1st Wave Nintendo Games (85-87)

[Tempest]

Posted this over on DP, but I thought I'd get the AA perspective as well.

 

Even though I owned a NES back in the day during the height of its popularity and have quite a large NES collection, I always find myself coming back to 1st wave of titles that Nintendo put out (the ones with the pixelated art work). While the later titles are quite impressive, I find that the arcade style simplicity of the original titles captures my interest.

 

My favorite titles are:

 

Goonies (technically a Konami game, but it always seems like a Nintendo game to me since I played it on the Vs System)

Clu Clu Land

Wrecking Crew

Balloon Fight

Gyromite (yes I like Gyromite but without ROB)

Ice Climber

Kung Fu

Gumshoe (too damn hard though)

And any of the arcade classics (DK, DK jr, DK 3, Popeye, etc)

 

I also add Kid Icarus and Metroid to the list although they weren't released until 87. 1987 seems to be the 'cut off' date for the classic style Nintendo games, from then on they started to get more advanced and complex. 87 also seems to be about the time when all the 3rd party companies jumped onto the NES bandwagon.

 

So for me, my NES world goes from 85-87 (83 if you're counting Japanese titles). I know it sounds odd, but maybe it's because I grew up with simpler arcade style games. I like the uniformity of the title screens, music, and graphics. It makes them all seem very connected to each other.

 

Anyone else feel the same way or am I just way out there?

 

Tempest

[Algus]

Gyromite without ROB, yes! I loved Gyromite as a kid but I was a little young for the NES TBH (born 3 months before it came out heh) so I never even knew ROB existed until I got older and had the Internet to set me straight. I used to plug in two controllers so I could work my way through the main game mode.

 

TBH though I do prefer the later games that evolved from SMB. The NES is ~great~ for platformers, maybe the best system out there for that kind of game because there were many, many good platformers. I do have to say though, one of the reasons I like the NES so much is that there is such a convergence of ideas on the system. On one end you've got some really great arcade titles, like the ones you mentioned, and on the other end you've got stuff like Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior III. Later systems don't really have that since arcade ports started dying out as the types of games in arcades changed and many of the classic style games weren't being made anymore. Also the fighting game craze that swept the 16-bit era. I like Mortal Kombat, but man, people really went crazy over fighters in the 90s

[StanJr]

Yeah, I really like the release era stuff. Popeye gets constant play as does Ice Climber. I actually like the VCS Kung-Fu better, but the NES is still fun.

 

Gumshoe is great, but tough as nails!

 

You are not alone!

[psquare75]

I would say all the "original style" box games would count as "first gen" NES games, no?

 

[Tempest]

I would say all the "original style" box games would count as "first gen" NES games, no?

 

Yep. I count Kid Icarus and Metroid. I even count Popeye, Donkey Kong, DK jr., DK 3, and Mario Bros even though they weren't released until later as part of the Arcade Classics series (they were released MUCH earlier in Japan. I think DK jr was a launch title in 83).

 

Tempest

[psquare75]

I grew up on Rad Racer and Metroid. I've actually never tried Clu Clu Land or Popeye, and I have a powerpak. Maybe I should tonight. I've been tooling on DK Classic, but I'm no Billy Mitchell.

[tz101]

Pinball

10 Yard Fight

Hogan's Alley

Kid Icarus

Excite Bike

Punch Out!

Pro Wrestling

Baseball

[Tempest]

Pinball! How did I miss that one on my list? Love Pinball!

 

I should add Devil World to this list even though it wasn't released in the US. Fun game!

 

Tempest

[opeygon]

Agreed. I am definitely biased towards the early NES releases.

 

All of those titles mentioned are great and quintessential NES games. I especially dug Gumshoe, Excitebike, Pro Wrestling and 10 Yard Fight when they first came out.

 

And of course Metroid and Kid Icarus are two of the best games I've ever played and to this day I still play each one all the way through every year or two.

[BydoEmpire]

I totally agree, the earlier NES titles are my favorites. Especially true if you include the "Adventure Series" games like Kid Icarus and Metroid. I remember them being almost like a whole new level of technology when they came out. That second wave really solidified the NES for me as one of the best systems ever. Later in the NES's life it just got flooded w/ subpar 3rd party games and licensed junk, and I ended up playing a lot more Master System (and in the 90s, Genny). Don't get me wrong, of course there were a lot of great titles late in the NES's life, I just like the earlier stuff better. And I'd say the quality was more consistently good.

 

For the record, I'm that weirdo that actually likes Urban Champion and 10 Yard Fight.

[Arkhan]

Clu Clu land, Balloon Fight, and the Goonies are all badass.

 

Kid Icarus is legendary.

 

If they suck up this 3DS one, I will personally destroy Nintendo

[SoulBlazer]

Legend of Zelda was released in 1987 -- I'd count that along with the '1st wave' of games.

 

I'm not sure when the first third party games came out for the NES -- I really want to say some came out in 86, although I'm not sure. I believe Capcom's first games (Ghosts and Goblins, Commando, 1942) came out in 1986. Of course, 1987 is when the third party wave took off.

 

It was a major adventage that Nintendo gave their licence companies as much press and coverage as they did, as opposed to Atari who fought them tooth and nail.

[Lord Helmet]

Definitely my favorite era of NES games. Its probably because I grew up on Atari and arcade games and these just feel similar. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the later era games as well...but I really didn't get into longer adventures over arcade style games until the SNES.

[jeremysart]

Burger Time?

Bumb n' Jump?

Pac Man?

 

The NES versions of these were pretty I great!

[+atari2600land]

Super Mario Bros.!

[Rex Dart]

I looooved Balloon Fight and Wrecking Crew

[tz101]

I beat Kid Icarus many years ago. Anyone else ever accomplish that feat?

[Sonic R]

I beat Kid Icarus many years ago. Anyone else ever accomplish that feat?

 

indeed I have

I will admit I had the help of the 'black book' so I was able to have maps of the game…

 

on topic, I do enjoy the early NES games… including the sports games too… I am trying to get them all (in five screw style) - I am short a few currently…

 

some not mentioned that I really enjoy:

 

Mach Rider

Slalom

Hogan's Alley

and even Donkey Kong Jr. Math lol!

 

I had NEVER heard of Devil World until this thread, and I viewed some video of it, and I am pleased and now begin to seek this out!

Edited February 18, 2011 by Sonic R

[Rev]

im only missing 5 of the black label nes games.

 

they are great looking boxes and great playing games(most of them)

 

popeye being my favorite.

[chrisbid]

the short answer is yes, the early era NES has more in common with the golden age of video games than it does with modern gaming.

 

the long answer would be a long discussion of how to differentiate NES eras. to simplify things, only look at first party releases

 

(list taken from wikipedia - do not take all dates at face value)

 

 

10-Yard Fight 1985 Nintendo

Baseball 1985 Nintendo

Clu Clu Land 1985 Nintendo

Donkey Kong Jr. Math 1985 Nintendo

Duck Hunt 1985 Nintendo

Excitebike 1985 Nintendo

Golf 1985 Nintendo

Gyromite 1985 Nintendo

Hogan's Alley 1985 Nintendo

Ice Climber 1985 Nintendo

Kung Fu 1985 Nintendo

Mach Rider 1985 Nintendo

Pinball 1985 Nintendo

Stack-Up 1985 Nintendo

Super Mario Bros. 1985 Nintendo

Tennis 1985 Nintendo

Wild Gunman 1985 Nintendo

Wrecking Crew 1985 Nintendo

 

 

Balloon Fight 1986 Nintendo

Donkey Kong 1986 Nintendo

Donkey Kong 3 1986 Nintendo

Donkey Kong Jr. 1986 Nintendo

Gumshoe 1986 Nintendo

Mario Bros. 1986 Nintendo

Popeye 1986 Nintendo

Urban Champion 1986 Nintendo

 

 

Kid Icarus 1987 Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda 1987 Nintendo

Metroid 1987 Nintendo

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! 1987 Nintendo

Pro Wrestling 1987 Nintendo

Rad Racer 1987 Nintendo

Slalom 1987 Nintendo

Soccer 1987 Nintendo

Volleyball 1987 Nintendo

 

 

Anticipation 1988 Nintendo

Ice Hockey 1988 Nintendo

R.C. Pro-Am 1988 Nintendo

Super Mario Bros. 2 1988 Nintendo

Super Team Games 1988 Nintendo

World Class Track Meet 1988 Nintendo

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 1988 Nintendo

 

 

Cobra Triangle 1989 Nintendo

Dance Aerobics 1989 Nintendo

Dragon Warrior 1989 Nintendo

Faxanadu 1989 Nintendo

Short Order/Eggsplode 1989 Nintendo

Tetris 1989 Nintendo

To the Earth 1989 Nintendo

 

 

Barker Bill's Trick Shooting 1990 Nintendo

Dr. Mario 1990 Nintendo

Final Fantasy 1990 Nintendo

NES Play Action Football 1990 Nintendo

Nintendo World Cup 1990 Nintendo

Pinbot 1990 Nintendo

Snake Rattle n Roll 1990 Nintendo

StarTropics 1990 Nintendo

Super Mario Bros. 3 1990 Nintendo

Super Spike V'Ball 1990 Nintendo

 

 

NES Open Tournament Golf 1991 Nintendo

 

 

Yoshi 1992 Nintendo

 

 

Kirby's Adventure 1993 Nintendo

Tetris 2 1993 Nintendo

Yoshi's Cookie 1993 Nintendo

 

 

Mega Man 6 1994 Nintendo

Wario's Woods 1994 Nintendo

Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II 1994 Nintendo

 

 

 

 

a good way to define eras is to use the flagship super mario bros series.

 

smb 1 era 1985-1987

smb 2 era 1987-1989

smb 3 era 1990-1994

 

the actual cutoff points are up for debate, but 4 1987 titles (zelda, metroid, punchout, and kid icarus) have more in common with the second era (better graphics, longer adventures, no formal scoring) than the first era (arcade style gameplay).

 

the third era is pretty easy to define. super mario bros 3 was the last monster hit on the NES. there are plenty of quailty titles in this era, but interest in the NES was beginning to erode and 16 bit consoles were beginning to pique the interest of the gaming masses. in fact, the only megahit in the 1989 list was tetris. the rest of the 89 titles can be lumped in with the smb 3 late NES era if you wanted to think along those lines.

[BydoEmpire]

I beat Kid Icarus many years ago. Anyone else ever accomplish that feat?

I used to be able to loop that game almost endlessly. Loved it back int the day. No way I'd even come close to that now, though.

[Chris Leach]

Clu Clu land, Balloon Fight, and the Goonies are all badass.

 

Kid Icarus is legendary.

 

If they suck up this 3DS one, I will personally destroy Nintendo

 

We should Probably mention that Goonies is actually Goonies II and the first Goonies was a famicom release..you can find it in Famicom format alone and on several hacks of other games....usually multi carts has Goonies on it...You can also pick up a reproduction fo "Goonies" from a site called theNesDump.com. Ask for Joe?

 

Not a bad title, but I have yet to add a repro nes cart of it to my collection.....Still wish I could make the things myself

[Cynicaster]

 

 

For the record, I'm that weirdo that actually likes Urban Champion

 

Ha, that's a terrible game dude. My cousin had it, and it was probably one of the first 2-3 NES games I ever played. At the time, even though I was fresh off of several years of a stagnating Atari library and VERY hungry for a more powerful system such as the NES, I remember literally laughing at UC.

 

I think the Video Game Gods intended that game to be a VCS title but somehow it squeaked its way onto the NES.

[Tempest]

UC isn't bad per se, it's just not interesting enough. It needs a little more challenge and variety (more things akin to the flower pot dropping lady).

 

Tempest

[opeygon]

I beat Kid Icarus many years ago. Anyone else ever accomplish that feat?

 

Numerous times. I have been beating that game since 1987.