The Top 10 Greatest NES (Nintendo) Games

I get why Zelda 2 is so polarizing, but we wouldn't have the world building we see in other Zelda games without it IMO.

As a child, I'm mad at you. As an adult, I appreciate and understand your views and opinion. great list. Love your videos!

Delighted to see Destiny of an Emporer listed.

i love how NES had so many amazing games that one persons top ten can be completely different from anothers yet both filled with games that are absolutely in any discussion for it. for me- my #1 is always River City Ransom- i just have so many great memories of playing it as a kid that it is eternally #1 - and its not even on the list yet i think your list is great!

Great list, loved seeing Crystalis up there so high. Too many top NES list gloss over Crystalis but this is by far one of the most influential games on the NES from an ARPG standpoint.

Oh my god The Guardian Legend music.. that alone makes it list worthy!!

I’m RIGHT THERE with you on your #1 pick. LOVED that game, and I was actually shocked that someone else feels the same way haha

Man, the world-building in Zelda 2 really captivated me back in the day and I really wished they had explored some more in that direction. Also Crystalis' music is gonna be stuck in my head all day now and I ain't even mad 😂

Yes! Zelda 2 is my favorite NES game. Glad to see others give it the love it deserves.

A friend down the street had Zelda 2. Blew me away how good it was. And also crazy how many people either never played it or didnt like it. I think it had something to do with it being a difficult game and lots of very young kids not liking it.

Totally agree with you on Zelda 2. I wish they would do a remake of it, or at least an updated version with newer graphics.

I love when it is clear someone has a passion for older games and played them growing up. As someone from there and a fan of your videos you nailed this one. It could not have been easy to make.

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I honestly started this video thinking, "No one EVER mentions Destiny of an Emperor, but it would be on my list.' Thank you! Such an overlooked game.

I’m so stoked to see someone that loves Zelda II as much as I do. I never understood the flak it caught. Easily my favorite NES game!

As I watched your video, I kept thinking: "If he didn't put that for number 1, what will be number 1?" In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "it could be Zelda 2.... no... he wouldn't do that." I've got to admit that I was genuinely surprised that you put Zelda 2 at number 1... but I was very glad to see it there. While I don't know that I would put it at number 1, I do think it would definitely be in my top 10. I believe it is criminally underrated. While it does have a few flaws, I think most people don't like it because 1 - it was very hard and 2 - it is not what they were expecting. As a child, I had both Zelda games. I always had great respect for the gold colored cartridge. Zelda 1 was very good, but Zelda 2 always had something about it that intrigued me. It had a difficulty that demanded respect (which people are now coming to appreciate). It was a bit darker than usual. The various towns gave the game a much more fleshed out world. But I've got to say that the music was absolutely amazing... probably my favorite soundtrack on the NES. I still sometimes wonder how the NES was even capable of music like that! I would love to see a remake of Zelda two in a similar way to how Nintendo remade Link's awakening. Anyways, that is a great list! The only one that I felt out of place was the Chinese style game... I'm sure that it was probably also pretty good. I would also consider the following as runner ups - Mario 2, Willow, Kirby's Adventure, something from mega man series, Goonies 2, Faxanadu, Star Tropics series, and Mike Tyson's Punch Out.

Zelda 2 came out very late in 1988... Due to the so called chip shortage of the time, I searched high and low for a copy. Fast forward to around spring 1989, I found two copies at my local wally-world and scooped one up!!! To this day, I have very fond memories of playing this game... So yes, Zelda 2 gets a #1 rating from me!!! Thank you for taking me down nostalgia blvd.!!!

A top NES game list with Zelda 2 at #1!? Dang thought I was the only one

I too agree with your #1 pick. Zelda 2 was awesome, especially for it's time. And like many here, I would love to see a remake of that game with say "Vigil: The Longest Night" graphics. Even "Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest" deserves a remake with modern-day graphics and of course, modern day quality of life perks. Now I know, there are mods and fan remakes out there. Played some of them as well. I highly recommend "Zelda II Enhanced PC Edition by HoverBat". It is the best Zelda 2 fan remake ever.

Great video, has to be my favorite since your Final Fantasy 1,6, and 7. The gannon laugh in Zelda 2 always reminded me of Sandman after you got knocked out in Punch out.