The Nintendo Entertainment System is credited with rescuing a flailing industry back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Over the years, hundreds of amazing games launched for the console, and many of the best and most memorable of them are now available to play on Nintendo Switch Online. However, dozens of other fantastic titles still haven’t reached the service, and that needs to change. Out of those dozens remaining, here are 10 NES games that still need to come to Switch Online as soon as possible.
10
Paperboy
Released: Dec. 1988
Paperboy appeared on most major platforms of the era, but the NES port was something special. Many ports to other hardware reproduced the arcade version’s visual design quite closely, but the NES one used more muted colors and simplistic visuals that matched the console’s capabilities perfectly. Tight controls and classic gameplay combined for the perfect weekend rental. The game follows a paperboy as he delivers newspapers to loyal subscribers (and perhaps breaks the windows of nonsubscribers) over the course of one obstacle-filled week. In between rides on his route, he completes a risky training course, then does it all again. Getting to the end of the week with lives and subscribers to spare is pure arcade bliss. It’s not a substantial game, but it would work perfect for players seeking a quick retro diversion and might even prove that it deserves a modern-day remake.
9
Kiwi Kraze
Released: Mar. 1991
Taito was one of the most exciting publishers in the NES days, releasing a strong lineup of games. Many of them have since become highly-prized rarities (though none of them are quite at the level of Stadium Events or other such titles). Kiwi Kraze, a port of New Zealand Story, isn’t all that expensive if you want to acquire the cartridge now, but that’s not a knock on its quality. Like the arcade original, the game has players run, jump, and ride balloons through a zoo world populated by cute monsters armed with bows and laser guns. The goal is to catch up to your nemesis, an evil walrus who has bird-napped your pals. There are hidden warps, lots of temporary weapon upgrades, perilous spiked walls, and deep pools of water to explore. The game is surprisingly difficult, especially the boss encounters, but there are lots of secrets to find and that keeps it highly replayable even if you can’t reach the end. It could do very well for itself on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
8
Adventure Island 3
Released: Jul. 1992
Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft (Mario Party), Adventure Island 3 was the third entry in a series of games about Master Higgins. He’s a shirtless wonder who dashes through tropical stages, gathering fruit to keep up his energy and tossing weapons like hammers to clear his path of various creepy crawlies. The games are difficult but fun, and the third installment never made it to Nintendo’s Virtual Console service on Wii or Wii U. Neither did the fourth entry, for that matter (and it also wasn’t localized back in the day). Either game would make an exciting addition to the service.
7
Destiny of an Emperor
Released: May 1989
Destiny of an Emperor must not have performed super well for Capcom, because the publisher never localized its NES sequel. But RPG fans of the era who gave the game a chance know that it offered a surprisingly deep experience, depicting the brave heroes who banded together to rid China of bandit brigades known as the Yellow Scarves. It features a lengthy quest, with a beautiful world to explore and strategic battles pitting groups of soldiers against one another. Perhaps it even provided inspiration for RPG hits in later generations, like Suikoden. The time is never wrong for a Destiny of an Emperor revival.
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