NES Essentials: How to Play the Classics for the NES 40th Anniversary
- Oct 25 2025
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Forty years ago, on October 18, 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) launched in North America, single-handedly resurrecting the video game industry from the ashes of the 1983 crash that had decimated arcade and console markets. With its innovative D-pad controller, family-friendly titles, and strict quality seal to combat shovelware, the NES not only sold over 60 million units worldwide but also introduced iconic franchises that became cultural touchstones, turning gaming from a niche hobby into a mainstream phenomenon in the US.
The NES paved the way for modern gaming by moving beyond arcade gameplay patterns and emphasizing storytelling, exploration, influencing everything from today's open-world epics to mobile apps. In 2025, it's easy to take a trip back in time to celebrate this milestone thanks to Nintendo Switch Online and the excellent selection of titles it has available. To mark the NES’s 40th anniversary, we’ve curated 15 must-play classics, each with gameplay highlights and modern play options, either through Switch Online, through a re-release or by snagging a physical copy. From platforming perfection to RPG epics, these games prove why the NES remains timeless.
1. Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo’s flagship platformer revolutionized gaming by sending Mario and Luigi on a quest through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, featuring innovative side-scrolling levels with hidden secrets, power-ups like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, and challenging enemies such as Goombas and Koopas. Its precise controls and escalating difficulty created addictive gameplay that encouraged multiple playthroughs, making it a blueprint for countless side-scrollers to come. As the NES’s killer app, it sold over 40 million copies and turned Mario into a global icon.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online; don't hesitate to use that rewind feature.
2. Super Mario Bros. 3
Building on its predecessors, this sequel expands the formula with a massive overworld map spanning eight worlds, new power-ups like the Tanooki Suit for flight and statue transformations, and mini-games for extra lives, offering a mix of linear levels and exploratory freedom. The game’s clever secrets, airships, and boss battles with Bowser’s Koopalings added depth and replayability, while its theatrical flair (curtains opening on levels) charmed players. Widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever, it pushed the NES hardware to its limits and influenced all modern platformers that have come since.
How to Play in 2025: Stream it on Nintendo Switch Online.
3. The Legend of Zelda
Link’s inaugural adventure tasks players with collecting Triforce pieces across Hyrule’s vast overworld and nine dungeons, blending action with puzzle-solving through items like the boomerang, bombs, and magical sword. Its nonlinear design encouraged exploration and discovery, with cryptic hints and hidden heart containers rewarding curiosity, while Ganon’s minions provided thrilling combat. This title established Zelda’s formula of heroism, lore, and innovation, selling millions and spawning a franchise that’s still evolving today. It's also one of my personal favorites of all time.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online.
4. Metroid
Samus Aran’s bounty-hunting mission on planet Zebes features nonlinear exploration of a massive interconnected map, where players acquire upgrades like the Morph Ball and Ice Beam to access new paths and battle bosses Kraid, Ridley, and Mother Brain. The game’s atmospheric isolation, hidden secrets, and suit-reveal twist created a sense of mystery and planted the seeds for the Metroidvania genre. Despite its steep difficulty, it captivated with its sci-fi narrative and replay value through speedruns.
How to Play in 2025: Included in Nintendo Switch Online, and an even better play experience with save states.
5. Mega Man 2
The blue bomber’s second outing refines the formula with eight robot masters to defeat in any order, each granting a unique weapon like Metal Blade or Bubble Lead for strategic boss counters. Tight platforming, memorable music (especially Dr. Wily’s stage), and E-Tank health refills balanced its challenge, making it accessible yet replayable. Often hailed as the series’ peak, it solidified Mega Man’s run-and-gun legacy and influenced countless action-platformers.
How to Play in 2025: Not available on Nintendo Switch Online, but it is included on the NES Classic Mini and in the Mega Man Legacy Collection which collects the first 10 Mega Man games.
6. Castlevania
Simon Belmont ventures into Dracula’s castle armed with a whip and sub-weapons like holy water and axes, navigating linear levels filled with medusa heads, skeletons, and grim reapers in a gothic horror atmosphere. The game’s precise jumps and pattern-based combat demanded skill, while its branching paths and secrets added depth. As Konami’s breakout hit, it spawned a beloved series blending action with RPG elements.
How to Play in 2025: Not available on Nintendo Switch Online, but it is included on the NES Classic Mini and in the Castlevania Anniversary Collection Classic Edition
7. Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!
Little Mac climbs the boxing ranks against caricatured opponents like Glass Joe and King Hippo, using dodges, blocks, and star-powered uppercuts in a puzzle-like rhythm game disguised as sports. Each fighter’s unique patterns and tells encouraged memorization and timing, culminating in the infamous Tyson bout. Its humor and challenge made it a personal favorite around our house.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online punch out with spectator mode. It is also included on the NES Classic Mini
8. Kirby’s Adventure
Kirby’s NES debut lets the pink puff inhale enemies to copy abilities like Fire or Sword, traversing colorful levels with mini-games, warp stars, and boss fights against King Dedede. The game’s forgiving design, vibrant graphics, and ability variety made it approachable for kids while offering secrets for completionists. It established Kirby’s whimsical series, known for its creativity and charm.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online and it is also included on the NES Classic Mini
9. Contra
Konami’s co-op shooter arms commandos Bill and Lance with spread guns and lasers to blast through alien-infested levels, featuring scrolling levels, boss rushes, and the “Konami Code” for 30 lives. Its relentless action and two-player synergy created thrilling chaos, though its difficulty demanded precision. A defining run-and-gun title, it inspired countless arcade-style games.
How to Play in 2025: Not available on Nintendo Switch Online but it is available in the Contra Anniversary Collection for Switch and it's sequel Super C is included in the NES Classic Mini
10. Final Fantasy
Square’s epic RPG follows four Warriors of Light restoring elemental crystals through turn-based battles, class upgrades, and a world map filled with towns, dungeons, and airships. Its deep story, magic system, and random encounters laid the groundwork for JRPGs, with strategic party building at its core. As the series starter, it captivated Western audiences with its fantasy depth.
How to Play in 2025: While it's not on Switch Online; you can still grab an NES cartridge on Amazon or play it on Switch with the Final Fantasy I-VI Collection.
11. Dragon Warrior
Enix’s landmark RPG sends a descendant of Erdrick on a solo quest to defeat the Dragonlord, grinding levels through random battles, buying gear in towns, and exploring caves for treasures. Its simple yet addictive loop, with spells and items, introduced many to RPG mechanics. As the US version of Dragon Quest, it sparked a massive franchise that still captivates players today. This was also a personal favorite of mine, and probably the first RPG I ever played.
How to Play in 2025: This one is also not on Switch Online; but you can play it in its original form in the Dragon Quest 1+2+3 Collection or dive in to the excellent remake with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D
12. Tetris
Alexey Pajitnov’s puzzle challenges players to rotate and stack Tetriminos to clear lines, with increasing speed and Nintendo’s addictive music creating endless tension. The game’s simple rules hid strategic depth, like T-spins, making it a global phenomenon. As the NES killer app for puzzles, it’s still a staple in competitive gaming.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online and includes online multiplayer with friends.
13. Kid Icarus
Pit’s mythological ascent mixes vertical scrolling with platforming, collecting hearts for upgrades and battling Medusa’s minions, complete with eggplant wizard curses that turn you into a vegetable. Its nonlinear stages and fortress bosses added variety, though its difficulty was notorious. A cult classic, it blended action with RPG elements and inspired sequels.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online, and it benefits from save states to get through the tricky spots.
14. Wizards & Warriors
This fantasy adventure casts knight Kuros against wizard Malkil in a nonlinear world of forests, caves, and castles, using swords, axes, and keys to progress. Power-ups like invisibility cloaks and health potions aided exploration, with hidden items rewarding thoroughness. Its atmospheric levels and sequel-spawning success made it a hidden gem for action-adventure fans.
How to Play in 2025: This one is hard to find, so your best bet is to grab an original NES cartridge on Amazon or Ebay.
15. Excitebike
Nintendo’s motocross racer featured interesting track designs, turbo boosts over jumps, and overheating mechanics in solo or multiplayer races. Custom tracks added creativity, while lane changes and ramps demanded timing. As a launch title, it showcased NES’s potential for sports simulation and an early take on user-generated content.
How to Play in 2025: Available on Nintendo Switch Online with local and online multiplayer.
These NES icons prove that great game design endures, even if it was only in 8-bits. So take some time to celebrate the NES 40th anniversary party with a controller in hand. Which game are you diving in to first?
