Number 8 [Most Memorable NES Games]

8.  Dragon Warrior

Although Dragon Warrior came in at number eight on my list, it holds a spot in my heart that no other game can touch.  This game began my passionate love affair with RPGs that continues to this day.

RPG stands for role-playing game, for those not in the know.  This genre focuses more on characters, story arcs, and an overall narrative, rather than quick reflexes and dexterity.  There is usually much more problem solving than button mashing.  Often these kinds of games will take weeks, if not months, of gameplay to complete.

The best thing about Dragon Warrior was that it was free.  I got this free with my subscription to Nintendo Power.  I think that was what sealed the deal for my mom when I begged her for a subscription.  $15 for 12 issues of a magazine PLUS a free game.  Free.  When you're a kid and somebody offers you something for free*, you take it.

I remember trekking the lonely sidewalk between my apartment and our little communal mail box unit.  There were so many disappointing strolls back.  Day after day I waited for my first issue of Nintendo Power and this game.  Then magically one day, there it was.  And man did that box art pull me in.

I had never played a game like this.  There was so much to read and explore.  It also had a real story.  I'll be danged if it wasn't a pretty good story, too.  At least for ten-year-old Justin.  I was all about maxing out your stats and finding every single item- even back then.  It came with this incredible fold-out map that I would sneak out of my backpack during silent reading time in my fifth grade classroom.

Months sounds right.  I'm not sure how many, but it was at least four or five to finally finish this game.  We'd get really into it and play it nonstop for days.  Then we'd drift a way for a bit.

I remember a huge sense of accomplishment after destroying the Dragon Lord.  This was an epic game that captured my imagination in a way that other games had not.  The best part was that this was only a gateway game into even harder RPGs to come.

*Okay, okay.  I looked it up.  You had to send in an extra $3 to cover shipping for the game.  Jeez.

Come back tomorrow for my next game.  And be sure to check out all the posts in my Most Memorable NES Games list.

[Screenshots courtesy of GameFAQs]