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
Similar to Adventures of Lolo 2 in the US but with different and more difficult rooms to tackle.
Similar to our Adventures of Lolo 3 but different and more difficult.
An interesting text adventure game but sadly no fan translation.
An interesting spinoff that feels more like a Rockman game.
It's Arkanoid again so if you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy this too.
An interesting platformer worth playing but sadly held back by performance issues and some lackluster level design and bosses.
A very cruel game by Sunsoft where you'll be playing over and over again to even stand a chance to see the end. You'll probably need a guide if you want to not go insane. Despite that, it's got a legacy and is still ported to this day.
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.
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 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.
A cartridge version of a disk system game. A fun platformer with some creative ideas.
A 2D action sidescroller with many interesting ideas but doesn't always have the best design.
A top down game where you dig holes to trap bad guys. It's a pretty simple game with the only real design flaw is dying means losing possibly minutes of progress.
If you liked the first one, you should enjoy this too.
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.
A game similar to Zelda 2 but lacks some of the quality from that game and is a more level by level thing.
A short and easy action game by Natsume. Think of it like a lighter version of Shatterhand.
A game made by Compile that is infamous for not following the source material at all. You control three characters at the same time and it's not fun at all. One of the more notable kusoge games.
A very fun platformer and you can even create your own character.
Another game that tries to be similar to Space Harrier.
A game similar to Metroid with RPG mechanics. Not perfect but might be a fun time for you if you can stick with it.
A pretty impressive shmup by Konami. It reminds me of the Aleste series. It also has co-op.
A game part of a very ambitious attempt of a series that ended up failing hard. It tries to do multiple gameplay styles. Whether or not you think it works well is up to you. It's a part of history that most seemed to be unaware of. Would recommend F_T_B's video on Youtube about the project.
An RPG by Atlus known for the awesome designs and brutally hard difficulty. You'll need to prepare for your journey through this one. This was remade for the Super Famicom.
More Megami Tensei, more hard gameplay and awesome designs. It also has a Super Famicom remake.
A Data East platformer using the McDonalds brand. It's got some interesting ideas involving the bombs and is a decent time.
It's now a platformer and it's really good. With some really fun level design. It can be a bit easy.
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.
Play this with 4 players for the most enjoyment.
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.
An odd take for a sidescroller sequel making it top down. Worth a look if you're curious.
This game took over like a decade for someone to actually beat it.
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.
An action RPG with really good visuals. Gameplay will vary for some people.
The very first game in the Nintendo Wars series. It's worth playing if you wanna see how the franchise started.
A port by Sunsoft that's better than the one Tengen made. This is usually regarded as one of the better games Sunsoft did before Metafight.
Another good port by Sunsoft.
A mediocre fighting game but notable for being one of the more interesting ones of the time.
A game normally hated by fans. It does have fans and it would later birth the SaGa franchise. Though some might recommend you play a later rerelease if this is too outdated.
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.
The blacksheep of the franchise but still a game worth checking out.
The first game in the Fire Emblem series. It's a very slow game but worth playing if you wanna see how the series started.
A fun puzzle game that you might have played on the GB
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.
Another Goemon RPG, not much to say.
A pretty standard and easy RPG but with the fun Goemon flare to it.
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.
One of the worst games on the system that should be played just for that reason.
A really fun car battler game that's pretty simple and short.
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.
More Kunio-Kun. This one seems to be too easy for some so be wary of that.
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.
A compile puzzle game that came out right before their big Puzzle hit.
A port of the Arcade game and it's pretty good. Fans of Gradius and Salamander should play this if they haven't.
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.
Honestly you should just play this one so you can see the "Show up you gays" line. Though with how poorly thought out this game is, you might need save states to even make it that far.
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.
Another Heracles game, not much to say, if you like the first well here's another.
Supposedly a Dragon Quest clone by Data East. It would start a series of games that we mostly never got, an interesting series.
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 brutally hard game similar to Castlevania. You will go crazy from the stuff this game throws at you. Be prepared to replay levels over and over until you're perfect at them.
One of the worst RPGs ever made. It needs to be seen to believe. It even got a Switch release due to how hated it has become.
An interesting board game that reminds me of Dokapon Kingdom.
A really fun text adventure with some funny artwork and dialogue. The game also has a lot of memorable music.
Infamous kusoge by Sunsoft that's worth at least trying just to see how bad a lot of the game design is.
Worth trying if you prefer the Arcade style over what the MD version did.
A fun game if you like this series but sadly only in Japanese for now.
An interesting text adventure game.
A sequel to 3D World Runner. It's pretty much the same game but a bit better.
The best fighting game on the system with fun designs and simple gameplay that will keep you coming back.
An interesting strategy RPG and Enix's last published game. It sadly bombed hard.
It's interesting for the unique content but that's about it.
An obscure sequel with some decent ideas. Worth a look.
A fun little puzzle game using the most popular Sanrio character at the time.
It's a Wagyan Land clone
A fun top down game with Bomberman like weapons.
A Konami game that's top down with mazelike level design. It won't be simple to reach the end of this one but there's fun to be had here.
A crossover game with some questionable design choices but can still be pretty enjoyable just for the novelty of it all.
Another Soccer game by Kunio-kun
A fun platformer based off an anime.
An ambitious Konami RPG that unfortunately didn't sell well.
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.
One of the rare instances of a decent TOSE and Bandai game. Just don't look up the game on Google.
A fun minigame collection as you also go walking around town helping out.
A series originated on the MSX. A fun action sidescroller if you have the patience for it.
A fun platformer that's best played with a friend if possible.
An interesting RPG by Westone with combat that reminds me of the Wonder Boy games.
A very interesting RPG that tried to not be like Dragon Quest. This has a remake on the Super Famicom.
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.
If you know Japanese, play this just to be amazed at how it's one of the hardest games on the system.
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.
An amazing action side scroller by Natsume. Good level design all around and is just really fun.
A fun puzzle game by Konami, it can be a bit too easy for some though.
While this did come out here as Bases Loaded, this original Famicom version is infamous for how buggy it is. Despite that, it still sold well and disappointed many Japanese players.
Really cool gameplay and cutscenes. The detailed movement can be a detriment but the game is still pretty fun once you get good.
The actual first game using a save feature on a cartridge.
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.
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.
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