Released in 1984 by Nintendo, Excitebike quickly became a fan-favorite and one of the most memorable titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). As one of the earliest motocross racing games, Excitebike captured the thrills of high-speed motorcycle racing in a way that had never been seen before. With its simple yet addictive gameplay, Excitebike laid the groundwork for future racing games, and its impact on the genre is still felt today.
At its core, Excitebike is a motocross game where players control a motorcycle rider as they race through various obstacle-filled tracks. However, what set Excitebike apart from other racing games was its innovative use of jumps, stunts, and course design, which provided players with a unique, challenging experience. It offered something new for racing game enthusiasts, blending elements of both speed and strategy.
The Story of Excitebike: Revving Up the Fun
In Excitebike, players take on the role of a motocross racer who competes in various races, overcoming obstacles like ramps, mud pits, and other riders. The objective is to finish each race as quickly as possible while avoiding crashes and maintaining control of the bike. However, Excitebike isn’t just about speed; it’s about timing and technique.
Each track in Excitebike is filled with various obstacles that require the player to jump, accelerate, and decelerate at the right moments to avoid falling or crashing. While other racing games focused on pure speed, Excitebike offered a deeper challenge by requiring players to master bike control. The game features two modes: one is the time trial, where players race against the clock, and the other is a competition mode, where players face off against AI opponents.
The game’s standout feature is its innovative ability to perform stunts and jumps while racing. Players can control their bike’s tilt in mid-air, adding an extra layer of difficulty and strategy. If the player performs too many stunts or lands awkwardly, the bike might overheat, causing the player to temporarily lose speed. This added another level of challenge that set Excitebike apart from traditional racing games.
Gameplay Mechanics: Mastering the Art of the Ride
The mechanics of Excitebike are relatively straightforward but require precision and timing to master. Players must control the speed of their bike, manage their jumps, and avoid obstacles. At the start of each race, players must accelerate and try to jump over ramps, while carefully navigating muddy patches that can slow the bike down.
A unique feature in Excitebike is the temperature gauge. Every time a player jumps or makes a sharp maneuver, the bike’s engine heats up. If the player’s temperature gauge reaches the maximum, the bike will start to stall, slowing the player down. To avoid this, players must carefully time their jumps and stunts, balancing speed with engine temperature.
In addition to the time trial mode, Excitebike also features a track editor, which allows players to design their own racing tracks. This feature was revolutionary for its time, giving players the ability to create custom challenges and share them with friends. It added a sense of creativity to the gameplay, allowing the experience to evolve beyond the pre-designed tracks.
Fun Facts About Excitebike
- Track Editor: One of the standout features of Excitebike was its track editor, which allowed players to design their own custom courses. This feature was rare in games at the time and allowed players to get creative, offering a unique, personalized experience. Players could modify the layout, jumps, and obstacles, and share their creations with others.
- Endless Replayability: The inclusion of a track editor gave Excitebike an edge over many other racing games of its time. Players could constantly create new, challenging tracks to race on, ensuring that the game remained fun and fresh long after completing the default courses.
- Limited Tracks: While Excitebike only featured a handful of tracks in its original release, the game’s simple yet engaging gameplay kept players coming back for more. The difficulty of the tracks escalates as the player progresses, which makes each race feel more intense and rewarding.
- Boosting and Overheating: In addition to the traditional racing mechanics, Excitebike introduced the concept of managing the bike’s boost. Players could push the bike to go faster by using the boost function, but if the player overused it, the bike would overheat, and its speed would decrease. This added a layer of strategy, where players needed to balance their need for speed with the risk of overheating their engine.
- Nostalgic Sounds: Excitebike featured a catchy, upbeat soundtrack that matched the energetic atmosphere of the game. Its chiptune music and sound effects helped solidify its place as one of the most memorable games on the NES. Players still recognize the game’s iconic tune, a staple of retro gaming culture.
- Legacy and Influence: Excitebike is often regarded as one of the pioneering titles in the racing genre. It influenced later racing games, particularly those that combined speed with obstacles and stunts. Excitebike set the stage for more advanced motocross and stunt-based racing games in the future, such as MX vs. ATV and Trials.
- Re-releases: Excitebike has been re-released on several different platforms, including the Wii Virtual Console and Nintendo 3DS. This has allowed a new generation of players to experience the classic racing game, while nostalgic fans can relive the thrills of the original.
- Inspiration for Other Games: The idea of performing stunts and jumps while racing on obstacle-laden tracks became a core mechanic in many future racing games. Excitebike paved the way for games that offered players freedom of movement and creativity within the racing genre.
Secrets and Tricks in Excitebike
- Using the Boost Strategically: Players can use the boost button to speed up, but doing so for too long can lead to engine overheating. The key to mastering Excitebike is learning to use the boost at the right times. For example, it’s often best to boost on straightaways and then back off when approaching jumps or obstacles to avoid overheating.
- Jumping and Landing: In order to perform successful jumps, players must learn how to tilt their bike mid-air. The bike’s tilt determines how well the rider lands. If the player doesn’t tilt the bike in the right direction, the landing will be rough, causing the bike to stall or crash. Mastering this skill is key to progressing through the more challenging tracks.
- Track Design Tips: When using the track editor, players should focus on creating balanced tracks that include a good mix of jumps, ramps, and obstacles. Overloading a track with difficult obstacles can make it frustrating, while too few obstacles can make the track feel too easy.
- Avoiding Crashes: While racing, it’s easy to crash into other riders or obstacles, which can significantly slow down the player’s progress. To avoid crashes, players should keep an eye on the upcoming track and prepare to adjust their speed or direction accordingly.
- Quick Recovery: If the player crashes or loses control of the bike, they can quickly recover by pressing the reset button. This will instantly bring the bike back to the start of the course, without losing a life. It’s a useful trick when trying to salvage a race that has gone off-track.
Why Excitebike Is Still Loved Today
Excitebike continues to be a beloved title in the retro gaming world because it offers a unique combination of fun, challenge, and creativity. Its focus on stunts, precision jumping, and balancing speed with control made it stand out from other racing games of the era. The inclusion of a track editor was revolutionary at the time, offering players the ability to create and share their own courses. Even decades after its release, Excitebike remains a classic in the racing genre.
What makes Excitebike so timeless is the simplicity of its concept combined with its deep, rewarding gameplay. Whether you’re reliving the thrills of the NES version or experiencing it for the first time on modern platforms, the excitement and challenge of racing in Excitebike never gets old. It’s a game that blends nostalgia with fun, making it a must-play for anyone who loves retro gaming.
In conclusion, Excitebike is not just a racing game; it’s a celebration of speed, precision, and creativity. Its influence on future racing games is undeniable, and its place in video game history is secure. Excitebike remains a shining example of how simple mechanics can combine to create a game that is both fun and enduring, keeping players hooked for years to come.