Naming the greatest NES game is an excellent way to turn a friendly conversation into a very loud one.

Super Mario Bros. 3 certainly has a strong case. Its imaginative power-ups, inventive stages, and seemingly endless supply of surprises make it easy to understand why so many players put it at the top. Give Mario a raccoon tail and a running start, and suddenly an entire afternoon disappears.

But the NES had some serious competition waiting in its cartridge collection.

From Scrooge McDuck’s treasure hunts to Kirby’s enormous appetite, these five games brought their own ideas about what a great Nintendo adventure could be. Depending on whether you value exploration, atmosphere, or the satisfaction of finally surviving a brutal level, one of them might claim your top spot.

Here’s the Your Nerd Side countdown of five NES classics that can give Mario a run for his coins.

5. Crystalis Makes Every New Discovery Matter

A world rebuilding after a devastating war provides the setting for SNK’s Crystalis, where magic and forbidden technology are tangled together in a struggle for survival. It’s an ambitious backdrop for a game that gives you plenty of reasons to wander off and investigate what lies beyond the next town.

Its elemental swords are a particularly clever touch. With the right upgrades, the Sword of Water can create ice bridges across rivers, while the Sword of Fire can break through ice walls. Finding better equipment changes where you can go as well as how you fight.

That makes each discovery feel useful. An obstacle you passed earlier becomes a reason to return. A new weapon opens up possibilities, and suddenly your quick gaming session has turned into a much longer expedition.

Crystalis earns its place here through that sense of discovery. For players who want an adventure they can settle into and explore, it offers a compelling reason to give the Mushroom Kingdom a night off.

4. DuckTales Turns a Walking Cane Into Gaming Gold

Scrooge McDuck could afford just about any equipment he wanted. Naturally, he tackles his adventures with a top hat and a cane.

Capcom makes that cane the heart of DuckTales. Scrooge can swing it to knock objects around or use it like a pogo stick, bouncing across hazards and onto enemies. His treasure hunt even takes him to the Moon, giving the game one of its most memorable settings—and a standout piece of music to match.

The appeal is in how satisfying that movement becomes. Once you find the rhythm of the pogo jump, you start looking at each screen differently. Enemies become opportunities to bounce. Obstacles become invitations to try something clever.

There’s also a wonderful fit between the character and the action. Of course Scrooge would travel absurd distances for treasure. Of course he would make one trusty possession do several jobs.

DuckTales captures the fun of its cartoon world while giving players a distinctive platformer. And if the Moon theme follows you around for the rest of the day, consider that part of the treasure.

3. Castlevania III Makes Every Step Toward Dracula Feel Dangerous

Some games welcome you with cheerful scenery. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse looks ready to charge you rent for a room in a haunted castle.

Trevor Belmont leads the adventure, with Grant Danasty, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard available as potential companions along the way. Branching routes give the journey different directions, adding choices to the march toward Dracula.

That structure gives the game a strong reason to revisit it. You can finish one route and still wonder what you missed elsewhere—or how another companion might change the experience.

The difficulty demands patience. Every jump carries weight, every enemy placement deserves attention, and a careless move can undo a stretch of good work. Finally getting through a troublesome section feels like an accomplishment you earned personally.

Its atmosphere is just as important. The ominous scenery and driving music make the whole adventure feel larger than the screen.

For players who want their NES games dark, demanding, and packed with personality, Castlevania III belongs near the top. Just make sure your controller has a safe place to land when you put it down.

2. Ninja Gaiden II Makes Victory Feel Like a Stunt You Pulled Off Yourself

There’s a particular kind of confidence that comes from clearing a difficult section of Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos.

It usually lasts until the next section.

Tecmo’s sequel combines demanding action with cinematic storytelling, giving Ryu Hayabusa’s battles a sense of drama beyond simply reaching the other side of the screen. The cutscenes help turn the adventure into a compact ninja action movie.

One of its best ideas is Ryu’s ability to gain up to two shadow doubles. These extra images help him attack enemies, and learning how to position them adds a useful tactical element to the action. Suddenly, you have more to think about than the enemy directly in front of you.

The game’s appeal comes from learning its rhythm. A section that initially seems overwhelming gradually becomes manageable. Your jumps get cleaner. Your attacks become more deliberate. Eventually, you pull off a sequence that would have stopped you cold a few attempts earlier.

Ninja Gaiden II takes the number two spot because mastering it feels so good. It’s an excellent choice for anyone whose idea of a relaxing evening includes repeatedly insisting they can absolutely make that jump.

1. Kirby’s Adventure Gives the NES One More Great Surprise

By 1993, Kirby’s Adventure was showing how much imagination Nintendo could still squeeze out of the NES. This was the game that introduced Kirby’s Copy Ability, letting him swallow certain enemies and borrow their powers. Fire, lasers, and other abilities gave the little pink hero a much bigger bag of tricks.

That idea changes your relationship with almost every encounter. Spotting an enemy can make you curious about what you might gain from it. Picking up a different ability gives you a reason to experiment, even in an area you already understand.

Kirby’s cheerful presentation makes all that experimentation feel inviting. The colorful scenery gives each new area personality, while secrets and minigames reward players who take their time exploring.

There’s real confidence in a game that trusts curiosity to keep you playing. Kirby can be approachable without becoming dull, and playful without running out of ideas.

That inventiveness earns Kirby’s Adventure the top spot in this countdown. Mario’s power-ups remain a tough act to follow, but Kirby makes a convincing case that the next great ability might be walking straight toward you.

And he’s probably going to eat it.

The Debate Belongs in the Comments

Super Mario Bros. 3 has earned its place in the conversation. These five games deserve their turn with the controller, too.

Your favorite might depend on what you want from an evening with the NES: a world to explore, a challenge to master, or the simple pleasure of bouncing a billionaire duck toward his next payday.

Which game would you put above Super Mario Bros. 3? Tell us your pick—and make your case. This is Your Nerd Side, and we’re ready for a good retro gaming debate.