25 of my favourite modern NES games
In the midst of the Second ReNESance, a revival of the Nintendo Entertainment System's legacy, we are fortunate to witness an abundance of new third-party games being released. Here are 25 of my favorite modern NES games, all readily available digitally for a reasonable price, with many also offered as physical cartridges for an authentic hi-fi experience.
One standout title is All Hell Unleashed, a horror game created by 8-bit Slasher. The game cleverly combines a story about an evil cult resurrecting something sinister with a selection of iconic horror movie villains for players to battle. As players progress, they face each villain in a memorable boss fight, culminating in a final showdown with the cult itself.
Alwa's Awakening is a Metroidvania-style game originally developed for PC, but ported to NES with true NES limitations. The game follows Zoe, a gamer who awakens in the mystical land of Alwa, and must explore the world, uncovering power-ups that grant access to new areas. The port maintains the game's visual and audio quality while faithfully adapting its unique gameplay mechanics.
Anguna, originally a Game Boy Advance title, was later adapted for NES. The game follows a generic warrior on a quest to defeat the goblin king, with the added charm of pixelated enemy portraits. Although short, Anguna delivers a sleek and streamlined experience that makes the best use of the NES hardware's limitations.
Blazing Rangers is an arcade-style firefighting game that offers a fresh take on the genre. Players control either Popo or Mimi, who must navigate burning levels, extinguish fires, and rescue children. The game supports cooperative play, allowing players to strategize together to overcome the challenges presented by each level.
Finally, Anguna offers a nostalgic experience for those who remember playing the GBA version, now presented in NES form. With its tight gameplay, pixel-perfect graphics, and faithful adaptation of its mechanics, Anguna is a perfect example of what modern NES games can offer.
Written by urgent.news from Lobsters's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.