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.

A really fun car battler game that's pretty simple and short.
One of the worst games on the system that should be played just for that reason.
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.
A pretty standard and easy RPG but with the fun Goemon flare to it.
Another Goemon RPG, not much to say.
A good improvement on the first game with better level design and the whole game is co-op.
An RPG mixed with a shmup. The concept alone is interesting but be warned it has grinding.
A fun puzzle game that you might have played on the GB
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.
The blacksheep of the franchise but still a game worth checking out.
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 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 Though some might recommend you play a later rerelease if this is too outdated.
A mediocre fighting game but notable for being one of the more interesting ones of the time.
Another good port by Sunsoft.
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.
The very first game in the Nintendo Wars series. It's worth playing if you wanna see how the franchise started.
An action RPG with really good visuals. Gameplay will vary for some people.
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.
This game took over like a decade for someone to actually beat it.
An odd take for a sidescroller sequel making it top down. Worth a look if you're curious.
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.
Play this with 4 players for the most enjoyment.
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.
It's now a platformer and it's really good. With some really fun level design. It can be a bit easy.
A Data East platformer using the McDonalds brand. It's got some interesting ideas involving the bombs and is a decent time.
More Megami Tensei, more hard gameplay and awesome designs. It also has a Super Famicom remake.
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.
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.
A pretty impressive shmup by Konami. It reminds me of the Aleste series. It also has co-op.
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 game that tries to be similar to Space Harrier.
A very fun platformer and you can even create your own character.
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 short and easy action game by Natsume. Think of it like a lighter version of Shatterhand.
A game similar to Zelda 2 but lacks some of the quality from that game and is a more level by level thing.
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.
If you liked the first one, you should enjoy this too.
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.
A 2D action sidescroller with many interesting ideas but doesn't always have the best design.
A cartridge version of a disk system game. A fun platformer with some creative ideas.
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 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.
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 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.
An interesting platformer worth playing but sadly held back by performance issues and some lackluster level design and bosses.
It's Arkanoid again so if you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy this too.
An interesting spinoff that feels more like a Rockman game.
An interesting text adventure game but sadly no fan translation.
Similar to our Adventures of Lolo 3 but different and more difficult.
Similar to Adventures of Lolo 2 in the US but with different and more difficult rooms to tackle.

3 Comments


4 months ago

Hope this improved version is more helpful for people, apologies if I missed anything.

4 months ago

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!

4 months ago

@Dalaamclouds
seems the source I used was wrong about the saving thing, sorry. It's been fixed now. Thank you for letting me know.


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