If this was a list of the top 100 most important NES games this would've had to have been at the number one spot as the sheer importance of this game to the platform genre and video game industry in general can not be understated. However this is a straight comparative list and Super Mario Bros, whilst amazing at the time of release now looks a bit dated in comparison to later games on the system. This is mainly because so many later games took so much from its design whilst adding their own additions. The game play is definitely still a lot of fun though and the music is as iconic as it ever was.

Ufouria is another of the widely under-appreciated games on the NES, the design is similar in some ways to that of the Metroid series, you explore the world with not all sections available at the beginning, but as time goes on these sections become available. Unlike Metroid, which has you searching for power-ups, Ufouria has you searching for your lost friends, each of which become playable and have their own abilities. The game is permeated by an endearingly kooky Japanese charm, with dopey looking characters and enemies creating an excellent atmosphere.

A fiendishly clever puzzle game that really gets the brain working, the game is based around collecting the heart icons and moving around blocks in the stages, not only to progress but to be used as cover to block the line of sight of the monsters who frequent the area. It gets very complicated pretty fast so is a good game for puzzle pro's who want a challenge.

A classic beat-em-up that contains not only the usual recipe of side scrolling action and weapons, but a commendable amount of original elements such as the inclusions of shops and RPG like stats. You can also save the state of your character through the games password system. Its just a shame that later games of the genre didn't take some pointers from this game.

Enix prove again their mastery of 8-bit JRPG's with this, another classic iteration of their excellent Dragon Quest series. Notably the game's storyline is split into chapters each from the perspective of a different character, with them only coming together towards the end, this helps to create a richer and more interesting plot experience to hold your attention.

One of the greatest puzzle games in existence, the design and idea behind the game, which has you trying to protect and guide the lemmings from the entrance to the exit was just flawless. I found all the moves you could give the little guys very impressive for the time (I don't remember any other game of its era allowing you to change and affect the environment quite to this level before) and the NES version, whilst suffering a little from the lack of mouse control, doesn't detract from the greatness of the original too much.

Blaster Master is another excellent platforming adventure game for NES, here you control a little guy driving a tank searching the levels for items and such. There's multiple level styles, some side scrolling and others from an overhead perspective and you can even exit the tank and travel through the levels at will

Metroid was a very clever platformer that incorporated a lot of adventuring elements. It has you explore the massive level looking for new upgrades and abilities, each one upon finding gives you access to new sections of the level. As engrossing as it its the game does tend to be frustrating at times and is a little dated, so those lacking patience and perseverance may be best to look elsewhere for their adventuring needs.

Another original C64 classic ported excellently to the NES, this time you play the part of a captain and work your way up the ranks so you can retire a rich man. A very nice little strategy adventure game.

More in depth, and with more options than your average American Football game. Tecmo Super Bowl was just more fun and playable than everything else that was out there at the time. This really set the bench mark for all sports games that followed it.