You can only pick 3. Desert Island Nintendo NES

[ReTrO-pLaYeR]

Super Mario Bros. 3- It's a timeless classic- I still probably haven't found every bonus room in the game. Even after beating it, I'll still want to come back to play it as the level design never gets old.

Battletoads- I've never played this on an actual console, but I hear it's very difficult- something I'd always like to play. Considering I'll have thousands of hours to kill, this doesn't seem like a bad choice even on impulse.

Ninja Gaiden- Also a very tough one- it'll be fun to tackle after BattleToads.

[NerdXCrewWill]

1.) Super Mario Bros. 3 - I don't think there's a whole lot to add about this one. Possibly the best level design in a video game ever. It's absolutely amazing. Best NES game ever.

2.) Wario's Woods - While Tetris is fun, it's not Wario's Woods fun. This is the ultimate puzzler, and my second favorite NES game. It is addictive and challenging to the brain and reflexes. This will keep me occupied until the end of time.

3.) Final Fantasy III - Fan translation of course. I admit this is the easiest of the three Final Fantasy games for the NES (all of which I find to be more enjoyable than other RPGs on the system). I am tempted to put Final Fantasy II on here for the increased difficulty level and the much longer length. I think, however, Final Fantasy III is a much better production, with superior graphics and soundtrack, and features a more immersive fantasy world. The job system probably adds some replay value, as well.

[Asuraka]

Tecmo Super Bowl - Yeah.

1942 - Mindless fun.

Pinball Quest - Because insanity will surely ensue.

[The 1 2 P]

Since the Nes is one of my three favorite systems of all time, breaking this down into only three games was very challenging. But without further ado...

Gunsmoke: Because the music and gameplay is second to none. So simple even a caveman can enjoy it. Plus I've beaten it a gazillion times and still never get tired of it.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Known for being quite the challenging adventure, I've enjoyed this game ever since my first play thru. I now have to go back and beat the Japanese famicom version I acquired some time ago.

Mike Tyson's Punchout: As much as I've beaten this game I've never once KO'd Iron Mike so this would give me the perfect chance to get enough practice in to do so. Plus, the list of characters with their special moves is nothing but classic.

[ConsoleAddict]

Dragon Warrior III and IV

I have not played these two games; I pretty much stopped gaming on the NES once the next generation of consoles arrived. These two games would be perfect if I were stuck on a Desert Island.

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out

The perfect game to take my frustrations out on. Slapping around Glass Joe, Piston Honda and Soda Popinski never gets old.

[shadows]

Dr Mario : Endless fun. Well only if I am able to train a monkey to play against me. Otherwise, Contra.
Ninja Gaiden III : I'll probably end up throwing the console in the ocean. But it still makes the list as it would keep me busy for a long time before I can I finally the end screen.
Mario Bros 3 : The best one in the series, even after 20+ years of playing it. I still enjoy playing it.

[Johnny_Boy]

I do enjoy these topics, but I can't help but feel annoyed at the desert island criteria. I believe it puts too much emphasis on long-term playability, to the potential detriment of the quality of said gameplay. Things like grinding (RPGs,) and fetch quests (action-adventure games) tend to rear their ugly heads. So, in my case, I prefer to imagine a scenario similar to this:

"I go on living my daily life, but am stuck for two months (more if heavy gamer) with only one console, an NES, and three games of my choosing."

I'd try to go with multi-depth titles that I haven't played to death, and pick three distinct genres so they don't step on each other's toes. They could be:

Gimmick!
This video explains it all, with style. The game is like a shy girl with seemingly unremarkable looks that ends up being dynamite in the bedroom.

Solar Jetman
Devil of a game, because of its control scheme and environments, but gives a great feeling of accomplishment when moving forward. Based on Thrust, which was based on Gravitar. Gravitron 2 for PC carries the torch, and so does one or two others on the PSN network.

Love Warrior Nichol
Could be described as Zelda with guns, with Konami's usual flair. Has a definite MSX2 feeling to it, in a good way. Unjustly underrated, or unknown.

if no FDS (Famicom Disk System,) then... a pure action game for stress relief. Let's say... Iron Tank.

[Arcade_Ness]

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!-I never got far in that game and now I have the perfect opportunity to finally beat it.

Blaster Master-Great music and tough but rewarding gameplay. Also never finished it.

Gun Smoke-I find that game so damn addicting. Too much fun.

[guitargary75]

SMB3
Contra
The Legend of Zelda

[Damaramu]

Metal Storm - My favorite NES game!

Final Fantasy - As mentioned before, tons of party combinations to try out; plus I love level grinding.

River City Ransom - BARF! It's this or Mighty Final Fight.

[nensondubois]

Tough call...

Stadium Events
Poed
I Qube

[SOL BADGUY]

AHAHAHAHA!

I was looking for "favorite hacks" in search, saw this thread, thought Id bump it, and this guy had this avatar before me. I think this is really deserving of a bump then.

Mine would be

Super Mario 3
Gun Nac, cause Id want a shooter game
and this!



EDIT, changed it darn it. :S

[Atarileaf]

Balloon Fight
Defender II
Blades of Steel

Easy choices for me.

[genesisguy]

Contra
Super Mario Bros 2
Ducktales

[Mattiekrome]

NES Open Golf
R.B.I. Baseball
Super Mario Bros. 3

I went for those with replay value

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

River City Ransom
Super Mario 3
Castlevania 3

[treismac]

Tetris- This is a simple choice. The game is to be mastered, not played, so it would work well on a deserted island.

Super Mario Bros.- I just really love this game and probably play it more than any other NES game. It is just platforming at its finest and I already play it quasi-ritualistically, so this was an easy choice.

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out- Over the years I find myself coming back to this game over and over again. The sense of triumph and elation I get from playing this game is unrivaled.

I didn't pick Contra because the game is at its best with two players, so having it to play would be a reminder of my loneliness.

[FrankSerpico]

Crystalis-my favorite setting of any NES game
Super Mario Bros. 3-Because come on, how could I not?
Tecmo Super Bowl-Because best football game EVER

[SpaceHarrier]

Super Mario Bros. 3 - Great diversity, and pixel art I've admired since I was a kid.
Mega Man 2 - Ok, it's great and all, but I'm really thinking here I could just jam out to the music. I'm assuming I didn't get to sneak an ipod onto this island.

This is the hard one now.. so many I could choose. I already have two platformers... so... um..

Super Mario Bros. 2 - Eff it, I was going to pick something else, maybe a game with higher 'replay value' or a different genre, like racing... but naww.

[MachineGex]

I wonder if anyone's answer would change if you had a second controller and a second person to play against?

2 Players:
Micro Machines
RBI Baseball
S. Tecmo Bowl