Final Fantasy on the NES is where it all started—this is the RPG that kicked off the whole series. You pick four characters from classes like Fighter, Black Mage, or Thief (I always go for at least one White Mage because healing is a lifesaver) and set off into this weird, sprawling world where the elements are out of whack. The graphics are simple, but the vibe is huge—you’ll talk to kings, fight monsters in turn-based battles, and slowly piece together why the world’s falling apart.

The dungeons can be brutal if you’re not prepared, and the random encounters will keep you on your toes. But there’s something satisfying about grinding just enough to survive the next boss, then stumbling onto some hidden gear that makes everything click. The music? Absolute 8-bit magic—you’ll hum those tunes for days.

If you’ve only played the newer Final Fantasy games, this one feels stripped down but still has that classic charm. Just remember: save often, stock up on potions, and don’t skip the dialogue—some of those old-school NPCs drop hints you’ll actually need.

Controls:

• Movement: Arrow keys
• Start: Enter
• Select: Space
• A/Z, B/X, C/C, etc.—takes a second to get used to, but you’ll be mashing them in no time.

It’s rough around the edges by today’s standards, but there’s a reason people still go back to this one.