Ranking The 10 Best NES Games On Nintendo Switch Online

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was part of an 8-bit revolution. It helped revitalize the video game market during bleak times for the industry. The bright minds at Nintendo are always innovating. Their latest flagship console, the Nintendo Switch, enables players to play retro SNES and NES games with upscaled resolutions.

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Nintendo Switch Online is NES functionality at its best. The service allows you to save, rewind, and play online with friends. Online co-op is a blast, and the option to take turns isn't bad either. If you have the Nintendo Switch app, you can even use voice chat. Without further ado, this is ranking the ten best NES games on Nintendo Switch Online.

10 Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link

The first The Legend of Zelda sequel released a year later with a different focus. The series shifted from being action-adventure to including role-playing elements. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link lets you level up Link's health, magic, and attack.

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It might not be as groundbreaking as the original, yet Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is an immensely enjoyable experience. Despite popular belief, it's possible to save the game on the NES. Open the inventory screen and press UP+A on the second controller.

9 Kid Icarus

If you played a recent Super Smash Bros. game, chances are you've met the character Pit. In Kid Icarus for NES, Pit is an angel who is caught in the Underworld.

Surprisingly, there have only been a handful of Kid Icarus games. Kid Icarus, the first in the series, is worth playing for fans of Pit. This fantasy game delves into Greek mythology and is one of the most overlooked games on the NES.

8 Super Mario Bros. 2

It wouldn't be a complete NES video game compilation without the inclusion of at least a few Super Mario games. NES was the birthplace of the highly acclaimed Super Mario Bros. series.

The first Mario sequel, Super Mario Bros. 2, came back with Poisonous Mushrooms and multiple characters to choose from. It wasn't an enormous leap concerning gameplay, but it remains to be a timeless platforming game on the NES.

7 Ninja Gaiden

Like the more recent Ninja Gaiden games, the original Ninja Gaiden has a high difficulty level. The combination of tight platforming and numerous enemies leaves little room for error.

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The artwork is phenomenal for games of the era, and the boss fights are intense. Ninja Gaiden has an exciting narrative. It follows Dragon Sword-wielding Ryu Hayabusa, who sets out to avenge his father. This game is essential for those with Nintendo Switch Online and fans of the Ninja Gaiden series alike.

6 River City Ransom

This hidden gem of the NES featured beautiful illustrations and was perhaps way ahead of its time. It's a retro open-world game that contains beat 'em up gameplay.

The story of River City Ransom is about high school students Ryan and Alex, who try to rescue Ryan's girlfriend. Clashing with student gangs, you become immersed in the game's world. River City Ransom is feature-packed, and it's one of the best games to play on Nintendo Switch Online.

5 Excitebike

Nintendo developed this launch title for the NES. Excitebike, as you may have guessed, is a motocross racing game. Performing perfectly timed tricks allows you to drive faster in the game. Obstacles like rough terrain can prevent you from claiming a victory. It has been speculated that Excitebike inspired several other games, including the mini-game Pikachu's Beach in Pokémon Yellow. Excitebike was widely popular when it released, and it continues to be relevant as a Nintendo Switch Online NES game.

4 Metroid

Although it's not considered the best Metroid game ever made, it developed the framework for later installments. Metroid follows protagonist Samus Aran, an intergalactic bounty hunter. If that premise alone isn't enough to pique your interest, Metroid features a riveting soundtrack to go along with absorbing gameplay. The combination of platforming and navigating through treacherous settings makes Metroid stand out. Also, the game heavily influenced the creation of Super Metroid.

3 Super Mario Bros.

The original Super Mario Bros. for NES is nostalgia at its best. As the best-selling game for the NES, it sold over 40 million copies on the platform. This was not the first Mario game ever made, but it did feature a recurring theme of a damsel in distress. It also introduced many Mario power-ups that reappeared in later Mario games. Notably, Bowser was green in Super Mario Bros., and he was known as King Koopa. You encountered several fake Bowsers before facing the real one.

2 The Legend Of Zelda

This action-adventure game was the first The Legend of Zelda game ever made. It has a soundtrack that was featured in later games. The depth of the game is incredible. You can shoot arrows and attack with a sword, like in all Zelda games.

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Navigating through various environments will challenge the most experienced players. Platforming isn't a part of The Legend of Zelda. It introduced Link, as he attempts to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon in the medieval-inspired land of Hyrule.

1 Super Mario Bros. 3

Improving on the Super Mario Bros. series in nearly every way, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a timeless classic. The level design is smart, and the gameplay is intuitive. In Super Mario Bros. 3, players can play with up to two players. By alternating turns, one can play as either Mario or Luigi. Luigi didn't have his lean figure, but he did have the power to rescue Princess Peach. The game is recognized for introducing the Koopalings. As a game released in 1988, it is the quintessential platformer for the NES.

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