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NES Remix’s

            Nintendo has been trading off nostalgia value with little complaint for close to two decades now. But what this has earned the company is an unparalleled familiarity in the medium, a deep understanding from its audience of both style and function stretched across the majority of its rich lineage. Therefore, NES Remix often succeeds by perfectly appropriating this ingrained knowledge into a series of frenzied challenges across a clutch of Nintendo’s NES highlights – albeit, given the delayed release in PAL territories, many will be more fondly remembered outside of Europe.

            Iconic moments then are given a challenging slant, such as defeating Bowser only with fireballs in Super Mario Bros., or racing against the clock to find a concealed entrance beneath a bush in The Legend of Zelda. These energized snapshots of hallowed properties are reminiscent of Nintendo’s glorious parade of micro silliness found across its WarioWare titles, and there’s parity here in the sense of urgency to every challenge and ultimate compulsion in unlocking everything that the game has to offer that both share.

            As you progress you encounter the Remixes, a delightful selection of recognisable 8-bit stages twisted with the eagerness of a bedroom hacker toying with a cherished ROM file. These can take many guises, from Super Mario Bros. receiving a complete frosty overhaul (transforming the Mushroom Kingdom into an icy rollercoaster), to franchise characters appearing outside of their native property (Link makes an awkward replacement for Jumpman in Donkey Kong). What each has in common is a welcome precision to the scenarios’ construction and, fundamentally, a clear love of the era. This is where you’ll find some of the most engaging challenges that NES Remix has to offer and there are plenty of surprises to be found for those who persevere through the spikes in difficulty.

            Yet, there are some notable, inexcusable omissions. It might be cynical to assume that Metroid and Super Mario Bros. 3’s absence is down to a NES Remix 2 planned further down the line, but when another Baseball or Urban Champion stage rears its head, you’d be forgiven for lamenting their exclusion.

             But more regrettable is the lack of multiplayer. It really is an experience that would’ve been enlivened by competitive multiplayer, but the solo-only play strips away much of what was intrinsic about many of these arcade ports and NES gems in the first place.

             Nevertheless, there’s enough good will and thoughtful design to spur players through all 204 challenges therein. It’s a shame that overall it’s such a mixed bag; a vibrant gumball machine that produces as much giddy excitement as it does tangible disappointment. What you get from it comes down to how much you put in, but for gamer's of a certain age it’s certainly a worthy investment.

 Details

Format: Wii U

Origin: Japan

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: In-house

Release: Out now

Players: 1

Online Reviewed: N/A