Secret Shame of Unbeaten NES Games

I have played many Nintendo games in my lifetime, but the number of ones that I've beat are just a little underwhelming, all things considered. In part it is due to how you define "beating" a game, especially ones that you would have to play for thousands of hours to complete. Eff that.

Looking back at the original NES games, there are a few that I'm trying to beat right now that I've been playing since I moved in and set up the systems. Let's go through them.

First up, Ducktales. This was a game I played a lot as a kid. Like most games, I played until a certain point and I just could never get past it. Fast forward to years later and I've actually surpassed where I was at before. This is one game I plan on beating before too long. Never conquered as a kid, but I plan to do it before the end of the year if not sooner.

Battletoads. This is the holy grail, but I've made some significant steps towards getting it done. I can successfully get past the tunnel level. That dreaded tunnel level. I found a warp zone and now can almost easily get past it and rock up to the level with the snake rides before I really start to trip out and can't do it anymore. But each day I am learning the pattern, and one day it shall be mine. 

Batman. This was the classic game based in part with the Tim Burton movie. I can get to a certain part of stage 3, but then I blank out before the big boss. There is only so much I can do before I have to call it quits, but this is one that I feel will be defeated before too long.

Double Dragon 2. The patterns are coming back as I slowly get back in to this game, but there will be a time that I am able to beat it. I distinctly remember getting this game one day after school, when I had saved up some money or something and my mom told me I could have it. I played it like crazy. This was the first "my game" that I remember but I could never actually beat it. 

Super Mario Bros 2 & 3. So I never owned Mario 2. I remember my cousin having it, or a friend having it, but I never did. It was the forgotten Mario game for me, and one that I don't know all the warp levels for. Give it time, and I will conquer this one. But Mario 3? That is one of my secret shames. Played it many a time, but never got through and beat Bowser. I think I had more fun exploring the worlds and trying to get through the game without a warp whistle. I don't think I've ever actually seen the ending level outside of YouTube videos. This will be changing soon as I fly through the levels and finally get past the end point. 

Zelda 2. I conquered the first Zelda game last year, and now I only have to get past the Shadow Link and Zelda 2 will be mine as well. 

There are plenty of other games that I can name and add to this list, but I think I will go old school Nintendo first on them. Once I have brought fame and honor to my video game conquests, then I may just retire the game. Beat those old demons and then put them to rest. 

Then we have to look at Sega, and the many games that I need to annihilate there as well. One system at a time.