What Do You Use To Play Them? We use emulators and ROMs in order to play these games. For those who would like to play along, we use a combination of VirtuaNES, JNes, and Nestopia. We use emulators and ROMs because many of these games are becoming too rare to find. If you have a moral objection to the fact that we're not paying full price for 20-year-old games, many of which have been out-of-print for years, feel free to purchase the games and send them to me.
Why Didn't You Review Game X? If you notice a game that you would like reviewed and don't see it on the list, let us know by emailing us at lee (at) downwardscompatible.com. We'll either explain why it's not on the list or we'll put it on the list and get to it.
You Said Game X Sucks, But Game X Is Awesome! This happens from time to time. Dissenting opinions are welcome, and should be expected. If you have a different take on a game, by all means contact us via email at lee (at) downwardscompatible.com and we can hash it out. I might even include your response in a future article.
The List:
- 10-Yard Fight
- 1942
- 1943: The Battle of Midway
- 3-D WorldRunner
- 720°
- 8 Eyes
- A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Abadox
- Action 52
- Addams Family, The
- Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt, The
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: DragonStrike
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Hillsfar
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance
- Adventure Island
- Adventure Island II
- Adventure Island III
- Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
- Adventures of Bayou Billy, The
- Adventures of Dino Riki
- Adventures of Gilligan's Island, The
- Adventures of Lolo
- Adventures of Lolo 2
- Adventures of Lolo 3
- Adventures of Rad Gravity, The
- Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, The
- Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The
- After Burner
- Air Fortress
- Airwolf
- Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing
- Aladdin
- Alfred Chicken
- Alien Syndrome
- Alien3
- All-Pro Basketball
- Alpha Mission
- Amagon
- American Gladiators
- Anticipation
- Arch Rivals
- Archon
- Arkanoid
- Arkista's Ring
- Asterix
- Astyanax
- Athena
- Athletic World
- Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
- Aussie Rules Footy
- Baby Boomer
- Back to the Future
- Back to the Future Part II & III
- Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja
- Bad News Baseball
- Bad Street Brawler
- Balloon Fight
- Banana Prince
- Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach
- Bandit Kings of Ancient China
- Barbie
- Bard's Tale, The
- Barker Bill's Trick Shooting
- Base Wars
- Baseball
- Baseball Simulator 1.000
- Baseball Stars
- Baseball Stars 2
- Bases Loaded
- Bases Loaded II: Second Season
- Bases Loaded 3
- Bases Loaded 4
- Batman
- Batman Returns
- Batman: Return of the Joker
- Battle Chess
- Battle of Olympus, The
- Battle Tank
- Battleship
- Battletoads
- Battletoads & Double Dragon
- Beauty and the Beast
- Bee 52
- Beetlejuice
- Best of the Best: Championship Karate
- Bible Adventures
- Bible Buffet
- Big Nose Freaks Out
- Big Nose the Caveman
- Bigfoot
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure
- Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge
- Bionic Commando
- Black Bass, The
- Blackjack
- Blades of Steel
- Blaster Master
- Blue Marlin, The
- Blues Brothers, The
- Bo Jackson Baseball
- Bomberman
- Bomberman II
- Bonk's Adventure
- Boulder Dash
- Bram Stoker's Dracula
- Break Time: The National Pool Tour
- BreakThru
- Bubble Bath Babes
- Bubble Bobble
- Bubble Bobble Part 2
- Bucky O'Hare
- Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout, The
- Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle, The
- Bump 'n' Jump
- Burai Fighter
- BurgerTime
- Cabal
- Caesars Palace
- California Games
- Caltron 6 in 1
- Capcom's Gold Medal Challenge '92
- Captain America and The Avengers
- Captain Comic - The Adventure
- Captain Planet
- Captain Skyhawk
- Casino Kid
- Casino Kid 2
- Castelian
- Castle of Deceit
- Castle of Dragon
- Castlequest
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
- Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
- Caveman Games
- Challenge of the Dragon
- Championship Bowling
- Championship Pool
- Championship Rally
- Cheetahmen II
- Chessmaster
- Chiller
- Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
- Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers 2
- Chubby Cherub
- Circus Caper
- City Connection
- Clash at Demonhead
- Classic Concentration
- Cliffhanger
- Clu Clu Land
- Cobra Command
- Cobra Triangle
- Code Name: Viper
- Color a Dinosaur
- Commando
- Conan: The Mysteries of Time
- Conflict
- Conquest of the Crystal Palace
- Contra
- Contra Force
- Cool Spot
- Cool World
- Cowboy Kid
- Crackout
- Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge
- Crystal Mines
- Crystalis
- Cyberball
- Cybernoid
- Dance Aerobics
- Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat
- Darkman
- Darkwing Duck
- Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum
- Day Dreamin' Davey
- Days of Thunder
- Deadly Towers
- Death Race
- Deathbots
- Decathlon
- Defender II
- Defender of the Crown
- Defenders of Dynatron City
- Déjà Vu
- Demon Sword
- Desert Commander
- Destination Earthstar
- Destiny of an Emperor
- Devil World
- Dick Tracy
- Die Hard
- Dig Dug II
- Digger T. Rock: Legend of the Lost City
- Dirty Harry: The War Against Drugs
- Dizzy the Adventurer
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong 3
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Donkey Kong Jr. Math
- Double Dare
- Double Dragon
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge
- Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
- Double Dribble
- Double Strike
- Dr. Chaos
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- Dr. Mario
- Dragon Fighter
- Dragon Power
- Dragon Spirit
- Dragon Warrior
- Dragon Warrior II
- Dragon Warrior III
- Dragon Warrior IV
- Dragon's Lair
- Dropzone
- Duck Hunt
- Duck Maze
- DuckTales
- DuckTales 2
- Dudes with Attitude
- Dungeon Magic: Sword of the Elements
- Dusty Diamond's All-Star Softball
- Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus
- Elevator Action
- Eliminator Boat Duel
- Elite
- Excitebike
- Exodus
- F-1 Sensation
- F-117A Stealth Fighter
- F-15 City War
- F-15 Strike Eagle
- Family Feud
- Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy, The
- Fantasy Zone
- Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger
- Faxanadu
- Felix the Cat
- Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge
- Fester's Quest
- Final Fantasy
- Fire 'n Ice
- Firehawk
- Fisher-Price: Firehouse Rescue
- Fisher-Price: I Can Remember
- Fisher-Price: Perfect Fit
- Fist of the North Star
- Flight of the Intruder
- Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak, The
- Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy, The
- Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll
- Flying Warriors
- Formula One: Built to Win
- Frankenstein: The Monster Returns
- Freedom Force
- Friday the 13th
- Fun House
- G.I. Joe
- G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
- Galactic Crusader
- Galaga
- Galaxy 5000
- Gargoyle's Quest II
- Gauntlet
- Gauntlet II
- Gemfire
- Genghis Khan
- George Foreman's KO Boxing
- Ghostbusters
- Ghostbusters II
- Ghosts'n Goblins
- Ghoul School
- Goal!
- Goal! Two
- Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
- Godzilla: Monster of Monsters
- Golf
- Golf Grand Slam
- Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode
- Goonies II, The
- Gotcha! The Sport!
- Gradius
- Great Waldo Search, The
- Greg Norman's Golf Power
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch
- Guardian Legend, The
- Guerrilla War
- Gumshoe
- Gun Nac
- Gun.Smoke
- Gyromite
- Gyruss
- Hammerin' Harry
- Harlem Globetrotters
- Hatris
- Heavy Barrel
- Heavy Shreddin'
- High Speed
- Hogan's Alley
- Hollywood Squares
- Home Alone
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Hook
- Hoops
- Hot Slots
- Hudson Hawk
- Hunt for Red October, The
- Hydlide
- Ice Climber
- Ice Hockey
- Ikari Warriors
- Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road
- Ikari Warriors III: The Rescue
- Image Fight
- Immortal, The
- Impossible Mission II
- Incredible Crash Dummies, The
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Infiltrator
- International Cricket
- Iron Tank
- Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II
- Isolated Warrior
- Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road
- Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf
- Jackal
- Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
- James Bond Jr.
- Jaws
- Jeopardy!
- Jeopardy! 25th Anniversary Edition
- Jeopardy! Junior Edition
- Jetsons: Cogswell's Caper!, The
- Jimmy Connors Tennis
- Joe & Mac
- John Elway's Quarterback
- Jordan vs. Bird: One on One
- Joshua & the Battle of Jericho
- Journey to Silius
- Joust
- Jungle Book, The
- Jurassic Park
- Kabuki Quantum Fighter
- Karate Champ
- Karate Kid, The
- Karnov
- Kick Master
- Kick Off
- Kickle Cubicle
- Kid Icarus
- Kid Klown in Night Mayor World
- Kid Kool
- Kid Niki: Radical Ninja
- King Neptune's Adventure
- King of Kings: The Early Years
- King's Knight
- King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder!
- Kings of the Beach
- Kirby's Adventure
- KlashBall
- Klax
- Knight Rider
- Konami Hyper Soccer
- Krazy Kreatures
- Krion Conquest, The
- Krusty's Fun House
- Kung Fu
- Kung Fu Heroes
- L'Empereur
- Laser Invasion
- Last Action Hero
- Last Ninja, The
- Last Starfighter, The
- Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf
- Legacy of the Wizard
- Legend of Kage, The
- Legend of Prince Valiant,The
- Legend of the Ghost Lion
- Legend of Zelda, The
- Legendary Wings
- Legends of the Diamond
- Lemmings
- Lethal Weapon
- Life Force
- Linus Spacehead's Cosmic Crusade
- Lion King, The
- Little League Baseball: Championship Series
- Little Mermaid, The
- Little Nemo: The Dream Master
- Little Ninja Brothers
- Little Red Hood
- Little Samson
- Lode Runner
- Lone Ranger, The
- Loopz
- Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man
- Lunar Pool
- M.C. Kids
- M.U.L.E.
- M.U.S.C.L.E.
- Mach Rider
- Mad Max
- Mafat Conspiracy, The
- Magic Darts
- Magic Johnson's Fast Break
- Magic of Scheherazade, The
- Magician
- MagMax
- Major League Baseball
- Maniac Mansion
- Mappy-Land
- Marble Madness
- Mario Bros.
- Mario Is Missing!
- Mario's Time Machine
- Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu
- Maxi 15
- Mechanized Attack
- Mega Man
- Mega Man 2
- Mega Man 3
- Mega Man 4
- Mega Man 5
- Mega Man 6
- Menace Beach
- Mendel Palace
- Mermaids of Atlantis
- Metal Fighter
- Metal Gear
- Metal Mech
- Metal Storm
- Metroid
- Michael Andretti's World GP
- Mickey Mousecapade
- Mickey's Adventures in Numberland
- Mickey's Safari in Letterland
- Micro Machines
- Mig 29 Soviet Fighter
- Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum
- Mighty Bomb Jack
- Mighty Final Fight
- Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
- Millipede
- Milon's Secret Castle
- Miracle Piano Teaching System
- Mission Cobra
- Mission: Impossible
- Monopoly
- Monster in My Pocket
- Monster Party
- Monster Truck Rally
- Moon Ranger
- Motor City Patrol
- Mr. Gimmick!
- Ms. Pac Man (Tengen)
- Ms. Pac-Man (Namco)
- Muppet Adventure: Chaos at the Carnival
- Mutant Virus: Crisis in a Computer World, The
- Mystery Quest
- NARC
- NES Open Tournament Golf
- NES Play Action Football
- New Ghostbusters II
- NewZealand Story, The
- NFL
- Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing
- Nightshade
- Ninja Crusaders
- Ninja Gaiden
- Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
- Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom
- Ninja Kid
- Nintendo World Championships
- Nintendo World Cup
- Noah's Ark
- Nobunaga's Ambition
- Nobunaga's Ambition II
- North & South
- Operation Secret Storm
- Operation Wolf
- Orb-3D
- Othello
- Over Horizon
- Overlord
- P.O.W.: Prisoners of War
- P'Radikus Conflict, The
- Pac-Man
- Pac-Man
- Pac-Mania
- Palamedes
- Panic Restaurant
- Paperboy
- Paperboy 2
- Parasol Stars
- Parodius Da!
- Peek-A-Boo Poker
- Pesterminator: The Western Exterminator
- Peter Pan and the Pirates
- Phantom Fighter
- Pictionary
- Pin*Bot
- Pinball
- Pinball Quest
- Pipe Dream
- Pirates!
- Platoon
- Popeye
- Power Blade
- Power Blade 2
- Power Punch II
- Predator: Soon the Hunt Will Begin
- Prince of Persia
- Prince of Thieves
- Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
- Pro Sport Hockey
- Pro Wrestling
- Punisher, The
- Puss 'n Boots: Pero's Great Adventure
- Puzzle
- Puzznic
- Pyramid
- Q*bert
- Qix
- Quattro Adventure
- Quattro Arcade
- Quattro Sports
- R.B.I. Baseball
- R.B.I. Baseball 2
- R.B.I. Baseball 3
- R.C. Pro-Am
- R.C. Pro-Am II
- Race America
- Racket Attack
- Rackets & Rivals
- Rad Racer
- Rad Racer II
- Rad Racket: Deluxe Tennis II
- Raid 2020
- Raid on Bungeling Bay
- Rainbow Islands
- Rally Bike
- Rambo
- Rampage
- Rampart
- Remote Control
- Ren & Stimpy Show: Buckaroo$!, The
- Renegade
- Rescue: The Embassy Mission
- Ring King
- River City Ransom
- Road Fighter
- Road Runner
- RoadBlasters
- RoboCop
- RoboCop 2
- RoboCop 3
- Robodemons
- Robowarrior
- Rock 'n' Ball
- Rocket Ranger
- Rocketeer, The
- Rockin' Kats
- Rod Land
- Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball
- Rollerball
- Rollerblade Racer
- RollerGames
- Rolling Thunder
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms II
- Roundball: 2 on 2 Challenge
- Rush'n Attack
- Rygar
- S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team
- Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise
- Section Z
- Seicross
- Sesame Street: A-B-C/1-2-3
- Sesame Street: Big Bird's Hide & Speak
- Sesame Street: Countdown
- Shadow of the Ninja
- Shadowgate
- Shatterhand
- Shingen the Ruler
- Shinobi
- Shockwave
- Shooting Range
- Short Order / Eggsplode!
- Side Pocket
- Silent Assault
- Silent Service
- Silkworm
- Silver Surfer
- Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants, The
- Simpsons: Bart vs. the World, The
- Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man, The
- Skate or Die!
- Skate or Die 2: The Search for Double Trouble
- Ski or Die
- Skull & Crossbones
- Sky Kid
- Sky Shark
- Slalom
- Smash TV
- Smurfs, The
- Snake Rattle 'n' Roll
- Snake's Revenge
- Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular
- Snow Brothers
- Soccer
- Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship
- Solitaire
- Solomon's Key
- Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Demnos
- Space Shuttle Project
- Spelunker
- Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
- Spiritual Warfare
- Spy Hunter
- Spy vs. Spy
- Sqoon
- Stack-Up
- Stadium Events
- Stanley: The Search for Dr. Livingston
- Star Force
- Star Soldier
- Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
- Star Voyager
- Star Wars
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Starship Hector
- StarTropics
- Stealth ATF
- Stinger
- Storm
- Street Cop
- Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight
- Strider
- Stunt Kids
- Sunday Funday
- Super C
- Super Cars
- Super Dodge Ball
- Super Glove Ball
- Super Jeopardy!
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Pitfall
- Super Spike V'Ball
- Super Sprint
- Super Spy Hunter
- Super Team Games
- Super Turrican
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Sword Master
- Swords and Serpents
- Taboo: The Sixth Sense
- Tag Team Wrestling
- Tagin' Dragon
- TaleSpin
- Target: Renegade
- Tecmo Baseball
- Tecmo Bowl
- Tecmo Cup Soccer Game
- Tecmo NBA Basketball
- Tecmo Super Bowl
- Tecmo World Cup Soccer
- Tecmo World Wrestling
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters
- Tennis
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day
- Terminator, The
- Terra Cresta
- Tetris (Tengen)
- Tetris (Nintendo)
- Tetris 2
- Three Stooges, The
- Thunder & Lightning
- Thunderbirds
- Thundercade
- Tiger Heli
- Tiles of Fate
- Time Lord
- Times of Lore
- Tiny Toon Adventures
- Tiny Toon Adventures 2: Trouble in Wackyland
- Tiny Toon Adventures Cartoon Workshop
- To the Earth
- Toki
- Tom and Jerry
- Tombs & Treasure
- Toobin'
- Top Gun
- Top Gun: The Second Mission
- Top Players' Tennis
- Total Recall
- Totally Rad
- Touchdown Fever
- Town & Country Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage
- Town & Country II: Thrilla's Surfari
- Toxic Crusaders
- Track & Field
- Track & Field II
- Treasure Master
- Trog!
- Trojan
- Trolls in Crazyland, The
- Trolls on Treasure Island
- Twin Cobra
- Twin Eagle
- Ufouria: The Saga
- Ultima III: Exodus
- Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
- Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
- Ultimate Air Combat
- Ultimate Basketball
- Ultimate League Soccer
- Ultimate Stuntman, The
- Uncanny X-Men, The
- Uncharted Waters
- Uninvited
- Untouchables, The
- Urban Champion
- Vegas Dream
- Venice Beach Volleyball
- Vice: Project Doom
- Videomation
- Vindicators
- Volleyball
- Wacky Races
- Wall Street Kid
- Wally Bear and the NO! Gang
- Wario's Woods
- Wayne Gretzky Hockey
- Wayne's World
- WCW Wrestling
- Werewolf: The Last Warrior
- Wheel of Fortune
- Wheel of Fortune Family Edition
- Wheel of Fortune Junior Edition
- Wheel of Fortune: Featuring Vanna White
- Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?
- Where's Waldo?
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
- Whomp 'Em
- Widget
- Wild Gunman
- Willow
- Win, Lose, or Draw
- Winter Games
- Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
- Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds
- Wizards & Warriors
- Wizards & Warriors III: Kuros: Visions of Power
- Wolverine
- World Champ
- World Class Track Meet
- World Games
- Wrath of the Black Manta
- Wrecking Crew
- Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
- WWF King of the Ring
- WWF WrestleMania
- WWF WrestleMania Challenge
- WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge
- Xenophobe
- Xevious
- Xexyz
- Yo! Noid
- Yoshi
- Yoshi's Cookie
- Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
- Zanac
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- Zen the Intergalactic Ninja
- Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
- Zombie Nation