Screws Matter on the NES

Back in the 8-bit era, Nintendo had a knack for keeping things locked down—literally. Many original NES cartridges came equipped with five security screws, a hardware quirk that was part of Nintendo’s grand plan to control the gaming ecosystem and fend off pesky bootleggers. These hefty screws weren’t just there for looks; they symbolized Nintendo’s tight grip on its console kingdom. Of course, it didn’t take long for savvy tinkerers to crack the code (or grab the right screwdriver), but the legacy of these "Fort Knox" cartridges lives on.

After 1987, Nintendo got a bit less screw-happy and shifted to a three-screw design, perhaps deciding they didn’t need to bolt things down quite as tightly. This list celebrates the pre-’87 five-screw classics—games that didn’t just entertain but came clad in their full metal armor. Whether you're a collector hunting for the telltale screws or just here for the nostalgia, these titles remind us that sometimes, the little things—like a few extra screws—really do matter.