Game list
12 Best NES Games to Play Online Free, From Super Mario Bros. to Mega Man 2
Key takeaways
- Twelve NES games from 1985 to 1992 run free in the browser on Yes This Game, with no download.
- On a keyboard: arrow keys move, Z is the NES B button, X is the A button, Enter is Start.
- Every game has optional cheats behind the magic wand button, such as unlimited lives.
- Most NES games on the site are 128 or 256 KB, so they start in a moment.
Twelve NES classics run free in your browser on Yes This Game: Super Mario Bros., Contra, Castlevania, Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden, DuckTales, Tetris, Bomberman, Battle City, Super C, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers and Prince of Persia. They play with a keyboard, a gamepad or an on-screen pad on phones, start in a moment, and all have optional cheats behind the magic wand button. Here they are in the order they came out.
The twelve NES games at a glance
| Game | Year | Maker | Type | Cheats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bomberman | 1985 | Hudson Soft | Maze action | Unlimited lives, super bombs, remote control, blast-proof, infinite time |
| Battle City | 1985 | Namco | Tank shooter | Unlimited lives, strongest tank, invincible, freeze enemies |
| Super Mario Bros. | 1985 | Nintendo | Platformer | Unlimited lives, Fire Mario, star power |
| Castlevania | 1986 | Konami | Action platformer | Unlimited lives, energy, hearts, infinite time |
| Contra | 1988 | Konami | Run and gun | Unlimited lives, super weapon |
| Mega Man 2 | 1988 | Capcom | Action platformer | Unlimited lives, energy, weapon energy |
| Ninja Gaiden | 1988 | Tecmo | Action | Unlimited lives, energy, infinite time |
| Tetris | 1989 | Nintendo | Puzzle | Always the long piece, slow falling |
| DuckTales | 1989 | Capcom | Platformer | Unlimited lives, energy, infinite time |
| Super C | 1990 | Konami | Run and gun | Unlimited lives, super weapon |
| Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers | 1990 | Capcom | Platformer | Unlimited lives, energy |
| Prince of Persia | 1992 | Virgin Games | Platform adventure | Infinite time, unlimited energy |
The games
Bomberman (Hudson Soft, 1985)
Blast the bricks, catch the enemies in your fire and find the exit door in 50 stages. Play Bomberman.
Battle City (Namco, 1985)
Defend the eagle from 20 enemy tanks per stage in 35 brick and steel mazes. Play Battle City.
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985)
Eight worlds and 32 levels to Bowser, the game that defined the platformer. Play Super Mario Bros..
Castlevania (Konami, 1986)
Whip your way through Dracula’s castle as Simon Belmont. Play Castlevania.
Contra (Konami, 1988)
Two soldiers, eight stages and the spread gun: the run and gun everyone remembers. Play Contra.
Mega Man 2 (Capcom, 1988)
Pick the order of eight Robot Masters and win their weapons. Play Mega Man 2.
Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo, 1988)
Ryu Hayabusa, wall jumps, ninja arts and cut scenes like a film. Play Ninja Gaiden.
Tetris (Nintendo, 1989)
The version still played at classic Tetris championships. Play Tetris.
DuckTales (Capcom, 1989)
Scrooge McDuck pogos on his cane from the Amazon to the Moon. Play DuckTales.
Super C (Konami, 1990)
Contra’s sequel, with top-down stages and tougher bosses. Play Super C.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers (Capcom, 1990)
Throw crates and apples at Fat Cat, best with a second player. Play Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
Prince of Persia (Virgin Games, 1992)
Escape the dungeons and reach the princess within 60 minutes. Play Prince of Persia.
How to play NES games here
- Keyboard: arrow keys move, Z is the NES B button, X is the A button, Enter is Start. In most games B fires or attacks and A jumps.
- Phone and tablet: an NES pad with the cross, B, A and Start appears under the game.
- Gamepad: a USB or Bluetooth gamepad works too.
- Save states: the bar under the game saves the game exactly where you are, in your browser.
Guides for these games
Read our Super Mario Bros. warp zones, NES Tetris speed and scoring, Mega Man 2 boss order, Super C vs Contra, Bomberman tips and Battle City power-ups. For arcade and Mega Drive games too, see the full list of retro games to play online.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play NES games online for free?
Yes. All twelve NES games on this list run free in your browser on Yes This Game, with no download and no sign-up.
How do I control NES games on a keyboard?
Arrow keys move, Z is the B button, X is the A button and Enter is Start. A gamepad also works.
Do the NES games work on a phone?
Yes. An NES pad with the cross, B, A and Start appears under each game on phones and tablets.
Which NES games are on Yes This Game?
Bomberman, Battle City, Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, Contra, Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden, Tetris, DuckTales, Super C, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers and Prince of Persia.
Do the NES games have cheats?
Yes, optional ones. Press the magic wand button next to full screen and switch on what you want, such as unlimited lives. Reloading the page turns them off.
Can I save my game?
Yes. The bar under each game has a save state button that keeps the game where you are, in your browser on this device.