Best Nintendo Entertainment System shooters

The Matrix has 81 shooters on file for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released between 1984–1993. 35 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.

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Typical commitment: an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through). Tip: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.