Best Nintendo Entertainment System adventure games

The Matrix has 86 adventure games on file for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released between 1985–1994. 11 of them support multiplayer. 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.

Adventure games focus on exploration, story and puzzle-solving rather than combat. Progress comes from examining your surroundings, collecting items and figuring out how they fit together.

Typical commitment: weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours). Tip: Classic adventure games can be cryptic by modern standards. Take notes, try everything on everything, and save before risky choices.