An Exhaustive and Definitive Ranking of All Nintendo Entertainment System Games Released in North America, Where We Determine Which Games Are the Absolute Pinnacle of 8-Bit Excellence and Which Ones Make You Question Life Choices, Ranked from Best to Worst

# Game Year Developer(s) Episode Time
Bionic Commando
1988
  • Capcom
23 00:47:14
Super Mario Bros.
1985
  • Nintendo R&D4
12 00:05:04
Rygar
1987
  • Tecmo
4 00:09:20
4
River City Ransom
1990
  • Technōs Japan
1 00:19:20
5
Super Mario Bros. 2
1988
  • Nintendo R&D4
31 00:02:46
6
Contra
1988
  • Konami
10 01:32:03
7
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
1987
  • Nintendo R&D3
21 00:09:49
8
R.B.I. Baseball
1989
  • Tengen
36 00:51:08
9
Blaster Master
1988
  • Sunsoft
25 00:05:02
10
The Goonies II
1987
  • Konami
19 00:07:15
11
Gun.Smoke
1988
  • Capcom
10 00:03:20
12
Super Dodge Ball
1989
  • Technōs Japan
11 00:51:00
13
Little Samson
1992
  • Takeru
6 00:37:39
14
Solomon's Key
1987
  • Tecmo
1 02:31:40
15
Jackal
1988
  • Konami
7 01:38:06
16
R.C. Pro-Am
1988
  • Rare
5 00:09:20
17
Gun-Nac
1991
  • Compile
15 02:07:15
18
Mega Man
1987
  • Capcom
18 00:04:30
19
Ninja Gaiden
1989
  • Tecmo
29 00:11:47
20
Cobra Triangle
1989
  • Rare
17 01:57:10
21
Tecmo Bowl
1989
  • Tecmo
9 00:03:25
22
Castlevania
1987
  • Konami
20 00:38:34
23
Kickle Cubicle
1990
  • Irem
2 02:56:04
24
Kung Fu
1985
  • Nintendo
1 02:45:50
25
Commando
1986
  • Capcom
8 00:04:43
26
Tecmo World Wrestling
1990
  • Tecmo
12 02:39:25
27
Balloon Fight
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • HAL Laboratory
14 00:02:09
28
Guerrilla War
1989
  • SNK
16 02:20:38
29
Code Name: Viper
1990
  • Arc System Works
  • Capcom
25 02:30:04
30
Shatterhand
1991
  • Natsume
27 01:00:27
31
Trojan
1987
  • Capcom
2 00:11:00
32
Super Spy Hunter
1992
  • Sunsoft
11 02:23:30
33
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship
1990
  • Zippo Games
13 02:32:03
34
Baseball Simulator 1.000
1990
  • Culture Brain
4 01:40:18
35
Air Fortress
1989
  • HAL Laboratory
3 01:49:26
36
Zanac
1987
  • Compile
6 01:35:04
37
Mighty Bomb Jack
1987
  • Tecmo
37 02:55:20
38
Kick Master
1992
  • KID
27 01:27:45
39
Gradius
1986
  • Konami
13 00:04:27
40
Tetris
1989
  • Nintendo R&D1
22 00:01:15
41
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
1990
  • Capcom
26 01:21:14
42
Dragon Warrior
1989
  • Chunsoft
19-2 00:04:10
43
Blades of Steel
1988
  • Konami
30 00:37:03
44
Willow
1989
  • Capcom
15 01:09:37
45
Double Dragon
1988
  • Technōs Japan
28 00:35:35
46
Double Dribble
1987
  • Konami
25 02:10:40
47
Karnov
1988
  • Data East
  • Sakata SAS
34 00:03:48
48
Monster in My Pocket
1992
  • Konami
34 00:57:50
49
Kabuki: Quantum Fighter
1991
  • Human Entertainment
5 00:31:38
50
M.U.S.C.L.E. Tag Team Match
1986
  • Tose
1 01:57:00
51
Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man
1990
  • KID
1 01:15:05
52
Kid Icarus
1987
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Tose
17 00:09:58
53
Life Force
1988
  • Konami
4 01:00:07
54
Batman: The Video Game
1990
  • Sunsoft
6 01:16:57
55
City Connection
1988
  • Jaleco
7 02:39:05
56
Bucky O'Hare
1992
  • Konami
31 02:19:38
57
Gyruss
1989
  • Konami
27 02:42:10
58
Urban Champion
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
13 00:39:48
59
Spot: The Video Game
1990
  • Virgin Mastertronic
20 02:33:15
60
Zombie Nation
1991
  • KAZe
12 01:50:09
61
Palamedes
1990
  • Natsume
18 01:15:38
62
Rockin' Kats
1991
  • Atlus
11 02:46:40
63
Slalom
1987
  • Rare
16 01:20:55
64
Astyanax
1990
  • Aicom
6 00:05:50
65
Rescue: The Embassy Mission
1990
  • Kemco
5 01:06:06
66
Monster Party
1989
  • Human Entertainment
16 03:19:25
67
Krazy Kreatures
1990
  • American Video Entertainment
22 02:33:33
68
Xexyz
1990
  • Atlus
10 02:05:09
69
Archon
1989
  • Bullet-Proof Software
7 02:15:12
70
Section Z
1987
  • Capcom
3 01:33:14
71
Rad Racer
1987
  • Square
37 00:05:00
72
Pipe Dream
1990
  • Distinctive Software
18 02:15:52
73
3-D WorldRunner
1987
  • Square
5 01:57:16
74
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
1990
  • Now Production
3 02:17:45
75
The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle
1989
  • Kemco
9 02:47:05
76
Legendary Wings
1988
  • Capcom
8 00:51:40
77
Journey to Silius
1990
  • Sunsoft
10 01:11:22
78
Dragon Spirit: The New Legend
1990
  • Now Production
20 01:19:50
79
Ice Climber
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
11 01:43:30
80
Arkista's Ring
1990
  • NMK
33 02:25:45
81
Cowboy Kid
1992
  • Pixel
23 02:07:10
82
Snow Brothers
1991
  • Soft House
20 02:13:39
83
RoadBlasters
1990
  • Beam Software
22 00:59:28
84
Super Spike V'Ball
1990
  • Technōs Japan
15 01:44:06
85
Bases Loaded
1988
  • Tose
14 02:20:40
86
Wrecking Crew
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
1 02:13:55
87
Dr. Chaos
1988
  • Marionette
  • SRS
4 02:52:10
88
Ring King
1987
  • Jastec
  • Neue Design
6 01:56:45
89
Shadow of the Ninja
1990
  • Natsume
18 00:58:00
90
Clash at Demonhead
1990
  • Vic Tokai
32 00:51:50
91
R.C. Pro-Am II
1992
  • Rare
24 01:08:00
92
Rambo
1988
  • Pack-In-Video
16 00:33:20
93
Wizards & Warriors
1987
  • Rare
23 02:42:38
94
NARC
1990
  • Rare
7 01:11:03
95
Dusty Diamond's All-Star Softball
1990
  • Tose
9 01:17:45
96
California Games
1989
  • Rare
4 01:56:34
97
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
1990
  • Capcom
5 02:14:36
98
Top Gun
1987
  • Konami
16 02:07:14
99
Pirates!
1991
  • Rare
8 01:35:40
100
Tiny Toon Adventures
1991
  • Konami
12 01:11:58
101
M.C. Kids
1992
  • Virgin Games
28 01:37:05
102
The Little Mermaid
1991
  • Capcom
9 01:56:16
103
Whomp 'Em
1991
  • Jaleco
21 01:20:40
104
Bubble Bobble
1988
  • Taito
13 01:47:50
105
Sqoon
1987
  • Home Data
13 02:18:16
106
Excitebike
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Nintendo R&D4
15 00:07:59
107
Cabal
1990
  • Zippo Games
17 01:13:08
108
Felix the Cat
1992
  • Shimada Kikaku
35 02:17:40
109
Elevator Action
1987
  • Micronics
19 01:52:28
110
Maniac Mansion
1990
  • LucasArts
  • Realtime Associates
18 01:36:22
111
Nightshade
1992
  • Beam Software
35 00:49:30
112
Sky Kid
1987
  • Namco
26 02:15:08
113
Mario Bros.
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Nintendo R&D2
  • Intelligent Systems
24 00:05:07
114
Galaga: Demons of Death
1988
  • Namco
14 00:46:19
115
Spy vs. Spy
1988
  • Kemco
2 02:35:45
116
Donkey Kong
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Nintendo R&D2
2 01:15:03
117
Donkey Kong Jr.
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Nintendo R&D2
31 01:43:32
118
BurgerTime
1987
  • Data East
  • Sakata SAS
2 00:58:27
119
Kid Niki: Radical Ninja
1987
  • Tose
1 01:45:12
120
Ice Hockey
1988
  • Nintendo R&D2
  • Nintendo R&D4
7 00:46:00
121
Lunar Pool
1987
  • Compile
1 01:33:05
122
Lode Runner
1987
  • Hudson Soft
2 02:19:17
123
Ikari Warriors
1987
  • Micronics
3 00:11:08
124
Rush'n Attack
1987
  • Konami
9 02:11:39
125
Golf
1985
  • Nintendo R&D2
  • HAL Laboratory
27 00:25:50
126
Xevious: The Avenger
1988
  • Namco
36 01:21:28
127
King's Knight
1989
  • Square
  • Workss
32 02:05:37
128
Space Shuttle Project
1991
  • Imagineering
28 01:08:05
129
NES Play Action Football
1990
  • Tose
31 01:57:40
130
8 Eyes
1990
  • Thinking Rabbit
30 01:46:58
131
10-Yard Fight
1985
  • Tose
24 00:22:38
132
Qix
1991
  • Novotrade International
6 02:28:25
133
Gyromite
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
23 00:05:40
134
Anticipation
1988
  • Rare
12 01:29:30
135
Hydlide
1989
  • T&E Soft
33 00:22:37
136
Spy Hunter
1987
  • Sunsoft
4 02:38:50
137
Baseball
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
7 02:50:36
138
Donkey Kong 3
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Nintendo R&D2
30 01:29:40
139
Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Demnos
1990
  • Software Creations
12 00:46:10
140
Pictionary
1990
  • Software Creations
17 01:28:38
141
Karate Champ
1986
  • Data East
  • Sakata SAS
30 02:45:29
142
Dirty Harry
1990
  • Gray Matter Inc.
37 00:43:45
143
Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus
1990
  • Advance Communication Company
7 00:05:04
144
Spelunker
1987
  • Tamtex
  • Tose
8 02:30:25
145
Popeye
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
33 00:02:48
146
Town & Country Surf Designs II: Thrilla's Surfari
1992
  • Sculptured Software
17 02:25:53
147
Micro Machines
1992
  • Camerica
20 01:54:05
148
Town & Country Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage
1988
  • Atlus
16 00:05:40
149
Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road
1990
  • Rare
11 00:28:18
150
Pin Bot
1990
  • Rare
22 02:19:10
151
M.U.L.E.
1990
  • Eastridge Technology
9 02:26:45
152
Conquest of the Crystal Palace
1990
  • Quest
21 02:13:30
153
Cyber Stadium Series: Base Wars
1991
  • Konami
24 02:02:05
154
The Legend of Kage
1987
  • Taito
27 00:03:42
155
Spiritual Warfare
1992
  • Wisdom Tree
35 01:40:13
156
Flight of the Intruder
1991
  • Imagineering
26 01:03:30
157
Remote Control
1990
  • Riedel Software Productions
19 00:55:15
158
Zen Intergalactic Ninja
1993
  • Konami
19 02:32:11
159
Star Trek 25th Anniversary
1992
  • Interplay Entertainment
25 01:33:40
160
Galaxy 5000: Racing in the 51st Century
1991
  • Activision
15 00:33:30
161
Tiger-Heli
1987
  • Micronics
2 01:52:00
162
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
1991
  • KID
13 01:08:05
163
Battletoads
1991
  • Rare
16 01:41:20
164
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
1990
  • Sunsoft
18 02:36:23
165
Dragon Power
1988
  • Tose
30 00:07:23
166
Kid Klown in Night Mayor World
1993
  • Kemco
22 01:18:40
167
Captain Skyhawk
1990
  • Rare
1 00:58:27
168
Mach Rider
1986
  • HAL Laboratory
9 00:56:33
169
Skate or Die
1988
  • Konami
11 00:07:10
170
Duck Hunt
1985
  • Nintendo R&D1
  • Intelligent Systems
19 00:37:30
171
Double Dare
1990
  • Rare
8 02:15:15
172
The Karate Kid
1987
  • Atlus
9 01:36:24
173
Krusty's Fun House
1992
  • Audiogenic
10 00:27:44
174
Marble Madness
1989
  • Rare
10 00:53:42
175
Jurassic Park
1993
  • Ocean Software
29 01:45:55
176
Totally Rad
1991
  • Aicom
34 02:00:15
177
Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2
1991
  • Taito
33 01:27:15
178
Dick Tracy
1990
  • Realtime Associates
12 02:24:45
179
Puzznic
1990
  • Taito
16 01:03:14
180
Paperboy
1988
  • Eastridge Technology
25 02:48:35
181
Trog
1991
  • Visual Concepts
14 01:30:18
182
Hudson's Adventure Island
1988
  • Hudson Soft
15 02:38:45
183
Yo! Noid
1990
  • Now Production
13 01:33:29
184
1942
1986
  • Micronics
14 02:06:39
185
Dr. Mario
1990
  • Nintendo R&D1
28 00:03:14
186
Bad Dudes
1989
  • Data East
14 00:56:58
187
Fester's Quest
1989
  • Sunsoft
19 01:18:49
188
Gumshoe
1986
  • Nintendo R&D1
35 00:05:10
189
Wario's Woods
1994
  • Nintendo R&D1
29 01:23:23
190
Bomber Man
1989
  • Hudson Soft
25 01:07:29
191
Yoshi
1992
  • Game Freak
22 02:01:23
192
RoboCop
1989
  • Data East
  • Sakata SAS
8 01:15:22
193
Werewolf: The Last Warrior
1990
  • Data East
  • Sakata SAS
13 01:57:02
194
The Three Stooges
1989
  • Beam Software
5 02:38:03
195
Classic Concentration
1990
  • Softie
2 02:04:13
196
Renegade
1988
  • Technōs Japan
2 01:30:00
197
Jeopardy!
1988
  • Rare
37 02:21:20
198
Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight
1990
  • Capcom
19 02:02:55
199
Adventures of Tom Sawyer
1989
  • Winkysoft
37 01:51:50
200
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance
1992
  • Marionette
  • SRS
36 02:02:26
201
RoboWarrior
1988
  • Hudson Soft
  • Aicom
32 02:28:02
202
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1989
  • Konami
26 00:05:25
203
Chubby Cherub
1986
  • Tose
37 01:35:30
204
Mickey Mousecapade
1988
  • Hudson Soft
34 02:36:11
205
Ghoul School
1992
  • Imagineering
33 01:53:30
206
Star Wars
1991
  • Lucasfilm Games
  • Beam Software
30 01:01:32
207
Raid on Bungeling Bay
1987
  • Hudson Soft
22 00:26:10
208
Pinball Quest
1990
  • Tose
14 01:51:30
209
Adventures of Dino Riki
1989
  • Hudson Soft
26 00:37:25
210
The Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout
1990
  • Kemco
29 00:57:15
211
Defenders of Dynatron City
1992
  • Lucasfilm Games
24 02:29:10
212
Break Time: The National Pool Tour
1993
  • Opera House
24 00:48:30
213
Castlequest
1989
  • ASCII
10 02:33:16
214
Q*Bert
1989
  • Konami
17 02:16:50
215
The Adventures of Rad Gravity
1990
  • Interplay Productions
36 00:03:20
216
Silver Surfer
1990
  • Software Creations
21 01:43:48
217
Rollergames
1990
  • Konami
20 00:05:40
218
Gilligan's Island
1990
  • Human Entertainment
16 02:57:18
219
Dig Dug II: Trouble in Paradise
1989
  • Namco
18 02:01:52
220
The Krion Conquest
1991
  • Vic Tokai
31 01:08:45
221
Jordan vs. Bird: One-on-One
1989
  • Rare
21 01:00:23
222
Rampage
1988
  • Data East
34 00:44:12
223
Baby Boomer
1989
  • Color Dreams
32 01:39:50
224
Caveman Games
1990
  • Painting by Numbers
14 00:24:00
225
Fisher-Price: Firehouse Rescue
1992
  • Imagineering
3 02:34:44
226
Toobin'
1989
  • Tengen
8 02:47:43
227
WWF WrestleMania
1989
  • Rare
8 00:36:56
228
Xenophobe
1988
  • Sunsoft
8 01:59:10
229
Deadly Towers
1987
  • Lenar
  • Tamtex
5 01:23:25
230
Skate or Die 2: The Search for Double Trouble
1990
  • Electronic Arts
24 01:30:25
231
Treasure Master
1991
  • Software Creations
29 02:35:40
232
Sesame Street ABC
1989
  • Zippo Games
33 01:08:30
233
Wally Bear and the NO! Gang
1991
  • American Video Entertainment
36 01:34:10
234
Sesame Street 123
1989
  • Zippo Games
34 01:39:55
235
Casino Kid
1989
  • SOFEL
29 02:08:49
236
The Black Bass USA
1989
  • Another
22 01:38:48
237
Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular!
1990
  • Kemco
12 02:08:40
238
Ghostbusters
1988
  • Bits Corporation
11 01:27:00
239
Motor City Patrol
1992
  • Source Research & Development
9 00:28:50
240
Super Pitfall
1987
  • Micronics
6 02:12:57
241
Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu
1989
  • Color Dreams
11 01:59:20
242
Taboo: The Sixth Sense
1989
  • Rare
23 01:52:47
243
Chiller
1990
  • American Game Cartridges (NA)
  • HES (AU)
17 00:56:22
244
Back to the Future
1989
  • Beam Software
16 02:41:28
245
Where's Waldo?
1991
  • Bethesda Softworks
28 02:36:26
246
Swamp Thing
1992
  • Imagineering
26 02:32:40
247
Athena
1987
  • Micronics
4 02:19:00
248
Circus Caper
1990
  • Advance Communication Company
14 01:09:17
249
The Uncanny X-Men
1989
  • Pixel
32 00:08:45
250
Operation Secret Storm
1992
  • Color Dreams
30 02:20:05

The list is . See the remaining games.

This page is maintained by fans and is updated as Dr. Jeff Gerstmann, Man of Science, proceeds in his work of #BuildingTheList. You can watch science in action live on twitch.tv/jeffgerstmann or check out previous episodes on youtube.com/TheJeffGerstmannShow.

If any information is missing or incorrect, consider submiting a fix to our GitHub repository.

Game details (developer, release date, ...) from Wikipedia. Game images from Libretro.