Best games
Best Platformer games on NES
The 31 best Platformer games on NES, ranked from 8,132 critic and player ratings.
The best Platformer game on NES right now is Super Mario Bros. 3, with a critic score of 89/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 31 games are listed on this page, carrying 8,132 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 31
01
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. 3, the third entry in the Super Mario Bros. series and Super Mario franchise, sees Mario or Luigi navigate a nonlinear world map containing platforming levels and optional minigames and challenges. The game features more diverse movement options and new items alongside more complex level designs and boss battles.
89
/100
02
Disney's DuckTales
DuckTales is a platform game developed and published by Capcom and based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name. It was first released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 and was later ported to the Game Boy in 1990. The story involves Scrooge McDuck traveling around the globe collecting treasure and outwitting his rival Flintheart Glomgold to become the world's richest duck. Produced by key personnel from the Mega Man series, DuckTales would go on to sell over a million copies worldwide on each system, becoming Capcom's best-selling title for both platforms. The game was praised for its tight control, unique and non-linear gameplay and bright presentation, and is often regarded as one of the best titles for the NES, appearing on numerous "Best of" lists.
86
/100
03
Mega Man 2
In the year 200X, a super robot named Mega Man was created. Dr. Light created Mega Man to stop the evil desires of Dr. Wily. However, after his defeat, Dr. Wily created eight of his own robots to counter Mega Man.
85
/100
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. 3, the third entry in the Super Mario Bros. series and Super Mario franchise, sees Mario or Luigi navigate a nonlinear world map containing platforming levels and optional minigames and challenges. The game features more diverse movement options and new items alongside more complex level designs and boss battles.
89
/100
02
Disney's DuckTales
DuckTales is a platform game developed and published by Capcom and based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name. It was first released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 and was later ported to the Game Boy in 1990. The story involves Scrooge McDuck traveling around the globe collecting treasure and outwitting his rival Flintheart Glomgold to become the world's richest duck. Produced by key personnel from the Mega Man series, DuckTales would go on to sell over a million copies worldwide on each system, becoming Capcom's best-selling title for both platforms. The game was praised for its tight control, unique and non-linear gameplay and bright presentation, and is often regarded as one of the best titles for the NES, appearing on numerous "Best of" lists.
86
/100
03
Mega Man 2
In the year 200X, a super robot named Mega Man was created. Dr. Light created Mega Man to stop the evil desires of Dr. Wily. However, after his defeat, Dr. Wily created eight of his own robots to counter Mega Man.
85
/100
04
Super Mario Bros.
A side scrolling 2D platformer and first entry in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario Bros. follows Italian plumber Mario as he treks across many levels of platforming challenges featuring hostile enemies to rescue Princess Peach from the evil king Bowser.
84
/100
05
Prince of Persia (1989)
The game is set in ancient Persia. While the sultan is fighting a war in a foreign land, his vizier Jaffar, a wizard, seizes power. Jaffar's only obstacle to the throne is the Sultan's daughter (although the game never specifically mentions how). Jaffar locks her in a tower and orders her, under threat of execution, to become his wife. The game's nameless protagonist, whom the Princess loves, is thrown into the palace dungeons. The player must lead the protagonist out of the dungeons and to the palace tower, defeating Jaffar and freeing the Princess in under 60 minutes. In addition to guards, various traps and dungeons, the protagonist is further hindered by his own doppelgänger, an apparition of his own self that is conjured out of a magic mirror.
81
/100
06
Disney's The Lion King
The Lion King brings to life the majesty and mystery of Africa through the tale of Simba, a lion cub faced with the challenging transition to maturity. Believing himself to be responsible for his father's death, Simba enters the wilderness - where he finds salvation with Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat, and his education begins. Take control of the young cub Simba and, through interaction as detailed as the lust terrain, guide him safely through.
80
/100
07
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
This version includes two new levels (the first part of Scene 3 and all of Scene 6), which feature new enemy characters, including two new bosses: Tora (a dog-like "blizzard beast") and Shogun (a robotic samurai), both characters created for the game. Most of the original stages from the arcade version were extended as well and the second half of Scene 3, the parking garage stage, replaces the arcade version's end battle with Bebop and Rocksteady with a battle against the mutated fly form of Baxter Stockman.
80
/100
08
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2
Chip and Dale, those tiny but daring detectives, have learned of some terrifying news: The notorious criminal cat has escaped from prison and he's stolen the Urn of the Pharaoh. The Rescue Rangers must once again assemble to help crack the case of the missing urn and return the feline felon, Fat Cat, back to the slammer. Join Chip and Dale and the rest of the Rangers in their wacky new adventure. Help them explore the dangerous levels of the downtown restaurant and meet the exploding personality of Water Rabbit. Aid them on their escape through the freezing floors of the giant refrigerator. Search the ghostly walls of the haunted warehouse and find the final clue to unravel the secret headquarters of Fat Cat.
80
/100
09
Disney's Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck is a platformer video game based on the Disney television series, Darkwing Duck. The game was developed by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 and was ported to the Game Boy in 1993. The Game Boy version is essentially a slightly stripped-down version of the game. The game was re-released in 2017 as part of the Disney Afternoon Collection.
79
/100
10
Castlevania
Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on earth. You've arrived at Castlevania, and you're here on business: To destroy forever the Curse of the Evil Count. Unfortunately, everybody's home this evening. Bats, ghosts, every kind of creature you can imagine. You'll find 'em all over the place, if they don't find you first. Because you've got to get through six monstrous floors before you even meet up with the Master of the House. Your Magic Whip will help, and you'll probably find a weapons or two along the way. But once you make it to the tower, you can count on a Duel to the Death. The Count has waited 100 years for a rematch.
79
/100
11
Ninja Gaiden
79
/100
12
Mega Man 3 (1990)
79
/100
13
Contra
79
/100
14
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
79
/100
15
Mega Man 5
77
/100
16
Felix the Cat
77
/100
17
Super Mario Bros. 2
77
/100
18
Battletoads
76
/100
19
Mega Man (1987)
76
/100
20
Tiny Toon Adventures
75
/100
21
Adventure Island (1986)
72
/100
22
Donkey Kong
72
/100
23
F
Mario Bros. (1983)
70
/100
24
Disney's The Jungle Book
70
/100
25
Circus Charlie
70
/100
26
Ice Climber
64
/100
27
Super Contra (1988)
61
/100
28
Metroid
60
/100
29
Kirby's Adventure
60
/100
30
Disney's Aladdin
59
/100
31
Contra
50
/100
Super Mario Bros.
A side scrolling 2D platformer and first entry in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario Bros. follows Italian plumber Mario as he treks across many levels of platforming challenges featuring hostile enemies to rescue Princess Peach from the evil king Bowser.
84
/100
05
Prince of Persia (1989)
The game is set in ancient Persia. While the sultan is fighting a war in a foreign land, his vizier Jaffar, a wizard, seizes power. Jaffar's only obstacle to the throne is the Sultan's daughter (although the game never specifically mentions how). Jaffar locks her in a tower and orders her, under threat of execution, to become his wife. The game's nameless protagonist, whom the Princess loves, is thrown into the palace dungeons. The player must lead the protagonist out of the dungeons and to the palace tower, defeating Jaffar and freeing the Princess in under 60 minutes. In addition to guards, various traps and dungeons, the protagonist is further hindered by his own doppelgänger, an apparition of his own self that is conjured out of a magic mirror.
81
/100
06
Disney's The Lion King
The Lion King brings to life the majesty and mystery of Africa through the tale of Simba, a lion cub faced with the challenging transition to maturity. Believing himself to be responsible for his father's death, Simba enters the wilderness - where he finds salvation with Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat, and his education begins. Take control of the young cub Simba and, through interaction as detailed as the lust terrain, guide him safely through.
80
/100
07
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
This version includes two new levels (the first part of Scene 3 and all of Scene 6), which feature new enemy characters, including two new bosses: Tora (a dog-like "blizzard beast") and Shogun (a robotic samurai), both characters created for the game. Most of the original stages from the arcade version were extended as well and the second half of Scene 3, the parking garage stage, replaces the arcade version's end battle with Bebop and Rocksteady with a battle against the mutated fly form of Baxter Stockman.
80
/100
08
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2
Chip and Dale, those tiny but daring detectives, have learned of some terrifying news: The notorious criminal cat has escaped from prison and he's stolen the Urn of the Pharaoh. The Rescue Rangers must once again assemble to help crack the case of the missing urn and return the feline felon, Fat Cat, back to the slammer. Join Chip and Dale and the rest of the Rangers in their wacky new adventure. Help them explore the dangerous levels of the downtown restaurant and meet the exploding personality of Water Rabbit. Aid them on their escape through the freezing floors of the giant refrigerator. Search the ghostly walls of the haunted warehouse and find the final clue to unravel the secret headquarters of Fat Cat.
80
/100
09
Disney's Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck is a platformer video game based on the Disney television series, Darkwing Duck. The game was developed by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 and was ported to the Game Boy in 1993. The Game Boy version is essentially a slightly stripped-down version of the game. The game was re-released in 2017 as part of the Disney Afternoon Collection.
79
/100
10
Castlevania
Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on earth. You've arrived at Castlevania, and you're here on business: To destroy forever the Curse of the Evil Count. Unfortunately, everybody's home this evening. Bats, ghosts, every kind of creature you can imagine. You'll find 'em all over the place, if they don't find you first. Because you've got to get through six monstrous floors before you even meet up with the Master of the House. Your Magic Whip will help, and you'll probably find a weapons or two along the way. But once you make it to the tower, you can count on a Duel to the Death. The Count has waited 100 years for a rematch.
79
/100
11
Ninja Gaiden
79
/100
12
Mega Man 3 (1990)
79
/100
13
Contra
79
/100
14
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
79
/100
15
Mega Man 5
77
/100
16
Felix the Cat
77
/100
17
Super Mario Bros. 2
77
/100
18
Battletoads
76
/100
19
Mega Man (1987)
76
/100
20
Tiny Toon Adventures
75
/100
21
Adventure Island (1986)
72
/100
22
Donkey Kong
72
/100
23
F
Mario Bros. (1983)
70
/100
24
Disney's The Jungle Book
70
/100
25
Circus Charlie
70
/100
26
Ice Climber
64
/100
27
Super Contra (1988)
61
/100
28
Metroid
60
/100
29
Kirby's Adventure
60
/100
30
Disney's Aladdin
59
/100
31
Contra
50
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Platformer game on NES?
Super Mario Bros. 3 currently tops the ranking with a score of 89/100 across 1,686 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.