Super Mario Bros. Classic
Nintendo · 1985
Released in Japan as the Famicom in 1983 and in North America in 1985, the NES revived a home console market that had collapsed. Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Mega Man were born here, and the system set the template for game design for decades.
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Matrix Picks tracks 984 NES games, 438 of which support two or more players.