Classic NES Series: Excitebike (GBA) (Classic NES Series: Excitebike (GBA))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Classic NES Series: Excitebike (GBA)
Date:	30/04/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Accurate to original release

Disadvantages: Simple audio

"Classic NES Series: Excitebike" is a video game released for the Gameboy Advance console in 2004 by Nintendo. It is a part of the "Classic NES" series which ports popular Nintendo Entertainment System titles to the Gameboy Advance. In the United States, the game received a rating of "E" by the ESRB panel which deemed it suitable for all ages.

Excitebike is a motocross racing game first released to the NES console in 1985. It is a simple racing game involving guiding a rider on motorbike through a straight track with assorted jumps, mud slides, water hazards and other obstacles. The player must take note of his wheel alignment during the jumps as improper balancing will result in a crash which delays the racer and allows computer opponents to pass. Both "A" and "B" buttons accelerate the vehicle though the latter offers a nitro boost which, in turn, increases engine heat. Overheating the engine will also cause a time delay. While there is a presence of computer opponents, the main objective is to beat a time trial like race and set the lowest possible completion time over the computer. The Gameboy release features five different tracks and can be completed with ease. To enhance replay appeal, developers in both the original and this release offered players a simple track designing tool which allows players to position jumps and obstacles to create their own preferred difficulty settings.

The graphics and soundtrack maintain their vintage allure. Graphics are simple 8-bit designs with all of the characters appearing identical on screen. Colour is the only guidance with the motorbikes being either red or blue. In terms of sound effects there are only a few audible ones with the notorious engine "buzz" which increases in volume as the engine approaches its overheat stage and simple "beeps" to suggest when a checkpoint has been cleared.

Overall, Excitebike is an acceptable port of an mid 1980s video game. It is a simple title overall which would appeal to fans of vintage gaming but may not reach a wide marketplace due to its primitive design.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle