The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released back in 1984 and at the time offered a revolutionary form of home entertainment – video gaming!
Newer technology has obviously overtaken the now-primitive NES console but some of the games are still playable and enjoyable to this day – and Wii gamers can now download and play these games via the Nintendo Virtual Console.
NES Mario Games on Wii Virtual Console
Super Mario Bros
The first Super Mario Bros game is a stone-cold classic. The scrolling gameplay was a technological marvel for the early 1980s and the physics of Mario, complete with the small amount of movement momentum, were coded to perfection.
Infinitely playable over 25 years later, the first Super Mario Bros game is an essential download on Nintendo Virtual Console, if only to check out the first game in a world-famous series. This is videogame history.
Super Mario Bros 3
No apology will be made for including two Mario Bros platform games in the five best NES downloads for the Wii Virtual Console.
A huge advancement on the first game, SMB3 introduced a game map and a range of exciting power-ups, including the fire suit and the tanuki (racoon) suit, all giving Mario new abilities. Shortcuts and secret rooms are everywhere, all adding to the longevity of the game.
Super Mario Bros 3 is another must, and at only 500 Wii points a bargain to boot.
Wii Virtual Console – NES Platform Games
Mighty Bombjack
Bombjack was a hugely popular 1980s platform game available on a range of consoles and home computers. The simple premise is to collect a number of bombs, ideally in the correct order for maximum points, in order to advance through the single screen levels.
Mighty Bombjack expanded on the simple idea by connecting the screens with side scrolling platform levels and additional power-ups, making for varied, enjoyable gameplay.
Although not a platform game of Mario proportions, this has retained its playability over the years, unlike a lot of the NES Virtual Console offerings (which are best left as museum pieces); so, it is worth a Virtual Console download.
Bubble Bobble
All children of the 80s will remember Bubble Bobble, found on a range of home computers and consoles, as well as in the local amusement arcade.
The object: shoot bubbles at monsters, then burst the bubbles before the monsters escape and get fast and mean. This game is simple, addictive, and a piece of retro gaming history that still plays well.
NES Excite Bike on Wii Virtual Console
Excite Bike is a somewhat unusual 2D racing game, where bikes race from left to right on a horizontally scrolling background.
Popular enough to warrant a Nintendo remake in 2010, Excite Bike has a loyal following. Like a lot of classic games it is easy to pick up and hard to master, rewarding repeat play. The balance of the bike can be adjusted as it flies over ramps and bumps, with dangerous jumps resulting in a good speed boost or a humiliating smash.
Excite Bike has perfect controls, and although the basic graphics expose the fact it is a game from the 80s, it doesn’t detract from an addictive racer than can swallow up hours of gaming time.
The Nintendo Wii Virtual Console offers a huge range of games for a range of retro systems. This choice selection of NES titles is only the beginning.
Recommended Links:
SNES Virtual Console – The Best Super Nintendo Games on Wii
N64 – Nintendo 64 Virtual Console – The Best Games
Nintendo Virtual Console – Nintendo Games on Wii
Ben Taylor - Ben is an aspiring travel writer, competent cook, Microsoft certified techno-geek, music obsessive, and recent migrant from rainy London ...
Join the Conversation