Topic: NSO/Nintendo Classics hidden gems

Hi everybody, I hope you're all doing well. Thought I'd make this thread about hidden gems on NSO's retro game apps (or as they're called now, Nintendo Classics), since upon searching, I couldn't find one like this. So there you go.

Anyway, have any of you folks know of any games on NSO/Nintendo Classics that are worth playing, yet aren't too well-known? Across the many different retro platforms like NES, SNES, and N64, there are a ton of games that can be played if you have access to NSO. Thought it would be a fun discussion.

Recently I've been playing through Sutte Hakkun for the SNES/Super Famicom, and it's a nice puzzle platformer. The language barrier can be a bit troublesome at first since the whole game is in Japanese, but once you're comfortable with how the game works, it'll be smooth sailing. Kuru Kuru Kururin for the GBA is also really good, and I would like to come back to it at some point. Both of those games were published by Nintendo themselves, too.

I'm sure there's many other hidden gems across the whole Nintendo Classics library that I just haven't touched. Any of them that stuck out to you?

Ristar is one of the first games on Wii Virtual console back in the day, and is genuinely about as awesome as the Sonic games of the era. Like its probably more popular now just out of a long term focus of people hyping it as a hidden gem of sorts, but it still feels underappreciated considering how good it is and how much it holds up.

For the opposite of that is Golden Sun, one of my favorite turn based RPGs. It's not forgotten I'm sure, at least by people who were there (and I'm sure people like me who were there think this is a dumb choice for being a hidden gem), but it doesn't feel like as big a deal as it used to be at all, and it wasn't a top Nintendo franchise even in its heyday. While the best SNES RPGs could have better stories than this, this is some of the most fun you'll get out of a classic style turn based RPG imo, especially with some really solid overworld puzzles. It deserves way more love nowadays.

For the record, I wouldn't say these two games if I thought they were merely "good" or "great", I think they're both top tier video games of their respective systems and thus are still too hidden for how good they are.

I'd say Joe and Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics for snes. The first one's good too, but the sequel is where it's at. Very fun, fluid platforming action with a fair level of challenge. Being a 90s kid, I was obsessed with dinosaurs,and I always appreciated the giant, detailed dinosaur boss sprites in this.

Also, I think Demon's Crest is somewhat lesser known? Another snes action platformer that's a spin-off of the ghosts and goblins series. This game can get quite challenging, but I think it's one of the most beautiful snes games. Amazing art direction. I hope Capcom makes a sequel one day.

@kkslider5552000 I forgot about Ristar! That is a dang good game for sure, I remember playing it on Sonic Mega Collection years ago. Dynamite Headdy is another very good platformer that isn't discussed too much, though it can get pretty challenging. Both of those games have great music, too.

In terms of non-famous games I played on NSO and was pleasantly surprised of:

• NES - The Mysterious Murasame Castle. Kind of chaotic but fun zelda-like slash ninjas and bullet hell.
• SNES - Psycho Dream. Easy and short but fun. Classic action-platformer side scroller but the weapon upgrades gives it a shmup feel also. You get hilariously over-powered.
• SNES - Amazing Hebereke. Incredibly short and easy fighting game but super charming and worth the less than an hour of play.

I’ve been disappointed this year with how few games are being added to the service. I’m sure Nintendo considers GameCube to have more “weight” than other platforms but those other platforms still need support too.

Since the Switch 2 was released, we have had four GameCube games and one SNES game. I don’t think that is enough. I had expected a renewed vigor from Nintendo after the Switch 2 launch but no.

I suspect Nintendo are using the music app as content for subscribers so they don’t have to support the Classic games as much.

Clearly they're the most hidden gems, since they're hidden from being able to be played on NSO. :V

Chibi robo just announced, never played it, know nothing about the game…so I’ll pick it for a hidden gem

Yeah, Sutte Hakkun is a great pick — super underrated. I’d also recommend Panel de Pon (SNES) if you like puzzle games, and Mario’s Super Picross is surprisingly addictive once you get the hang of it. On N64, Custom Robo is a cool one that doesn’t get much attention. Lots of fun little gems tucked away in there.