So Ninty gave me a NES game

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

I voted for Kirby because it's my favorite platformer on the system. It's charming, weird and a little on the easy side, so it's great fun. I also enjoy any Mario game, but feel they're somewhat similar, I prefer SMW over SMB3.

Also, If you've never played NES games I wouldn't go with something obscure, stick to your list!

[Flashman85]

I've never considered the Metroid games to be particularly challenging.

The original Metroid is really unforgiving, though, and it takes FOREVER to kill enough enemies to get the health powerups you need to actually be able to get anywhere.

SMB3 is a classic and a must-play, but Kirby's Adventure has a great learning curve and isn't quite as platforming-intensive as the Mario games because Kirby can float over most obstacles; plus, Kirby has a health bar and can take more hits than Mario, so Kirby's Adventure might actually be a better place to start.

[Gnashvar]

Do they have...

River City Ransom?
Metal Storm?
A Boy and His Blob?

If so I think those are all better choices than what you put in the poll. The difficulty may be a little higher than you would like with Metal Storm but the game is so awesome you won't care. Kirby is a fun game though and doesn't really get the love it deserves.

Only River City Ransom is available NA at the moment.

[MrPopo]

I've never considered the Metroid games to be particularly challenging.

The original Metroid is really unforgiving, though, and it takes FOREVER to kill enough enemies to get the health powerups you need to actually be able to get anywhere.

That's what energy tanks are for. Just snag the one off of Kraid and you're all topped off again. And you can also save the one near the start to top off before Mother Brain.

[Limewater]

How important is being able to beat the game to you?

SMB3 and Kirby's Adventure are both top-notch platformers, and a lot of fun. However, you'll die a lot more in SMB3 than Kirby. Kirby is better-looking than SMB3, in my opinion.

Since they're on the Virtual Console, I'm assuming that a save function has been added to SMB3? That should help a lot, since it's a pretty long game. Kirby had a save function on the NES release, but I don't think it's as long as SMB3.

If you want a game you have a good shot at beating without pulling your hair out, I'd go with Kirby. SMB3 isn't terribly hard, but some of the later levels can be pretty challenging.

Punchout is great, but is the hardest game on your list.

The NES version of Galaga is pretty good. I'm no expert, but I'd say it's very close to the arcade version. My personal preference, though, would be to pick another game on the list and experience something new that has a little more going on than the rather barebones Galaga.

[Limewater]

That's what energy tanks are for. Just snag the one off of Kraid and you're all topped off again. And you can also save the one near the start to top off before Mother Brain.

Unless, of course, you can't beat the game in one sitting.

Though, once you can access Tourian, you can keep killing metroids to fill your tanks. It's a lot faster than jumping up and down the vertical passages near the beginning of the game.

[Curlypaul]

How important is being able to beat the game to you?

I have to beat any game that draws me in.

So does the VC offer save state functions then? I've never bought one before as I'm an original hardware kind of person.

[RadarScope1]

The choice is pretty clear given your criteria:

Never played any NES and want to play a game that helped define the system
Into platformers but don't want one that will crush your balls
The game needs to be realistically beatable
Kirby is on your list of top choices

Get Kirby. It's good stuff, classic Nintendo. I would highy, highly, HIGHLY recommend SMB3 after you get some more platforming experience under your thumbs though. Regardless of what you owned as a kid you absolutely must play SMB3 at some point to call yourself a gamer.

[crux]

You know, somewhere in the course of this topic I also forgot we were purely talking about NES. I was thinking Super Metroid for some reason. I would definitely get Super Mario Bros. 3 out of your selection and will now vote for it. Punch-Out!! is great, but it's not as timeless as SMB3 is.

Also, Kirby is fun, but I always found it a bit too easy and a bit too slow. Floating just doesn't float my boat.

[Curlypaul]

I was coming to the same conclusion, that kirby one of the easier platformers and oozes nintendo charm but I have to play SMB3 be able to hold my head and call myself a gamer. I'll get Kirby now and buy SMB3 when I'm done I think

At school we were all sega - as I remember only one kid had a NES, the SNES won a few more supporters but other than that were Sega all the way. Its kinda odd to browse these boards and hear stories of how Sega was the underdog from the start.