The Games that Started it All: NES Launch Titles
When the NES landed in North America in 1985, it wasn't just a console—it was a lifeline for a struggling video game industry. Nintendo's bold gamble came with an initial lineup of games that redefined what home gaming could be. These weren\’t just titles; they were the foundation of an entertainment revolution. From the pixel-perfect platforming of Super Mario Bros. to the high-tech thrills of Duck Hunt and the arcade-inspired chaos of Excitebike, each launch title offered a glimpse into the NES's vast potential.
This list pays homage to the original lineup that helped the NES storm into living rooms and cement its place in gaming history. Whether you played these classics or simply admire their legacy, these titles remind us that every great journey begins with a launch.
Side Note: It's worth noting that while some sources list "Donkey Kong Jr. Math" and "Mach Rider" as launch titles, these games were actually released later in 1986.
Games
Nintendo NES
10-Yard Fight10-Yard Fight, released for the NES in 1985, is an early sports simulation that brings the excitement of American football to the home console. Players can control a team as they battle it out on the...
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Nintendo NES
Baseball"Baseball" is a video game released by Nintendo for its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983, shortly after the launch of the console in Japan and then later brought to North America when the N...
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Nintendo NES
Clu Clu Land"Clu Clu Land" is a captivating puzzle video game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) console, which was first released in Japan in 1984 and later in North...
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Nintendo NES
Duck Hunt"Duck Hunt" is an iconic light gun shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Released initially in Japan in 1984 and later in North America in...
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Nintendo NES
Excitebike"Excitebike" is a motocross racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1984. As one of the earliest games released for the NES, Excitebike all...
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Nintendo NES
Golf"Golf" for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a classic sports simulation game that first graced the screens of video game enthusiasts in 1984. Developed and published by Nintendo, this straig...
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Nintendo NES
Gyromite"Gyromite" is a puzzle-platform video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985, prominently featuring the use of the Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.) accessory, making it one...
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Nintendo NES
Hogan's Alley"Hogan's Alley" is a classic light gun shooter video game released by Nintendo for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1984. The game is designed around the use of the NES Zapper, a light gun a...
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Nintendo NES
Ice Climber"Ice Climber" is an action-platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. The game features two playable characters, Popo and Nana, who are dres...
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Nintendo NES
Kung Fu"Kung Fu" for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), originally released in 1985, is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game that has become a classic in the genre. Developed by Irem and published b...
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Nintendo NES
Pinball"Pinball" is a classic video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which was released in 1984 as one of the launch titles for the NES in North America. The game is a digital simulation of...
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Nintendo NES
Soccer"Soccer" is a sports simulation video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985, highlighting the growing popularity of soccer worldwide. Developed and published by Nintendo, i...
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Nintendo NES
Stack-Up"Stack-Up" is a puzzle video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985, developed and published by Nintendo. It is one of the two games designed for use with the Robotic Operat...
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Nintendo NES
Super Mario Bros."Super Mario Bros." is a seminal platform video game developed and published by Nintendo as a flagship launch title for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. In this game, players assume th...
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Nintendo NES
Tennis"Tennis" for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a sports simulation game that debuted in 1984, allowing players to experience the fast-paced action of a tennis match from the comfort of their...
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Nintendo NES
Wild Gunman"Wild Gunman" is a light gun shooter video game developed by Nintendo and originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. Based on a 1974 electro-mechanical arcade game by Nin...
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Nintendo NES
Wrecking Crew"Wrecking Crew" is a puzzle action game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. It features the iconic character Mario, albeit outside his usual platforming adventures. In this g...
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