Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Review: A Satisfying Speedrunner

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Review: A Satisfying Speedrunner

As a long-time fan of classic video games, I can’t help but feel nostalgic and excited about Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Back in 1990, I remember watching the first Nintendo World Championships with awe, as players showcased their skills on iconic NES titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. It was a competition that fueled my passion for gaming and inspired me to hone my own skills.


Back in 1990, Nintendo organized the initial World Championships, giving gamers across the US an opportunity to battle it out in beloved NES games. Now, almost three decades later, Nintendo has resurrected this idea with the release of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. This new Nintendo Switch title maintains the competitive spirit while keeping costs low by presenting players with various timed challenges based on classic NES games. Although it may not offer the same level of excitement as competing against live opponents, it is sure to captivate those with a deep-rooted love for the NES era.

How to Become a Speedrunner

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Review: A Satisfying Speedrunner

The Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition offers over 150 tests across 13 beloved NES games. Notable titles like “Donkey Kong,” “The Legend of Zelda,” and “Metroid” are part of the lineup. Initially, Speedrun Mode presents achievable objectives, such as grabbing the first Mushroom in “Super Mario Bros.” level 1-1 in the shortest time possible. However, the complexity increases in advanced levels, leaving little room for mistakes. Most challenges can be finished under a minute, yet some may require extensive effort, like the legendary challenge for “Super Mario Bros. 3.”

After finishing every task, the player receives a grade based on their efficiency and is given a certain amount of coins as a reward. These coins enable the player to access more challenges and new avatar customizations. This idea may be straightforward, but it effectively motivates players to better their previous records. Even for those uninitiated into speedrunning, it’s simple to dive in and strive for time reductions. In the Nintendo World Championships, players are provided clear guidance on how to accomplish each challenge beforehand, ensuring a smooth experience for those less versed in these games.

A Tribute to the Early Days

The Nintendo World Championships excels at bringing to life the nostalgic essence of Nintendo’s early years. The tasks are inventively designed, acting as a testament to the exceptional game design from this era. As I engaged with the Nintendo World Championships, my admiration for games like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Zelda II was rekindled. Having sold off Zelda II during my childhood, I found myself eager to revisit it. Each participant can establish a fundamental profile that comprises a Hype Tag, avatar, and preferred NES game. Notably, players have the flexibility to opt for any NES or Famicom game as their favorite. Witnessing classic titles such as Darkwing Duck and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III brought a sense of authenticity to my own Nintendo experience, even when not playing the more renowned games.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Review: A Satisfying Speedrunner

As a gamer, I must admit that the graphics in some of these classic NES games don’t look as fresh as those from the SNES era. However, when it comes to Nintendo World Championships, the presentation truly shines. The music is fantastic, and the menus are smooth and elegant. What’s more, there are thoughtful touches like cheering crowds during online modes that really enhance the experience. And even though you might encounter some slowdown in games like Metroid or Kirby’s Adventure, it’s all part of maintaining the authenticity of these beloved titles.

The game’s challenge unlocking mechanism could use some improvement. For players who excel, getting good grades on challenges isn’t overly difficult. However, to accumulate enough coins for a new challenge, I often had to revisit older ones and aim for top-tier rankings. Repeating challenges when you wish to progress can feel tedious, especially if it occurs frequently. On the bright side, less seasoned players may find this aspect more manageable since they’ll be able to collect coins from World Championships, Survival Modes, and Speedrun Mode as well. Unfortunately, those modes weren’t accessible during the review process.

Challenging the World

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Review: A Satisfying Speedrunner

In the game “Nintendo World Championships,” there are two online playing modes: World Championships and Survival Mode. With World Championships, five weekly challenges are presented for players to compete in. During this period, players have the freedom to attempt these challenges as many times as they desire, aiming to better their previous best scores before the submission deadline. However, players remain unaware of their standing against other competitors or their current rank within the competition.

Nintendo has paid tribute to the NES era in various ways throughout the years, including compilation titles and frequent releases on Nintendo Switch Online. Despite potential fatigue with the system and its games from some, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition brings a fresh yet nostalgic experience. Priced at $29.99, this game is one of Nintendo’s more affordable first-party offerings for the Switch. With this budget price, it comfortably joins Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain in your collection. Both games are enjoyable and well-crafted, perfect for short bursts of fun rather than marathon sessions. After longer gaming stints, I often felt drained. Nevertheless, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is worth the investment, and it would be exciting to see similar treatments for SNES and N64 in the future.

Rating: 4 out of 5

As a gamer excitedly anticipating the release of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, I’m thrilled to share that this classic title will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch starting July 18th. I was fortunate enough to receive an early code from the publisher for review purposes, and I tested it out on my brand-new Nintendo Switch OLED console.

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2024-07-17 15:10