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
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.
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.
Really cool gameplay and cutscenes. The detailed movement can be a detriment but the game is still pretty fun once you get good.
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.
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!!)
The most hated Jajamaru game but is an interesting platformer.
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.
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 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 decent platformer by Arc System Works.
An odd release probably due to the success of the sequel. It's basically just the FDS version.
A fun text adventure by Sunsoft.
An obscure action game that also has shmup sections. The difficulty is very inconsistent in this one.
Jaleco copying Westone's homework.
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.
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.
An interesting sequel adding new improvements though it might be too easy for some.
A very weird action game that has nothing to do with the first game. Odd.
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 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 the most impressive shmups you'll find on the console. Be warned though it's really damn hard.
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 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.
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.
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.
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)
Similar to Cosmic Epsilon but better than it graphically, gameplay and even has a story.
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 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 prequel to Tower of Druaga that's now a puzzle platformer. Worth a look as the series is unfortunately underlooked here in the West.
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.
An interesting sidescroller but can be punishing.
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.
The only good Sumo game for the console.
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.
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 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.
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.
Another crossover game but is now more of a simple level to level platformer. Fun game and even mixes it up sometimes.
Similar to Itadaki Street, best played with friends.
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.
A decent Castlevania clone.
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 fun and easy platformer that is unfortunately fatphobic.
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.
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