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.

Wai-wai World 2: SOS!! Parsley-jou
Wai-wai World 2: SOS!! Parsley-jou
Another crossover game but is now more of a simple level to level platformer. Fun game and even mixes it up sometimes.
Yume Penguin Monogatari
Yume Penguin Monogatari
A fun and easy platformer that is unfortunately fatphobic.
Akagawa Jirou no Yuurei Ressha
Akagawa Jirou no Yuurei Ressha
An interesting text adventure game but sadly no fan translation.
Grand Master
Grand Master
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.
Itadaki Street: Watashi no Oten ni Yottette
Itadaki Street: Watashi no Oten ni Yottette
A fun game if you like this series but sadly only in Japanese for now.
Magical Taluluto-kun: Fantastic World!!
Magical Taluluto-kun: Fantastic World!!
One of the rare instances of a decent TOSE and Bandai game. Just don't look up the game on Google.
Ninja JaJaMaru: Ginga Daisakusen
Ninja JaJaMaru: Ginga Daisakusen
The most hated Jajamaru game but is an interesting platformer.
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken
A fun little puzzle game using the most popular Sanrio character at the time.
Gorby's Pipeline
Gorby's Pipeline
A compile puzzle game that came out right before their big Puzzle hit.
Lagrange Point
Lagrange Point
An ambitious Konami RPG that unfortunately didn't sell well.
Cocoron
Cocoron
A very fun platformer and you can even create your own character.
Fuzzical Fighter
Fuzzical Fighter
An RPG mixed with a shmup. The concept alone is interesting but be warned it has grinding.
Metal Max
Metal Max
A very interesting RPG that tried to not be like Dragon Quest. This has a remake on the Super Famicom.
Tetrastar: The Fighter
Tetrastar: The Fighter
Similar to Cosmic Epsilon but better than it graphically, gameplay and even has a story.
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
A fun platformer based off an anime.
Downtown Special Kunio-kun's Historical Period Drama!
Downtown Special Kunio-kun's Historical Period Drama!
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.
Robocco Wars
Robocco Wars
An obscure action game that also has shmup sections. The difficulty is very inconsistent in this one.
Armadillo
Armadillo
An interesting platformer worth playing but sadly held back by performance issues and some lackluster level design and bosses.
Hyaku no Sekai no Monogatari: The Tales on a Watery Wilderness
Hyaku no Sekai no Monogatari: The Tales on a Watery Wilderness
An interesting board game that reminds me of Dokapon Kingdom.
Crisis Force
Crisis Force
A pretty impressive shmup by Konami. It reminds me of the Aleste series. It also has co-op.
Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 2: Karakuri Land
Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 2: Karakuri Land
An obscure sequel with some decent ideas. Worth a look.
Metal Slader Glory
Metal Slader Glory
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.
Spartan X 2
Spartan X 2
An interesting sequel adding new improvements though it might be too easy for some.
Time Zone
Time Zone
An interesting sidescroller but can be punishing.
Choujin Sentai Jetman
Choujin Sentai Jetman
A short and easy action game by Natsume. Think of it like a lighter version of Shatterhand.
Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihou
Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihou
Another Goemon RPG, not much to say.
Pizza Pop!
Pizza Pop!
A decent platformer by Arc System Works.
Don Doko Don 2
Don Doko Don 2
It's now a platformer and it's really good. With some really fun level design. It can be a bit easy.
Mr. Gimmick
Mr. Gimmick
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.
Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness
Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness
More Kunio-Kun. This one seems to be too easy for some so be wary of that.
Fire Emblem Gaiden
Fire Emblem Gaiden
The blacksheep of the franchise but still a game worth checking out.
Hello Kitty World
Hello Kitty World
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.
Surprise! Nekketsu New Records! The Distant Gold Medal
Surprise! Nekketsu New Records! The Distant Gold Medal
More Kunio sports fun!
Esper Dream 2: Aratanaru Tatakai
Esper Dream 2: Aratanaru Tatakai
An action RPG with really good visuals. Gameplay will vary for some people.
Mitsume ga Tooru
Mitsume ga Tooru
An amazing action side scroller by Natsume. Good level design all around and is just really fun.
Summer Carnival '92: Recca
Summer Carnival '92: Recca
One of the most impressive shmups you'll find on the console. Be warned though it's really damn hard.
Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Remember Dream
Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Remember Dream
A fun minigame collection as you also go walking around town helping out.
Moon Crystal
Moon Crystal
Really cool gameplay and cutscenes. The detailed movement can be a detriment but the game is still pretty fun once you get good.
Wagyan Land 3
Wagyan Land 3
Hope you know Japanese
Just Breed
Just Breed
An interesting strategy RPG and Enix's last published game. It sadly bombed hard.
Nekketsu Fighting Legend
Nekketsu Fighting Legend
A 4 player fighting game that can be pretty fun and addicting though the framerate is poor.
Wily & Light's Rockboard: That's Paradise!!
Wily & Light's Rockboard: That's Paradise!!
Similar to Itadaki Street, best played with friends.
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken 2: Donuts Ike ha Oosawagi
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken 2: Donuts Ike ha Oosawagi
It's a Wagyan Land clone
Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa
Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa
A cartridge version of a disk system game. A fun platformer with some creative ideas.
Kunio-kun's Nekketsu Soccer League
Kunio-kun's Nekketsu Soccer League
Another Soccer game by Kunio-kun
Joy Mech Fight
Joy Mech Fight
The best fighting game on the system with fun designs and simple gameplay that will keep you coming back.
Puyo Puyo
Puyo Puyo
An odd release probably due to the success of the sequel. It's basically just the FDS version.
Keroppi to Keroriinu no Splash Bomb!
Keroppi to Keroriinu no Splash Bomb!
A fun top down game with Bomberman like weapons.
Nekketsu! Street Basketball All-Out Dunk Heroes
Nekketsu! Street Basketball All-Out Dunk Heroes
There's too many Kunio-Kun games I'm tired. IT'S BASKETBALL BUT COOL
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken-jima IV
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken-jima IV
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.

3 Comments


4 months ago

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

3 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!

3 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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