System: Nintendo Entertainment System
Release date: September 1986

Rev your engines for muddy motorsport mayhem with Excitebike on the NES, the September 1986 Nintendo nail-biter that slings you into 16-track tussles, leaping ramps and dodging rivals like a two-wheeled tornado. This racer offers simple thrills and track-editing tricks, but does it still skid into glory in 2025? Let’s throttle the D-pad, fire up the NES, and see whether this bike bash is a burnout belter or a busted brake.

Gameplay: Jump, Lean, and Lap Like a Mud-Splattered Maniac

Excitebike hurtles you over bumpy circuits in selection-style sprints, leaning into turns, turbo-boosting over whoops, and crashing spectacularly if your timing’s off. The controls are a corker, with the D-pad steering and A/B handling acceleration and braking. Every ramp becomes a risk-reward moment as rivals either eat your dust or bump you clean off the track. The built-in editor lets you craft your own circuits for endless experimentation, while time trials offer solo glory runs. It’s arcade adrenaline in a compact cartridge.

The wipeout woe? Crashes crumple your comeback faster than a cheap chain, and without rubber-banding, frontrunners sprint ahead like pros on a power trip. Custom tracks don’t save, so it’s back to square one each time, and those turbo cooldowns can feel like a right rinse on tight layouts. Still, the jumpy joy and rival rivalry keep you clinging on like a glove gripping a greasy throttle.

Graphics: Pixelated Tracks That Tear Up the Turf

Excitebike looks lively on the NES, with scrolling tracks that kick up dirt clouds and cast ramp shadows in colourful chaos. Green grass, dusty mud, and cheering crowds add personality from start to finish. Bikes flip and flop with ragdoll flair after crashes, giving each tumble a comedic kick. It may not be a technical miracle, but its speedy sprites and clever terrain twists make every lap a visual victory run.

Sound: Engine Roars and Ramp Whirs That Rev the Retro

Beep-bop wise, it’s a basic but banging mix of revving rumbles and jump jingles, with a looping race riff that ramps up the pace without hammering your ears. Sound effects nail the essentials: turbo whooshes, crash crunches, and finish-line fanfares that honk with humble heroism. Simple, but spot-on for keeping the energy high.

Replayability: A Circuit That Circles Back for More

With the track editor letting you design cruel creations or curve-heavy courses, Excitebike has replay revs to spare. Time trials and VS mode (if you’ve got a mate and a second controller) add more competition. Chase sub-minute laps, refine your layouts, or simply enjoy some quick-fire heats. It’s snappy enough for pick-up races without pushing your patience.

The Retro Looney Verdict

Excitebike on the NES is like a chip butty dipped in engine oil: greasy, gutsy, and gloriously gritty. It kicked off the motocross craze with ramps, crashes, and rivalries that still rev the nostalgia engine. Sure, the crashes and turbo tantrums can throttle your thrill, but complaining about that is like moaning your motocross mud’s too mucky. Gear up for a retro ride that’ll leave you whooping like a winner’s whistle.