Best Nintendo Entertainment System platformers

The Matrix has 299 platformers on file for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released between 1983–1995. 84 of them support multiplayer, including 14 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.

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Typical commitment: an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through). Tip: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Just pick one for me

#5 Metroid box art
Metroid 1986 · Action-Adventure Classic
#18 Mappy box art
Mappy 1984 · Platformer Classic
#37 Rygar box art
Rygar 1987 · Action-Adventure Classic
#39 8 Eyes box art
8 Eyes 1988 · Action Classic Co-op

More NES platformers

Platformers on other systems

Other NES genres