Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit Review – Back to the Angry Past

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit Review

The Angry Video Game Nerd is one of the OGs of internet content creation. His videos pre-date YouTube. They originally focused on making fun of the cryptic and difficult nature of games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. There’s been an AVGN video game since 2013 called Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures. It’s common to find it, and its sequel bundled as Angry Video Game Nerd I & II Deluxe on modern consoles. The games are fun retro-inspired 2D action platformers, but they don’t capture the authenticity of playing an NES game. They look and feel like modern indie 2D action platformers. In October 2025, history is being righted, because the AVGN is finally getting a proper 8-bit game, called Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit, that’s even available on an NES cartridge.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit opens with an FMV cutscene that’s basically an AVGN episode, minus the game review. He introduces himself to newcomers, then is quickly attacked by series character Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 B.C. Version 4.1 Beta. Super Mecha Death Christ turns into an NES to eliminate all “Satanic” video games from the world. The Nerd uses the power of the shittiest NES games he has to create a new game to battle Super Mecha Death Christ. That game is Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit, the very game we are about to play. It’s a hilarious story set up, and a fantastic way to set the stage for the game.

Castlevania-Style Gameplay

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit has simple, but well-executed gameplay. Square fires The Nerd’s NES zapper gun. X is jump. Down and X performs a slide. Triangle uses a sub weapon, like throwing a beer bottle with an arc like a Castlevania axe. The Rolling Rock health bar has eight slots. On normal mode, the player gets three continues, before having to restart a level from the beginning. Power ups can be collected throughout the level for all these aspects. There are also weapon power ups that make the Zapper attack stronger. These have additional effects like making the bullets bigger, or turning into a Contra-like spread shot. Getting hit drops the Zapper power level, so the player is constantly driven to keep it power level high.

The level designs are fairly simple, often emulating the designs of the games they’re based on. They’re also specifically designed work with Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit’s move set. Enemies are placed early on in levels to give the player a chance to learn their behaviors. Lots of power ups are placed in places that test the player’s platforming and reaction abilities. The controls are tight, and despite the game being advertised as unfair, it’s actually extremely fair. Levels have branching paths that challenge players, but lead to extra power ups when successful. If I had one complaint about Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit’s gameplay, it would be that it doesn’t deviate from its basic formula. This is a short game without a ton of variety. But I really enjoyed the core gameplay experience.

Difficulty Options

There are three difficulty options, but they don’t fundamentally change the game. The Nerd controls the same, has the same amount of knockback, and has the same size hit box. Hard mode gives the player only two continues, the player takes more damage, and enemies take less damage. Some enemies have harder patterns, and more frequent projectiles. Easy mode gives five continues, enemies take more damage, The Nerd takes less damage, and powerups are more frequent. I found normal difficulty to be really well-balanced, while still being a solid challenge

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit’s presentation is one of its highlights. The opening title screen has a great pixelated image of The Nerd’s head, set against an excellent 8-bit rendition of the show’s theme song. There’s a Mega Man-like level select screen, with six levels to choose from. Beating all six unlocks a final seventh level. All the levels have tons of references to NES games and AVGN episodes. Graves ‘n Groans has an aesthetic similar to the graveyard level of Ghosts ‘n Goblins. Turdo Tunnel looks like the Turbo Tunnel level from Battletoads. But levels share aesthetics with other games. Turdo Tunnel has an E.T.-like boss named T.P. for example. Pausing the game on any level plays Battletoads-like pause music. All of these references were a real treat for an NES fan like me.

AVGN-Caliber Humor

I really can’t emphasize enough how much the Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit’s humor lands. The NES and AVGN references are frequent and appreciated. When The Nerd starts a level, the screen reads “Get pissed”. The Game Over screen reads “You’re Dead. Your friends are dead. And your family’s dead. Your fucking pets are being skinned alive. You suck at life. The whole world hates you. You’re going to Hell. Live with it.” When the player has no lives left, The Nerd has the option to take a shit pickle, which auto-attacks all the enemies on screen. Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit had me constantly smiling and laughing out loud.

There are lots of fun options from the main menu. There’s a password entry screen. Several CRT filters, borders and aspect ratios help sell the nostalgia. Screen flash and screen shake can be turned on and off. The player chooses between X and circle for confirm buttons. My favorite option is that players can switch between triangle as the subweapon button, or up and attack, like in Castlevania.

NES Aesthetics

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit’s visuals and music perfectly recreate the NES aesthetic the game is trying to capture. There are sections that I’m shocked aren’t 1-to-1 recreations of levels and enemy sprites from existing games. While the music sounds accurate to the NES, there really aren’t any memorable tunes aside from the AVGN theme that plays on the title screen. This is a bit of shame, as the NES is known for some of the all-time great video game melodies. But this is a small complaint.

I loved Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. I was worried the gameplay might be a bit simple at first, but the level choice and non-stop gags kept things fresh. Fans of NES games and the Angry Video Game Nerd YouTube series will have a much more rich experience than newcomers, but the game is so well made that modern players will be able to play it with ease. Any AVGN fans who might be hesitant about buying the game, rest assured that it’s a fantastic experience. I’m going to get myself one of the physical NES cartridges.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***