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
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 arcade conversion by Konami and an early take on the fighting game genre. It might not click for some and they also cut about half the opponents but this one can be fun once you learn how to beat all five opponents. Nice one to pop in and play for about 20 minutes.
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.
The game is called Astro Robo Sasa on the Famicom. Pretty interesting game as you move around in the air using your gun shots and you can even play with a 2nd person.
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 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.
Infamous kusoge by Sunsoft that's worth at least trying just to see how bad a lot of the game design is.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 it's been ported nowadays, this is still a neat block puzzle game to try if you like those on this console. you have to lift them and use them for going higher. It's pretty tricky and if you like it enough, it got remade on the PS1.
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 very ambitious Zelda like game that tries many ideas and sort of fails at it at times but it's hard to deny the admiration of it all. It's worth at least playing a bit to see what it's like but if it's not for you, stick with the fun Arcade sequel. This was also remade on PS1.
If you like Xevious, you might like this with a level based structure and many cryptic ways to complete levels along with some tough difficulty. Only hardcore Xevious fans will probably enjoy it but it's still very interesting regardless.
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 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 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.
One of the worst games on the system that should be played just for that reason.
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.
Another kusoge game filled with poor gameplay decisions based off a license and it's brutally hard. Even later Transformers media has referenced its infamy. Play it if you want a impossible feeling challenge.
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.
An action side scroller that tries to have a lot of the levels be huge and easy to get lost in. It can be pretty fun despite Sunsoft still not reaching their high points yet. You might need a guide for it if you lack patience and make sure to remember the continue cheat otherwise it's back to the beginning.
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 maze action game with many weapons to use. There's not much to say about it but it's fun :>
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 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.
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.
The actual first game using a save feature on a cartridge.
A decent Castlevania clone.
Not a good game but an interesting part of the series no one ever seems to talk about. It's based off an Anime adaption (you might have seen its wtf take on Bomberman)
Supposedly a Dragon Quest clone by Data East. It would start a series of games that we mostly never got, an interesting series.
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.
A somewhat unknown action game in the west. It has some RPG like mechanics and is worth a try if you've never heard of it.
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.
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 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.
A game similar to Zelda 2 but lacks some of the quality from that game and is a more level by level thing.
This game took over like a decade for someone to actually beat it.
A series originated on the MSX. A fun action sidescroller if you have the patience for it.
I just want you all to suffer like I did with this game lol. The ad for it is pretty cool though. (ok it probably isn't but I LIKED IT!!)
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 very weird action game that has nothing to do with the first game. Odd.
The only good Sumo game for the console.
A 2D action sidescroller with many interesting ideas but doesn't always have the best design.
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.
A surprisingly fun licensed game by TOSE. It can be pretty difficult.
A very odd take on the Star Wars license. In some ways the game reminds me of Alex Kidd. The game is also pretty damn hard.
One of Micronics worst games on the system. It's so bad I couldn't even finish it and I actually enjoyed the manga.
A sequel to 3D World Runner. It's pretty much the same game but a bit better.
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 crossover game with some questionable design choices but can still be pretty enjoyable just for the novelty of it all.
A fun text adventure by Sunsoft.
A Data East platformer using the McDonalds brand. It's got some interesting ideas involving the bombs and is a decent time.
A very odd game that really has nothing to do with what it's based on. Not good but funny.
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.
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.
The very first game in the Nintendo Wars series. It's worth playing if you wanna see how the franchise started.
This is like the only Badminton game on the system. It's made by Pax Softnica who would later do Mother 1 and a couple of the Hamtaro games.
A port of a computer game that is one of the weaker versions but worth playing as it has content unique to this version.
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.
Jaleco copying Westone's homework.
A mediocre fighting game but notable for being one of the more interesting ones of the time.
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 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.
Another good port by Sunsoft.
A good improvement on the first game with better level design and the whole game is co-op.
A popular game for children with some fun little minigames for the boss fights. It should be warned that you better know Japanese because the fan translation unintentionally made the final boss almost impossible.
An interesting text adventure game.
Despite not being a Japanese property, this was Japan only. It's pretty horrible sadly, with an awful attack, uninteresting level design, and just not fun at all.
If you know Japanese, play this just to be amazed at how it's one of the hardest games on the system.
An odd take for a sidescroller sequel making it top down. Worth a look if you're curious.
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.
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.
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 really fun text adventure with some funny artwork and dialogue. The game also has a lot of memorable music.
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.
A really fun car battler game that's pretty simple and short.
Another game that tries to be similar to Space Harrier.
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 fun puzzle game that you might have played on the GB
A fun platformer that's best played with a friend if possible.
Another Heracles game, not much to say, if you like the first well here's another.
A pretty standard and easy RPG but with the fun Goemon flare to it.
Similar to Adventures of Lolo 2 in the US but with different and more difficult rooms to tackle.
A fun puzzle game by Konami, it can be a bit too easy for some though.
An interesting RPG by Westone with combat that reminds me of the Wonder Boy games.
More Megami Tensei, more hard gameplay and awesome designs. It also has a Super Famicom remake.
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.
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.
It's interesting for the unique content but that's about it.
If you liked the first one, you should enjoy this too.
Worth trying if you prefer the Arcade style over what the MD version did.
Play this with 4 players for the most enjoyment.
An interesting spinoff that feels more like a Rockman game.
More of the same but this time the fan translation isn't bad.
Similar to our Adventures of Lolo 3 but different and more difficult.
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
3 months ago