Switch Online proves, once again, that NES games aren't that good

Nintendo Enthusiast argues that NES games, in general, are pretty overrated. Nintendo Switch Online reaffirms this.

[JunMei]

Yeah.... there are a few gems out there. But games don'r really start holding up until the 16 bit era.

[Sm00thNinja]

Yeah not paying 20 bucks to play NES games I can download on my phone

[GtPawnSacrifices]

Second that. Start putting up some N64 & GCN titles, then i’ll pay.

[Neonridr]

well technically you aren't paying $20 for NES games, much like you aren't paying $50 for older PS3/PS4 games either. You are paying for online, anything else is technically a bonus, no?

[-volt-]

Wrong..

[affrogamer]

RIGHT!

[zahdab]

Never something so wrong has felt so right !

[PhoenixUp]

NES games are alright but should never be used as a major selling point selling point of this service

Sony gave away free PS1 games monthly when PS+ started out but they never made as big a deal about it and those games are more fleshed out than the basic experiences most NES games provide

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

If Nintendo just expands upon that idea they have going with the modded version of the Nes Zelda, they might be able to draw some attention to these old games.
An OFFICIAL "third quest" for Zelda, for example, might pull in some subscribers, and I'm sure there are plenty of ways they could mod other games like Metroid and Mario 2 to make them interesting again.

[Theknightofnights]

What do you mean Sony never made a big deal of it? That was part of the whole advertising of the service. Subscribe to the service and acquire free games monthly that you can use until your subscription lapses.

[2pacalypsenow]

Nintendo made NES game a massive selling point. Sony didn’t, they focused on the ps3 games and also mentioned you get ps1 games too.

[Theknightofnights]

@2pacalypsenow @PhoenixUp

They advertised free games heavily with their online service, just as Nintendo is doing. Nintendo offers NES games for $20/year and Sony offered other games for $50/year, but they both used the free games as an incentive all the same.

[letsa_go]

Like arguing with a brick wall

[DarXyde]

"They advertised free games heavily with their online service, just as Nintendo is doing. Nintendo offers NES games for $20/year and Sony offered other games for $50/year, but they both used the free games as an incentive all the same."

The difference being that when Plus launched, it wasn't needed for online play. The free games or discount prices literally WERE the service.

Nintendo is only offering "free" games now to entice people into supporting the service. It's really not good yet.

[septemberindecember]

@Darxyde

Sure, that’s a difference but I don’t see how that goes against his argument.

[PhoenixUp]

@ wonder

I’d rather them offer more modern games instead of titles I’ve already played on VC

@ Knight

Correct Sony advertised giving away free games. Some of those games initially being PS1 titles wasn’t shown off as prominently as Nintendo is with NES games because Sony also counterbalanced the old with new PSN games as well

[Realms]

It's Nintendo being Nintendo most gamers I would think would prefer a Switch game even if it came with a higher price tag like their competitors offer, they are just trying to give as little as possible why not give SNES or 64 games instead along with a Switch game and just increase the price to 59.99

[DarXyde]

That's kind of the natural evolution of technology. You're giving the nod to early Plus games being more fleshed out because Sony started in the 32-bit era? That's a bit shortsighted in my opinion. Be that as it may, since Wii, Nintendo has at least been offering save states on their classics. Now, they have online functionality. PSOne games on Plus were more fleshed out than NES games, sure. But I think Nintendo does more to provide enhancements.

[rainslacker]

I think if you hold them to today's standards, then sure, a lot of them don't hold up. But for their time, they were often good. At least depending on the developer. There were plenty of crap games on the NES, just like we have with modern systems.

[TheGamez100]

Hope snes games make it in the subscription. Still play quite a few of them here and there.

[DivineAssault]

Nintendo should put arcade ports out with online support for switch. NES games are classic but i cant sit through very many anymore.

[Melankolis]

Lazy business

[RizBiz]

Some NES games are absolutely amazing, just most of them aren't offered currently. What Nintendo Online proves is that a tiny selection of NES games shouldn't be the selling feature of a subscription service.

[Petebloodyonion]

My problem with this is more in line with who will want to play SMB3? or Yoshi Story? when Nintendo made several ports of these games to priors handheld and consoles.

If you never played these games chances are you won't start now and if you are a fan then you probably own several versions of them.

[rainslacker]

SMB3 I have fond memories of. Not just because of the game being so good, but the circumstances by which I came to get a copy one year for xmas.

Was a happy memory between my Mom and myself.

And I think the game is still one of the best games ever made.

[Petebloodyonion]

SMB3, for me is, is the best NES game and in my top 10 best games ever.
It's the best 2d Mario game of all time and still worth playing today.
But, like I said, If you never played the game you won't start playing it now and if you're a fan (like me) you probably own several copies of the game (I have the nes, classic edition and snes without counting the several emulation)

[rainslacker]

Yeah, I can see your point of view.

I'd say if people have the chance to play it, they should. People say how those old games had better game play, and that's why they like indie games, but SMB3 was, and still is, the pinnacle of great game play. It was even more impressive in its day, because it did so much, but was very unassuming.

I have a version I can play whenever I want, and a pristine, still sealed version. I never got into the virtual console, so never got it there, but likely have it on any number of emulator collections I have on some old backup somewhere. I think I have one for PS2 on the hard drive.

[Shikoku]

Wow a pronintendo site actually being critical of Nintendo.......maybe there is hope

[TheColbertinator]

Maybe SNES and N64 games would fare better in the future

[2pacalypsenow]

They were good back in the 80s.

[Tross]

If Nintendo had VC on the Switch, we would have SNES, N64, and possibly even GameCube games by now, along with titles from their various handhelds and third party systems, not to mention probably more than 20 NES games, but...I guess Nintendo thinks this is better, and their fanbase haven't informed them otherwise.

[PurpHerbison]

NES platformers are awesome.

[Rachel_Alucard]

It's just Nintendo once again banking on nostalgia to sell their brand. I wish they'd move past this mindset because they keep hitting their head against the wall with it.

[chris235]

in another newsflash they found out that in the early morning hours it is cooler outside than on midday. i think it was the institute of obvious that conducted the scientific research.

[bamillington]

frustratingly bad

[bigmalky]

They should have made a list of first party Nintendo games from the first three generations, and slapped them on the sub.

Zelda 1, 2, Link's Awakening, OoT and MM. SMB All Stars, World, Yoshi's Island and Mario 64. Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64. Donkey Kong, Jr, DCK 1-3. Starfox, a few Kirby games and some others.

Would have been worth it then.

[Phoenix76]

I think the real problem is, is that those titles, they were for different generation of gamers.
Kids nowadays have been brought up with their Fortnite, Cod, Halo, 3d graphics and advance settings etc etc, that older games to them, well, they're just dated and simple now.
For an older gamer like myself they are a nostalgia trip to when gaming really started to be a huge thing. I have a retro pi arcade machine in my front room and my daughter, whilst see loves the look of it, has only ever tried a few of the older title on it. Like sonic, I think is the most she ever played and only reached the Marble Zone (level 2.1) and said she found it boring.
Nintendo offering games like the competition is great, however, the titles are aimed at the wrong age group.

[VivaChe]

And even yourself, how much do you actually play those games now? Once the nostalgia wears off (around the 18 minute mark) you realize there's a reason we've moved on to better things.

[ChasingTheSun]

They could of at least included 1 indie game monthly that switch an overflow of, just offering nes games is cheap on their part. But i guess they have to make up for the huge flop wii u was, if they want to get back in the home console business they better start treating their handheld player better.

[Artemidorus]

Millennials don't qualify as they weren't around when they first arrived.

Who would listen to people who buy yearly digital garbage games spending silly amounts of money on top to win?

Ignore them they know nothing.

[thepatientgamer]

Bruh, super Mario bros 1,2, and 3 beg to differ. Punch out is also a blast. Mega man 2 is fricken amazing.

Lol but these are the only ones that I feel stand the test of time

[GrizToof]

I love nes games but I'm an old guy who grew up with them and I refuse to pay 20 a year for a sprinkle of old games. They should release physical NES game packs with multiple games with extras. We older gamers would buy that up.

[PaulKersey]

The writer claims that the NES was the first console to get him into gaming... did he start playing in the womb?

[BlaqMagiq1]

Never cared for NES. Got my start with the SNES. There was no way this would win me over to their online service. Bring back the Virtual Console.

[Flewid638]

As a relic of the 80s, I would have to agree.

All we were doing back then was looking at box covers saying to ourselves "I hope games look this good one day. Guess we'll have to wait." Lol

[FernDiggidy]

Give me gamecube and n64 games instead FFS....

[VivaChe]

Revisiting old NES games is super fun ... for about 23 minutes. Then you remember why you don't play them anymore and go back to current-gen games.