Nintendo NES Reviews

Retro Review: “Friday the 13th” for the NES – A Nostalgic Nightmare As the rain pattered against the windowpanes of a family camp on Caroga Lake, NY, in the early 90s, a young gamer found themselves plugged into a world of 8-bit terror. “Friday the 13th,” a game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in February 1989, was unlike any other experience at the time. Developed by Atlus and …

Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Based on one of my favorite movies of all time, Gremlins 2 The New Batch is a short but challenging game. Join Gizmo as he finds his way through a futuristic office building (Well, futuristic for the 90’s that is.) As Gizmo makes his way through he not only has to face dangerous obstacles, he must also defeat the hoards of Gremlins let …

Retro Review: Kid Icarus on the NES Nostalgia has a pixelated face, and for many, it looks a lot like “Kid Icarus,” one of the early gems in the NES library. Developed and published by Nintendo, this game is a cornerstone of classic gaming. I remember distinctly, before even owning an NES, which I received Christmas of 1987, seeing “Kid Icarus” at a Kmart kiosk. It was October 1987, the …

I never could beat this last level as a kid, glad I went back to it. Marble Madness: Rolling Through the NES Era In the golden age of arcade gaming, one title that stood out for its distinctive approach to play was “Marble Madness,” a game that first captivated players in arcades and then found its way into living rooms through the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). With its release on …

It should of been a one life clear but I flaked out at the end. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game – A Shell-Shocking NES Classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game holds a special place in the hearts of many who grew up in the early ’90s. This title wasn’t just a game; it was an after-school ritual, a weekend obsession, and for many, a …

Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! The third installation in the series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Manhattan Project, is possibly one of the hardest TMNT games of its time! Luckily, Konami gave us a secret options menu to level the playing field. In TMNT 3, our heroes have to rescue April O’Neil and the Borough of Manhattan from the evil Shredder and Krang! In this video, we’ve played …

Retro Review: Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES) In the early 90s, a collaboration unseen before in the gaming industry took place, merging two universes that had captured the hearts of fans worldwide. “Battletoads & Double Dragon” emerged as a crossover for the ages, combining the brute force and comic relief of Rare’s “Battletoads” with the street-fighting savvy of Technos Japan’s “Double Dragon.” This NES title wasn’t just a game; it …

Ghosts ‘n Goblins: A Retro Review of the Knightmare That Charmed the NES There are titles that are remembered not only for their innovation or fun but also for their sheer, unadulterated challenge. Ghosts ‘n Goblins, released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1986, is one such title. Developed by Capcom, the game became notorious for its punishing difficulty, but it was also lauded for its engaging gameplay, graphics, …

Retro Review: Battletoads on the NES In the pantheon of classic NES titles, few games have garnered the notorious reputation for both challenge and innovative design quite like 1991’s “Battletoads.” Developed by Rare and published by Tradewest, this beat ’em up/platformer hybrid has become a cult classic, celebrated for its punishing difficulty, imaginative levels, and surprisingly detailed graphics and sound for the 8-bit era. The Developer’s Vision Rare, a British …

Super Contra: A Retro Review of an NES Classic When we speak about the golden era of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), certain titles invariably rise to the top as emblems of their time. Among these, “Super Contra” stands out as a paragon of the run-and-gun genre, a sequel to the fabled “Contra” that not only met the expectations set by its predecessor but soared past them with flying colors. …

A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES) Retro Review Few titles are as evocative of their era as the 1990 NES game “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Developed by Rare and published by LJN, this game sought to capitalize on the slasher film craze of the 1980s, with none other than the dream-stalking Freddy Krueger as its star attraction. Development and Reception Rare, a British video game developer, already had a …

Retro Review: Unearthing the Joys of “Adventure Island III” on the NES Adventure Island III stands among the most vibrant and enduring platformers of its era. Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft, this third installment in the “Adventure Island” series was released in North America in 1992, serving as a testament to the enduring charm of the 8-bit adventure platformer. As a child of the ’90s, I …

Retro Review: Mighty Final Fight for the NES Released in 1993, Mighty Final Fight for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a charming and unique adaptation of Capcom’s famed arcade beat ’em up, Final Fight. This NES title took the gritty, urban brawler and presented it with a more whimsical, “chibi” art style that set it apart from its arcade and home console counterparts. Despite being released towards the end of the NES’s …

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – A Retro Review When it comes to NES classics, “Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse” often emerges in the conversation as a title of legend. Released in 1990 by Konami, this prequel to the original “Castlevania” game was not just a return to form; it was an expansion of a formula that was already beloved by fans of the platforming genre. Developer and Legacy Developed by Konami, …

Firebrand is a young warrior in training in his hometown of Etruria. Platform – Nintendo Entertainment System Release Date – July 17, 1992 One day, while Firebrand is training in a small, alternate dimension, the Black light suddenly appears and destroys his home. When he returns successfully from his training, he is told to hurry to the King by another ghoul just before it dies. Upon defeating Nagus, Firebrand is …

Dragon Warrior… the epic beginning of a new era in video games. Release Date – May 27, 1986 Platform – Nintendo Entertainment System Mere finger speed and sweat are no match for the challenges of this game. You will be required to use deductive reasoning, not a quick sword to defeat your enemies. All is darkness. The Dragon-lord has captured the Princess and stolen Erdrick’s powerful ball of light. You …

Zelda 2 Links Adventure Review: Why This NES Classic Deserves More Love Zelda 2 Links Adventure is one of the most unique and daring titles to ever appear on the NES. I have to say, I love this game. For many players, Zelda 2 Links Adventure is remembered as the black sheep of the Zelda franchise, standing apart from the original and its successors in nearly every way. Yet it …

You are Kuros, the knight warrior, hero of the Books of Excalibur. Your journey begins deep within the woods of Elrond, where even the wind obeys the Supreme Wizard, Malkil. A wizard so great, Merlin calls him teacher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk2U4a6GPqE&t=202s (Playthrough video above) Screenshots and related images Audio files Wizards and Warriors Boss Caves Forest Inside Castle Inside the Tree Inside the Tree (2) Inside the Tree (Minibosses Remix) Kuros’ Potion …