The Nintendo Entertainment System is a console that is very near and dear to my heart. It is the first system my family ever had, and kept us occupied for many years, taking us through the 16-bit generation and only being cast aside upon the release of the first PlayStation. During this time, my family amassed a lot of games for the system, but in the nearly fourteen years since NES games stopped coming out, some of them have been lost.

Over the last few years, I’ve been trying to rebuild my collection, tearing my parents’ house apart during visits home to recover these games and slowly replacing the ones I haven’t been able to find. I thought that some games from my childhood had been lost forever, but this was not the case. Imagine how happy I was when I was informed by my mother that she had found a bunch of NES games while cleaning out a closet! Some of these I can’t wait to get my hands on again, and some I don’t even remember. Either way, they’ll make fine additions to my already overwhelming video game collection.



The very first Castlevania, complete with original casing! What an awesome game. This also sparked my lifelong love for the series.



I’m not sure what this game is or where it came from. From the markered name (which isn’t mine), I’m going to guess this was garage sale fodder. It looks like the poor man’s Contra, but perhaps my memory will be refreshed once I actually play it.



Of course! This is where it all began. For those too young to remember, most NES systems came bundled with the first Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, together on one cartridge. This is one game I’ve long since replaced, but I’m sure I can find a good home for it.

The Metal Gear series also got its start on the NES. Snake’s Revenge wasn’t exactly a sequel, but took place in the same world as the rest of the series. Of course, it didn’t turn into Metal Gear Solid until the PS1. I really can’t remember ever playing either of these games, though.



One of the best games ever made. I’m pretty sure I already have two copies.



One of the worst shark games ever… until Jaws Unleashed came out, of course. Sure, this game is loved by some people, but I’m not one of them. Beating it takes either 15 minutes or fifteen years. Good luck.



Crystalis! I found a copy of this at the VGXPO back in November, and it was well worth it. Man, what a great game this is.



There aren’t a lot of games I’m confident enough to challenge anyone and everyone in, but Dr. Mario is one game in which I’m pretty sure I will kick your ass.



Back when it was possibly to make a kid’s game based on a cartoon or movie actually fun, this game was a blast to play. Definitely one I want to play again.

I’m thrilled to have these games back in my collection, even the ones I’ve already got. They are decades old, after all, so it’s always good to have a backup. Needless to say, I’m going to have to make a trip to Jersey in the coming weeks to pick these up. And sure enough, I’ll be sharing them with the rest of you on Throwback Thursday.