List of notable NES ports and remakes
NES games sometimes suffered from slowdown and sprite flickering.
Name | PCE | SNES | PS1 | GC | PS2 | GBC | GBA | NDS | PSP | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crystalis | ✓ | GBC: Adds some extras like one dungeon. Horrible port though (sound, graphics, narrow field of vision). | ||||||||
Dragon Quest I Dragon Quest II |
✓ | ✓ | SNES: Compilation. Includes US NES enhancements (trivia: the late Satoru Iwata developed the enhanced US port for DQ1, uncredited). Updated graphics and game balance. Japan-only. GBC: Compilation. Improved graphics from NES version, SNES version's game balance and events. Released in English (Enix translation). Mobile: Released separately. Japan-only. Based on GBC version with the improved sprites from SFC DQ6/DQ3R. No battle animations. Android/iOS: Released separately. Japanese and English (Alfa Plus translation). Based on mobile version. Wii: Japan-only Virtual Console compilation on a Wii disc including all Japanese SNES and NES versions of DQ1, DQ2 and DQ3, unmodified. | |||||||
Dragon Quest III | ✓ | ✓ | SNES: Full remake. Updated graphics and game balance. Includes US NES enhancements. Japan-only. GBC: Improved graphics from NES version, SNES version's game balance and events. GBC-exclusive additions (extra dungeon, medal quest, events). Released in English (Enix translation). Mobile: Japan-only. Based on SNES version and mobile engine for DQ1/DQ2. No GBC-extras, and DQ3R's battle animations were removed. Android/iOS: Japanese and English (Alfa Plus translation). Based on mobile version (meaning removed battle animations, etc). Wii: Japan-only Virtual Console compilation on a Wii disc including all Japanese SNES and NES versions of DQ1, DQ2 and DQ3, unmodified. | |||||||
Dragon Quest IV | ✓ | ✓ | PS1: Updated graphics (Japan only) NDS: Port of PS1 version, optimized for dual screen. Updated graphics, expanded story, new scenario & playable character. Party Chat added (JP version only, can be modded back though in English with iOS files). New Multi-5 localization (Alfa Plus). iOS/Android: Direct port of DS version. English-only localization. Party chat translated. | |||||||
DuckTales | Remade in high-definition as DuckTales Remastered for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC. Features a difficulty option, expanded storyline, voice-actors from the TV series reprising their roles (deceased actors were recasted with different voice-actors), art gallery, and the other unlockables. A patch was released to streamline the gameplay in response to complains of the cutscenes interfering with game. | |||||||||
Final Fantasy 1 + 2 |
✓ |
✓ (R) | ✓ (R) |
MSX: Updated graphics (FF1 only) PS1: Updated graphics, easy mode GBA, PSP: Original difficulty level removed, bonus dungeons | ||||||
Final Fantasy 3 | ✓ | ✓ | Full 3D remake. | |||||||
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light | ✓ | ✓ (R) | SNES: Remake as the first chapter of Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem with upgraded graphics and improved balance. The remake continues the storyline thus acting as a sequel. NDS: The SNES remake was divided to two releases - Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon with a new graphical makeover, some balance improvements and DS-exclusive content hidden behind stupid requirements. Second release was the Japan-only Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem for the DS, covering the rest of the storyline as well as including the BS Fire Emblem maps as bonus content via Wi-Fi (fear not, it's already on-disc, and its DLC servers were preserved). This second release introduced character customization and was fan-translated. | |||||||
Kirby's Adventure | ✓ (R) |
GBA: Full remake with updated graphics and sound. Includes new features and, seemingly, different physics. 3DS: Slowdown and flickering fixed, 3D feature added | ||||||||
The Legend of Zelda | ✓ | ✓ (E) | ✓ | SNES: Renamed BS Legend of Zelda, downloaded via BS Satellaview, Updated graphics, smaller overworld map, timer (Japan only)
GC & GBA: Grammar improved | ||||||
Mega Man | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (R) |
PS1: Slowdown fixed, original and (some) arranged music, many extra options; Japan only GC: Slowdown fixed, some extra options, bad controls, messed-up sound effects in first-run copies PS2: Slowdown fixed, original and (some) arranged music, some extra options, input lag PSP: Full 3D remake | |||||
Mega Man 2-3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
PS1: Slowdown fixed, original and (some) arranged music, many extra options; Japan only GC: Slowdown fixed, some extra options, bad controls PS2: Slowdown fixed, original and (some) arranged music, some extra options, input lag | ||||||
Mega Man 4-5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
PS1: Slowdown fixed, original and arranged music, many extra options; Japan only GC: Slowdown fixed, some extra options, bad controls PS2: Slowdown fixed, original and arranged music, some extra options, input lag | ||||||
Mega Man 6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
PS1: Slowdown fixed, original and arranged music, many extra options; Japan only GC: Slowdown fixed, extra options, bad controls PS2: Slowdown fixed, original and (improperly implemented) arranged music, some extra options, input lag | ||||||
Metroid | ✓ | ✓ (R) | GC: unlockable in Metroid Prime if GBA with Metroid: Zero Mission is connected to the system
GBA: Remade as Metroid: Zero Mission, updated graphics & sound, cutscenes, expanded story and world | |||||||
Ninja Gaiden | ✓ | ✓ |
PCE: Updated graphics (but poor use of scrolling), new music; Japan only SNES: Increased palettes, updated music based on OST | |||||||
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos | ✓ |
SNES: Increased palettes, updated music based on OST | ||||||||
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom | ✓ |
SNES: Increased palettes, removal of parallax scrolling and other effects, updated music based on OST, difficulty based on Japanese version | ||||||||
River City Ransom (Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari) |
✓ | ✓ |
PCE: Improved graphics/music; Japan only GBA: Improved graphics/music; save; extra features, BARF! | |||||||
Shin Megami Tensei | ✓ | Enhanced graphics | ||||||||
Super Mario Bros./The Lost Levels | ✓ | ✓ |
SNES: Improved graphics/music, saving, inaccurate physics GBC: Saving, Vs. multiplayer, a large suite of bonus features, smaller screen size | |||||||
Super Mario Bros. 2 | ✓ | ✓ |
Improved graphics/music, saving GBA Only: Decreased difficulty, extra gameplay mode, smaller screen size | |||||||
Super Mario Bros. 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
Improved graphics/music, saving GBA Only: e-Reader support, replays, smaller screen size | |||||||
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | ✓ (E) | Potentially seizure-inducing effects replaced |