Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit Review (PC)

The Angry Video Game Nerd is back in 8-bit form. This time around an evil force has taken over his beloved Nintendo console and it’s up to you to cleanse the system and the code in order to restore the console.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit is a 2D action platformer where as the Nerd with a Mega Man style presentation where you can choose in which order you attempt the first six levels. Each level is filled with enemies and treacherous obstacles. While you start with a simple pea shooter, you can upgrade the firepower to give you a leg up on the threats.

However, unlike other similar games, upgrades are not permanent. You’ll find upgrades peppered throughout each level and picking one up will increase the power bar at the top of the screen. But if you get hit, you lose a part of the upgrade; it lays on the ground for a few milliseconds so you can pick it back up.

As you upgrade your weapon, your attack increases in power, but also in shooting style inspired by some games the Nerd bashed over the years. For example, one of the earlier boost shoots in waves in homage to Fester’s Quest or a spreadgun like Contra/Probotector. You can also pick up a more permanent (until you die) upgrade which allows platers to charge up a shot for some extra damage. If you charge with some increased firepower, the attack will be stronger and more scattered.

Our heroic Nerd also has the ability to use a sub-weapon. Again, these are scattered through each level, which are inspired by the Metroidvania genre, such as beer bottles that players throw in an arc (a nod to an amateur AVGN game made years ago or a shot at Friday The 13th’s rock), an item that grants temporary invincibility, or Shit Pickle if you die too often.

The game looks great. It features that classic old school 8bit visuals, as the game’s name implies. Each level is a knock on classic older games that the nerd has critiqued over the years. Each area also features enemies matching the theme and the final level includes a mix of all enemy types combined and given the circumstances there’s a great use of “visual glitches”. You’ll also be treated to some real life cutscenes in between levels and as an ending video. The soundtrack is chiptune fueled score. while enjoyable, it’s not as memorable as its predecessor.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit, it is a bit on the short side; especially compared to Angry Video Game Nerd I & II Deluxe. Considering this game is planned to release for the NES (yes, really) and the developpers had to work with the NES’ limited capabilities, Mega Man 4 and 5 released on the NES and they were quite lengthy.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit is another great game and excellent homage to classic games from the NES era. The challenge is hard, but fair, level design is really fun, tight controls, but the game is quite short and there’s no real replay value, but the core gameplay is addictive; I kept returning to play it. This game will definitely fall in my top 10 of the year and I can easily see myself replaying it. Highly recommended.

**This review was written having played Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit via a Steam PC code**