EXCITEBIKE: nostalgic laps with an NES classic
If you were a child or gamer during the 1980s then you'll surely remember this classic game. It was released in Japan in 1984 and a year later as a launch title for the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES. Its smooth two-speed scrolling helped make Super Mario Bros. and feels like the spiritual grandfather of the legendary Mario Kart series.
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I got my NES a few years after launch so I only had the Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt cartridge, but it seemed like everybody had this game. It was also a successful arcade game, but I don't remember seeing it in any arcades. I'm sure it gobbled up its fair share of quarters though.
Excitebike had three game modes. Selection A lets you run through the tracks without competition in time trials. Selection B had other AI racers in the tracks, but they weren't actual competitors. It was fun to run your back wheel in front of them to make them crash, but ultimately had no effect on your placement but would harm your times and placement if they wiped you out. The design mode was the best part of the game. It allowed you to make your own tracks. I remember countless hours at friends' homes competing to see who could make the coolest tracks and angering buddies whenever we'd hit the RESET button erasing their hard work.
If you crashed you could get back to your bike more quickly by rapidly pressing the B button. I remember friends being frustrated with my lack of rapid B presses grabbing the controller out of my hands to get me back on the bike, but often not returning it saying I sucked and was too slow. It was their controller, their game, and their house so I couldn't do much about it. They were all bigger than me so I couldn't do anything about it if I wanted to anyways. I always remembered how uncool that was so I never did the same when I'd play games with my kids or students later in life. Besides, they'd usually hand me the controller in times of desperation anyways.
It's been many years since I've played Excitebike, but I had a lot of fun running through the game again today. There really isn't much depth to this game but it sure brought back a lot of memories. Having old-school emulators on your phone sure comes in handy anytime you're without internet or if you just want a dose of nostalgia. I only have an NES, Super Nintendo, and N64 emulators on my phone. Which emulators are on your phone or PC?
sourceI've had a Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, all the PlayStations, Gameboy, PSP, and original Xbox, but the Nintendo Entertainment System was my favorite console of all time. Maybe because it was my first. Maybe because I was just a kid when it came out, but I'll never forget the feeling of seeing it under the Christmas tree.
Wow, this reminds me of my childhood, I used to play this game almost every week (on weekends). This is so classic, I guess I am going to try and play this on an emulator.
The NES emulator for Android also has a rewind time option which we would have loved to have when we were kids. It does suck trying to play on a touchscreen though. If you can get a Bluetooth joystick that holds your phone you'll have a way better experience.
Oh, thank you for the suggesting Bluetooth Joystick, I will try to find one. Have a nice day ahead.
I remember the game but I never played it myself. My only experience is the Excitebike map for Mario Kart 8 :P
That is a good track. Most people like rainbow road but I don't like falling from the sky.
I was a kid in the 2000s but I remember this classic, it was just my favorite racing video game for the NES!
Nostalgia is something very strong, certainly things cannot be compared, but it is difficult not to do so, who would not want to have the same degree of happiness as when they were someone younger, and if you achieve it, it really cannot be the same. 😥
At least we can always bring the feeling back to life, even a little!