Every Major Original Nintendo Game, Ranked

Immersive as it is exuberant, Super Mario Bros. 3 finds our beloved plumber traversing eight diverse worlds to once again save Princess Toadstool from wicked Bowser. The tantalizing power-up mechanics, intricate level design, and the inclusion of an overworld map were mind-blowers for their time. This bright and breezy adventure revolutionized platform gaming, making it a veritable icon of the 8-bit era.

A masterclass in non-linear storytelling, The Legend of Zelda has heroic Link embarking on a perilous quest to recover the Triforce parts and rescue Princess Zelda from evil Ganon’s claws. Uniquely open-world gameplay, replete with secret dungeons, challenging puzzles, and a plethora of heart-pounding combat, sets this game apart from its contemporaries. The Legend of Zelda not just set the gold-standard for adventure video games, it created an enduring franchise that inspires awe even today.

Pack your plumber’s outfit as you hop and bop your way through the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario Bros., on a mission to save Princess Peach from the dastardly Bowser. This hallmark of side-scrolling platformers combines simple controls with engaging gameplay, peppered with hidden warp pipes and power-up mushrooms. This game single-handedly pulled the video game industry out of the 80s slump, spawning countless sequels and setting the benchmark for all platformers.

Dodging aliens and blasting baddies, Contra's set of hardened commandos birthed the phrase "up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start" into every NES junkie's lexicon. Running and gunning took on a new meaning as its fast-paced action-orientated gameplay and tough-as-nails difficulty set it apart. Contra made co-op gaming a household term and the Konami code a piece of pop culture trivia.

Roll up your sleeves as you steer Mega Man through eight robot master stages in Mega Man 2, to thwart Dr. Wily’s nefarious schemes. This action platformer with its unique weapon-stealing mechanic, challenging platforming sections, and memorable soundtrack is a cult classic. Widely considered the best in the series, Mega Man 2 solidified the Blue Bomber's legendary status in video game history.

Lace up your gloves as you throw jabs and crosses in Punch-Out!!, to guide underdog Little Mac to championship glory. Its quirky cast of opponents, rhythm-based combat, and David versus Goliath narrative created a truly standout arcade-style boxing game. Punch-Out!! represented the sport in a fun, approachable fashion, truly punching above its weight in gaming circles.