Summary
The Nintendo Entertainment System is iconic for a variety of reasons. Not only did this console featurean abundance of revolutionary games, but it also started some new franchises that Nintendo fans still love and play today. It was first released in Japan in 1985 and the rest is history. From playing as two Italian plumbers inSuper Mario Bros.to saving Hyrule from GanoninThe Legend of Zelda, there was a game for everyone.
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The Nintendo Entertainment System era didn’t have as many complex storylines or detailed character development as the games of today, however, some incorporated romantic elements. There were notable couples - some forgotten, and some iconic!
1Mario And Princess Peach
Super Mario Bros (1985)
Mario and Princess Peach come from two worlds: One is a working-class plumber and the other is a monarch in charge of ruling the Mushroom Kingdom. Although they come from completely different backgrounds and never officially become an item,the iconic Nintendo coupleshare a special bond that has captivated the hearts of fans for decades.
Princess Peach was the original damsel in distress inSuper Mario Bros.The evil King Bowser came out from his army of Goombas, Spinies, Flying Koopas, and other creatures to abduct the Princess. While Peach is held captive by Bowser, she sends letters and power-ups to Mario in the hopes that he’ll save her.
The Legend Of Zelda (1987)
The Legend of Zelda
The epic series The Legend of Zelda began here, with the heroic Link on a hazardous journey through the fantastic world of Hyrule. Using your sword, your shield and your wits, retrieve the eight fragments of the Triforce and save Princess Zelda.This groundbreaking game introduced innovative ideas that are still present in Zelda games more than 25 years later. Not only is Link’s original adventure action-packed, it also features puzzling dungeons to explore and a myriad of secrets to discover.
Although Link has been connected to many women throughoutThe Legend of Zeldaseries, he has always been drawn to one particular princess. In the iconic 1987 game, Zelda is captured by Ganon and commands her nursemaid to find someone who is able to save her and her kingdom. The nursemaid finds Link wandering the land and pleads with him for help. From then on, it becomes Link’s sole purpose to save Zelda.
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It’s always been implied thatthere is a romance blossoming between Link and Zelda.However, they’re yet to make their relationship official.
3Ryu And Irene
Ninja Gaiden (1989)
One is a CIA agent and the other is a ninja, making them one of Nintendo’s more unlikely couples. They meet in Ninja Gaiden with Irene shooting Ryu in the head with a tranquilizer dart - sweet love! With that being said, Irene becomes quite the damsel in distress, with Ryu ordered to save her. At the end of the game, she abandons her mission to kill Ryu and chooses to be with him instead. Sweet love.
Final Fantasy 6 (1994)
Final Fantasy 6
The War of the Magi caused magic to disappear from the world. A thousand years later, humanity relies on machines - until they find a young woman with mysterious powers. The magicite system allows players to customize which abilities, magic spells, and summons the party members learn. All the playable characters have their own stories, goals, and destinies. Journey through their interwoven fates in this sweeping melodrama.The pinnacle of the FF series at the time of its release, FFVI remains critically acclaimed and beloved to this day.
InFinal Fantasy 6, it is revealed in Locke’s past that he was in love with a girl named Rachel, and they couldn’t be together because her father never approved of him. They go treasure hunting to get her an engagement ring but Rachel falls and suffers amnesia in the process of saving his life. He later learned that Rachel was killed in an empire raid but found a way to preserve her body.
Locke then develops a personality for protecting women as he couldn’t save Rachel but becomes torn between developing love for a new woman, Celeste, and staying true to Rachel, who at this point is barely alive.
5Psaro And Rose
Dragon Quest 4 (1990)
Psaro is a demon and the central antagonist inDragon Quest 4.He’s held a grudge against humans ever since he lost his lover, Rose. She was attacked by them for the ruby tears she shed. He protected her by keeping her in a chamber within a tower that he kept far away from humankind and could only be accessed by playing a flute. He made frequent visits to Rose and told her his plans to destroy humanity, but she wanted both demons and humans to coexist.
Many fans ofDragon Quest 4agree that Psaro’s reasoning for his anger is romantic. However, he’s still just a cold-hearted villain.
6Mickey And Minnie Mouse
Mickey Mousecapade (1987)
Mickey Mousecapade,a 1987 classic, features Mickey and Minnie on a journey to rescue Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Through various obstacles and challenges,they experience a fun house, an ocean, a forest, a pirate ship, and a castleto get to the damsel in distress.
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With a lot of obstacles along the way, it’s the perfect platformer to take in a romance that most Disney fans can’t help but love. The two mice are one of the more obvious romances on the NES but they’re worth the mention nonetheless.
7Sir Cucumber And Princess Tomato
Released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988,Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdomis set in a vegetable world where Sir Cucumber is tasked with rescuing Princess Tomato who has been kidnapped by the evil Minister Pumpkin. Although the adventure game featuresanother damsel in distress scenario, it also has romantic elements.
The romantic relationship between Sir Cucumber and Princess Tomato is never confirmed, however, risking the character’s life in order to save a distressed princess could be interpreted as a grand romantic gesture.
