10 NES Games That Are Still Worth Playing From Start to Finish
Polygon has published a list highlighting ten games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that it argues remain worth completing today, nearly four decades after the console's 1985 North American launch. The feature notes that while many early NES titles now feel dated compared to modern software, a select few still hold up as engaging, playable-through experiences.
Titles named so far include Ninja Gaiden, praised for its challenging combat and influential sequels; Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse, noted for its multiple characters and routes; The Legend of Zelda, whose non-linear dungeon structure rewards exploration; Dragon Warrior 4, singled out for its ambitious narrative structure and sprawling world; and Kirby's Adventure, celebrated for its colourful design and ability-absorbing gameplay, with a mention of Contra as another entry on the list.
- Polygon lists ten NES games still worth playing in full
- Highlights include Ninja Gaiden, Zelda, Castlevania 3, Dragon Warrior 4
- Kirby's Adventure and Contra also praised in the round-up
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Ten titles from Nintendo's original home console are back in the spotlight, with games writers at Polygon picking out those they think still hold up as complete experiences today, not just curiosities. The NES launched in North America in 1985 and became the console that established Nintendo as a dominant force in home gaming, home to early entries in series that are still running now, such as Zelda, Castlevania and Kirby.
The list matters because it separates games that are merely historically important from those that remain genuinely playable from start to finish, despite the console's age and its often unforgiving difficulty by modern standards. Names mentioned include Ninja Gaiden and Contra, both known for tough, fast-paced action, alongside Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse and Dragon Warrior 4, praised for offering more choice and ambition than was typical at the time.
The Legend of Zelda and Kirby's Adventure round out the picks so far, representing two very different approaches, one built around open exploration and problem-solving, the other around colourful, accessible platforming. Together the selections offer a way into thinking about which older games have aged well and why, rather than simply cataloguing nostalgia.