All That's Fit for 8 Bits

Season 1 comes to a close with Shadowgate, one of three point-and-click adventures that were originally developed for Macintosh and are known for their colorful commentary and grisly depictions of death. Special guest: Moira Rose*

*Not really, though

DuckTales captures the spirit of its source material with great aplomb while boasting one of the best soundtracks on the NES. But in a library of games known for being punishingly difficult, it perhaps stands out most of all for its accessibility. Special guest: Negan*

*Not really, though

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most important games ever released, launching a franchise that resonates as loudly as ever today. But the original is an often frustrating experience that requires more patience than most modern players can probably give it. Special guest: Raymond Holt*

*Not really, though

The original Tecmo Bowl (not to be confused with the equally beloved Tecmo Super Bowl) may have ushered in a new era for sports games, but it did more than just break ground. Turns out that in the endless push for realism over the decades that followed, something got left behind. Special guest: John O'Hurley*

*Not really, though

Friday the 13th -- starring Jason Voorhees, complete with hockey mask -- is widely regarded as a gaming abomination, but I submit that it's only because kids were too chicken to figure out how to play it. I make the case for why it's one of my favorite games on the NES. Special guest: Hank Hill*

*Not really, though

Double Dragon hasn't aged as well as other NES classics, lacking the co-op mode that eventually came to define the genre, but the way it gradually introduces more advanced moves and more intense combat still gives it an addictive quality, with a killer soundtrack to boot. Special guest: Jorah Mormont*

*Not really, though

Paperboy made its way from the arcade to a number of different game systems, but most successfully to the NES, where an entire generation was introduced to the neighborhood from hell. Special guest: Rick Grimes*

*Not really, though

Platformers are all too common on the NES, but Tiny Toon Adventures stands out for its polish and genuine enthusiasm for its source material. Special guest: Petyr Baelish*

*not really, though

The superior controls in R.C. Pro-Am make for one exhilarating race after another, if you can overcome the learning curve. Special guest: Hank Hill*

*not really, though

The 8-bit version of Jaws is mostly remembered unfondly, if it's remembered at all, but its accessibility and attention to detail make it a title worth revisiting. Special guest: Michael Caine*

*not really, though