NES Remix 2

Editor's Notes

'NES Remix 2' supports Off-TV play. No multiplayer is offered outside of pass-and-play.

Introduction

Something must've went right. Only 4 months after 'NES Remix,' Nintendo chalked in a sequel on the Wii U eShop. With a new collection of NES classics from which microgames are created and mashed together, 'NES Remix 2' seeks to continue the parallel objectives of keeping the Wii U relevant and marketing Virtual Console titles. Can Samus, Kirby and Pit stand side-by-side with Mario and Zelda in this sequel?

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

I was pretty harsh on the first 'NES Remix.' Admitting that, I wouldn't take back the 2/5 score. I didn't feel fulfilled and I barely felt entertained, and though the overall concept of the first title, which doesn't change even in the slightest come this quick-turnaround sequel, was in itself a flaw, there were enough issues in the simple execution of it that I went into 'NES Remix 2' with an open mind, a hope for something a little better. The good news is 'NES Remix 2' is a little better, it just doesn't change my mind on what is now a full-fledged series for Nintendo.

As before, tiny bits of some classic NES titles are plucked out and shuffled together as 'Warioware' style microgames, a basic objective displayed as a seconds-long goal. Collect a certain number of coins in a Mario game, defeat a boss as Kirby or Samus, or just simply destroy a virus in Dr. Mario. Everything revolves around time. It's about how quickly you can achieve these would-be simple tasks, up to three stars awarded the faster you go. Accomplish a certain number of stars and you're rewarded with new minigames, sometimes new NES games from which those minigames are plucked and, most importantly, remixes.

A remix takes parts of those old games, sometimes entire levels, and throws in a twist that wasn't originally present. Now it's Peach collecting those coins, maybe even Samus in the mushroom kingdom. Maybe Kirby can't stop moving. Maybe Dr. Mario levels intermittently go black and white, ramping up the difficulty of the color-based matching game. Most every one of these remixes feels creative, if slightly, like an artist's satire of him or herself.

Most of the challenge arises from the fact that to get three stars, you must complete multiple tasks in a row without failing three (longer challenges give you more "hearts" to lose) times. It's simple to a fault.

My original complaint holds true. There's really nothing to it, from a gameplay perspective. Unlike 'Warioware,' which constructs mini-games in a similar manner but compiles them in a game show-like frenzy, the overarching structure doesn't compel or energize in a meaningful way. Opting instead for a mobile-app type incentive strategy, where shiny stars and high scores are supposed to represent achievement, 'NES Remix 2' depends almost solely on the power of nostalgia and decades-old charm to justify its existence.

The only other justification is on the business side of things. You'll notice most of these titles are available in full form on the Wii U eShop. Hilariously, some of the so-called opening challenges were actually just introduction videos to the game, without even a modicum of interactivity. There's even an in-game button directing you to the "Purchase" button, which still bothers me. Were the Wii U not hemorrhaging money, both 'NES Remix' titles could have very easily been free games, and thus acceptable as a means to market the Virtual Console.

All of this is the same as the first 'NES Remix,' except now we have an entirely new collection of NES titles to deal with. You might have noticed Kirby and Samus instead of what might've been the Ice Climbers or Donkey Kong Jr. This is the game's greatest strength, but that opinion must absolutely be qualified by the fact that I hadn't already played a good number of these new titles, or at least I hadn't played them in a very long time. Though 'Clu-Clu Land' and 'Wrecking Crew' of 'New Remix' felt obscure, they weren't really any fun. 'NES Remix 2' was, for me, a more exciting (re)introduction to new, more immediately satisfying titles and, more importantly, the weird and unexpected:

-Both of the sequels to 'Super Mario Bros.' are present, and both are very strange. Many American fans are acquainted with 'Super Mario Bros. 2,' the plant-picking, multiple character, fever dream in the mushroom kingdom. On the other hand there's 'Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels,' a challenging expansion of ideas from the first game, similar to the advancement from 'Super Mario Galaxy' to that game's sequel.

-'Kid Icarus,' which is also very challenging, remains intriguing in its creative AI programming (especially for the times) and mythological boss fights.

-'Kirby's Adventure' is an obvious choice in the wake of 'Kirby Triple Deluxe' for the 3DS, but he feels as good as ever to control.

-I'm reminded, once again, that the original 'Metroid' title requires the precision of a world class surgeon.

-The wonderful 'Punch-Out' holds up so damn well, and with 'Little Mac' throwing down in the upcoming 'Super Smash Bros.,' I have hope we'll see a new HD title in the old series.

-On par with the strangeness of 'Super Mario Bros. 2' is 'Zelda II: The Adventure of Link,' a game I'll never try to play after my short rounds in 'NES Remix 2,' but am thankful to have gotten it out of my system.

-'Wario's Woods' is the only real let-down. It's still legions ahead of 'Clu Clu Land' as a representation for puzzle games.

-The Bonus rounds, a late-game unlock as before, lets you run through some NES titles undeserving of their own subsections. And still I say 'Ice Hockey' is the greatest title of all time for the sport.

Finally, the most important change to it all is a simple replay function, which accompanies Miiverse posts for any given challenge. Even in those tiny bits of gameplay, people somehow find a different way to accomplish goals. Watching their replays is seamless, entertaining and adds a whole new layer to the social side of 'NES Remix.' It transitions the game from a solo to even to an ever-so-slightly less solo event.