Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit Review – Take You Back to the Past

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit review

Angry video game nerd is one of the leaders in creating Internet content. His videos predate YouTube. They initially focused on satirizing the mysterious and complex nature of games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Since 2013, AVGN has been producing a video game called Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures. It can be seen frequently and its sequel is included in Angry Video Game Nerd I & II Deluxe on modern consoles. These games are fun 2D platformers with a retro feel, but they don't capture the authenticity of the NES games. They look and feel like modern indie 2D platformers. In October 2025, history is restored because AVGN finally gets a real 8-bit game called Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit, which is even available on an NES cartridge.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit opens with an FMV that is essentially an AVGN episode minus the game review. He meets the newcomers, but is then quickly attacked by a character from the series Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 BC, version 4.1 beta. Super Mecha Death Christ transforms into the NES to destroy all the “satanic” video games in the world. Nerd uses the power of the crappiest NES games he has to create a new game to take on the SuperMecha Death Christ. This game is Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit, the same game we are going to play. It's a fun story and a fantastic way to set the stage for the game.

Castlevania style gameplay

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit has simple but well-executed gameplay. Square shoots The Nerd's NES gun. X – jump. Down and X perform a slide. Triangle uses additional weapons, such as throwing a beer bottle in an arc like a Castlevania axe. Rolling Rock's health bar has eight slots. In normal mode, the player gets three continues before having to restart the level from the beginning. Throughout the level you can collect bonuses for all these aspects. There are also weapon boosts that make the Zapper's attack stronger. They have additional effects, such as increasing the size of bullets or turning them into Contra– like a scattered shot. When hit, the Zapper's power level decreases, forcing the player to maintain a high power level at all times.

The level designs are quite simple and often mimic the designs of the games they are based on. They are also specifically designed to work with the Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit moveset. Enemies are placed early in levels to give the player a chance to learn their behavior. Many power-ups are placed in areas that test the player's platforming abilities and reactions. The controls are tight, and despite the game being advertised as unfair, it is actually extremely fair. Levels have branching paths that challenge players but lead to additional bonuses if successful. If I had one complaint about Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit's gameplay, it's that it doesn't deviate from its basic formula. It's a short game without much variety. But I really enjoyed the core gameplay.

Difficulty options

There are three difficulty options, but they don't fundamentally change the game. Nerd controls the same, has the same amount of knockback and the same size hitbox. Hard mode only gives the player two continues, the player takes more damage, and enemies take less damage. Some enemies have more complex patterns and more frequent projectiles. Easy mode gives five continues, enemies take more damage, Botan takes less damage, and bonuses appear more often. I found the normal difficulty to be really well balanced, but still present a significant challenge.

The presentation of Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit was one of the highlights. The opening title screen features a gorgeous pixelated image of the Nerd's head, contrasted by an excellent 8-bit version of the show's theme song. Eat Mega Man-like level selection screen with six levels to choose from. Defeating all six unlocks the final seventh level. All levels contain a ton of references to NES games and AVGN episodes. Graves 'n Groans has a similar aesthetic to the graveyard level. Ghosts and Goblins. Turdo Tunnel looks like the Turdo Tunnel level from Battle Toads. But the levels share a common aesthetic with other games. For example, in Turdo Tunnel there is a boss similar to ET named TP. Pausing the game in any level plays Battletoads-style pause music. All these references were a real treat for an NES fan like me.

AVGN-caliber humor

I really can't put into words how good Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit's humor is. References to the NES and AVGN are common and appreciated. When the Nerd starts a level, the message “Pissed off” appears on the screen. The Game Over screen reads: “You're dead. Your friends are dead. And your family is dead. Your fucking pets are being skinned alive. You suck at life. The whole world hates you. You're going to hell. Live with it.” When the player has no lives left, Botan has the option to pick up a crap cucumber, which automatically attacks all enemies on screen. Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit made me smile and laugh out loud all the time.

The main menu has many interesting options. There is a password entry screen. Several CRT filters, borders and aspect ratios help convey nostalgia. Screen flash and screen shake can be turned on or off. The player chooses between X and Circle for the confirmation buttons. My favorite option is that players can switch between triangle as a secondary weapon button or up and attack as in Castlevania.

NES Aesthetics

The visuals and music of Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit perfectly recreate the NES aesthetic that the game is trying to convey. There are sections that shock me: they are not one-for-one recreations of levels and enemy sprites from existing games. While the music sounds NES-accurate, there aren't really any memorable tunes other than the AVGN theme that plays on the title screen. This is a bit of a shame since the NES is known for its all-time great video game ringtones. But that's a minor complaint.

I liked Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. I was initially worried that the gameplay might be a little simple, but the level selection and constant gags kept it fresh. Fans of the NES games and the Angry Video Game Nerd series on YouTube will have a much richer experience than newcomers, but the game is so well made that modern gamers will be able to play it with ease. Any AVGN fans who are hesitant about purchasing the game can rest assured that this is a fantastic experience. I'm going to buy myself one of the physical NES cartridges.

***PS5 code provided by publisher***