Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition feels like far more than nostalgia bait, it could be a multiplayer classic

Upon hearing about the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, I initially felt indifferent. The initial announcement didn’t catch my interest much. However, after playing the game, I must admit that I have been converted.

Not including the full game ROMs was a concern for me initially. The simplicity of the missions shown at first made me question the appeal of the game. But after experiencing it firsthand, I am now a fan.

There are some caveats to consider. The game truly shines as a same-room, same-screen multiplayer experience. It offers a great alternative to Mario Party for those who may not want to invest in a full-priced game with board game-like mini-game collections.

Let’s dive into the different modes of the game. In a build that seemed like the final version, I got to try out all the core modes:

• Speedrun Mode: Play individual mini-games, earn rewards, and unlock more challenges.
• World Championships: Complete challenges and see your total time on an online leaderboard.
• Legend Challenges: String together difficult objectives into one challenge.
• Survival Mode: Face off against other players’ ‘Ghost’ data from around the world.
• Party Mode: The highlight of the game, offering a fun multiplayer experience.

One of the standout features is the Party Mode, which supports eight players and delivers a chaotic yet enjoyable experience. The game’s focus on speedrunning adds a nostalgic split-screen element that keeps players engaged.

The challenges in the game vary in difficulty, offering a fair chance for players of all skill levels to enjoy. The selection of games included in this package adds to the overall appeal of the game.

While the game selection may be limited, the potential for future versions with different game libraries is exciting. Nintendo may have found a winning formula with this concept.

The competitive multiplayer aspect elevates the mini-games to a new level, making even the simplest tasks exciting. Overall, the game is a thrilling experience that gets your adrenaline pumping.

At £25, this game feels like a great replacement for Mario Party for those who buy games at full price but only play them a few times a year. It’s perfect for quick-and-easy fun with children around or as a competitive game for adults on a drunken night in. Personally, I know this is how I’ll be using the game. Even after a brief preview of its challenges and modes, I’m sold. Classic Nintendo: always breaking cynicism.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition will be launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch on July 18, 2024.