The Angry Video Game Nerd pioneered comedy game reviews on Youtube. James Rolfe, the man behind the nerd, has been making films since he was a child, and found success with the shortform gaming reviews that he engaged in while playing the character of The Angry Video Game Nerd. The early videos date from 2007-2009. Rolfe has gained so much popularity that he has already had videogames based on his character release. I played Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures on the 3DS all the way back around 2013. The game was a great 16-bit platformer with references to its namesake spread throughout the experience. Rolfe usually reviews games from the NES era, and some of his best videos are on games like the original Castlevania and the NES Ghostbusters games. Now, in 2025 we have AVGN 8-Bit, an NES style platformer that is as difficult as some of its inspirations, and will even be playable on the NES. Read on for a review of AVGN 8-Bit on the Nintendo Switch.
Presentation and Story – A Blast from the Past
The video sections with ‘The Nerd’ himself are fun and some of the highlights of the game. These sections are well made and include clips from ‘The Nerd’s’ early career, even from the first couple of episodes. However, in the gameplay department there aren’t as many references to episodes as in his previous games, and I think that is a bit of a missed opportunity. They could have incorporated more jokes linked to ‘The Nerd’. I did think a good touch was that when you have died numerous times on a part of a level, or boss, ‘shit pickle’ appears and helps you to damage enemies and bosses. He won’t help with the platforming, but it is humorous to see him on screen damaging enemies for you. Also, when you die you hear ‘The Nerd’ swear in frustration which is funny.
There are numerous customization options for the sound and inclusion of video sections. You can adapt how these parts are presented and that is a real modern benefit that brings what is in essence an old school platformer into the modern age. You can also change the button layouts. I used a pad that has prominent analogue sticks, but unfortunately the d-pad isn’t great on the pad. I reviewed the game on a Nintendo Switch 2, and I have a Hyperkin SNES-style pad and a 8-bitdo pad that both would have been perfect for this game but the ridiculous Switch 2 controller compatibility issues strike again and mean I have to play through the game with a pad that isn’t suited to the game. Overall, the presentation of the game is great and it feels like you are playing through an AVGN episode. When you finally defeat the ridiculous end boss of Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 B.C. v4.1 Unstable Beta, it feels like you’ve come to the end of a good AVGN episode.
Sound and Graphics – Real 8-Bit Graphics
The previous AVGN games would have looked at home on the Sega Megadrive. This time, James Rolfe and crew have gone with an 8-bit aesthetic and have stuck to that rule so strictly that the game is even releasing on the actual NES. There will be a limited release on the NES of AVGN 8-Bit, however, I expect the ROM to find its way onto the internet not too long after release. I haven’t been able to find it yet, so my experience of AVGN 8-Bit is purely from the Switch version. I think it will be a fun novelty to actually play this game on the NES (or in my case on the Retron 1). The game uses nice sound effects that have been integrated into the gameplay. The soundtrack is also good and sounds inspired from some of the classic games that have been mocked by AVGN.
The visuals are inspired by Castlevania, Mega Man, Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins are more. It looks very good for a game that can run on the NES. One of the funniest parts of the game, is that when you die, ‘The Nerd’s’ speech about the world ending appears in text format. It is an exaggeration that is funny because it makes you think of the episode in which he says the text. Overall, despite the art and inspiration of the game being solid, there’s not much to differentiate each level. There is a focus on horror throughout the game which I guess is appropriate considering James Rolfe is a huge horror fan. The last level used very cool sprites to symbolize the game glitching out and I thought it was a nice effect that artistically represented a game being glitchy.
Gameplay – A mix of Classic Hard as Nails Platformers
The game is split into six levels, which you can play in any order, similar to Gunstar Heroes and Mega Man. On screen, they are displayed as an NES cartridge with artwork representing the level. The levels are varied and are each intensely difficult, but some are more difficult than others. When you fall from a ledge you are usually respawned on the last ledge that you were on. However, when you die, you are taken back to the last checkpoint, which is usaully a few screens behind. Overall, I think the checkpoints are placed quite generously. The gameplay is traditional 2D platforming, and you have a gun (the Nintendo light gun) to kill enemies from a distance. There’s no melee attack.
The gameplay is difficult. The player character often slides when you want to jump as the input is misinterpreted. This can be annoying and makes the platforming feel unfairly difficult. Enemies have recognizable patterns but they are thrown at you constantly, resulting in a game almost as hard as its inspirations like Castlevania and Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins. There are three difficulty levels. It is nice that you can choose for the gameplay to be a little less difficult but even on easy the game is still a traditional extremely difficult 8-bit platformer. Generally, you will be platforming but some sections include horizontal shoot ’em up gamplay. These sections are fun and mix up the gameplay. Enemies are annoying and there isn’t much enemy diversity. Generally, the platforming is fair, but sometimes you will die and feel the game is being unfair because of the constant waves of enemies and, especially with the bouncy platforms (on one particular level), the platforming isn’t milimetre precise.
Conclusion – A Fun NES-inspired AVGN Adventure
Overall, AVGN 8-Bit is a worthwhile adventure that feels like you are playing alongside James Rolfe himself. The way the video clips are integrated into the experience is well done. In terms of gameplay, the game isn’t too different from his previous games, although the difficulty has been put way up on this entry. Some parts of the game can get frustrating but then you catch the AVGN episode references you forget about how difficult the game is. Also, the diffiuclty means that success when platfoming feels rewarding. The game is short, with seven levels if you include the boss level that appears when you beat the other six. Overall, I wouldn’t say this game is a must have, but I would say it is worth playing over a rainy weekend if you are a fan of AVGN.
7/10
BongoBongo123 is an avid Zelda fan who also likes the odd game of Smash. His interests in gaming are broad but he loves a good Metroidvania or action RPGs.