TheNintendo Entertainment Systemis the original video game console that kickstarted Nintendo’s rise in power. The console included plenty of exclusive games, from Legend of Zelda to Super Mario. Each game gives the player new ways to experience video games from the comfort of their own homes.
With Nintendo’s massive lineup of games, there are some that have made a lasting impact on video game culture. This has led to them getting remade or remastered for newer fans to enjoy. It’s always a treat to see physical proof of how far video game technology has come, so here are the eight best NES remakes.
8BS Zelda No Densetsu
A Secret Remake To The First Legend Of Zelda
While many remakes are known to fans of their series, one of the biggest remakes often falls under the radar. This is BS Zelda no Densetsu. This game was only released in Japan and getting the chance to play it meant waiting for the stars to align on a perfect day.
This may sound like an exaggeration, but it could only be played on Satellaview. This obscure accessory allowed the Super Famicom to receive satellite broadcasts during specific times of the day. You then only have a set amount of time to experience the game, which is a 16-bit remake of the original Legend of Zelda.
Released on the Sega Genesis, Mega Man: The Wily Wars captures all the magic of the first three Mega Man games for the NES but this time on the Sega Genesis. The compilation includes three overhauled games with updated graphics, fixed glitches, and a new soundtrack. It also features a new save function, so you’re able to continue a session at a later date.
Wily Tower also adds a challenge that was not found in the original games. This section features new bosses and a final battle with Wily. First, though, you will need to collect eight weapons and three support items from any of the three games to unlock the mode.
6Metroid Zero Mission
The First Game Returns With Extras
Metroid Zero Mission is a remake ofthe original Metroid gamefor the NES. It’s a retelling of Samus’s original mission for the Game Boy Advance. The remake adds items, new areas, and different difficulty levels to keep things fresh. Metroid Zero Mission also dives a little deeper into Samus’s past than the original did, adding a whole new layer of story to the title.
Besides the graphical updates, the game also includes the original Metroid as an unlockable bonus feature once you finish Zero Mission. This is a great way to get both experiences in one cartridge, so you’re able to feel the difference between the two versions.
5Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Reloaded And Ready For Action
The original Bionic Commando has you jumping across platforms, using your grappling hook, and shooting up enemies that try to swarm you. Bionic Commando: Rearmed takes everything that you loved from the original and updates it for a new era.
Nathan Spencer is back in a plot that borrows heavily from the original while making some minor alterations to the characters and enemies. The game features updated graphics, new animations, and quality-of-life features. To add to the experience, you also have challenge rooms that offer additional time-basedgameplay for speedrunners who love to go fast. The bionic arm’s grappling hook feels especially at home here.
4Tetris And Dr. Mario
Curing The Chills
Dr. Mario is out there saving lives and you gotta help him. This is one of the early NES titles to get a remake in the very next console generation. Dr. Mario is a remake that was released on the SNES. It updates the graphics of the original game as well as the soundtrack.
This game came bundled with a remake of Tetris which was originally released for the Game Boy. Dr. Mario takes advantage of this by having special multiplayer modes that transition between both games as you battle for the highest score. The remake of Dr. Mario was also one of the few games broadcast through the Satellaview under the name, BS Dr. Mario.
3Super Mario Bros All-Stars
The Definitive Super Mario Bros Collection
One of the greatest NES remakes of all time collects not one, but four different Mario Bros titles. This also includes Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, which is one ofthe most difficult Mario games of all time.
While Super Mario Bros 2 and Super Mario Bros 3 look fantastic with the updated sprites and backgrounds, the one that captures the eye is the remake of the first game. While the other two games would be rereleased yet again in the form of Super Mario Advanced, this is one of the few places to experience the original with a fresh coat of paint.
2Duck Tales Remastered
Modernizing The Iconic Disney Afternoon Game
Here’s a game for the vault. The Disney Afternoon is a childhood memory for many 90s kids. With games like Darkwing Duck and Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, the most notable of the bunch is Duck Tales. The game is as fun to play as it is to repeat the opening of the show.
Duck Tales Remastered gives the NES title a well-deserved polish. This includes sound effects, voice acting, andfluid 2D animations. Being able to capture the spirit of the original without losing much of what made it good is no easy feat. Duck Tales Remastered manages to do it with ease.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland is possibly the most definitive version of the original NES experience. It has updated graphics for the Game Boy Advance, features extra multiplayer minigames, and even has secret modes that can be unlocked by beating the game.
Anything from new modes to new characters would fall into the DLC bracket in modern gaming. However, if you want to play as Metaknight, the mode is already in the game. All you need to do is unlock it for a fresh new feel. As far as Kirby remakes go, Nightmare in Dreamland is one ofthe best Kirby games of all time.
