Excitebike 1984

Is it still worth playing?

Shigeru Miyamoto's 1984 racing game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, in which you ride a motocross bike in a side scrolling race, alone in Selection A or against computer riders in Selection B. The aim is to finish third or better in a preliminary race to qualify for the championship. The A button accelerates, and the B button gives a turbo that overheats the engine if held too long, forcing a cooldown, while arrows on the track reset the temperature. In the air, the directional pad tilts the bike after a jump, and on the ground it changes lanes. Landing matters. Coming down squarely on both wheels keeps your speed, while an uneven landing loses it or causes a crash. An engine that overheats still makes every boost a decision today.