If you’re one of the many 3DS owners who has been rewarded for their early purchase with a plethora of NES titles to play with, you might be wondering which games are worth your time.
To save you the trouble we’ve spent time with all 10 of these retro delights to bring you our thoughts on which titles are worth your time and those you should probably avoid.
1: Super Mario Bros.
It’s the game that got Mario out of the sewers and out into the colourful plains of the Mushroom Kingdom. Spread across 32 levels, Super Mario Bros. is one tricky platformer but still a classic and one of the highlights of the Ambassador program. Keep an eye on Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 if you enjoy this.
2: The Legend of Zelda.
Another first from one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, The Legend of Zelda has you wander around the overworld in search of nine dungeons before slaying Ganon and rescuing the princess from his clutches. Most will probably find this oldie a little archaic but it’s nice to remind yourself how far the series has come in 25 years.
3: Zelda II: Adventure of Link
Back before Nintendo nailed down the Zelda formula, games like this were possible without major uproar from the fan base. Adventure of Link is more or less what Zelda would have been like as a side-scrolling RPG. It’s considered one of the series’ black spots but it’s one of the deepest experiences these 10 freebies will net you.
4: Metroid
Back when gamers first booted this up 25 years ago, they had no idea that its leading hero was in fact a heroine. Though you know its twist, Metroid is still worth a playthrough if you can overcome its intense difficulty. If not, don’t let that sway you in returning for the far superior Metroid Fusion heading to 3DS ambassadors later this year.
5: Balloon Fight
A real treat if you’ve ever found yourself sinking hours into bite-sized iOS treats. Balloon Fight is still an addictive pastime that sees you flapping your arms to avoid bubbles, electric bolts, and feathered threats to protect the balloons aiding your flight. If the standard mode doesn’t take your fancy, Balloon Trip will have you coming back for seconds.
6: Ice Climber
If you’re wondering why these guys earned a place among the Smash Bros roster then this might leave you more confused. Ice Climbers has you hack your way up 32 mountains carving a path with your wooden mallet. Fun but an equally frustrating platformer.
7: Donkey Kong Jr.
The tables have turned and now Jumpman has trapped the villainous king of kong. It’s up to Donkey Kong junior to climb and move between vines collection fruits and reaching for the top. It is four levels long but a nice twist on the original that
8: Wrecking Crew
Before Grand Theft Auto let you run amok around New York, Wrecking Crew saw Mario go hammer happy on all manner of wall, pillars, and ladder leavingeach level in a big pile of rubble. You’ll have to avoid the pursuit of your angered foreman Spike through 100 levels and pure anarchy.
9: Mario & Yoshi
Known to our overseas friends as simply as Yoshi or Yoshi Egg’s, this bizarre puzzler has Mario shifting columns of enemy characters matching them up and using egg shells to eliminate entire columns. It’s no Tetris but fun nonetheless.
10: NES Open Tournament Golf
Back before Tiger Woods was the king of gaming’s swing, NES Open Tournament Golf had you hitting the iron on courses in Japan, the US, and the UK. Old school golf fans may enjoy this but the lack of instruction makes it difficult to get into for newcomers.
Tags: Nintendo 3DS
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