Back to the Future games on the Nintendo NES console #retrogaming #90s #tvcommercial #videogames
39The Back to the Future franchise, widely known for its blockbuster movies, made its way onto the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with several video games during the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, despite the enormous popularity of the films, the Back to the Future NES games were infamous for not living up to fans' expectations. Here’s a breakdown of the main NES titles based on the series:
1. Back to the Future (1989)
Developed by Beam Software and published by LJN, the first Back to the Future game for the NES was released in 1989. While fans hoped the game would capture the excitement and time-travel adventures of the movie, it ended up being a basic action game that loosely followed the plot of the first film but without much relation to its memorable moments.
Gameplay
The game features Marty McFly running through the streets of Hill Valley, collecting clocks to keep a photograph from fading (symbolizing his existence in time). Players have to avoid obstacles like bullies, bees, and benches while collecting items. The levels are repetitive, with players doing the same thing in different environments. Occasionally, there are mini-games, such as trying to throw milkshakes at enemies in the diner or navigating the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
Criticism
One of the major complaints about the game was its repetitive gameplay. Players constantly ran through levels with little variation.
Frustrating controls and poor level design made it difficult to enjoy.
The game was also heavily criticized for having little to do with the film itself. Key movie moments, such as time travel, the DeLorean, and famous characters, were either absent or barely touched upon.
Many felt the graphics were subpar, even by NES standards, and the music looped continuously, adding to the irritation for players.
2. Back to the Future Part II & III (1990)
Following the first game, LJN also published a combined sequel called Back to the Future Part II & III for the NES in 1990. This game attempted to cover the plots of both Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III but unfortunately fell into many of the same traps as the first game.
Gameplay
The game is a side-scrolling action-adventure where Marty must navigate different time periods to stop Biff Tannen from changing history.
The player moves through different levels inspired by Hill Valley in the 1950s, 1985, and 2015, along with the Old West featured in Part III.
The objective of the game is to collect key items and use them to restore the timeline.
The gameplay is notorious for its confusing level design, with players often getting lost or having no clear sense of what they were supposed to do.
Criticism
Much like its predecessor, Back to the Future Part II & III was heavily criticized for its poor controls, unforgiving difficulty, and lack of direction.
The graphics and sound design were also not well received, with many players feeling it was a rushed, underdeveloped product.
The mini-games, which included puzzles, platforming segments, and even sections where Marty could fly on his hoverboard, were not well-implemented.
It was considered even more frustrating than the first game due to its nonsensical progression, where players had little guidance on what to do next.
General Reception
The Back to the Future games on the NES are often considered some of the worst movie-to-video game adaptations, with LJN becoming infamous for developing subpar licensed games during this era. Despite the movies' potential for exciting game mechanics involving time travel, futuristic gadgets, and high-speed chases, the NES games fell short in every aspect.
Why Did They Fail?
Rushed Development: LJN was known for pushing out games based on movie licenses very quickly, often prioritizing release schedules over quality. This led to sloppy, unfinished products.
Poor Adaptation: The NES hardware had its limitations, but even within those constraints, the games failed to capture the charm or excitement of the movies. They felt disconnected from the source material, with repetitive mechanics and basic graphics.
High Expectations: Given the enormous success of the movies, fans had high hopes for these games. Unfortunately, they didn't deliver, leaving many disappointed.
Legacy
While the Back to the Future NES games are often remembered for their shortcomings, they hold a special place in video game history as examples of how not to adapt a movie into a game. Over the years, they’ve become somewhat of a cult curiosity, with modern YouTubers and game reviewers often looking back at these titles with a mixture of nostalgia and frustration.
In contrast, the Back to the Future series later saw better representation in video games with titles like Back to the Future: The Game by Telltale Games in 2010, which captured the spirit and charm of the movies in a way the NES games never could.