Top 10 NES/SNES Games on the Nintendo Switch

8. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

This game was originally released only in Japan for the NES, but has now made its way onto the Nintendo Switch. At the time, The Lost Levels was deemed too hard for its American audience, according to Nintendo America.

Instead, the western audience got Mario Bros. 2, so not that bad a deal, eh? This game is in fact a lot harder than its predecessors, but not actually that hard by today’s gaming standards. It is worth trying out if you are a Super Mario Bros. fan. (Image credit: Nintendo).

7. The Ignition Factor

Never heard of this game for the SNES? That’s okay because it's literally a firefighting simulator with a really cool name. While sounding like a terrible 90s action movie starring Steven Segal or Jean Claude Van Damme, the game is simple and fun.

Pick your firefighting tools, run throughout the building putting out fires, solving puzzles, and saving people. Your first reaction might be "no way is this game good"...1 hour later.... you will still be kicking down doors to save a person trapped behind flames. It is a must-play on the Nintendo Switch's SNES emulator! (Image credit: Nintendo).

6. Super Metroid

Now if you’re looking for a sci-fi game that is basically one massive maze infested with inexplicable monsters, then Super Metroid on the SNES is worth your time. The game is simple on the surface but you'll find yourself lost very fast.

In this game, you collect new weapons or powers to advance further into the maze. Expect no hand-holding or hints as each area bleeds into the next and you will often have to backtrack with a newly-acquired weapon to move forward. Super Metroid will challenge even the best gamers of today! (Image credit: Nintendo).

5. Super Mario World

This is the Mario game for the SNES. It is one of the first games released with the original SNES console. While not as good as Mario Bros. 3, it is still a great gaming experience. Notable parts of this game include: riding on Yoshi, the Ghost House levels that really feel like spooky haunted houses, and the over-world map.

A 2D platformer that is definitely worth playing! (Image credit: Nintendo).

4. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Released on the NES way back in 1987, this game is the sequel to The Legend of Zelda. While the original Zelda game is also worth your time, we picked the sequel because it deserves more love.

Zelda II actually ditches the isometric gameplay for a 2D platformer that is half RPG and half action game. It is definitely one of the hardest games on this list and it even has an open-world feel before that concept even existed in game design. (Image credit: Nintendo).

3. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Any classic game list would not be complete without mentioning the monkey business the Kong crew got up to on the SNES. It’s kind of sad that Donkey Kong has not had any good games recently and it seems the IP has faded from popularity. We guess monkeys just are not cool anymore.

But this game is certainly the best of the three Donkey Kong Country games on the Nintendo Switch's SNES emulator. DK2's level design is pure genius and the soundtrack is literally a masterpiece of musical production. This is a great 2D platformer with charming graphics and fun boss fights.

Honorable mentions go to Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble which is literally the same game as DK2 but with more stuff like an interactive over-world and mini-games. Why not check out both – they are free after all! (Image credit: Nintendo).

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

We will give you the EarlyGame guarantee on this classic SNES game: you will love every second of it. It is literally the perfect game. Every true Zelda fan has probably beat A Link to the Past and snatched the tri-force from Gannon at least ten times!

If you have somehow not played this game, we are jealous of you because you get to experience its greatness with fresh eyes. A Link to the Past is an isometric adventure where you need to collect items in dungeons to advance to the next part of the game. It basically works like every other Zelda game you have played in the best way possible. (Image credit: Nintendo).

1. Super Mario Bros. 3

The best 2D Mario game hands down, and we will fight anyone who disagrees with us. The reason why this game is so great is due to its many awesome game design choices.

The over-world map shows the different levels you need to beat within each of the stages. You can collect power-ups to use in harder levels later. You can play mini-games to win coins, power-ups, or 1-ups. Each stage has a similar theme so the levels feel connected so you actually get a sense of progression.

As you can tell, this game adds so much more to the platformer formula. Need we say more? (Image credit: Nintendo)