5 Video Games From The '80s That Defined The NES Era

It can't be understated how integral Nintendo was in reinvigorating the industry after the video game crash of 1983. The company's Nintendo Entertainment System seized control of the home console market from Atari and continued the shift toward home gaming platforms rather than arcades. A seismic shift like this is only possible through successful and influential games, and the NES had plenty of them. In fact, the NES launched numerous franchises that continue to thrive today and its foundational qualities can still be felt.

There are some games, of course, that rise above the rest in representing the console's appeal. These games beautifully illustrate the timeless qualities of the eight-bit era, from side-scrolling platformers to top-down fantasy titles. We're not necessarily citing the best games for the NES, but rather the most memorable from its library of titles released before 1990. These are five video games from the '80s that defined the NES era, helping solidify Nintendo's dominance in the industry.

Though Mario had appeared in a number of Nintendo arcade games, including "Donkey Kong" and "Mario Bros.," the flagship character was propelled to new heights with "Super Mario Bros." A launch title for the NES with its North American release in 1985, the game sends Mario and Luigi on a side-scrolling adventure. The siblings race through the Mushroom Kingdom defeating Bowser's army of monsters before confronting the reptilian villain himself to rescue Princess Toadstool.

Shifting over 40 million copies, "Super Mario Bros." was the best-selling game in the entire NES library. Mario solidified his place as Nintendo's mascot while the game spawned two direct sequels and plenty of spin-offs on the NES console alone. Mario even helped Nintendo make music history, with its score, composed by Koji Kondo, recognized for its historical significance. Helping Nintendo establish its unshakeable foothold in the industry worldwide, "Super Mario Bros." is the clear standout in the NES launch library.

Nintendo's other big franchise on the NES was "The Legend of Zelda," which debuted in Japan in 1986 before being localized for North America the following year. The game introduced the now-iconic hero Link, whose outfit was inspired by Peter Pan. As Link, players explore the fantasy kingdom of Hyrule from a top-down perspective, delving into dungeons, acquiring items, and vanquishing the monsters to obtain pieces of the mythical Triforce. This culminates in Link venturing into Death Mountain for a showdown against the monstrous Ganon to save Princess Zelda.

"The Legend of Zelda" is an expansive adventure with a refreshing amount of freedom in how to proceed with the game. The wealth of secrets to uncover and the game's emphasis on exploration make it one of several great '80s games with endless replay value. Like "Super Mario Bros.," "The Legend of Zelda" spawned its own extensive franchise, including a direct sequel on the NES. Setting a high mark for fantasy games on the NES, "The Legend of Zelda" gave Nintendo another powerhouse title and enduring gameplay template.

After originally being released in arcades in 1987, Konami's run-and-gun game "Contra" was ported to the NES in 1988. The port held up well on the eight-bit console, maintaining the two-person simultaneous cooperative multiplayer mode that provided much of the game's appeal. "Contra" follows two skilled commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, who are dispatched to an enemy-controlled island. Blasting through countless soldiers with a variety of weapon power-ups, the duo uncovers an extraterrestrial plot to conquer the world.

"Contra" is not only one of the best NES games of all time, it's one of the best eight-bit action titles ever made. The thrills come fast and furiously and the game can be unforgivably difficult, as was the trend for much of the NES library. It was also somewhat revolutionary for its time, as the game featured not only a side-scrolling perspective but also faux 3D third-person sequences. The ultimate NES run-and-gun title, "Contra" proved that quality arcade ports on the console's hardware were possible.

After Capcom's Mega Man made his debut in 1987, the blue-clad hero received an even more impressive sequel with "Mega Man 2" the following year. The game retains the basic gameplay and presentation from the preceding title, including players being able to choose the order in which they complete the levels. The story has the villainous mad scientist Dr. Wily unleash eight new Robot Masters, with Mega Man setting out to defeat them. After vanquishing each Robot Master, Mega Man gains their powers, helping him advance and infiltrate Wily's castle.

Of all the games Capcom published for the NES, "Mega Man 2" reigns supreme. The game represents the peak of side-scrolling platforming on the console, and the imaginative level design also sets it apart. It also boasts one of the best '80s video game soundtracks. Selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide, the sequel avoided the sophomore slump and helped Mega Man become Capcom's most prolific franchise. An absolute joy and all-around improvement over its predecessor, "Mega Man 2" is definitely one of the games that defined the NES era.

The late '80s and early '90s saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dominating television, film, and video games, including a line of games for the NES. The first game in the series was released in 1989 and, in contrast to its sequels, was a side-scrolling action experience as opposed to a beat'em-up or fighting game. Players alternate between the four Ninja Turtles, each armed with their signature weapons, as they battle Shredder's forces to rescue April O'Neil. This involves the group facing the familiar villains from the hit animated series and, notoriously, swimming around the Hudson River Dam to defuse a set of bombs.

To be clear, the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" isn't the best NES game — in fact, it isn't even the best Ninja Turtles game on the console. But this game encapsulates the qualities of the NES in the '80s in a number of striking ways. It reflects the console being inundated with cross-media tie-in titles and a heightened difficulty that many NES games were known for. What's more, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" has a distinct charm compared to its sequels, with one of the best original soundtracks in the console's library.