Most people remember the NES as a two-player system. Super Mario Bros., Contra, and most other games maxed out at two controllers. But Nintendo made an adapter called the Four Score that let you plug in four controllers at once.
The problem? Almost no games supported it. Nintendo and third-party developers didn't make many four-player games for the NES. Most of the games that supported it were party, racing, and sports titles.
It works for one or two players if you don't have four. You can also easily use the built-in turbo feature of the Four Score.
The Table of Contents
Here are the best four score games worth playing
That is, if you can find four people and four controllers.
Bomberman II
Today, every Nintendo console library includes an excellent Bomberman game for at least 4 players. This grand tradition started with Bomberman II for the NES.
This was the first Bomberman to allow multiple players. Though technically, the player count with the Four Score is limited to 3, not 4. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the series, each round is a competition to be the last bomber standing. Each player sets bombs that explode after a few seconds.
The explosion reaches up, down, left, and right (not diagonally in most games) from the origin point. Any bomber who touches the explosion, including the one who set the bomb, is out until the next round.
Each game has different power-ups and variations. Bomberman II features several familiar power-ups: extra bombs, bigger explosions, speed boosts, etc. This is an excellent party game and a chance to see the origin of this glorious multiplayer frenzy. Oh, and there’s probably a 1-player mode, too, we guess.
The game has a very simple concept but is extremely fun. It's a puzzle game where you use your bombs to move around the screen to get to the end point. You blow up monsters and anything blocking your way. Just don't get caught in a tunnel and blow yourself up. This is the most expensive game on this list - expect to pay significant premiums for both loose and complete copies.
Gauntlet II
Gauntlet II is the 4-player NES port of the arcade game of the same name. The graphics had to be scaled down due to the console’s limitations. And, despite this, the game still suffers from lag and a few other
unfortunate glitches.
Still, the NES port has all the fun, fantasy, and mystery you’ve come to expect from this franchise. And, with 100 levels and seemingly endless baddies, you and your friends can battle co-op-style for hours.
This is a great four-player game. When I think of Gauntlet, I remember going to the doctor's office. This was usually the doctor who did sports physicals, and they had a Gauntlet II arcade machine in their lobby. I don't think I've ever beaten this game, as it seems to go on forever.
But it's perfect with four people. Technically, I'd prefer to buy the arcade cabinet, but that's a few thousand too many. This is one of the cheaper Four Score games to find.
Super Off-Road
Super Off-Road is a top-down racing game, an unusual sub-genre that was once quite popular in arcades and on home consoles. While most racing games simulate actual driving, playing a top-down racing game is like controlling a remote control car. It’s a very different type of racing
experience, but it’s still a lot of fun, especially with 4 players.
Super Off-Road spawned several sequels, though this one stands out for its large tracks and considerable difficulty. The controls are decently responsive with no major glitches to fret about. And this is one of the earliest racing titles that allows you to buy vehicle-enhancing upgrades with your winnings.
So who exactly is Ivan Stewart? I've never figured that out or cared, but the game is fun. The courses are tight and small, but once you figure out how to drive and when to use your turbo, the game gets good. I've spent hours in basements back in the day playing this.
If you keep winning races in the game, you acquire cash prizes, which you can use to upgrade the tires and shocks, then buy nitro and other accelerants to fly around the track. Moderately priced, with complete copies selling for about three times the loose price.
R.C. Pro-Am II
R.C. Pro Am II is another beloved top-down racer for the NES, like Super Off-Road. This game also allows you to upgrade your car with your
winnings. And both games seem to let the AI opponents “cheat.”
While these two games are similar in most respects, this one offers much more depth. For one thing, the tracks are more colorful and detailed. There are numerous types of terrain that affect gameplay.
Also, most players agree that the controls in this game are more responsive than those of Super Off-Road. Whether this game is “better” than Super Off-Road is a matter of opinion. Try them both and decide for yourself.
Years ago, I had a boxed copy of the game. Something about that purple color of the box and label has always drawn me to it. It's the exact same concept as the first game, but with better graphics. The tracks aren't as clunky, and neither are the controls.
It's four-player racing fun, and that's what this article is about. This is one of the pricier Four Score games - expect complete copies to cost several times as much as loose cartridges.
Caveman Games
Caveman Games, also known as Caveman Ugh-Lympics, is a par-for-the-course sports game for the NES. As in most multi-event sports games of the day, your success depends on properly timed button tapping.
That is, players must perform specific button combinations at the appropriate time to win each event.
What sets this game apart, other than 4-player compatibility, is that it focuses more on humor than on gameplay. You and 3 friends compete through 6 hilarious events to be the ultimate neanderthal athlete.
If nothing else, it’s a fun, goofy romp to enjoy with friends and family. For those 21 and older, it’s also a hilarious drinking game. (Winner takes a drink. Play responsibly.)
I see where Nintendo got their idea for Wii Sports Resort, lol. The game is so corny and stupid that it's rather humorous after a while. The different competitions are interesting - I certainly had fun pole vaulting over a dinosaur. Surprisingly, Caveman Games costs more than Volleyball, but it's worth it for some corny fun.
Super Spike V'Ball (U.S. Championship V'Ball)
Unfortunately, most of these games allow only two players. And that’s why U.S. Championship V’Ball may be the best multiplayer NES sports
game in existence. It’s one of the few 8-bit sports titles that allows a 2-on-2, 4-player competition. And the controls are more responsive than other 4-player NES sports titles, like Top Players’ Tennis.icon
Not only that, but it also allows a surprising amount of strategy for a 2-button game. Quick thinking and precision timing are required to block a spike or perform a Super Spike. With enough practice, you can master the game, destroy your friends, and rub it in their faces.
If you don't mind the mini lag where the crowd is shown cheering after someone scores a point, which gets repetitive. The graphics aren't terrible for an NES game, and the core mechanics of playing volleyball are fun. It's a perfect title to use on the Four Score if you have four friends sitting around who really want to play on the NES. This game can be purchased cheaply - it's one of the most affordable on this list.
Smash T.V.
We didn’t want to end our list without mentioning Smash T.V. for NES. Although it’s only a 2-player game, it makes use of the Four Score. Each player uses two controllers to control their character. This is meant to emulate the dual-joystick controls of the arcade version.
Specifically, one joystick or D-pad moves your character, and the other aims your character’s gun. Thus, Smash T.V. is one of the earliest video games in which players can walk in one direction while shooting in another. Add to that a second player and a bunch of baddies with guns of their own, and you get hours of explosive, adrenaline-fueled mayhem.
Smash TV reminds me of the top-down view you get in Ikari Warriors. The big difference for me is the gameplay mechanics. Your character is much easier to move around and shoot in all different directions, whereas Ikari Warriors just felt stiff in comparison. Using the turbo setting on the NES Four Score is a major advantage. This is one of the more affordable games on this list.
The Wrap Up:
Want to experience 8-bit fun like never before? Then get these four-player NES games and an NES Four Score!
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