10 Classic NES Games That Deserve a Remake!

Classic games are the pillars of gaming culture, but many face technological and accessibility barriers that distance them from new generations. Remakes revive nostalgic experiences and modernize outdated mechanics, expand narratives, and integrate contemporary audiovisual features.

Many of these games had rich stories and innovative systems for their time but suffered from graphical limitations and weak hardware. Franchises like Resident Evil have shown that remakes can retain a game’s essence while introducing innovations (such as the RE Engine) that enhance immersion and realism.

Remakes can also preserve legacies: games that shaped genres can fall into obscurity due to a lack of exposure on current platforms. Modernizing them would allow new players to discover their pioneering narratives, while longtime fans could revisit beloved worlds from a fresh perspective.

In this article, I’ve selected 10 NES games that were examples of technical innovation, refined graphics for their time, and timeless stories that could be retold in many ways through modern remakes. I excluded Nintendo’s own titles and games that already have modern releases with updated stories.

Released in 1989 by Irem, Holy Diver is a classic that radiates the heavy metal energy of the 1980s. Inspired by Ronnie James Dio’s album, the game features a fantasy narrative: Randy, a wizard, faces the Demon King Black Slayer to save a crumbling world. The plot is full of names like Zakk and Ozzy, capturing the kitsch spirit of heavy metal LP covers from the era.

The game visually resembles Castlevania but has unique mechanics. Randy has a floaty jump with mid-air control and magical attacks. The magic system, such as Twin Fire (double projectiles) and Blizzard (freezing enemies), requires mana, while high-jump boots and staffs expand gameplay possibilities.

The gothic-style pixels shine in settings like shadowy cathedrals and labyrinths, while the soundtrack is full of guitar riffs. Powerful sound effects, like the crash of Thunder, give the character’s abilities both visual and audio impact.

Holy Diver has treacherous enemies, such as skulls that attack from behind, and brutal bosses that demand pattern memorization and quick reflexes. The game offers infinite continues, a relief in chaotic stages like Hell of Entrails, filled with traps and relentless enemies. Finishing it feels like attending a live heavy metal concert.

Beyond deserving a remake, it would be an incredible tribute to both Heavy Metal and Dio. Perfect for fans of old-school challenges with difficulty that tests persistence, a natural fit for today’s games where progress feels like earning an epic 1980s guitar solo.

Released in 1993 by Capcom, Mighty Final Fight is a NES adaptation of the classic arcade game Final Fight and one of the console’s last 8-bit titles. With a chibi art style, it transforms Metro City’s urban violence into a cartoon-like experience while retaining the essence of a beat'em up.

The story follows the classic plot: Mike Haggar, Cody, and Guy on a mission to rescue Jessica from the Mad Gear gang. Enemies like miniature Andores make it a console classic.

A remake could bring back all the elements left out due to the NES’s technical limitations. A must-play for beat'em up fans who enjoy humor, cartoon visuals, and street-fighting mechanics.

Released in 1990 for the Famicom (NES in Japan), Kid Dracula (also known as Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun) is a parody of the Castlevania series, mixing Mega Man elements with a chibi art style and absurd humor. The game follows young Dracula on a quest to defeat the demon Galamoth, featuring stages from gothic castles to outer space, packed with comedic nods to the original franchise.

With super-deformed graphics and a lighthearted soundtrack, the game nails its cartoony tone. Details like the protagonist’s grin while charging attacks add to its charm.

Stages are creative, with moving platforms and reverse-gravity mechanics. Bosses are full of personality, like a ghost who calls in family for backup. Magic attacks and gained abilities (such as turning into a bat or walking on ceilings) give the game a playful touch. The floaty jump and mid-air control allow for strategic platforming.

Kid Dracula is a perfect candidate for a remake. Platformer fans with a taste for quirky humor would be treated to creative design and a nostalgic, memorable experience.

Released by Capcom in 1990, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is a classic NES co-op game that captures the charm of the animated series. The chipmunk duo investigates crimes in locations like parks, workshops, and ships, facing the villain Fat Cat. Gameplay mixes platforming with simple puzzles. Objects like crates and apples double as weapons and tools—used to trigger mechanisms or block enemies.

The colorful sprites and fluid animations capture the show’s essence. Local co-op is the heart of both games, with unique mechanics like throwing your partner to reach high places. The level design is creative, featuring stages like a toy factory with moving gears and unstable platforms.

The sequel refined the formula, adding moves like sliding and vertical throws, plus more varied enemies and themed stages such as Egypt and a haunted mansion.

Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is a cooperative classic, perfect for both adults and kids. A remake would be a love letter to ’90s cartoons.

Released by Sunsoft in 1991, Batman: Return of the Joker is a technical marvel on the NES. With visuals rivaling 16-bit games (huge sprites, complex parallax effects, and detailed backgrounds like factories and futuristic bases), it’s a rare gem on the console.

Gameplay-wise, Batman trades fists for a wrist-mounted blaster. His arsenal includes weapons like the crossbow, great for quickly dispatching enemies, and the Golden Batman form, achieved by collecting orbs for temporary invincibility. Despite its simplicity, the combat stands up to the 16-bit competition.

Bosses have a numeric health system (up to 80,000 points), encouraging aggressive attacks. Jetpack-based shoot'em up stages are visually striking.

A technical classic that has aged like fine wine; perfect for a remake with retro aesthetics and epic soundtracks.

Released by Sunsoft in 1988, Blaster Master combines side-scrolling action, exploration, and Metroidvania elements. Jason chases his pet frog, Fred, mutated by radiation. In the underground world, he discovers the Sophia III tank to battle mutant creatures. While the plot has many holes, the innovative, challenging gameplay makes up for it.

The game alternates between two perspectives: tank-based side-scrolling with multi-directional shooting and precise jumps, and on-foot top-down exploration where Jason fights bosses in labyrinths. Progression involves wall climbing, inspired by Metroid.

The lack of save points forces players to beat it in a single run, and it is a major challenge, especially in later levels. With tricky traps, slippery platforms, regenerating enemies, and realistic tank inertia, precision is crucial to avoid fatal falls.

Blaster Master is worthy of a remake, innovative in its day but with flaws that could be fixed in a modern release. Highly recommended for retro challenge and action fans.

Vice: Project Doom was released by Aicom/Sammy in 1991 and stands out as a hidden gem in the extensive NES library. Combining platforming, first-person shooting, and car chases, the game offers a dense action movie-like story packed with aliens and conspiracies.

Inspired by Ninja Gaiden and Castlevania, players take on the role of Detective Hart, who embarks on a mission to take down the B.E.D.A. corporation, a sinister entity dealing an alien drug known as Gel.

With side-scrolling action stages, Hart fights enemies like ninjas, robots, and even a “Chinese zombie” using his laser whip, revolver, and grenades. The responsive controls allow for crouch-running and attacking while moving. Driving stages shift to a top-down perspective, while shooting stages use an engaging first-person view, adding variety to the gameplay.

Featuring impressive graphics, the game is ideal for a remake, with detailed environments, such as docks and futuristic labs, complemented by anime-inspired cutscenes that enhance its over-the-top, futuristic themes.

Released by Capcom in 1990, Code Name: Viper presents a compelling run-and-gun experience. Players assume the role of Agent Kenny Smith (code name: Viper), tasked with dismantling a South American drug cartel, rescuing hostages, and uncovering the identity of the criminal mastermind.

The storyline reflects the war on drugs narrative popular in the ’90s and is brought to life through cinematic cutscenes revealing key details as the game progresses.

Detailed NES-era graphics depict diverse settings, from dense jungles to industrial factories and lavish mansions. Smooth animations and a high-jump mechanic enhance gameplay, while revolving doors serve as both hiding spots and tools for hostage rescue and ammo collection.

Code Name: Viper would translate perfectly into a modern remake, offering a fulfilling challenge and nostalgic appeal for fans of classic action games.

Developed by Natsume and released in 1991, Shatterhand delivers fast-paced action and innovative mechanics. Players take on the role of Steve Hermann, a cop with cybernetic arms, as he combats the terrorist threat of Metal Command. The story transitions from its Japanese roots in Super Rescue Solbrain to a gritty cyberpunk adaptation, full of early ’90s flair.

The game features detailed visuals with parallax scrolling and diverse settings, including underground tunnels and fiery urban landscapes. The combat focuses on Steve’s cybernetic punches, capable of breaking incoming projectiles. The true innovation lies in collecting chips (labeled α and β) to summon robotic allies with unique abilities like flamethrowers, swords, and even temporary invincibility.

Now considered a cult classic, Shatterhand’s combination of creativity and polished gameplay makes it an amazing candidate for a modern adaptation.

Developed by Irem and released in 1991, Metal Storm revolutionized platforming gameplay with its gravity inversion mechanic. Players control the M-308 Gunner mech, tasked with infiltrating a base on Pluto to disable the GigaDeath weapon. A classic sci-fi setup executed exceptionally well.

The title’s visuals were cutting-edge for the NES, featuring parallax scrolling that added depth and complexity to the futuristic settings. Although the color palette could be overwhelming at times, the mech animations and stylized explosions were visually stunning.

What defines Metal Storm is its gravity flip mechanic, which turns ceilings into floors and vice versa, creating unique challenges in labyrinth-like levels. Boss encounters capitalize on this feature, with stages incorporating infinite vertical scrolling and gravity-based puzzles.

An ideal remake candidate, Metal Storm would appeal to fans of sci-fi and mecha, providing a thrilling mix of technical difficulty and innovative gameplay.

Released in 1990 by Capcom, Little Nemo: Dream Master is based on the film and anime Little Nemo in Slumberland. This brilliant platforming adventure fuses fantastical storytelling with gameplay innovation.

Players guide Nemo through dream worlds as he seeks to recover the kingdom's keys from the Nightmare King. Using candy to befriend animals, Nemo borrows their abilities (such as the frog’s high jumps, the mole’s tunnel digging, and the gorilla’s obstacle smashing) to conquer imaginative stages.

Vibrant visuals bring the comic's surrealism to life, with standout levels like glowing mushroom forests and fantastical candy-themed realms. Each level demands strategic use of transformations for puzzles and enemy encounters.

With a remake, Little Nemo could further delight platformer fans with its whimsical charm and one-of-a-kind dream world.

Released by Activision in 1992, Sword Master perfectly blends side-scrolling action with a touch of RPG elements. Players control a knight armed with three gear types: a sword, a crossbow, and limited-use magic spells. The game’s emphasis on shield-based defense mechanics, which allow for blocking, sets it apart from its contemporaries.

NES graphics shine in the game’s dark forests, caves, and dungeon-like environments, using parallax scrolling to add depth. Combat focuses on deliberate timing and execution as enemies follow specific patterns. Boss encounters, such as battles with large skeletons or the two-headed giant, require mastery of dodges and attacks, giving it a nostalgic “souls-like” feel.

The intense difficulty, lack of checkpoints, and endlessly respawning enemies challenge players to persevere. This difficulty, combined with the rewarding sense of triumph, cements its status as a classic ripe for modern reimagining.

Remakes are not just about updating visuals. They offer a chance to revolutionize beloved titles with refined mechanics, engaging new audiences while satisfying nostalgic fans. Whether through detailed platforming, intense action, or innovative systems, these classic games demonstrate the power of timeless storytelling and creative design.

Which NES classic do you think deserves a remake? Share your picks in the comments!