Nintendo essentially became the golden child of the video game world in the 1980s, so it should come as no surprise that the Switch hosts a bevy of classic Nintendo games for the current generation to enjoy. Dedicated players will discover that the system offers a lot more than Mario to scratch that retro itch. Retro fans should note that while the games are ported to the Switch, they don't lose any charm from their NES or arcade counterparts.
The game developer has produced some of the best and brightest games to hit consoles, and many of their original titles can be found in compilation games or their Nintendo Online service. But whether they're side-scrolling platformers or champions of the arcade cabinet, these games all come with a heavy dose of 8-bit '80s nostalgia.
Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
If It wasn't for this classic arcade game, players might not have the platform genre as they know it. Donkey Kong was one of the early titles that put Nintendo on the map by introducing an acrobatic jumping mechanic along with the company mascot, Mario.
Jumping over barrels to rescue a damsel in distress might seem like simple fair today, but it was one of the most played titles in arcades way back when. Following its success in the cabinets, Donkey Kong soon found his way to consoles and took living rooms by storm.
Dr. Mario (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
Although Tetris is far more accessible, Nintendo's answer to the iconic puzzle game, Dr. Mario, arguably had a more diverse and unique spin on the falling puzzle platform. Along with creating matching lines of color, players also have to compete against virus monsters that will keep them from progressing to the next stage.
While there are some similarities to Tetris, Dr. Mario has a lot more personality than its competition. Not to mention it also possesses a snappy soundtrack. It's a great game for puzzle addicts looking to shake up their routine.
Galaga (Namco Museum)
Space shooters are a dime a dozen, especially with titles like Space Invaders and Gradius, but Galaga was Namco's big space-themed score that shook up the formula. By introducing alien monsters that fought in squadrons and dives, the game gave players a new kind of extraterrestrial challenge.
Coming out in the age of Star Wars, laser beams, and all kinds of 1980s sci-fi films, Galaga was just what the doctor ordered. Following on the heels of many popular space-themed ventures at the time, the game put players in the cockpit of their own superpowered starfighter.
Pac-Man (Namco Museum)
Pac-Man is one character that's almost synonymous with the '80s. The big yellow muncher has been running through mazes and gobbling up ghosts for decades, and although his formula has changed time and again, there's no denying that the original title is still an arcade classic that many people still enjoy to this very day.
Nintendo has released different reiterations of the game, but ports of the original can be found across different compilations. There's definitely something to be said for Pac-Man's versatility.
Kirby’s Adventure (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
One of the last hurrahs for the NES was Kirby's Adventure, a simple platforming game with a copy gimmick that made for a great pick-up-and-play title. While it's ideal for first-time gamers just finding their footing, it's still enjoyable for seasoned veterans as well.
Kirby will always be a cute and cuddly marshmallow and there are many hidden things that players might not know about him. And while his adventures have grown to include robot suits, giant hammers, and other cartoony weaponry, it's this title that helped make him a household name.
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
If there's one game nearly anyone exposed to Nintendo is even remotely familiar with, it's Super Mario Bros. Countless hours have been spent by gamers everywhere exploring the realm of the Mushroom Kingdom, and collecting coins while jumping on Koopa Troopas has practically become a cherished pastime.
The platforming genre nearly owes its very existence to this breakout Nintendo title, and dozens of games can trace many of their elements back to Mario. But while he might have grown in leaps and bounds since then, it's always nice to return to his roots.
Castlevania (Castlevania Anniversary Collection)
While entries I-IV are all currently ready and available under one collection, players can't go wrong with this creepy action platformer. Known for its "Nintendo-Hard" difficulty and classic horror themes, players can take up the whip of Simon Belmont and charge into the bowels of Castle Dracula once again.
As well as planting the seed that would help grow the Metroidvania genre, the original Castlevania was one of Nintendo's biggest platformers on the NES. It was a game that truly tested the player's precision as they were set against floating Medusa heads, mummies, skeletons, and Dracula himself.
Splatterhouse (Namco Museum)
Gamers looking for something a little more gruesome and gory than most titles of the era definitely want to get their claws into Splatterhouse. Inspired by horror movies of the 1980s, like Friday the 13th and the Evil Dead, this game is a slasher fan's dream come true, as it was one of the first video games to truly push what publishers could get away with.
After donning a cursed hockey mask, players take on the role of Rick who must venture into the West Mansion to save his beloved from a sea of monsters, zombies, and other Lovecraftian horrors. It's a surprisingly grisly game for something made in the '80s, but one that will have horror hounds glued to the screen.
The Legend Of Zelda (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
One of the most ambitious projects for the original NES was the iconic Legend of Zelda. Link's first adventure across the sprawling realm of Hyrule helped redefine the adventure genre, as well as pull gamers into their own heroic fantasy. Although the graphics might not be as impressive compared to other entries in the series, the original title still has an epic vibe.
When it first premiered, the game was like something out of Tolkien, full of winding paths, secret dungeons, and hidden treasures gamers had to share amongst themselves. It was one of the first games that truly captured the thrill of the quest.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nintendo Switch Online-NES)
Considered by many to be one of the best and most beloved titles on the NES, Super Mario 3 set the bar for Mario's adventures until the '90s. Introducing multiple powerups, an overworld, and trickier platforming levels, it was a stroke of genius on Nintendo's part, further cementing Mario's iconic status.
With Tanooki Tails, Cheep-Cheeps, and Warp Whistles, this game is loaded with dozens of attributes that became icons of the Mario series. Next to titles like Super Mario World, it's one of the cornerstones of the plumber's popular series.