10 NES Games That Are Still Worth Playing From Start to Finish
On October 18, Polygon published a retrospective ranking 10 Nintendo Entertainment System games that remain worth playing from start to finish. Released 41 years ago to the day—October 18, 1985—in North America, the NES became one of gaming’s most influential consoles, saving the industry from the collapse many predicted in the early 1980s. Though the system eventually hosted hundreds of games, many have faded from relevance as newer titles have proliferated.
Polygon’s article makes the case that select NES titles have endured beyond their nostalgic appeal, offering genuine playability for modern audiences. The list includes Ninja Gaiden (1988), published by Tecmo, which the excerpt describes as a game featuring ninja warriors in contemporary urban settings that quickly captured player interest.
The piece reflects ongoing conversations around game preservation and the lasting value of early gaming classics. While many NES games now feel dated, the article identifies titles that have successfully bridged the gap between historical artifact and contemporary entertainment. This retrospective highlights how certain games from gaming’s earliest eras continue to merit attention despite the vast catalog of modern alternatives available to players today.