When I first started collecting games for older consoles in a serious manner and came to the decision that I'd "get a full set," this was in the early 2000s. My young, optimistically naive self always had it in my mind that I would have that done in the matter of a year or two and then I'd "beat them all" and then simply move onto the SNES and repeat the process. The harsh reality quickly set in that this wasn't a feasible goal, but the idea never left my mind. In 2011, I was still hunting for NES carts to complete my set and had only dabbled in a small chunk of the library, which were both far cries from my original intentions, but that "beat them all" concept was still gnawing at me. So finally in October 2011, I decided to start keeping track of my journey for my personal posterity. I kept a google doc and recorded each game as I completed them. I started off with a 100 NES games in 100 days challenge to get the momentum really amped up. This is a lot easier than it may sound when you have the entire library to choose from. I could knock out games I was immensely familiar with in a single day and do some cursory research or pick games from genres I was comfortable with. I had so much fun with those first 100 games, it was honestly one of the most fun gaming experiences I've ever had.



I jammed through Mega Man 1-6, Super Mario Bros 1-3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1-3, all three Contra games, several of the Capcom Disney classics, and some personal favorites like Bubble Bobble, Ninja Gaiden, Batman, Little Samson, Dr. Mario, MC Kids, Tiny Toon Adventures, Kirby's Adventure, and others. I had a great time with all of those, but also had just as much fun with the discovery of games that were new to me for the first time. New favorites like Power Blade, Xexyz, Journey to Silius and Metal Storm started to emerge. I rediscovered childhood gems like Caveman Games, World Games, and Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular brought back waves of nostalgia (I have always had a soft spot for sport compilation games). But perhaps most interesting to me was all the new experiences I had completely missed out on. North and South was so weird yet compelling. Kickle Cubicle was similar enough to the Lolo series that it just fit like an old glove despite my lack of familiarity. Jaws had such a different vibe to it than most of the games I was used to playing that it really stuck with me. Circus Caper, on paper, sounds like something I should be into, but it was kind of a clunky beautiful mess. Why was that?

Immediately after this challenge I thought again about my goal to "beat them all" and thought I should maybe try to beat some of the games that had reputations for being brutal, unfair or impossible. The internet being what it was at that time there was not a lot to go on in this department. Youtubers and listicles featured games like Silver Surfer, Ninja Gaiden, Ghosts n Goblins, Battletoads and the like. So I found out quite quickly that those lists/videos were not great sources of information and that there was still a significant amount of the NES library that got very little attention. Around this time Nintendoage was running a community challenge to see if the entire community could collectively beat the NES library in the course of a year. I dove head first into this challenge to contribute as much as I could and try to select games that others might ignore. Thankfully they continued this challenge each consecutive year and went above and beyond in collecting data about each game. Nowadays they even have each game in the library ranked from 1-10 in terms of how rarely each title has been beaten every year since they started collecting data. So over time genuinely difficult or obscure games are getting highlighted. Beyond that not every game has a well defined "ending" so with the help of the community over the years they've come up with a pretty comprehensive list of what is required for a game to be considered "beaten". It's been an invaluable resource as I've continued to dig deeper into the NES library. *Big props to scaryice (formerly of Nintendoage), who has been running that thread and collecting data even after Nintendoage disappeared on the newly minted videogamesage.com*

Last year I ran my own version of this on rfgeneration, both as a fun community building project (which even though we came up a bit short of completion was a fantastic success in terms of players involved and NES discussion), and also as yet another way to motivate myself to continue on my quest to keep having fun playing NES games from my collection. I started a new job late 2019 which dramatically changed my lifestyle and I wasn't sure how much time I was going to have to contribute to this goal anymore. With some sacrifices, such as missing out on some really great Playcast games this year, I have been trying to stay focused on my NES playing and started off 2020 with a big old bang. Which leads me to this reason behind this blog post. Unofficially starting this around 2002-3, but actually starting in 2011 this pipe dream is just now feeling like it might be a reality at some point. Just one day ago I beat my 569th NES game. That sounds like a weird number to be excited about as a milestone....BUT if you remove from the list of total licensed games that were released in more than one format (Stadium Events/World Class Track Meet or Mike Tyson's Punchout!!/Punchout!! featuring Mr. Dream) that leaves you with exactly 100 games left. 669 games always felt daunting and honestly overwhelming so I tried not to think to hard about it. I made smaller goals for myself and helped other communities reach their goals which simultaneously chipped way at one of mine. 100 games though. That feels very achievable. That's something I've done in about 3 months more than once in the past. I have a great new wave of excitement, and enthusiasm towards this goal that I can honestly say I didn't have just a few games ago. It's by no means a given as I've still got a small handful of games that will truly challenge my skills, a few in genres that I'm a relatively weak player in and a few games that I honestly don't quite know what to expect from. But on the other hand I didn't want my final 100 to be all unknowns so I purposefully have been holding back several games I very much expect to enjoy, a few that I beat before I started this challenge and know I can do again and a couple soft ball games should I just need quick pick me up if my progress starts to get stagnant. I'm very happy and excited about the final 100 games I've left for myself. Thanks so much to all of you for supporting me in this goal over the past decade + and I'll need that support more than ever going forward to make this happen.

Beaten Since Oct.8th 2011

(click on a title to see the video)

Super Mario Bros
Super Mario Bros 2
Super Mario Bros 3
Mega Man
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 3
Mega Man 4
Mega Man 5
Mega Man 6
Castlevania
Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
Duck Tales
Duck Tales 2
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2
Felix the Cat
Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout
Ren and Stimpy Show: Buckaroo$
Double Dragon
Contra
Super C
Contra Force
Power Blade
Power Blade 2
Dynowarz: The Destruction of Spondylus
Metal Storm
Journey to Silius
Air Fortress
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Blaster Master
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltes 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3
Legendary Wings
BreakThru
Commando
Guerrilla War
World Games
Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular
Caveman Games
DK Classics
Jaws
Ninja Gaiden
Where's Waldo?
Bonk's Adventure
Panic Restaurant
Bubble Bobble 2
Dr. Mario
Bubble Bobble
MC Kids
Batman
Circus Caper
Roller Games
Widget
Tiny Toon Adventures
Tiny Toon Adventures 2
The Jetsons
The Little Mermaid
Monster in my Pocket
Gremlins 2
Kirby's Adventure
Kickle Cubicle
Kung Fu
Yo! Noid
Xexyz
Puss 'N Boots: Pero's Great Adventure
Wall Street Kid
The Karate Kid
Archon
Golf
Super Dodgeball
Super Spike V'Ball
Jakcie Chan's Action Kung Fu
The Three Stooges
Ice Hockey
Tecmo Bowl
Track & Field
Mario Bros
NARC
North and South
Barbie
Battle Chess
The Simpsons: Bart vs. The World
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak
Snow Brothers
Little Samson
Sky Shark
Ninja Gaiden II
Mike Tyson's Punch Out
The Simpsons: Bart Meets Radioactive Man
StarTropics
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
River City Ransom
StarTropics 2: Zoda's Revenge
The Jungle Book
Castlevania III Dracula's Curse
Mario is Missing
Blades of Steel
Hogan's Alley
Wild Gunman
Burger Time
Silver Surfer
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
Ghosts n Goblins
Tetris
Pro Wrestling
Gradius
Zanac
Adventure Island
Karnov
Trojan
Excitebike
Baseball
Spy Hunter
Adventure Island II
Tennis
Battletoads
Shadowgate
Battletoads/Double Dragon
Pinball Quest
Section Z
Godzilla
Hydlide
Marble Madness
Back to the Future
Darkman
Terminator 2
Robocop
Total Recall
Predator
Robocop 2
Robocop 3
Hudson Hawk
Home Alone
Home Alone 2
Batman Returns
Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters
Die Hard
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Krion Conquest
Adventures of Dino Riki
Ultima: Exodus
Legacy of the Wizard
Ultima: Quest of the Avatar
Darkwing Duck
Ultima: Warriors of Destiny
Legends of the Diamond
Pro Sports Hockey
Dusty Diamond's All-Star Softball
Yoshi's Cookie
Kick Master
Zombie Nation
Stadium Events
Super Jeopardy!
Joust
Yoshi
Dance Aerobics
Adventures of Bayou Billy
Pipe Dreams
Ski or Die
Werewolf: The Last Warrior
Simpsons: Bart vs The Space Mutants
City Connection
American Gladiators
Roundball 2-on-2 Challenge
720
Athletic World
Super Team Games
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Gumshoe
Bases Loaded
The Addams Family Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt
Kings of the Beach
The Blues Brothers
Volley Ball
Lode Runner
3D World Runner
Twin Eagle
Dragon's Lair
The Adventures of Rad Gravity
Break Time: The National Pool Tour
Bases Loaded II
Rainbow Islands
Conquest of the Crystal Palace
Peter Pan And The Pirates
Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Dragon Strike
Slalom
Wrath of the Black Manta
Race America
Treasure Master
Krusty's Fun House
King's Knight
Mighty Bomb Jack
Bases Loaded 3
Castelian
Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll
Dirty Harry
Conan
Cobra Triangle
Spider Man Return of the Sinister Six
Tag Team Wrestling
Eliminator Boat Duel
Galaxy 5000
George Foreman's KO Boxing
Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge
Thunder & Lightning
Heavy Shreddin'
Flying Warriors
Rocket Ranger
Roger Clemens MVP Baseball
Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure
Destination Earthstar
Street Cop
Short Order/Eggsplode
Star Voyageur
Days of Thunder
Laser Invasion
Silent Service
Back to the Future 2 & 3
Overlord
High Speed
Sesame Street Countdown
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters
Shooting Range
Space Shuttle Project
Double Dare
Win, Lose or Draw
Othello
Whomp Em
Dragon Fighter
Bugs Bunny's Crazy Castle
Family Feud
Tale Spin
Platoon
Gotcha!
Gun Smoke
Kiwi Kraze
10 Yard Fight
Tom & Jerry
Wrecking Crew
Hatris
Time Lord
Orb 3D
Wheel of Fortune Jr
Wheel of Fortune Family Edition
Captain America and the Avengers
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle
Bo Jackson Baseball
Jeopardy! Jr
Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! 25th Anniversary
Cowboy Kid
Crash n The Boys: Street Challenge
Galaga
Color A Dinosaur
Millipede
Popeye
Sesame Street 123
Sesame Street ABC
Sesame Street Hide & Speak
Soccer
Classic Concentration
Fisher Price I Can Remember
Fisher Price Perfect Fit
Mickey's Safari in Letterland
Mickey's Adventure in Numberland
NES Open Golf
Pictionary
Chessmaster
Anticipation
DK Jr Math
Donkey Kong 3
Urban Champion
Balloon Fight
Pinball
Qix
Hollywood Squares
Twin Cobra
Flintstones Rescue of Dino & Hoppy
Tiger-Heli
Winter Games
NES World Cup Soccer
Defender II
M.U.S.C.L.E.
MTV's Remote Control
Spot The Video Game
Spy vs Spy
Taboo The Sixth Sense
Gemfire
Monopoly
Legend of the Ghost Lion
Jackal
Rad Racer
Rad Racer II
Arch Rivals
Deja Vu
Nightshade
Mickey Mousecapade
King's Quest V
Vegas Dreams
Magic Johnson's Fast Break
Touchdown Fever
Caesar's Palace
Casino Kid
Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
Videomation
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bucky O'Hare
The Incredible Crash Dummies
Joe & Mac
Totally Rad
Lifeforce
Wolverine
Maniac Mansion
Puzznic
Track & Field II
Swords & Serpents
Tombs & Treasures
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance
Toki
Zen: Intergalactic Ninja
Toxic Crusaders
Shadow of the Ninja
The Untouchables
Shingen The Ruler
Bad Dudes
Phantom Fighter
Thunderbirds
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II
Lunar Pool
Genghis Khan
Kid Icarus
Dragon Spirit
Batman Return of the Joker
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Starship Hector
Rockin' Kats
Rally Bike
Super Spy Hunter
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship
Flight of the Intruder
1942
Monster Party
1943
Deadly Towers
Solomon's Key
X-Men
Mission Impossible
Robo Warrior
Metal Mech
Motor City Patrol
T&C Surf Design II: Thrilla's Surfari
The Last Ninja
Lethal Weapon
Silk Worm
Hook
Stealth ATF
The Hunt for Red October
Boulder Dash
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
Digger T. Rock
Alfred Chicken
Athena
Dig Dug II

[URL=https://youtu.be/uRtt86sZpIg]Danny Sullivan’s Indy Heat
Wacky Races
Bigfoot
Raid on Bungeling Bay
Ms. Pac Man
Monster Truck Rally
Stinger
Wizardry: Knight of Diamonds
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Sqoon
Mappy Land
Ninja Kid
F-15 Strike Eagle
Bard's Tale
Bases Loaded 4
Jimmy Connors Tennis
All Pro Basketball
Bad News Baseball
Star Wars
Empire Strikes Back
Adventure Island 3
Defenders of Dynatron City
Swamp Thing
Mad Max
Dragon Warrior
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
James Bond Jr.
Cool World
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance
Adventures of Gilligan's Island
Fist of the North Star
Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Power Punch II
Michael Andretti’s World GP
Castlequest
Day Dreamin’ Davey
Super Cars
The Lone Ranger
Arkanoid
Snake Rattle n Roll
Golgo 13
Trog
Lemmings
Captain Skyhawk
Abadox
Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine
Cyberball
Harlem Globetrotters
NFL Football
Rollerblade Racer
Magmax
Cabal
Seicross
Karate Champ
WWF Wrestlemania
WWF Wrestlemania Challenge
Burai Fighter
Hoops
Thundercade
Cliffhanger
Jordan vs Bird: One on One
Image Fight
Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf
Muppet Adventures Chaos at the Carnival
Golf Power
Mechanized Attack
Last Action Hero
The Punisher
Operation Wolf
Code Name: Viper
Alien 3
The Addams Family
Ultimate Basketball
Golf Grand Slam
Paperboy
Paperboy 2
Amagon
Bomberman
Castle of Dragon
Cobra Command
Defender of the Crown
Rambo
Barker Bill’s Trick Shooting
Fun House
Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum
Dick Tracy
A Boy and His Blob
Freedom Force
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
World Champ
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Rampage
Low G-Man
M.U.L.E.
Goal!
Goal! Two
Dr. Chaos
Airwolf
Isolated Warrior
Klashball
Stanley: The Search for Dr. Livingston
The Terminator
Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Superman
Super Pitfall
Prince of Persia
Rock ‘n Ball
L’Empereur
Best of the Best: Championship Karate
8 Eyes
Bad Street Brawler
Knight Rider
Dragon Power
Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
Adventures of Lolo, The
Bomberman II
Astyanax
Adventures of Lolo 2, The
Adventures of Lolo 3, The
Mighty Final Fight
Fisher Price: Firehouse Rescue
Vice: Project Doom
Mario's Time Machine
Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach
Baseball Stars
Baseball Stars II
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Hillsfar
Kid Klown in Night Mayor World
Gun*Nac
Wayne Gretzky Hockey
Championship Bowling
California Games
Skate or Die
WWF Wrestlemania Steel Cage Challenge
WWF King of the Ring
The Great Waldo Search
Tiny Toon Adventures Cartoon Workshop
Frankenstein: The Monster Returns
Xenophobe
Double Dribble
Fire 'N Ice
Rescue: The Embassy Mission
Casino Kid II
Jurassic Park
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
Beetlejuice
Magic Darts
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Kid Niki Radical Ninja
S.C.A.T. Special Cybernetic Attack Team
Street Fighter 2010
The Legend of Kage
John Elway's Quarterback
Heavy Barrel
Strider
Iron Tank
Gold Medal Challenge 92
P.O.W. Prisoners of War
Wizards & Warriors
Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II
Wizards & Warriors III
Renegade
Arkista's Ring
Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing
Sword Master
Mystery Quest
Desert Commander
Ninja Crusaders
Roadblasters
Kabuki Quantum Fighter
Gyruss
The Rocketeer
Rush 'n Attack
Shatterhand
Mendel Palace
Alpha Mission
Elevator Action
Terra Cresta
Bump 'n' Jump
Xevious
Tetris 2
MLB
RBI Baseball
Faria
Target: Renegade
Fester's Quest
Final Fantasy
Chubby Cherub
Gargoyle's Quest II
Destiny of an Emperor
Ice Climber
Top Gun
Black Bass
Bionic Commando
Ring King
Willow

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