Finding Enjoyment Through Famicom/Arcade Style Games

[HTBandicoot]

I recently bought a cheap handheld with 400 games on it. These are 80s classics from the Famicom and NES consoles. I didn’t know I’d enjoy it so much. I think this happens because of various reasons.

You got the simplicity of arcade style games. Each game is without the ability to save, so if anything, you’re just left trying to beat your high score.

Each time playing I discover something new or learn something else. I knew little about Famicom and other NES titles before getting this handheld. I also had heard of very few of these games.
I can choose a game at random and it’s like a puzzle to solve. My mind tries to figure out the objective, which buttons do what, how I can die, and what gives me more points. That’s a benefit from going into each game cold and without researching it.

I’ve begun to make notes of which games I like and I’ve started to write high scores for the different games. I think this will make it more enjoyable for me personally, like a gaming diary of sorts. Since there are so many, I thought about looking at what number day of the year it is and trying that numbered game for the day. Otherwise, I may not get around to trying all the games. That may be a good idea for the new year.

Sorry to ramble and basically make this a journal entry haha. I was just happy to have gotten so much from my cheap purchase.


Can any of you relate? Do you play any Famicom or NES games from the 80s?

 

[DunkeyKong]

One that I love the most is Castlevania. Despite the difficulty and crazy knockback, I actually managed to do better everytime and learn from my mistake (Dracula ain't shit now)
Even though it's not a great one for many, it is what makes it Castlevania…punishing but rewarding

 

[SuperSampleStar]

There's a lot of arcade style NES games that I quite enkoy playing from time to time

• Clu-Clu Land
• Devil World
• Dig-Dug 1 & 2
• Star Force
• Joust
• Donkey Kong 1/jr/3

That's to just name a few off the top of my head but I know there's more. I used to have a bootleg NES cart (SuperVision 76-in-1) that had a crapload of those types of games so it was my go-to for whenver I was bored.

 

[HTBandicoot]

That's pretty much what this is with more games on it. It's the perfect device to play to fill short spans of time, and I can be away from my phone, too. Also, with my PS3 and NES consoles, I often have to spend some time just getting them to read the discs/cartridges. So it's nice not to have to do that and just start playing.

 

[Adrastia]

I remember really enjoying the TMNT arcade game for NES. I had the Advantage stick for it too.

 

[HTBandicoot]

I remember really enjoying the TMNT arcade game for NES. I had the Advantage stick for it too.

Oh yeah, that one is on there too!

 

[RetroLaw]

I love the nes and still play a lot of nes games, but on emulator with savestate to learn the game, then I finish it without.

It takes too much time to go through the earlier levels each time to practice the hardest part of the game.

Games that come to mind :

- The Ninja Gaiden trilogy
- Batman
- Bucky O'Hare
- Journey to Silius
- Isolated Warrior
- Mr Gimmick
- The Castlevania series

Most of them are well known, I think by now there aren't that many nes hidden gems by now I guess.

 

[PJMorris]

I still love the NES! i find myself going back to Ghosts 'n Goblins and Punch Out (with or without Mike) the most, but I can also recommend games like Spy Hunter and Power Blade.