Nintendo Power's Best of the Best

In Nintendo Power's 20th Anniversary Issue the magazine printed a "definitive list" of the 20 best games for each of Nintendo's nine gaming systems (sadly, Virtual Boy was not included). The reason for there being nine "best of" lists instead of one big list like the 100 Best Games of All Time or the Top 200 Games was so that the games could be judged fairly. The criteria for what made the list was impact, fun factor, and whether a game "hold[s] up well today".

Nintendo Entertainment System

 * 1) The Legend of Zelda - 1987
 * 2) Super Mario Bros. 3 - 1990
 * 3) Mega Man 2 - 1989
 * 4) Super Mario Bros. - 1985
 * 5) Metroid - 1987
 * 6) Mike Tyson's Punch Out - 1987
 * 7) Contra - 1988
 * 8) Super Mario Bros. 2 - 1988
 * 9) Castlevania III: Dracula's Castle - 1990
 * 10) Ninja Gaiden - 1989
 * 11) Mega Man 3 - 1990
 * 12) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - 1988
 * 13) Ducktales - 1989
 * 14) Castlevania - 1987
 * 15) Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - 1988
 * 16) Maniac Mansion - 1990
 * 17) Bionic Commando - 1988
 * 18) Dragon Warrior IV - 1992
 * 19) Final Fantasy - 1990
 * 20) Kid Icarus - 1987