How Many NES Games Were Released? A Complete Breakdown
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is one of the most iconic video game consoles of all time. Released in North America in 1985, it helped revive the video game industry after the crash of 1983 and introduced franchises that still dominate gaming today. But one question continues to come up among fans, collectors, and retro gamers:
How many NES games were actually released?
The answer depends on where and how you count—but here’s the most accurate breakdown.
The Short Answer
North America: 677 officially licensed NES games
Worldwide (licensed): 1,200+ games
Including unlicensed titles: Over 1,300 total games
Now let’s break that down in detail.
Officially Licensed NES Games (North America)
In the United States and Canada, Nintendo maintained tight control over game publishing through its licensing program, often referred to as the Nintendo Seal of Quality system.
Total licensed NES games in North America: 677
These games were released between 1985 and 1994
Publishers were limited to releasing five games per year, which kept quality relatively high
This number includes all officially sanctioned cartridge releases but excludes test cartridges, competition carts, and accessories.
Worldwide NES Game Count
Outside North America, the NES was released under different names and timelines:
Japan (Famicom)
Over 1,000 games released
Many titles never made it to the U.S.
Japanese developers had fewer restrictions early on
Europe & Australia
Smaller, curated libraries
Many games arrived years later or not at all
When combining all licensed NES and Famicom games worldwide, the total exceeds 1,200 officially licensed titles.
Unlicensed NES Games
In addition to licensed titles, several companies bypassed Nintendo’s lockout chip (the 10NES) and released unlicensed games.
Notable unlicensed publishers include:
Tengen
Color Dreams
Wisdom Tree
Camerica
Estimated unlicensed NES games: 100+
These games were legal but lacked Nintendo’s approval
Some are now highly collectible due to rarity
When unlicensed games are included, the total NES library grows to 1,300+ games.
Are Prototype, Test, and Competition Carts Included?
Typically, no.
Most official counts exclude:
Nintendo World Championships cartridges
Test carts
Developer prototypes
Promotional demo cartridges
Including these would inflate the number, but they were never sold commercially, so they’re not counted in standard totals.
Why the Exact Number Is Debated
The NES game count is debated because of:
Regional exclusives
Variations in cartridge revisions
Unlicensed releases
Cancelled or limited-run games
Rebranded Famicom titles
Collectors often disagree on definitions of what qualifies as an “official” release.
How the NES Compares to Other Consoles
For perspective:
NES: ~1,300 total games (licensed + unlicensed)
SNES: ~720 worldwide
Nintendo 64: ~388
GameCube: ~650
The NES remains one of the largest game libraries in console history, especially considering its era.
Why This Matters to Collectors and Gamers
A full North American NES set requires 677 games
Collecting worldwide titles dramatically increases difficulty and cost
Some NES games are worth thousands of dollars
The large library explains why the NES still has:
Active speedrunning communities
Homebrew development
Strong retro resale markets
Final Answer: How Many NES Games Were Released?
Official answer:
677 licensed games in North America
1,200+ licensed games worldwide
1,300+ total when including unlicensed releases
Even decades later, the NES stands as one of the most influential and expansive game libraries ever created
The NES Page is a fan-based organization for retro & modern gaming enthusiasts, collectors, and nostalgia seekers. We work within the gaming community to increase awareness and overall fandom for those who grew up in the 80’s, and 90’s, or are fans of the classic gaming era. We aim to promote the retro & modern gaming community and its contributors.
