Best Games for Each Console: The Essential Retro Gaming Library
A curated guide to the must-play games for every classic console, from NES to PlayStation, with recommendations for different tastes and skill levels.
Building Your Retro Gaming Library
With thousands of retro games available, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This guide curates the essential experiences for each major platform.
We've organized games into tiers:
- 🏆 Must Play — Foundational games everyone should experience
- ⭐ Highly Recommended — Excellent games for genre fans
- 💎 Hidden Gems — Underrated titles worth discovering
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The console that revived gaming after the 1983 crash.
🏆 Must Play
Super Mario Bros The game that defined platforming. Tight controls, perfect level design, and timeless appeal.
The Legend of Zelda Open-world adventure before it had a name. Exploration, puzzle-solving, and discovery.
Mega Man 2 The pinnacle of NES action. Choose your stage, defeat bosses, steal powers.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Metroid Atmospheric exploration and non-linear progression that spawned a genre.
Castlevania Gothic horror meets challenging platforming. Tight design, memorable music.
Contra Legendary run-and-gun action. Essential co-op experience.
Kirby's Adventure Accessible platforming with creative power-stealing mechanics.
💎 Hidden Gems
River City Ransom Beat-em-up with RPG elements. Surprisingly deep and funny.
Blaster Master Unique hybrid of vehicular combat and on-foot action.
Crystalis Action RPG with post-apocalyptic setting. Underrated adventure.
Super Nintendo (SNES)
Nintendo's 16-bit powerhouse. Arguably the greatest game library ever.
🏆 Must Play
Super Mario World The evolution of platforming. Yoshi, secrets galore, and perfect level design.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past The template for all future Zelda games. Dungeons, items, and epic adventure.
Chrono Trigger The greatest RPG ever made? Time-traveling adventure with multiple endings.
Super Metroid Atmospheric masterpiece. Defined the "Metroidvania" genre.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Final Fantasy VI Epic story, memorable characters, and the best villain in RPG history.
Street Fighter II Turbo The fighting game standard. Still competitive decades later.
Donkey Kong Country Revolutionary graphics, tight platforming, and David Wise's incredible soundtrack.
Super Castlevania IV The best classic Castlevania. Whip in eight directions. Gorgeous Mode 7 effects.
💎 Hidden Gems
EarthBound Quirky, humorous RPG set in a twisted version of modern America.
ActRaiser Unique blend of platforming and city-building simulation.
Terranigma Action RPG about rebuilding civilization. Emotional and underrated.
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
Sega's 16-bit challenger. Attitude and speed defined this era.
🏆 Must Play
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 The pinnacle of 2D Sonic. Speed, style, and memorable zones.
Streets of Rage 2 The best beat-em-up ever made. Perfect co-op experience.
Gunstar Heroes Frenetic action from Treasure. Incredible set pieces and co-op play.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Phantasy Star IV Excellent RPG with anime cutscenes and engaging story.
Shinobi III Ninja action perfected. Great controls and variety.
Thunder Force IV Intense shoot-em-up with incredible soundtrack.
💎 Hidden Gems
Landstalker Isometric action-adventure with clever puzzles.
Rocket Knight Adventures Creative platformer with jetpack-wielding opossum knight.
Game Boy / Game Boy Color
Nintendo's portable empire. Gaming anywhere, anytime.
🏆 Must Play
Tetris The perfect puzzle game. Sold Game Boys by the millions.
Pokemon Red/Blue Cultural phenomenon. Catch 'em all.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Full Zelda adventure in your pocket. Surprisingly emotional story.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Super Mario Land 2 Wario's debut. Varied worlds and fun power-ups.
Metroid II Atmospheric Metroid on portable. Hunt the last Metroids.
Kirby's Dream Land Accessible and charming. Perfect for quick sessions.
Game Boy Advance
The portable SNES. Incredible library of ports and originals.
🏆 Must Play
Metroid Fusion Tense, story-driven Metroid. More linear but gripping.
Advance Wars Turn-based strategy perfection. Addictive gameplay.
Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen Definitive versions of the original Pokemon adventure.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Golden Sun Epic RPG with Djinn system and great puzzles.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Best portable Castlevania. Soul-stealing mechanics.
PlayStation
3D gaming explodes. Sony's entry changed everything.
🏆 Must Play
Final Fantasy VII Defined RPGs for a generation. Cloud, Sephiroth, and Midgar.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Transformed Castlevania into an exploration RPG masterpiece.
Metal Gear Solid Stealth action revolution. Incredible storytelling.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Resident Evil 2 Survival horror perfected. Genuine tension and iconic setting.
Silent Hill Psychological horror masterpiece. Unforgettable atmosphere.
Tekken 3 3D fighting at its best. Deep mechanics, great roster.
Nintendo 64
3D platforming pioneer. Quality over quantity.
🏆 Must Play
Super Mario 64 Invented 3D platforming. Still remarkably playable.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Often called the greatest game ever made. Epic 3D adventure.
GoldenEye 007 Revolutionary multiplayer shooter. Defined console FPS.
⭐ Highly Recommended
Banjo-Kazooie Collectathon platformer perfected. Charm and creativity.
Paper Mario Unique RPG with paper aesthetic and great humor.
How to Use This Guide
- Start with "Must Play" — These are essential regardless of preferences
- Explore your interests — Like RPGs? Prioritize those recommendations
- Don't skip Hidden Gems — Some of gaming's best experiences are overlooked
- Share the journey — Many games are better with friends
Your Personal Library
Everyone's ideal library differs based on taste. Use this guide as a starting point, then:
- Follow what excites you
- Ask the community for more recommendations
- Revisit games you initially bounced off — tastes evolve
The goal isn't to play everything. It's to find the games that resonate with you.
Just getting started? Check out our complete beginner's guide to retro gaming or learn why these classic games remain so engaging.
About the Author
Innovatex Team is part of the Innovatex team, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of retro gaming with enthusiasts worldwide.
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