Arkanoid Classic
Best Nintendo Entertainment System action games
The Matrix has 194 action games on file for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released between 1984–1994. 77 of them support multiplayer, including 5 with co-op. They're ranked below by legacy score, so the games that shaped the genre on the NES come first, with lesser-known picks further down.
Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.
Typical commitment: an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through). Tip: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.
Metal Gear Classic
Mega Man Classic
Pac-Man Classic
Castlevania Classic
Mega Man 2 Classic
Mega Man 3 Classic
Mega Man 4 Classic
Mega Man 5 Classic
Mega Man 6 Classic
Snake's Revenge Classic
Bomberman II Classic
Darkwing Duck Classic
Devil World Classic
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Classic
8 Eyes Classic Co-op
Batman: The Video Game Classic
Chubby Cherub Classic
Doraemon Classic
Friday the 13th Classic
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Classic
Mad Max Classic
Shatterhand Classic
The Goonies Classic
Adventures in the Magic Kingdom Classic
Challenger Classic
Fist of the North Star Classic
The Little Mermaid Classic
The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World Classic
More NES action games
- G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor (1992)
- Isolated Warrior (1991)
- Kick Master (1992)
- Last Action Hero (1993)
- Mendel Palace (1989)
- Metal Storm (1991)
- New Ghostbusters II (1990)
- Pooyan (1985)
- RoboWarrior (1987)
- Shinobi (1989)
- Space Hunter (1986)
- The Ultimate Stuntman (1992)
- Wolverine (1991)
- A Week of Garfield (1989)
- Castle of Dragon (1990)
- Choplifter (1986)
- Crystal Mines (1989)
- Dig Dug II (1986)
- Ghoul School (1992)
- Hanjuku Hero (1988)
- Joshua & the Battle of Jericho (1992)
- Karateka (1985)
- Mitsume ga Tooru (1992)
- Operation Wolf (1989)
- Rampage (1988)
- Sasa (1985)
- The Legend of Kage (1987)
- Toobin' (1989)
- Wayne's World (1993)
- 720° (1989)
- Alien Syndrome (1988)
- Ballblazer (1988)
- Big Nose Freaks Out (1992)
- Chack'n Pop (1985)
- Cliffhanger (1993)
- Defenders of Dynatron City (1992)
- Dirty Harry (1990)
- Doki! Doki! Yūenchi: Crazy Land Daisakusen (1991)
- Dragon Spirit: The New Legend (1990)
- Frankenstein: The Monster Returns (1991)
- Ghostbusters (1986)
- Ghostbusters II (1990)
- Heavy Barrel (1990)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1991)
- Mickey's Safari in Letterland (1993)
- Nightshade (1992)
- Ninja-Kid (1985)
- Pac-Mania (1991)
- Smash TV (1991)
- Spy vs. Spy (1986)
- Star Voyager (1987)
- Strider (1989)
- Super Glove Ball (1990)
- The Adventures of Gilligan's Island (1990)
- The Mutant Virus: Crisis in a Computer World (1992)
- The Rocketeer (1991)
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992)
- Vindicators (1988)
- Alien 3 (1993)
- Bee 52 (1992)
- Beetlejuice (1991)
- Day Dreamin' Davey (1992)
- Don Doko Don (1990)
- Don Doko Don 2 (1992)
- Donald Land (1988)
- F-117A Stealth Fighter (1992)
- FireHawk (1991)
- Fun House (1991)
- Gauntlet (1988)
- Gauntlet II (1990)
- Hi no Tori Hououhen: Gaou no Bouken (1987)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1988)
- Mission Cobra (1990)
- Muppet Adventure: Chaos at the Carnival (1990)
- Power Punch II (1992)
- Raid 2020 (1989)
- RoboCop 2 (1991)
- Short Order / Eggsplode! (1989)
- Space Shuttle Project (1991)
- Super Turrican (1992)
- Tashiro Masashi no Princess ga Ippai (1989)
- The Incredible Crash Dummies (1994)
- Tsuppari Wars (1991)
- Victory Road (1988)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1989)
- Bad Street Brawler (1989)
- Battle Storm (1991)
- Beauty and the Beast (1994)
- Booby Kids (1987)
- Colorful Dragon (1990)
- Crackout (1991)
- Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk (1993)
- Dropzone (1992)
- Hostages (1990)
- Ikari III: The Rescue (1991)
- Impossible Mission II (1990)
- Infiltrator (1990)
- Little Red Hood (1990)
- Mechanized Attack (1990)
- Moon Ranger (1990)
- Operation Secret Storm (1991)
- Paperboy 2 (1992)
- Pizza Pop! (1992)
- Predator (1989)
- Robocco Wars (1991)
- Robodemons (1990)
- Rod Land (1992)
- Seicross (1986)
- Tao (1989)
- The P'Radikus Conflict (1990)
- The Untouchables (1991)
- Trog (1991)
- Dick Tracy (1991)
- Galaga: Demons of Death (1988)
- Total Recall (1990)
- Asmik-kun Land (1991)
- Death Race (1991)
- Jumpin' Kid: Jack to Mame no Ki Monogatari (1990)
- Law of the West (1987)
- MiG-29: Soviet Fighter (1992)
- Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise (1991)
- Woody Poko (1987)
- F-15 City War (1990)
- Krazy Kreatures (1990)
- Quattro Adventure (1992)
- Saiyūki World (1988)
- Street Cop (1989)
- Al Unser Jr. Turbo Racing (1990)
- Hello Kitty World (1992)
- Mickey's Adventure in Numberland (1994)
- Thunder & Lightning (1990)
- World Grand-Prix: Pole to Finish (1989)
- Pac-Man Championship Edition
- Turbo Racing