Almost a year ago, the Wii U received some excellent download titles in the form of NES Remix and NES Remix 2, each taking a set of classic (and not so classic) NES games and making short challenges based on sections from each game, or in some cases creating entirely original scenarios.
Curiously, the producer of the two games had previously said that the titles would've been harder or impossible to make on 3DS, so seeing Ultimate NES Remix on the system now is a little odd. While the Wii U will be getting a North American retail release with everything from both download titles on one disc, this 3DS game is more of a "best of" collection, only featuring the most popular games and cutting out all of the sports games along with some others. Naturally, this means you can expect a lot of Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong, with these three franchises alone making up over half of the total included games, while 12 of the previously featured games did not make the cut.
In case you were unable to pick up any of the previous NES Remix releases thus far, the premise is quite simple. The game contains a couple of hundred short challenges based on various situations from a number of classic NES titles, and your job is to accomplish the displayed task as fast as possible. For the Super Mario Bros. challenges, for example, they range from simply collecting coins, to climbing hidden vines, all the way to defeating Bowser.
Most of the challenges do not just consist of a single task — you'll usually jump to a different scene afterward and be given a different assignment. One nice Super Mario Bros. example essentially has you playing through the most important parts of a full game playthrough, such as finding warp zones or making it through sections of the final world. There's also a different one that requires you to beat the first seven Bowsers in the game with fireballs to reveal a certain secret fans of the game will surely know.
Initially, the only set of challenges you'll be able to play fall under the game's namesake, the "Remix" category. In these stages you'll find scenarios that are completely impossible to encounter in the original games, which can range from fairly mild variations, such as Mario having infinite star power, to pretty crazy examples, like a castle stage where giant fireballs will rise up from the bottom of the screen. One of the highlights is still a remixed Donkey Kong challenge where you play as Link instead of Mario; as Link can't jump, just like in his own games, DK's barrels are suddenly a whole lot deadlier.
As you complete challenges, you'll be graded depending on how fast you cleared them with up to three stars. These aren't just for show, because collecting stars will actually unlock additional games and Remix challenges, so you should always try to shoot for all three. If you're particularly fast these stars will also become rainbow-coloured, which will unlock a fairly interesting reward if you manage to get every single one in the game.
While the original NES Remix had some very strict time requirements for stars, NES Remix 2 is much more lenient. Those looking for a challenge might be disappointed to find out that in Ultimate NES Remix the developers went back and made the requirements for the challenges from the first game much milder, as well, meaning that once you've got a game's mechanics down you'll generally be able to earn the rainbow stars in a single attempt. While some might welcome this change, this does significantly cut down the game's replayability, which is a bit of a shame.
That's not where the changes end, however. While the Wii U games had some pretty great Miiverse integration, featuring unlockable stamps and prominently displaying messages from others, the 3DS version has absolutely none of this. We're assuming this is because of system limitations, but it was a fun aspect of the original titles and it's disappointing to see them completely missing in action. What did survive the transition are replays, which can now be viewed from the new leaderboard each game has. These leaderboards, however, are a little bit of a half-hearted effort, as the only two display options are "Regional" and "Friends" — there's no way to see what times people around the entire globe are getting, which is arguably the most important leaderboard to have.
If you want a break from the game's main challenges, there are also two alternate modes on offer. The first, Nintendo World Championships Remix, is exactly the same as it was in NES Remix 2. You will get three challenges in a row — collect 50 coins in Super Mario Bros., collect 25 coins in Super Mario Bros. 3 and, finally, simply play Dr. Mario. Naturally, the strategy is to clear the first two as fast as possible, before racking up as many points in Dr. Mario before the time runs out; your score will then be posted to a leaderboard, just like the game's normal challenges.
Those familiar with NES Remix 2 might think that the other alternate mode is Super Luigi Bros., a mirrored version of Super Mario Bros. starring Luigi, but for reasons unknown this didn't make the cut. Instead, there's the completely new Speed Mario Bros., which is decidedly less interesting — it's exactly the same as the original game, just running twice as fast. It works fine as a bonus game, but not — in our view — as well as the Luigi-based alternative.
Conclusion
While Ultimate NES Remix is technically a sound game, it comes across as a rather modest, slightly lazy port. You're only getting about two thirds of the original content from the original Wii U eShop releases, and what was arguably one of the most fun instances of Miiverse integration is completely absent. If you don't see yourself getting a Wii U in the near future and desperately want to see what the fuss is all about, this is still a good investment, but otherwise it's probably best to just pick up the original titles or wait for the combo pack.
Comments 67
It's like...
Do I want it?
Do I need it?
I don't know.
Update for a DLC Shop to add the other games anyone?
Well looks like I will pick up the Wii U versions if I ever get around to buying them.
Moth flies out of wallet
Are there any new remixes in here? Because I somehow remember seeing new remixes in the Treehouse stream.
Also: Why do you say it's the same price as the single titles combined price? As far as I remember the individual titles were 10 EUR each, but this is listed for 40 EUR on Amazon!
@Palom As it looks right now it's twice the price!
@Palom This is a review of the PAL version and that's what I'm talking about.
@manu0 Because European/UK Pricing VS. American/Japanese Pricing.
It's worse in the UK, we get dramtically overcharged for...everything!
Meh, I'll stick to the originals.
Are there no exclusive stages/remixes on the 3DS besides Speed Mario Bros?
The fact that this version of the game is missing so many games from the Wii U version instantly makes that version superior when you consider that they are the same price! Guess I will be getting that version instead!
I've heard there is also no 3D ... is this correct? I didn't see this covered in the review.
Getting this because I play on my 3DS more than my Wii U. Plus $29.99 isn't that much for me. Won't be getting until after christmas though.
I've been trying to decide on my next handheld game, and I was going to get this if nothing compelling was announced in tomorrow's download article. Guess this review has made me realise I should get it on my Wii U one day. May get Theatrhythm Curtain Call, or DoDo Master on iOS instead.
This would have to be one of the worst retail releases that Nintendo has ever released in terms of value. For the price that they are charging (AU$50), Ultimate NES Remix contains about the same amount of content as one Wii U NES Remix (AU$13 each). That's $13 value on a $50 cartridge. The U.S. price for both retail editions (Wii U and 3DS) is the same (US$30), so the 3DS is still a considerable rip-off, offering only half of the content of its Wii U retail equivalent.
Now if they had included all of the NES games on the cartridge, then it would have been a worthwhile package IMO. Heck, I would have been happy to pay for a full-priced retail release of NES Remix on both Wii U and 3DS if they had included all of the NES games on disc (and frankly, that's the only way that Nintendo would get me to buy them all, because I sure as hell won't be paying $6.50 each for them).
I'm going to pass on this. I've already got both on the Wii U and I don't play it enough to justify getting a 3DS version with less features
ive never seen the fun in ANY of the remix games... they seem so blah
I was interested when announced but the pack is going to be my ultimate version if I can get it.
This would be better value if it at least had the stamp feature.
But when are we getting the WiiU disc?
@Scary_Old_Lady We actually got the Wii U ones for the same price as USA.
(Even with us having VAT and them having the tax free price that some of them pay more on top of).
This game has always looked really appealing to me, but I don't own a Wii U so I was especially excited for this to come out on the 3DS. I was honestly expecting this to be a cheap download-only title on the eShop for roughly around $14.99, or so.
I'm pretty bummed to see that $30 price tag. There's a huge backlog of games I'd rather play that fall under that price range. Maybe I'll get it if its on sale at some point in the foreseeable future.
The original remains the best time. The sequel just serviced the IP catalogue but wasn't better or even equal in gameplay
This review seems fair but if you're not going to get a Wii U (Shame on you!) you definitely should pick this cart up. It's not the definitive way to play NES Remix but you really shouldn't miss out because of that.
Eh, got both on Wii U. Pass.
Sad, I would have bought this for sure had they not tried to mess with the content. Cutting out the super luigi game and replacing it with a rom with frameskip set on max? I think I can replicate that without dipping into my wallet.
Still no Disc Version in Eu. I don't get why they don't se this to push the Wii U rather than making lazy ports for a system that doesn't need it.
I've been wanting to pick up both games on the Wii U. However I still think they are overpriced to begin with. Retail releases seem like even more of a rip off. I refuse to pay the current price. So I've been waiting for them to go on sale. I think they may have been on sale already. But I missed it.
Cut the sports games? Getting the WiiU disc version for sure.
releasing a gimped version about a year after the original at the same price.... this is the same thing Nintendo fanboys love to hate when third parties do it to the Wii U, but Nintendo have now done the same thing to its loyal 3DS customers
Man that's a bummer, guess I will either wait for a price drop or turn my attentions to something else.
@Nintendolife Is this coming out 11/5 or 12/5? This site says 11/5, yet the Nintendo site and GameStop claim 12/5. Anyway, I will be grabbing this regardless of the missing content. I'm really happy this is getting a physical release. I will also be picking up the Wii-U version as well.
Are people seriously suprised that a 3DS game isnt as good as the Wii U version? People are already saying the same crap about Smash bros 3DS being gimped. The 3DS is not a portable Wii U they do not even come close in terms of specs.
@Emblem I beg the differ, the 3DS is capable of running these games with relative ease in compared to super smash. It is not that graphically the game demands more. I haven't played the wiiu version but this could've been so much more, hence the "lazy port" in the review. We know it couldve been more.
@GAMEandASH I wont pretend to know the technical side of it so i have no idea how difficult or easy it would have been to replicate on 3Ds. I do know however they didnt think it was a good idea originally and only caved due to fan demand.
In anycase this is the same issue Playstation faced with the psp and vita, every game that already had a version on a home console was unfairly compared and always came up short, we all know how that story ended.
I have not played the port so cant speak on the quality so im not defending Nintendo, im just stating that no one should be picking up a 3DS game and expecting it to match up to the Wii U version.
@Emblem
We are talking about NES romhack here, your point will be valid if we were talking about something more demanding... and Nintendo fanboys complain all the time that they get gimped versions even when the Wii and now the Wii U were clearly not on par with the other consoles
Shame about the difficulty, I was hoping to get the Nes Remix 2 library with the difficulty of the original Nes Remix.
Maybe some other time...
@Emblem I agree that some ports on portable devices are intentionally kept limited, it might serve as an incentive to eventually purchase another version or something similar. I have always been a supporter of portable devices, and find a lot of joy playing them, even though they are sometimes left in the cold.
In this case I presume that Nintendo wanted the thing out there, I appreciate the cartridge but I can't say the same for the outrageous price compared to the wiiu version especially when the game has unnecessarily been trimmed with no additional content.
@DualWielding @GAMEandASH Certainly the price point should have been alot better considering this is a trimmed down version of the Wii U game.
It may well be a lazy port but since i own a Wii U i'll never find out as it brings nothing new to justify getting it on my 3Ds (Especially at that price), which in itself is a wasted oppertunity by Nintendo to get an additional sale i guess.
It doesn't really make any sense for them to call this the Ultimate NES Remix since it doesn't include all of the previous games. I can say without a doubt I'll be getting the Wii U retail release since I think the box art is amazing as well as the discs. This is a decent option for people who don't plan on getting a Wii U though.
This is seriously 40 EUR on the eShop, which is double the price as compared to the Wii U titles combined.
I got Mario 3 and 4 with 7.99 and they were great. Would I pay 40 dollars when I can get those individual games independently in eshop with a lower price?
There was also this in one of the announcements:
Players who earn three stars across all challenges can also unlock the Japanese version of NES Remix, Famicom Remix.
So what does this mean? Do we get all those original NES games and challenges anyway? Also, will it be translated or will it be in actual Japanese?
If this is really the original content with its 16 games, then there's a lot more value for the money you'll pay for this game.
Something to take into account.
@Drake
Do you know what the exact amount of content is when the Famicom Remix part is unlocked after 3 stars across all challenges are achieved? Thanks.
Thank you for saving me time and money. I really feel like ur guys rating system is way off from how you present the game, but thank!
@Barbiegurl777 does it notify you when it does? I know when a game is released it does, but it does mark downs as well?
The Australian Nintendo website mentions this…
"Meanwhile, for dedicated players who earn 3 stars in all of the game’s challenges, the Japanese version of NES Remix, Famicom Remix, will be unlocked, allowing the games to be experienced in fresh new ways."
Now this is an interesting development. Despite my criticisms, I do want the game and I'm eager to see what others think of this mode before I fork over the dough for it.
Still no official japanese release announcement at all. There's blog rumours, but thats it.
@sillygostly Do you know what's different between these versions?
@Webby-sama Yes you do. You want anything NES. You need anything NES.
@cinco Famicom Remix features exactly the same challenges, just with the Japanese versions of the games. This really only makes a difference for about four of them (The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, Metroid and Kid Icarus) because those are the FDS versions, meaning they've got some different sound effects and music.
I think there's only a single challenge that's actually different, a Zelda II remix where you fight Gooma instead becomes one where you fight Helmethead (Because Gooma was never in the Japanese version of Zelda II). If you get every single star again in Famicom Remix you unlock nothing else, by the way.
@Drake
Thanks for clarifying.
Two thirds of the content for double the price!
Do I want a stripped down game...... IDK.....
I don't think it's fair to call this game a lazy port, when it's more than clear the cut content was not out of a lack of desire to work, but rather the limitations of a 3DS cartridge and the 3DS itself. At least that's the impression I was left with after reading their initial statement about the game not coming to 3DS att all due to its limitations.
Come on Nintendo! Stop dodging SNES Remix already!!
Is there a retail version of it?
'Getting overcharged for everything'..?
Really?
You assume we North American gamers don't remember how Bayonetta 2, SM3D World and MK8 were available from select online retailers for less than full price, from day 1.
And yet, here we are, talking about how a handful of those companies are 'screwing you over' with inflated prices.
Or how Smash's later release date in the EU region is unfair, despite getting Hyrule Warriors early.
Famicom remix unlocks reminds me of Super Mario World. Remember when you beat the special world you can play through the game with different graphics. Likewise, when you beat SMB1 you can replay a harder version. It feels a bit desperate to call a new game+ a selling point.
@JaxonH How is it technical limitations? From an emulation standpoint if you can include Kirby's Adventure (one of the most demanding NES games, as evidenced from the constant slowdown the NES suffers during it) you can include Wrecking Crew, Clu Clu Land, Wario's Woods and those NES sports games (I think that just about covers all the missing games).
@Starwolf_UK I was going by the statement the developer had made prior, but truth be told I've been thinking about it and I'm not exactly sure what they were referring to myself
Fanboys will buy it. Everybody else won't. End of story.
Why does Nintendo not ask Nintendo Life to review these games before release. That way Nintendo can work on them a bit more and make improvements and so get a higher score for the game.
Genuinely shocked at the price Nintendo are asking for this, should be £20 at the most!
I..actually..kind of want...this....shot
I got this game and its VERY addicting. There may not be as much content as the wii u releases but it has easy pick up and play gameplay, which is perfect for the 3DS.
I think this game is a perfect fit on a portable system. Very addictive and an excellent time killer.
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