Super Mario BrothersWho doesn’t remember this game!? One of the first games I ever played still remains one of my favorites of all-time. The theme song is catchy as anything you’ll ever hear. How could I possibly forget my days of ramming through a level by means of Pluckers (firepower), or that Michael Jackson-esque Moon Walking of level 4-2?
Random Memory:
My buddy also had an NES. Despite his best efforts, he was never able to beat the game. One day, at his mother’s request, I came over and beat it for the two of them, so they could finally see what the Princess actually looked like.
Super Mario Brothers 3Super Mario Brothers 3 is about as good as platform gaming gets. It took the first Mario game to a whole new level – giving you some freedom with regards of where you wanted to go next, adding awesome power-up’s, and beefing up the graphics. How cool were those alternative costumes? A frog?! A ride-able boot? The ability to fly? This game was flat-out awesome.
Random Memory:
The location of the first few flutes in the game are very well-known. I can remember always grabbing those, and warping immediately to the world that had the giant enemies. I loved that place!
Iron TankIron Tank was an action game where you took control of a tank and blew your way through enemy lines. It featured an aerial/overhead view, similar to many jet games of the time. It was awesome – but it was as hard as it was fun. I don’t think I made it further than the second level of this game.
Random Memory:
Every once in a while you'd get this sound that indicated that you had in incoming transmission on your tank's radio. At least one of the times, the message would tell you that you needed to rescue some prisoners of war. You'd blow open these buildings and these cute little guys would pop out, looking for safety. They were freakin' awesome!
The Legend of ZeldaZelda is clearly one of the most successful Nintendo franchises; Link has been popular since he made his debut in this game, all the way back in 1987. I was able to acquire
at best four pieces of the Triforce. This was an open-ended game that really rewarded you for your exploration.
Random Memory:
I remember one of my crowning achievements in this game being the time I found one of those hidden doors to the random dude who tells you that you’ll have to pay for the damage you’d done to his wall. Although puzzled, I was ecstatic, thinking I had stumbled upon an epic Easter Egg.
Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesGrowing up, I was a gigantic Turtles fan. Unsurprisingly, its video game counterpart turned out to be one of my favorites. This game, like most NES games, was quite difficult compared to the games of today. It wasn’t especially great, but it featured Turtles, so what more could a kid ask for!?
Random Memory:
I think everyone can relate to this one: one of the early levels of the game requires you to dive underwater and diffuse bombs; it’s a timed level, and you’re required to maneuver out of the way of electric coral reef. Its really quite challenging (and frustrating, as well).
Closing thoughts:The NES was an awesome system. Its basic controller made it a good first console for the young kid that I was. It introduced me to some great games, and I had a load of fun with it. Although not my favorite console, the NES provided me with hours and hours of childhood fun.