.
1990
NES
#12
Contra
A run-and-gun about two commandos fighting an alien army on foot and from behind.
1988
NES
#13
R.C. Pro-Am
A racing game about radio-controlled trucks collecting weapons on small isometric tracks.
1988
NES
#14
Excitebike
A motorcycle racing game about dirt tracks, turbo boosts, and clearing jumps.
1985
NES
#15
River City Ransom
A beat-'em-up RPG about two students brawling across town to rescue a kidnapped girlfriend.
1989
NES
#16
Mega Man 3
A robot-master platformer that adds Mega Man's robotic dog, Rush, and a new slide.
1990
NES
#17
Ninja Gaiden
A cinematic action-platformer about ninja Ryu Hayabusa avenging his father.
1989
NES
#18
Super Mario Bros. 2
A side-scrolling platformer about Mario and friends picking up enemies in the dream world of Subcon.
1988
NES
#19
Castlevania
A platformer about Simon Belmont fighting through Dracula's castle with a whip.
1987
NES
#20
Kid Icarus
A vertical platformer about the angel Pit climbing out of the underworld to save Angel Land.
1987
NES
#21
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
A side-scrolling adventure about Link searching the land for the Triforce of Courage.
1988
NES
#22
Blaster Master
An action-adventure about a mix of overhead tank driving and side-view platforming inside a mutating underground.
1988
NES
#23
Bubble Bobble
A co-op arcade game about two dragons trapping enemies inside bubbles.
1988
NES
#24
Blades of Steel
An arcade hockey game that breaks into fistfights when the play gets rough.
1988
NES
#25
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
An adventure about Simon Belmont wandering towns and mansions to lift Dracula's curse.
1988
NES
#26
Metal Gear
A stealth game about Solid Snake sneaking through a fortress instead of shooting everyone.
1988
NES
#27
Kirby's Adventure
A platformer about Kirby inhaling enemies and copying their powers to stop King Dedede.
1993
NES
#28
Baseball Stars
A baseball game about recruiting a team, spending your winnings, and playing a season.
1989
NES
#29
Adventure Island II
A platformer about Master Higgins riding dinosaur companions across a chain of islands.
1991
NES
#30
Mega Man
A platformer about Mega Man stopping Dr.
1987
NES
#31
Micro Machines
A top-down racer about tiny toy vehicles speeding around tabletops, gardens, and pool tables.
1991
NES
#32
Snake Rattle 'n' Roll
An isometric platformer about two snakes eating enough to grow and reach the next ledge.
1990
NES
#33
Batman: The Video Game
A platformer about Batman fighting through Gotham to stop the Joker.
1989
NES
#34
Gradius
A side-scrolling shooter about the Vic Viper collecting power-ups in a fixed order.
1986
NES
#35
StarTropics
An adventure about a boy named Mike searching tropical islands for his missing uncle.
1990
NES
#36
Faxanadu
A side-scrolling RPG about an elf climbing from the roots of the World Tree to restore it.
1989
NES
#37
Jackal
A top-down shooter about a jeep rescuing prisoners behind enemy lines.
1988
NES
#38
Life Force
A shooter that alternates between outer space and a voyage through a giant living creature.
1988
NES
#39
Dragon Warrior IV
A chapter-based RPG about several heroes whose separate stories join into one quest.
1992
NES
#40
Battletoads
A brawler-platformer about three toads on a rescue mission, remembered for its brutal speed stages.
1991
NES
#41
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
A beat-'em-up about the four Ninja Turtles fighting through stages based on their arcade game.
1990
NES
#42
Crystalis
An action RPG about a boy with an elemental sword waking in a world after a nuclear war.
1990
NES
#43
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
An action-platformer about Ryu Hayabusa pursuing a sword that can summon a demon.
1990
NES
#44
Klax
A puzzle game about catching falling tiles and lining up three of the same color.
1990
NES
#45
Fester's Quest
A top-down adventure about Uncle Fester searching a monster-filled city for his family.
1989
NES
#46
Metal Storm
A shooter about a mech that reverses gravity so it can walk on the ceiling.
1991
NES
#47
Vice: Project Doom
An action game that switches among side-scrolling fights, driving, and first-person shooting.
1991
NES
#48
Tetris
A puzzle game about rotating falling blocks to complete and clear horizontal lines.
1989
NES
#49
Kid Niki: Radical Ninja
A platformer about a radical ninja spinning a sword through crowds of enemies.
1987
NES
#50
Shadowgate
A point-and-click adventure about exploring a castle by examining and using what you find.
1989
NES
#51
Dr. Mario
A puzzle about tossing capsules to wipe out viruses of matching colors.
1990
NES
#52
Adventures of Lolo 3
A puzzle game about guiding Lolo past monsters by moving blocks and eggs.
1991
NES
#53
Tecmo Super Bowl
A football game featuring real NFL teams and players from the 1991 season.
1991
NES
#54
Ghosts 'n Goblins
A harsh platformer about the knight Arthur fighting demons to rescue a princess.
1986
NES
#55
Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
A beat-'em-up about the Lee brothers traveling the world in search of sacred stones.
1991
NES
#56
Wizards & Warriors
A platformer about a knight collecting keys and spells inside monster-filled castles.
1987
NES
#57
Rad Racer
A behind-the-car racing game about shifting gears and beating the clock on scenic roads.
1987
NES
#58
Mega Man 6
A robot-master platformer about a worldwide robot tournament secretly run by Dr.
1994
NES
#59
Rygar
A platformer about a warrior who fights with a shield on a chain.
1987
NES
#60
Super C
A run-and-gun about the Contra soldiers fighting aliens through bases, jungles, and vehicles.
1990
NES
#61
Maniac Mansion
A point-and-click adventure about kids sneaking through a mad scientist's house to save a friend.
1990
NES
#62
Kung Fu
A side-scrolling fighter about a martial artist punching and kicking through five floors of enemies.
1985
NES
#63
Gargoyle's Quest II
An action-platformer about the gargoyle Firebrand exploring a demon world.
1992
NES
#64
IronSword: Wizards & Warriors II
A platformer about a knight gathering elemental magic to defeat an evil wizard.
1989
NES
#65
Stinger
A shooter that switches between a top-down view and side-scrolling stages.
1987
NES
#66
Cobra Triangle
An isometric boat game about racing, shooting, and jumping waterfalls.
1989
NES
#67
Qix
A puzzle about drawing boxes to claim the screen without touching the roaming Qix.
1991
NES
#68
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
A platformer about Nemo riding animals through dream worlds on the way to a princess.
1990
NES
#69
Tecmo World Wrestling
A one-on-one wrestling game with a roster of larger-than-life fighters.
1990
NES
#70
Legendary Wings
A shooter that starts in the sky and drops into side-scrolling enemy nests.
1988
NES
#71
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
A co-op platformer about two chipmunks picking up boxes and throwing them at enemies.
1990
NES
#72
Ikari Warriors
A top-down shooter about two soldiers advancing through a war zone.
1987
NES
#73
Spy Hunter
A driving shooter about an armed spy car that can also transform into a boat.
1987
NES
#74
A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia
A puzzle-platformer about feeding a blob jellybeans so it changes shape and helps you along.
1989
NES
#75
The Goonies II
An adventure-platformer about Mikey exploring caves and hideouts to rescue his friends.
1987
NES
#76
Battletoads & Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team
A crossover brawler about the Battletoads and the Double Dragon brothers fighting together.
1993
NES
#77
Duck Hunt
A light-gun game about shooting ducks and clay pigeons while a hunting dog watches.
1985
NES
#78
Ring King
A boxing game, seen from above the ring about outpunching a lineup of fighters.
1987
NES
#79
Ice Climber
A vertical platformer about two climbers jumping up icy mountains to recover stolen vegetables.
1985
NES
#80
Demon Sword
An action-platformer about a warrior cutting through demons to restore a sacred sword.
1990
NES
#81
Journey to Silius
A run-and-gun about a boy fighting robots to avenge his father.
1990
NES
#82
Power Blade
A platformer about an agent throwing a boomerang through a fortified complex.
1991
NES
#83
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
A beat-'em-up about the Lee brothers avenging a murder with new special moves.
1990
NES
#84
Mega Man 5
A robot-master platformer about Mega Man chasing a villain who looks like Proto Man.
1992
NES
#85
Lode Runner
A puzzle-platformer about digging pits to trap guards and collect every piece of gold.
1987
NES
#86
Mickey Mousecapade
A platformer about Mickey shooting at enemies while Minnie follows close behind.
1988
NES
#87
The Guardian Legend
A game that alternates between a scrolling shooter and an overhead maze.
1989
NES
#88
Zombie Nation
A shooter about a flying severed head trying to free a country of people turned into zombies.
1991
NES
#89
Willow
An action-adventure, based on the film about the apprentice Willow saving a child from an evil queen.
1989
NES
#90
Section Z
A side-scrolling shooter through a space base that you can run through in either direction.
1987
NES
#91
Mario Bros.
An arcade platformer about Mario and Luigi bumping pests from below and kicking them away.
1986
NES
#92
Skate or Die 2: The Search for Double Trouble
A skateboarding adventure about roaming a town and competing to find a missing friend.
1990
NES
#93
Little Samson
A platformer about switching among four heroes, each with a different way of moving.
1992
NES
#94
Kickle Cubicle
A puzzle game about freezing enemies into blocks and kicking them to build a path.
1990
NES
#95
Mega Man 4
A robot-master platformer that gives Mega Man a chargeable arm cannon.
1992
NES
#96
Dragon Warrior III
An RPG about recruiting a party of adventurers and traveling a world map to stop Baramos.
1992
NES
#97
Astyanax
A platformer about a student pulled into a fantasy realm to rescue a princess with a magic axe.
1990
NES
#98
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
An action game about the Ninja Turtles moving across an overworld and into side-scrolling missions.
1989
NES
#99
Rush'n Attack
A run-and-gun about a lone commando with a knife infiltrating an enemy base.
1987
NES
#100
Ice Hockey
A hockey game about short four-on-four matches with players of different sizes and styles.
1988
NES