Hello to you and how you be… Dan Ryan here… you there. Thank you so much for checking out this post and if you like what you see please share. A few years ago we started a segment on the podcast called Stone Age Starter Kits. The idea was Kris and I would pretend we had $100 to start a retro game collection with. The question was, if you had the console and the controllers, what games would you/could you get? The entire piece of business took a few years to complete since we started with the 2600 and went all the way up to the last generation, Generation 8. (PS4/XBone/WiiU) After making our way through that list, I thought a good idea for a new segment on the podcast would be the Stone Age Standouts; the top 5 games you should buy for each system regardless of price. And, since we have some really outstanding products for the systems covered on the show, wouldn’t it be a good idea to make this post, recapping the episode and letting non-listeners in on the fun? This month was a biggie, the NES (north american only), a system filled with amazing games. Submitted for your approval this is Stone Age Standouts: NES. 

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The Legend of Zelda (1987): I knew right away that LoZ was going on the list. Not only is it a classic but it is just as important to videogame history as Super Mario Bros. Whereas that game taught us all how to play 2D platformers, LoZ taught us what adventure games were. What begins as an adventure with no guidance becomes a masterclass in storytelling and direction through clever, thoughtful design. While it may seem obvious now because of the sheer amount of games that have copied the formula, discovering secrets was a new, organic experience for all of us back in the day. Noticing a wall that looked a little off and realizing you had bombs meant you had to bomb every inch of the map. Seeing a differently colored tree in a pattern of same colored trees and remembering you had a candle that shot a flame meant you tried to burn Hyrule down. Add in a timeless soundtrack, a unique visual style, cool bosses, fun weapons, and a massive, open world to explore and you have one of the best games of all time. LoZ added a spoke to the wheel and still holds up today.

Little Samson (1992): I fully believe the reason Little Samson isn’t higher on most “best of the NES” lists is because a lot of people just haven’t played it. It remains one of the single most expensive games ever with loose copies regularly selling for over $1,500 dollars. And while I won’t suggest that any game is “worth” that much, Little Samson is one of the few titles that is as good as it is rare. 1992 was very late into the life of the NES with the SNES having come out the year prior. Developed by a team of ex Capcom staffers, Little Samson plays with the polish that pedigree would suggest. The hook of 4 swappable characters is done better here than in any other NES game with each featuring unique, necessary differences. The level design is as good as it gets on the system. The combat is smooth and mixes elements of Ninja Gaiden, Mega Man, Strider, Metroid, and 2D platformers perfectly. The music is wonderful. The sprite work is stellar. The boss battles are multifaceted and so very cool. Simply put Little Samson is the best of what the NES could do and an absolute must play for gamers of any age.

Mega Man 2 (1989): Speaking of Mega Man, the second installment is still the best in my opinion. Taking the formula established in the original title Mega Man 2 does everything bigger and better. The level designs are clever and packed with a ton of detail that make them feel alive. The robot masters are among the coolest in the franchise with personal favorites Metal Man and Wood Man making their debut. The gameplay is fine tuned to perfection and feels as good as any game I’ve ever played. It’s a well balanced game with the difficulty, maybe a bit too easy, and length being just right. It looks great, has interesting designs, and features one of the best Wily castles in the franchise. And the cherry on top is the soundtrack. Every track is great and fits the stages perfectly. When people think about Mega Man, this is the blueprint they reference.

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out! (1987): Sports games and puzzle games were ubiquitous on the NES and here we had a game that was both. And yes for my list, and the spirit of this whole endeavor, it has to be this version with Tyson. Tyson is problematic and his conviction cannot be ignored. This is not the place for that debate. What is undeniable is that before his conviction Tyson was one of if not the most intimidating men on the planet and somehow, the videogame version even moreso. Mike Tyson was THE final boss, full stop. Beating Tyson was one of those things a lot of kids claimed to have done but could never quite seem to do when people were watching. That fight remains legendary and a rite of passage for gamers of all stripes. Beyond the mythical nature of Tyson was a phenomenal boxing game that plays much more like a puzzle game than a sports title. Finding the patterns and tells of the wonderfully absurd cast of characters was a very cool feeling back in the 80’s. Getting the timing right and making your way up the ranks felt like a real accomplishment. The sprite work was incredible with large, detailed boxers completely unique in their presentations. Throw in an iconic soundtrack and an epic training montage scene and you have the recipe for an all time classic. 

Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988): So yeah, I’m not a big SMB fan. I’ve discussed it a bunch on the pod so I won’t rehash it here. That said, I adore SMB2. It’s super interesting not just because of the lore around it, but also as a sequel to one of the most important/influential titles of all time. SMB2 is so delightfully weird in everything from the characters featured, the location, the controls, the story, it’s bananas. While not a true Mario game, it retains the elements that made the original so engaging while offering something truly unique. There hasn’t been a Mario game quite like this since its release which is a damn shame. The varied gameplay from the different characters is welcome in the somewhat formulaic Mario titles that followed. The entire experience plays out exactly like a fever dream which is on brand for this title.

And that’s my list. To hear what Kris had to say make sure to check out the pod through whatever catcher you use or on our very own Youtube channel. But I want to know what you think. Join the Stone Age Gamer discord, or you can find me on Bluesky to let me know your thoughts. In the immortal words of Billy Joel, “Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes; I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.” See you soon.