AVGN leaps from reviews to real NES cartridge with new retro adventure

Popular gaming critic James Rolfe teams up with Mega Cat Studios for an authentic 8-bit experience.

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AVGN leaps from reviews to real NES cartridge with new retro adventure

Internet gaming personality James Rolfe, better known as the Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN), is bridging the gap between criticism and creation with his latest project. Mega Cat Studios and Retroware are developing The Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit, a new game designed to run on authentic NES hardware while also releasing on modern platforms.

Rolfe, who has amassed 3.88 million subscribers on his Cinemassacre YouTube channel, has built his reputation reviewing challenging and poorly designed retro games since 2006. His series now spans over 220 episodes, with his most recent content expanding into modern game glitches, covering titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

The upcoming game embraces classic NES design elements while incorporating references to Rolfe’s video series. Players will encounter enemies inspired by games the Nerd has reviewed, complete with his trademark commentary: “Yeah, coming back to haunt me. This is personal.” The gameplay features side-scrolling action with platforming elements, allowing players to jump, slide, and use a jetpack while wielding an orange weapon reminiscent of the NES Zapper.

AVGN 8-bit expands beyond NES to modern platforms

While the physical NES cartridge version represents a unique collector’s item, the game will also be available digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC through Steam. This multi-platform approach follows a growing trend of new games designed for classic hardware, similar to last year’s Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland, which also received both modern and NES cartridge releases.