Famicom Games you should try out
This is a revised version of an older list with descriptions and just being possibly better. Hope this gets you to try out some cool 8-bit titles regardless of the quality. There are some bad ones but everywhere can witness some kusoge every once in a while.
*Note I have not played every game on here so comment if mistakes were made.
*Note I have not played every game on here so comment if mistakes were made.
150 Games
If you liked the first one, you should enjoy this too.
The actual first game using a save feature on a cartridge.
A text adventure with some of the most impressive visuals on the console. It sadly however almost killed HAL as a company due to poor sales.
A 4 player fighting game that can be pretty fun and addicting though the framerate is poor.
A game with ideas used from a cancelled Mega Drive game. It has multiple endings, top down gameplay and even a level order you can choose.
More Kunio-Kun. This one seems to be too easy for some so be wary of that.
Another Soccer game by Kunio-kun
The sequel to River City Ransom. It's got a new setting and still has the same gameplay as before with some new ideas here and there.
One of Sunsoft's most highly praised games. It looks beautiful, sounds amazing and it's really challenging especially if you want the good ending. Don't miss out on it.
An action RPG with really good visuals. Gameplay will vary for some people.
An interesting board game that reminds me of Dokapon Kingdom.
An amazing action side scroller by Natsume. Good level design all around and is just really fun.
Notable for what would help Capcom one day make the Biohazard franchise. It's a scary RPG with many mechanics that feel right out of a horror game.
A very interesting RPG that tried to not be like Dragon Quest. This has a remake on the Super Famicom.
A fun platformer based off an anime.
A really fun text adventure with some funny artwork and dialogue. The game also has a lot of memorable music.
One of the most impressive shmups you'll find on the console. Be warned though it's really damn hard.
A really fun car battler game that's pretty simple and short.
There's too many Kunio-Kun games I'm tired. IT'S BASKETBALL BUT COOL
A port of the Arcade game and it's pretty good. Fans of Gradius and Salamander should play this if they haven't.
An RPG mixed with a shmup. The concept alone is interesting but be warned it has grinding.
A good improvement on the first game with better level design and the whole game is co-op.
A fun game if you like this series but sadly only in Japanese for now.
A port of a computer game that's infamous for how botched it was. It's got a lot of bad game design like instant death traps. Only recommended if you wanna see how bad it is.
A very fun platformer and you can even create your own character.
It's now a platformer and it's really good. With some really fun level design. It can be a bit easy.
A silly prequel of the first Splatterhouse with many funny parodies of horror movies for you to see. The gameplay is pretty fun too and even some secrets to find.
A well made RPG by Pax Softnica. A really neat setting with some nice humor and many memorable moments. It's not as bad as some make it out to be. Though you might wanna play the cancelled US version for some small improvements.
More Megami Tensei, more hard gameplay and awesome designs. It also has a Super Famicom remake.
A port of a Namco Arcade game. It's simple tank combat while protecting the emblem at your base. There's powerups and it's very simple to pick up and play. There's even a neat (but limited) level editor.
A very interesting 2 player text adventure game mostly known for the hard to find vulgar message found in the credits. Would not recommend playing alone.
A pretty impressive shmup by Konami. It reminds me of the Aleste series. It also has co-op.
More Kunio sports fun!
A fun and easy platformer that is unfortunately fatphobic.
A fun platformer that's best played with a friend if possible.
A 2D action game by Konami with very creepy sprite designs and an interesting overworld. Mostly forgotten in the west due to only getting the more modern rougelike game on modern consoles. Worth a go.
The final game for the console. The game goes for a more Metroid like take for the gameplay. It's a pretty fun game worth playing, it's also apparently Hudson Soft's worst selling game.
A game similar to Zelda 2 but lacks some of the quality from that game and is a more level by level thing.
A fun little puzzle game using the most popular Sanrio character at the time.
More of the same but this time the fan translation isn't bad.
A series originated on the MSX. A fun action sidescroller if you have the patience for it.
Jaleco copying Westone's homework.
An interesting spinoff that feels more like a Rockman game.
Really cool gameplay and cutscenes. The detailed movement can be a detriment but the game is still pretty fun once you get good.
An obscure action game that also has shmup sections. The difficulty is very inconsistent in this one.
A fun puzzle game that you might have played on the GB
An interesting sidescroller but can be punishing.
An ambitious Konami RPG that unfortunately didn't sell well.
A cartridge version of a disk system game. A fun platformer with some creative ideas.
The best fighting game on the system with fun designs and simple gameplay that will keep you coming back.
A short and easy action game by Natsume. Think of it like a lighter version of Shatterhand.
A cute little game where you control two penguins moving opposite directions as you try to lead them to the goal while avoiding stuff like spiders. Give it a go if you got 20 minutes to spare.
Similar to Cosmic Epsilon but better than it graphically, gameplay and even has a story.
A decent platformer by Arc System Works.
While this technically came out here in VS Arcade cabinets, the cartridge around never did. If you liked Goonies II, give this one a try as it's similar in many ways.
Similar to Itadaki Street, best played with friends.
A very interesting shmup that tries to have time travel. It's not even a full on shmup as it also has moments where you walk around in areas blasting enemies. It's flawed but quite intriguing of a game.
Another crossover game but is now more of a simple level to level platformer. Fun game and even mixes it up sometimes.
Notable for being the most popular of the three games with a cool class change mechanic. Be warned that the game can be pretty hard. It once again might be better to play the pixel remaster.
A prequel to Tower of Druaga that's now a puzzle platformer. Worth a look as the series is unfortunately underlooked here in the West.
A port of a computer game that is one of the weaker versions but worth playing as it has content unique to this version.
Another Heracles game, not much to say, if you like the first well here's another.
Another Konami game that's a platformer with some unique mechanics. This is still that era where things can be cryptically hidden but this is still a nice little overlooked game.
A good improvement over the previous Twinbee games and there is still fun co-op to be had, though the three player mode is sadly gone. The presentation is also amazing for a shmup of the time.
The most hated Jajamaru game but is an interesting platformer.
The very first game in the Nintendo Wars series. It's worth playing if you wanna see how the franchise started.
An odd release probably due to the success of the sequel. It's basically just the FDS version.
A port of one of the most innovative games for the time. It's a text adventure mystery and while there is much better out there nowadays, it's still worth playing as a history piece of the genre.
It's Arkanoid again so if you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy this too.
A game similar to Metroid with RPG mechanics. Not perfect but might be a fun time for you if you can stick with it.
Another good port by Sunsoft.
Worth trying if you prefer the Arcade style over what the MD version did.
An obscure sequel with some decent ideas. Worth a look.
A fun minigame collection as you also go walking around town helping out.
A fun text adventure by Sunsoft.
While it's more known for the infamous cover that disappointed many players, this is still a decent little game that feels like it could have been done on a computer of the time. It's not anything amazing but an interesting little title.
A decent Castlevania clone.
A game centered around a guy who doesn't even like video games. The design of it is insane and unorthodox. It's very easy to lose too and will not play fair.
It's a Wagyan Land clone
A port of an Arcade game where you throw balls at your opponents side to make sure you have less by the end of the timer. It's very challenging but you can also hold a tournament at a party even if there are better versions of this game nowadays. It's still a neat novelty of a game.
While not a good game, it's interesting for trying to attempt Space Harrier and has a very interesting theme to it with the many animals.
Balloon Kid but starring Kitty White. They wouldn't get the original Balloon Kid till 2000 on the GBC. This game was also too hard for the target audience.
A sequel to 3D World Runner. It's pretty much the same game but a bit better.
A crossover game with some questionable design choices but can still be pretty enjoyable just for the novelty of it all.
The only good Sumo game for the console.
An interesting text adventure game.
It's interesting for the unique content but that's about it.
A good port of a Konami Arcade game. Really fun if you have a friend to play as Winbee. Only real gripe is the last level is not too well balanced. If you like early shmups, this is one of the best.
Enix's first game and was a port of a computer game. A very simple game but a fun concept. It's only really hampered by it's very slow speed. Still worth a look at.
A maze action game with many weapons to use. There's not much to say about it but it's fun :>
A surprisingly fun licensed game by TOSE. It can be pretty difficult.
While not the only first 3rd party game for the system (often said in the US side of gaming discussion) this is still a fun little game especially for 1984. A bunch of levels and a nice simple premise.
An interesting sequel adding new improvements though it might be too easy for some.
A fun puzzle game by Konami, it can be a bit too easy for some though.
While not my thing, this game is well liked in Japan. You first have to stop the express which was originally from a computer game. The next level becomes more open and top down and it's unfortunately got issues. It's a neat little game for 1985 once you learn how to beat it and be patient. Just don't play on the easiest difficulty.
Play this with 4 players for the most enjoyment.
A fun top down game with Bomberman like weapons.
The 2nd game in the Goemon series. It has some tough secrets and the platforming over water can be frustrating but it was a nice start to a series that would only get better from here.
Similar to Adventures of Lolo 2 in the US but with different and more difficult rooms to tackle.
One of the rare instances of a decent TOSE and Bandai game. Just don't look up the game on Google.
3 Comments
Awesome list!! Sorry to be super nitpicky but a Shogi game was actually the first famicom game to have a save function - super weird right? Here's a source which should be able to be able to be auto-translated into English: https://magmix.jp/post/69839 Here's the backloggd link! https://www.backloggd.com/games/morita-kazuo-no-shogi/
Love the list! i really wanna check out Yokai Club!
Love the list! i really wanna check out Yokai Club!
@Dalaamclouds
seems the source I used was wrong about the saving thing, sorry. It's been fixed now. Thank you for letting me know.
seems the source I used was wrong about the saving thing, sorry. It's been fixed now. Thank you for letting me know.
Angel_Arle
4 months ago