Gift ideas for retro gamers: NES, SNES and N64 classics

Retro gamers are easy to spot. There is a console hooked up to a TV that is not quite the newest one in the house, a shelf of gray cartridges, and strong opinions about which game had the best soundtrack. Buying for them can feel intimidating, because they already know more about the subject than you do. The good news is that a well-chosen cartridge is one of the most welcome gifts a classic gamer can get.

This guide covers the three Nintendo systems most retro players collect for: the NES, the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo 64. We will match games to the kind of player you are buying for, then go through a few practical checks for buying older cartridges.

01A quick map of the three consoles

NES

The Nintendo Entertainment System launched in North America in 1985. Its games are short on graphics and long on challenge, and many players remember them as the hardest games they ever beat. Browse the NES collection.

Super Nintendo

The SNES arrived in North America in 1991 and brought richer color, sound and bigger worlds. For many players it is the high point of 2D gaming. Browse the SNES collection.

Nintendo 64

The N64 reached North America in 1996, moved Nintendo’s big series into 3D, and came with four controller ports, which made it a fixture of sleepovers and dorm rooms. Browse the N64 collection.

02Picks by the kind of player

The titles below are examples of the classics that have come through our shop, many of them now in the collection archive. They give you a feel for what to look for. Check the shelves for what is available today, and if a specific game is on your list, add it to the Want List.

For the friend who always brings people over

Some games are best with a couch full of people.

• Mario Kart 64 supports four players on one screen and is still a go-to party game.
• GoldenEye 007 on N64 is remembered for its four-player split-screen matches.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time on SNES and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game on NES are two-player beat-’em-ups that are easy to pick up together.

For the adventurer

Players who love long quests and secrets tend to treasure the Zelda games.

• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on SNES.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on N64.

One note: Majora’s Mask needs the N64 Expansion Pak to run, so make sure your gamer has one before you give it.

For the platformer fan

• Super Mario Bros. 2 on NES and Super Mario All-Stars on SNES cover classic Mario.
• Donkey Kong Country 3 on SNES and Donkey Kong 64 on N64 suit Donkey Kong fans. Donkey Kong 64 also needs the Expansion Pak.

For the player who likes a challenge

• Ninja Gaiden on NES has a reputation as one of the toughest games on the system.
• Metal Gear on NES offers stealth action for the patient player.
• Star Fox on SNES is a fast space shooter with a big following.

For the Star Wars fan who games

• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire on N64 is a natural crossover gift.

03Buying tips for older cartridges

These games are decades old, so a few minutes of care goes a long way. These tips apply wherever you shop.

Confirm the console first

The most common retro gift mistake is buying a game for a system they do not own. NES, SNES and N64 cartridges each only fit their own console, so find out what is hooked up to their TV. If you can, take a look at their shelf too, so you do not buy a game they already have.

Mind the region

Consoles were sold in different regions, and games from one region may not work on a console from another. Stick with games that match your gamer’s console.

Cartridge only or complete?

Many players are happy with a loose cartridge they can play. Collectors may care about the original box and manual. Read each listing to see exactly what is included, and decide which kind of gamer you are buying for.

Look at the label and the contacts

A clean, intact label matters to collectors who display their games. The metal contacts at the bottom of the cartridge are what connect it to the console, so photos showing them clean are a good sign.

Know about save batteries

Some older cartridges save progress using a small internal battery, and those batteries can run down after many years. The game usually still plays, but saving may not work. It is worth keeping in mind for long adventure games.

04Quick picks checklist

1. Which console do they own: NES, SNES or N64?
2. Party gamer, adventurer, platformer fan or challenge seeker?
3. Do they want a game to play or a piece to display?
4. For N64 adventures, do they have an Expansion Pak?
5. Have you checked their shelf for duplicates?
6. Is the game you want gone? Add it to the Want List.

05Make it a game night

A cartridge becomes a memory when it comes with an invitation. Pair a party game with a promise of a game night, or give an adventure game with a note about the first time you watched them play it. For a gamer who also grew up with the toys of the era, the 1990s era page and the wider Nintendo collection are good places to find something to go with it.

FAQ

Will an NES game work on a Super Nintendo?

No. NES, SNES and N64 games each need their own console. Check which system your gamer owns before buying.

What is the N64 Expansion Pak?

It is a memory add-on that plugs into the top of the N64. Some games, including Majora’s Mask and Donkey Kong 64, need it to run.

Is a loose cartridge a good gift?

For most players, yes. They want to play the game. Collectors who display their games may prefer a boxed copy, so read each listing to see what is included.

What if the game they want is not available?

Add it to your Want List. Sold games stay visible in the collection archive, so you can see the kinds of titles that come through.

06Press start on the perfect gift

Browse what is available now, or add the cartridge your gamer is missing to the Want List.