NES Classic Edition Lessons: Old Games For New Generation Gamers

So you think you’re a gamer? Learn a thing or two from these NES Classic Edition retro games that started it all.

Before the era of PlayStation and Xbox and when technology was just a young boy, the legendary Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES) was the cool toy that every kid (and kid at heart) had. The NES was the best-selling gaming console of its time which picked up the video game industry in 1985 after the Atari shock massive recession of that generation.

More than 30 years after the NES was born, Nintendo decided to bring back this old memento in the form of the NES Classic Edition, a miniaturized plug-and-play version of the groundbreaking NES. The NES Classic Edition contains 30 classic NES games such as the phenomenal Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Kirby’s Adventure to name a few.

These retro titles have transcended the retro gaming medium and most of them have been reworked into newer titles for the newer generation consoles. The 8-bit Mario that we knew before is now a fully rendered plumber, who can be sent across an endless possibility of customized levels. But nothing really beats the originals–the 8-bit pixel heroes and monsters that will send you into hours and hours of replay before that glorious “Next Level.”

While the NES Classic Edition only has 30 built-in games, these retro classics are some of the most refreshing, nostalgic, and challenging of its era. In fact, the NES is known for having some of the most challenging games of its time. So for those who think they’re pretty good, finish these incredible retro titles on your new NES Classic Edition and we’ll definitely think twice about believing you.

Ninja Gaiden

Ninja Gaiden is a side-scrolling action platform game developed by Tecmo for the original NES. Ninja Gaiden was the game that started the tradition of weaving elaborate stories into games using cinematic cut scenes. To the retro circles, Ninja Gaiden is known for its punishingly difficult levels and even the most avid gamers of today will find playing Ninja Gaiden a nightmare.

Ninja Gaiden, however, has very intuitive controls that moves its main character, Ryu, smoothly with every push of a button. And they are easy to master, too, Flying Omelette notes. But with a gameplay difficulty this extreme, you need every controller intuitiveness you can get because Ninja Gaiden will push your reflex to the ultimate test.

If you pride yourself in reflex and reaction time, and would appreciate a good story, Ninja Gaiden should be one of your first stops on your new NES Classic Edition.

Mega Man 2

The Mega Man series is one of the most popular series from the NES and has spawned many titles and spinoffs. The first Mega Man could be the most insane in the franchise, according to the GameSpot forums, so good news if you’re picking this title via the NES Classic Edition because the NES Classic Edition only includes Mega Man 2, a tamer but equally challenging and inspired title from the Mega Man franchise.

Games Radar notes that despite its modest appearance, Mega Man 2 continues to be the most satisfying expressions of its genre more than 20 years later. With tightened controls and a revamped stage layout, getting through Mega Man 2 is less taxing albeit still as challenging as the original Mega Man. And while possibilities are not as infinitely limitless as today’s No Man’s Sky,Mega Man 2?s non-linear game design is still quite the beaut of its time.

Ghost ‘n Goblins

There is nothing most rage quit-worthy as the NES Classic Editions’ Ghost ‘n Goblins. As IGN has put it, you will find yourself going through unfair and frustrating levels, playing, dying, and starting again more times than your fingers can count. But for some masochistic reason, you will keep coming back to Ghost n’ Goblins.

Another side-scrolling action platformer on the NES Classic Edition, Ghost ‘n Goblins will test your skill and patience–tremendously. This NES Classic Edition punisher will make you play the whole seven stages a second time after you beat it for the first time to get to the true ending. And take note, the second time’s even more painstaking to play, so buckle up.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

No Nintendo junkie would not know of Zelda and his adventures, so why not go back to its origins and play Zelda II: The Adventure of Link on the NES Classic Edition? Another quite frustrating NES classic to finish, Nintendo Life notes, dying in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link will send you back to the very beginning, so you will have to go through everything again and just end up getting stabbed by the same baddie who sent you back to square one. Rinse and repeat.

And if you do get to the last dungeon, good luck. That’s particularly brutal. Hope you don’t smash your brand new NES Classic Edition trying to swipe that boss.

The NES Classic Edition was quick to have been sold out, a previous Inquisitr article reports, but Nintendo promised that a steady flow of the NES Classic Edition will be available when the holiday shopping season kicks in.

See the full list of games built-in to the NES Classic Edition below.

Balloon Fight
Castlevania
Donkey Kong
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
Dr. Mario
Excitebike
Galaga
Ghosts ‘n Goblins
Gradius
Ice Climber
Kirby’s Adventure
The Legend of Zelda
Mario Bros.
Mega Man 2
Metroid
Ninja Gaiden
Pac-Man
Super C
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Bubble Bobble
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
Donkey Kong Jr.
Final Fantasy
Kid Icarus
Nintendo Punch-Out!!! Featuring Mr. Dream
StarTropics

[Featured Image by chrisjohnsson/Shutterstock]