Metal Gear
So, the game that created the stealth genre and spawned an enormous ecosystem of games, characters, and culture didn’t make the list? Oh, right, it’s not a pachinko machine and therefore uninteresting to Konami. Really though, Metal Gear is a great game whose simple stealth mechanics made it an utter breakthrough at the time of its release.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Geez, I have a lot of Konami joints on this list… But they’re all excellent, and sad reminder of what Konami will likely never be again. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a weird and infuriating game that is undeniably memorable. With more level variety than almost anything else from the era and the ability to play as all the turtles, TMNT is well worth playing. Especially if you’re playing with a durable controller.
Dragon Warrior
The series that would eventually be known as Dragon Quest made its debut on NES, slimes and all. A true old school RPG full of grinding and punishment, Dragon Warrior is a love letter to the patient and methodical gamer, requiring meticulous attention to detail. It certainly isn’t flashy, but was definitely revolutionary enough to deserve a spot on the Mini NES
River City Ransom
The beat-em-up is a staple of the 8 and 16-bit eras, and River City Ransom is one of the smartest out there. You can buy new moves from a store, for example, and explore the city at your leisure. Navigating potentially hostile zones engages the player’s brain (albeit minimally), and adds a few extra layers to repetitive (but entertaining) punch all the dudes formula.
Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse
While Castlevania 2 took added more role playing features, Castlevania 3 is much more like the original, but with huge biceps and a super computer brain. With branching paths that allow players to completely miss some sections and classic Castlevania gameplay, the third in the series is far and away the most complete on the NES.