Hey man, did you just swear?!
It is wild to think that the Angry Video Game Nerd has been around for over 20 years. I still remember discovering it back in the golden age of YouTube. The series has had its ups and downs, but it has continued to serve me entertainment for a very long time, and I can say that I am a fan. The first series of AVGN video games were better than they had any right to be. Now with this new game he is finally getting his own NES game, and it fits perfectly with the theme of the show. Developer Mega Cat Studios has captured everything that makes the show interesting and for purists, it can be purchased on an actual NES cartridge, but the big question is, is it as bad as the games he loves to rip into.
AVGN 8-Bit is an unapologetic clone of classic NES titles like Mega Man and Castlevania. The game kicks off with what is essentially an episode of the show, and a darn good one at that. The Nerd is looking to play a game that isn’t bad, and instead ends up having one of his (many) arch nemesis Super Mega Death Christ infects his NES and infects all the other consoles in the world. The only viable option of course is to create the ultimate bad game. Yeah it is dumb, but if you’ve been around for the show, it fits right in.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
The references are immediate as the select screen breaks down each level Mega Man style with each one referencing a past episode of the show. We have Top Gun, ET, and Jekyll and Hyde to name a few. There are six levels in total with each one culminating with a boss fight. You can tackle the levels in any order you want and once completing all of them you get the final boss, which is of course Super Mega Death Christ.
It is worth noting if you are offended by foul language and toilet humor, this is not the game for you. It holds nothing back. This might be an NES game, but it is packed with really foul humor and words. Those offended should refrain from playing. For those that are OK with it though, AVGN’s humor has always been entertaining. His obsession with being overly dramatic about how bad these games suck are humorous and I loved the included FMV sequences featuring the Nerd.
Another thing that may turn off some players is how hard this game is. It has difficulty options with the easiest being called “Chill” which I promise you is a misnomer. This is one of the hardest games I have played in a long time. The enemy placements seem like they are designed just to irritate you. Some of the enemy designs are just rage inducing. This is pure NES frustration. I died a lot, and each time I came back for more. It helps that the levels are relatively small and the checkpoints are great, but truly it comes from their design. The idea that the Jekyll and hide level mimics the original game of going left and right. I love the attention to detail.
Visually this game is an NES game. Not a retro game in 2025 made to look like one, it literally runs on the hardware, which means it comes with all the caveats. Sure the FMV sequences are modern, but the visuals themselves are straight NES. Complete with flicker and sprite limitations. They have done a great job at capturing the characters and themes of the levels though, and some of these bosses would have made me smile as a kid. Heck, they make me smile in my mid-40s. This game is pure nostalgia for people like me who grew up with the NES on top of being a fan of AVGN.
AVGN 8-Bit is a great retro title and a great AVGN game. He seems to understand how to license out his work to the right people. I highly recommend it if you loved those old NES games or are a fan of his work. Others with a sensitivity to offensive humor should probably stay away, but for everyone else this is a retro must-have. I loved every minute of it, just expect to die…a LOT.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
