Best answer: The NES Classic comes with 30 games pre-loaded, but the hands-down best game you can play is Super Mario Bros. 3.

Amazon: NES Classic ($60)

One of the best ever

While there are plenty of games to choose from on the NES Classic including Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden, Metroid, and Kirby's Adventure, the best game you can play on the console is Super Mario Bros. 3. The third installment, which was built upon what already made Mario addictive and fun, added in new worlds and even the ability to fly. It's considered one of the best Nintendo games of all time for a good reason.

Classic is classic

Nintendo did a great job when selecting the 30 titles for its throwback console. Sure, there were some fan favorites that were missed — Tetris, DuckTales, and Battletoads are some prime examples — but after playing the titles that are included, it's hard to be disappointed.

Super Mario Bros. 3 is the crown of the NES Classic.

Super Mario Bros. 3 is the crown of the NES Classic, allowing Mario fans to relive what is arguably one of the best classic video games ever made. While the original Super Mario Bros. featured a ton of side-scrolling awesomeness, this third version added new abilities, including sliding down slopes, picking up and throwing blocks, and even flying. Comprised of eight kingdoms, the world of Super Mario Bros. 3 held multiple levels, each with a different theme. The world map also allowed players to choose their fate path, rather than the straight progress of previous games.

In addition to the original mushroom and fire flower powerups, Super Mario Bros. 3 also added the Super Leaf and Tanooki Suit — giving Mario the ability to fly and turn to stone. This was also the first appearance of the "ground pound" — something now popular across many Mario games — that allowed Mario to quickly dispense of enemies directly beneath him.

More is better

Of course, the fun doesn't stop when you're done with Super Mario Bros 3. There are plenty of other titles on the NES Classic that will certainly fill up your family game nights for weeks to come. Some our other favorites, in no particular order:

  • Legend of Zelda
  • Mega Man 2
  • Ninja Gaiden
  • Metroid
  • Kirby's Adventure
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Gradius
  • Final Fantasy

Classic Hits

NES Classic

30 of the most classic NES games

As if reliving the nostalgia of Super Mario Bros. 3 isn't enough, buying an NES Classic will get you some of the most iconic Nintendo games ever made.

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