bit-tech Shopping: Generic Classic NES Series: Excitebike

Rating: 6

Time with product: 8 Months

Strengths: Faithful representation of the NES Classic

Weaknesses: It is an NES game

Summary: The short-lived NES Classics series on the Game Boy Advance was an interesting idea, but fundamentally flawed. While a few of the games are timeless (Zelda, Mario), most simply have not aged well. Those who played Excitebike in their youth may appreciate this version for a short time. Others who never played it will wonder why they bothered to make it into a GBA game. It is a fun game for a very short time, and faithfully translated to the GBA from the weaker original NES console hardware. Other than that, there isn't much to say.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Classic arcade action, track designer, good graphics

Weaknesses: Sound only passable

Summary: Excitebike has come from the arcades into the GBA, through this classic interpretation. The game follows exactly the graphics and the sounds from the arcade game, which were good graphics and passable sound, though they're re-created faithfully. The game is the same, work through the dirt bike course and make it to the finish line. This time around, there is a course editor for making new courses, increasing the replay value. For a bit of nostalgia, Excitebike has quite a nice game behind it.