10. Ninja Gaiden

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Publisher: Tecmo
Developer: Tecmo
Release Date: 1989
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Paul "Wallace" Esch
While a great deal of wonderful titles were authored for the NES, Ninja Gaiden stands out independent of the herd. Its perfect control, challenging game play, inspired level design, melodic score, and fun factor are reason enough to call it "the finest"! However, its ability to offer a complete gaming experience attached to a story that gave meaning to the action via a kind of artistic intrigue called the "cinema" gives it a special place in gaming history. Tecmo had composed an action masterpiece that few games can match, yet it's still playable even today.

Luciano Tarantino
Ninja Gaiden (1) was the greatest Nintendo Game because it had incredible visuals, play control, and replay value. I remember this game being the hardest Nintendo game ever because I couldn't get past the "Jaquio" for the life of me. I'd stay up all night if I had to. It was the perfect combination: Nintendo + Ninja's (which in the '80s went together like bread & butter). Pure fun! I'm still impressed when I see those old cut-scenes. The sequel showed lots more gore, but it was the story that gripped me as a tyke. I've played the hell out of this game to the point where I can do it w/o losing a single life. And in today's high res world, I still go back to my 8-bit masterpiece. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Phil Hanna
Seriously surprised this didn't make it in [GameSpot's] top10. Incredibly fast paced and responsive for a side scrolling platformer. Everything was quick from your movement to your sword swipe to your jump. Many useful techniques to master such as climbing walls by flipping up and latching on again real fast. The ninja skills were all useful even the basic shuriken if you were a good shot. Wonderful level variation and design fantastic musical score and engrossing plot. The difficulty level was very hard but through practice you can really master the game. The second game in the series was excellent as well. Top notch.

9. Duck Hunt

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Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: Oct 15, 1985
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Ryan Poole
You know video games can be quite influential on a young mind. Which is why Mr. Peepers' (the dog) constant mockery and ridicule for coming up short on the duck hunt drove me to push myself harder in life. Now whenever I'm presented with a choice regarding success vs. failure I just ask myself what would Mr. Peepers do I failed? He would probably laugh... And you don't want Mr. Peepers laughing at you.

David "Beyorkin" Newton
Duck Hunt appealS (as in currently) to one of the most basic human instincts - the need to hunt. This game succeeds at providing satisfaction without intense graphics or a fancy physics engine but with a single immersing controller.

Scott Merrill
I never had my own NES but remember playing the NES at friends houses. Sometimes I would want to sit and play their NES for hours. They were never too happy about this. But the only game I ever remember LOVING to play was Duck Hunt. I was amazed to see the ducks fall from the sky when I pointed the gun at them and shot. Maybe I loved it so much because I never fully understood how it worked.

Tyler Crowder
Do you hunt like a blind man? Do you end up shooting your friend in the face when you go quail hunting? Does your friends make fun of you for your horrible accuracy? Well we've I've got an answer for you DUCK HUNT. I guarantee that you will kill at least 5 helpless little *digital* birds. And if you still suck just get closer to the screen. In no time your friends will hail you as the reason for digital duck exstinction.