The Nintendo Entertainment System is widely credited with rescuing the interactive entertainment industry from a devastating collapse in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Over the lifespan of the iconic 8-bit console, hundreds of incredible games were released, establishing foundational genres and legendary franchises that continue to influence modern game development. Today, many of the most celebrated and memorable titles from that era are readily accessible to modern audiences through the Nintendo Switch Online service. However, a significant backlog of fantastic, culturally important titles remains conspicuously absent from the digital library, highlighting a gap in Nintendo’s retro preservation efforts that fans and industry observers agree needs to be addressed. Out of the dozens of eligible cartridges left behind, here are ten standout NES games that deserve to be brought to the Nintendo Switch Online service as soon as possible.
10. Paperboy
Originally released in December 1988, Paperboy appeared on nearly every major gaming platform of its era, but the NES port possessed a distinct charm of its own. While many ports on alternative hardware closely mimicked the distinct visual design of the original arcade cabinet, the NES version utilized a more restrained palette and simplistic visual style that matched the technical capabilities of Nintendo’s hardware perfectly. Tight controls and straightforward arcade gameplay combined to make it a quintessential weekend rental.
The game tasks players with steering a dedicated young deliverer along a suburban route to serve loyal subscribers while wreaking minor havoc on the properties of non-subscribers. In between navigating obstacles and avoiding hazards over the course of an action-packed week, players complete a high-stakes training course before repeating the cycle. Reaching the final day with remaining lives and active subscribers intact delivers pure arcade satisfaction. Though it is not a sprawling epic, the title would serve as a fantastic, fast-paced retro diversion on modern hardware and might even make a compelling case for a modern-day remake.
9. Kiwi Kraze
Published in March 1991 by Taito—one of the most prolific and exciting publishers of the NES era—Kiwi Kraze represents the console’s rich library of hidden gems. While Taito released numerous titles that have since become coveted collector’s items, this particular port of the classic arcade experience The New Zealand Story remains relatively accessible on the secondary market without sacrificing an ounce of its inherent quality.
Players guide a determined kiwi through a vibrant zoo world populated by adorable yet menacing creatures armed with bows and laser guns. The ultimate objective is to rescue bird-napped friends from an adversarial walrus. Along the way, players encounter hidden warps, temporary weapon upgrades, perilous spiked walls, and deep pools of water. The adventure is notoriously challenging, particularly during intense boss encounters, but an abundance of hidden secrets ensures high replay value, making it an ideal candidate for the Nintendo Switch Online library.
8. Adventure Island 3
Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft, Adventure Island 3 arrived in July 1992 as the third installment in the popular platforming series starring Master Higgins. Known for his signature lack of a shirt, the protagonist dashes through lush tropical stages, gathering fruit to sustain his energy meter and hurling primitive weapons like stone hammers to clear a path through various hazards.
While the series is well-regarded for its punishing difficulty and cheerful aesthetic, the third installment was notably omitted from Nintendo’s historical Virtual Console service on both the Wii and the Wii U. The fourth entry in the series similarly missed out on past digital re-releases and never received an official localization during the original hardware generation. Bringing either title to the modern subscription service would offer long-overdue accessibility to fans of classic 8-bit platforming.
7. Destiny of an Emperor
Released in May 1989, Capcom’s Destiny of an Emperor seemingly failed to achieve massive commercial success in the West, as the publisher ultimately chose not to localize its NES sequel. Nevertheless, role-playing game enthusiasts who invested time into the cartridge discovered a surprisingly rich and strategic experience. The narrative depicts ancient heroes banding together to liberate China from violent bandit factions known as the Yellow Scarves.
The title features a lengthy quest set across an expansive map, punctuated by tactical combat encounters that pit armies of soldiers against one another. Many industry historians suggest the game laid thematic and structural groundwork for later genre masterpieces like Suikoden. A revival on modern platforms would allow a new generation of RPG fans to experience its historical scope.
6. The Battle of Olympus
As the debut project from the acclaimed Japanese developer Infinity, The Battle of Olympus was published in North America by Broderbund in March 1988. The game stands out as an overlooked classic of the 8-bit era, casting players as Orpheus on a perilous quest to rescue his beloved Helene. The journey requires traversing mythological landscapes throughout ancient Greece while wielding swords and divine magic to overcome legendary monsters.
The core action closely mirrors Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, supported by atmospheric visuals that capture the epic scale of Greek mythology. The ambitious adventure cultivated a dedicated following over the decades, and its original creators have actively pursued a modern Steam remake, highlighting the enduring appeal of its world ahead of its upcoming fortieth anniversary.
5. Bubble Bobble Part 2
While the original Bubble Bobble cartridge remains relatively affordable despite frequently ranking among the greatest NES games ever made, its sequel is an exceptionally rare and costly collector’s item. Released in August 1993, the follow-up retains the core premise of its predecessor, featuring adorable bubble-blowing dinosaurs navigating single-screen stages, collecting prizes, and trapping enemies before progressing.
The sequel introduces expanded multiplayer functionality, refined graphics, and infectious music derived from the arcade original. Adding the sequel to Nintendo Switch Online would not only celebrate a beloved arcade legacy but would also save modern enthusiasts from prohibitive aftermarket prices required to play the game on original hardware.
4. Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
Developed by Hudson Soft and released in May 1988, Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom offers one of the most eccentric premises in the NES library. Players assume the role of Sir Cucumber, a chivalrous protagonist dispatched to rescue the titular Princess Tomato from the villainous Minister Pumpkin, whose royal betrayal serves as the inciting incident for the adventure.
The journey unfolds across a vibrant landscape inhabited entirely by talking vegetables, utilizing a menu-driven interface reminiscent of classic text adventures paired with whimsical visual illustrations. Although Nintendo previously made the title available on the Wii Virtual Console, it vanished alongside more than 200 other classic games when the Wii Shop Channel officially ceased operations. The game’s unique identity makes it a natural fit for Nintendo Switch Online.
3. Faxanadu
Debuting in November 1987, Faxanadu is remembered by enthusiasts as one of the most atmospheric and ambitious adventures ever brought to the NES. Widely cited by historians as an early pioneer of the Metroidvania structural format, the game was published in North America and Europe by Nintendo and developed by Hudson Soft as a spin-off of Falcom’s classic Dragon Slayer franchise.
The narrative blends side-scrolling action with deep role-playing mechanics, following a lone wanderer who returns to his homeland only to find it largely abandoned following a disastrous conflict involving corrupted dwarf factions. Navigating the ruined kingdom requires careful exploration and resource management. Resolving potential licensing hurdles to bring the title to the current subscription platform would be a major win for fans of retro exploration.
2. Shadowgate
Developed originally by ICOM Simulations and ported to the NES hardware by Kemco in March 1989, Shadowgate remains the most prominent entry in a legendary trio of point-and-click adventure games adapted for Nintendo’s console. The title drops players into a foreboding medieval fantasy castle filled with environmental hazards, intricate puzzles, and lethal monsters capable of abruptly ending the quest without warning.
A built-in battery save system allowed players to preserve progress through punishing dungeons, provided they remembered to utilize it. Backed by striking fantasy artwork and an oppressive, dark atmosphere, the game was a frequent fixture in the pages of Nintendo Power during its peak popularity. While modern spiritual successors and spin-offs have kept the spirit of the franchise alive on contemporary digital storefronts, convenient access to the definitive NES original remains a missing piece in Nintendo’s preservation library.
1. Bionic Commando
In 1987, Capcom released an arcade game titled Top Secret, which made its way to North America the following year under the name Bionic Commando. The game featured a protagonist who relied on a specialized bionic grappling arm to traverse vertical platforming environments, pull himself toward distant ledges, and engage enemy soldiers. Capcom produced a heavily expanded and redesigned NES port in the summer of 1988.
For the North American release, localized versions substituted explicit political iconography with a fictional regime to create a more generalized opposing force. The successful 8-bit adaptation later inspired ports for portable hardware and paved the way for subsequent revivals, including modern re-imaginings. Integrating the definitive NES version into the Nintendo Switch Online ecosystem would provide an ideal avenue for players to experience the roots of one of Capcom’s most innovative action classics.
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