Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit Review
This authentic 8-bit game feels like one that the titular character might rage about.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. Credit: Retroware / Mega Cat Studio / Programancer
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit from Mega Cat Studios and Programancer, published by Retroware, is an actual 8-bit game developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and released digitally on modern platforms. The game is based on James Rolfe's Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) character and YouTube series, where he subjects himself to playing terrible retro games. Unfortunately, everyone involved has made far superior work. This just isn't good.
The Steam version opens with a video cutscene starring Rolfe as the titular Nerd, deciding to finally play a good game for once. His plan gets derailed by Super Mecha Death Christ, a heavy weapons-wielding monstrosity that takes over the Nerd's NES and threatens to spread a virus across the globe. He performs a demonic ritual to summon a game to fight the virus, shoves it into the possessed NES, and then we're forced to play it.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. Credit: Retroware / Mega Cat Studio / Programancer
I would've skipped this interminable scene if I weren't reviewing the game. I've never been a fan of AVGN, but unless I'm missing vital context, this is just bad. Who is this even for? Having a character screaming "FUCKER" a dozen times isn't funny, unless you're maybe a middle schooler, and do kids even care about this character or 8-bit games anymore?
The game is a sloppy Mega Man clone, complete with the familiar level select screen. As the AVGN, you can run, jump, and slide to dodge projectiles and get under tight spaces. The Nerd fires a zapper to take out enemies or throws limited-use items themed after his show. Nothing groundbreaking. Getting power-ups boosts your zapper's power and fire pattern, but getting hit makes you drop them, though the game gives you a brief window to retrieve them.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. Credit: Retroware / Mega Cat Studio / Programancer
Each level features a unique theme spoofing games from AVGN episodes and concludes with a challenging boss. The platforming reaches NES-level difficulty, with enemy placement that often feels cheap rather than fair. With sparse checkpoints and a strict life system—design decisions that artificially increase difficulty even more—you're constantly replaying the same tedious sections. Bosses become frustratingly difficult without a powered-up zapper. Nothing about the core gameplay can feel satisfying when every design decision prioritizes punishing the player over engaging them. I didn't find it fun, and I didn't care enough to master the patterns required to beat bosses. Other 8-bit titles Retroware has published are simply far better.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. Credit: Retroware / Mega Cat Studio / Programancer
The 8-bit graphics are polished in a technical sense; they feel authentic to the NES, as they must to run on the actual hardware. Unfortunately, authenticity doesn't equal quality. The tiled backgrounds are bland, the enemy designs are painfully generic, and nothing about the visual presentation stands out. There's clearly effort in recreating that classic aesthetic, but without memorable art direction, it’s all just forgettable background noise. The sound and music are similarly bland.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. Credit: Retroware / Mega Cat Studio / Programancer
I hate coming down this hard on a game, especially one clearly made with affection for its source material. But of all the 8-bit styled titles I've reviewed, this is by far the worst. If Mega Cat Studios' mission was creating something authentically terrible enough to be featured on an Angry Video Game Nerd episode, they succeeded. But intentionally bad is still bad, and I can't recommend this to anyone except the most devoted AVGN fans. Even then, you're better off just watching one of his videos.
The Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit will be available on Steam and all major consoles on October 23, 2025.
Overall Score: 2/10
Played on: Steam Deck
