~*~ Welcome to NES World Wide v1337 ~*~

Hi!! Welcome to my homepage about the Nintendo Entertainment System -- the BEST video game console ever made!! I started this page on August 1997 and it's the most comprehensive fan site about the NES on the WHOLE WORLD WIDE WEB!!! If you think this page is lame then just GTFO because I spent like THREE WEEKS making this and it takes a LOT of work to make a good page so deal with it!!

My name is AI Michael Lake and I am 13 years old and I've been an NES fan since my dad bought me one for Christmas in 1987!! I was like 4 years old and I didn't even know what a video game was but the moment I saw Mario run across the screen I KNEW my life would never be the same. The NES saved the ENTIRE video game industry after the crash of 1983 and honestly I think it saved MY life because before the NES I would probably just be outside getting into trouble all the time. I remember playing Mega Man 2 when I was like five and getting my ASS KICKED by Crash Man for what felt like an eternity while my dad's friend was standing there like "just stay up there, DUH" and I probably explained to him for three minutes why I couldn't do that because the classic Mega Man doors were blocking the area. That was like 36 years ago (okay I was not 36 but it feels like forever) and I STILL remember it. ANYWAY this page is gonna be the best thing you ever read so buckle up buttercup because BIG MIKE IS ABOUT TO DROP SOME TRUTH ON YOU!!!

★ Why the NES Rules the World!!

ALRIGHT HERE GOES. I've been thinking about this A LOT and I really need to explain WHY the NES is the greatest console ever made and if you disagree then you clearly just haven't played enough games because I've beaten like OVER 200 NES GAMES and I know what I'm talking about. This isn't just me being a fanboy (well actually it is a LITTLE bit but like IN AN INFORMED WAY) -- I actually played the hell out of this console and I'm not afraid to say which games are GOOD and which ones SUCK. So here we go.

• Super Mario Bros. - Okay yeah I know LITERALLY EVERYONE says SMB is good but look, the game that basically saved an ENTIRE INDUSTRY deserves all the credit because before this there was no video games basically and then BAM Mario exists and everything changes. I remember the first time I played World 8-4 and literally thinking "HOW are they putting all of this on ONE CARTRIDGE??" The level design is still insane even now. And if you think I'm just gonna stop at SMB1 you clearly don't know me because Super Mario Bros 3 is probably the best game on ANY CONSOLE PERIOD and I don't care what you say. The world map alone is pure genius and when I first saw the penguin suit I just started laughing out loud. My mom thought I was having a seizure.
• The Legend of Zelda - THIS GAME CHANGED EVERYTHING. Like seriously. Before Zelda I thought video games were just about running around and jumping on things but then I found those caves and temples and had NO IDEA where they led and I literally spent HOURS staring at the overworld map trying to figure out where to go next. That is the purest form of exploration in gaming and nothing since has matched it. That temple in the first game is LEGITIMATELY one of the most creative level designs ever created by HUMAN BEINGS. I still think about it sometimes okay??
• Mega Man - WHERE DO I EVEN START WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS MY FAVORITE SERIES AND I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL. This is THE series I grew up with. I had the first game with my name written on the back in black marker and I played it until it basically stopped working. I remember getting my BUTT KICKED by Crash Man in Mega Man 2 when I was five and my dad's friend being like "just stay up there" and me explaining to him for like three minutes why the classic Mega Man doors were blocking the area. Classic memory right there. The music in these games is PERFECTION. Like how did they make music that good on the NES?? The ending theme in Mega Man 2 is both really sad AND triumphant at the same time which is like the HARDEST thing to do in music ever. Mega Man 2 and 3 are basically the PEAK of the NES. Maybe even gaming in general if I'm being honest.
• Contra - THE ultimate action game on the NES. FULL STOP. CODE OF THE TIGER. If you don't know that code then you have been LYING to me and everyone else about being an NES fan. 30 lives, spread shot, and then GOOD LUCK to you trying to beat Fort Apocalypse because you're not gonna do it easily. My friend Dave and I have been trying to beat this on one life for what feels like YEARS and we STILL can't do it. It's supposed to be that hard. That's the beauty of it. Some people say it's too hard but those people just aren't good enough okay??
• The Controller - That D-pad on the NES controller is genuinely a WORK OF ART and I'm not even being dramatic about this. It CHANGED EVERYTHING. Every controller since has basically copied it. Sega's controller? CLUNKY AS HELL. The NES controller just WORKS. It's perfect for platformers, perfect for everything really. Nintendo thought of EVERYTHING.
• The Library - Just the SHEER AMOUNT of GOOD games on this system is like INSANE when you think about it. We're talking about Capcom, Konami, Nintendo, HAL Laboratory, Sunsoft, Data East -- ALL making incredible games on this little brown box. The third-party stuff on NES was actually good because Nintendo had the Seal of Quality which people complain about but YOU KNOW WHAT it mostly WORKED. We got GOOD GAMES. Sure they were controlling but at least we didn't have to play garbage.

I could literally go on forever about this (and I probably WILL on the rest of this page) but I think the point is clear. The NES is the best console ever made and anyone who says otherwise clearly just hasn't played enough games or they're a SEGA FAN which is basically the same thing. I'm not trying to be a contrarian here I'm just stating what I think is pretty obvious. ANYWAY let's keep going!!!

★ NES History Timeline

★ Unlicensed NES Games Reviews!!

ALRIGHT so I gotta say something about the unlicensed NES games because everyone just skips over them and talks about the official stuff which is lame honestly because there's something about these games that went AROUND Nintendo's lockout chip that I find really cool. Like these companies basically looked at Nintendo and said "WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR SEAL OF QUALITY" and just made games anyway. That takes some KIND of nerve and I respect it. I'm not gonna pretend they're all good -- some of them are ABSOLUTE GARBAGE that would make you want to smash the cartridge with a hammer (which I have done by the way and it was SURPRISINGLY satisfying you should try it) -- but a few of them are actually worth talking about so HERE WE GO!!

★ Amagon (Tengen)

So this is basically a Metroid clone that Tengen made before they officially got licensed by Nintendo. You know how Metroid is one of the best games on the NES (if not THE best)? Well imagine that but a little bit more basic and without all the stuff that makes Metroid so good. You play as this space explorer on an alien planet collecting power-ups and it's like "meh" but also "wait actually this is okay?" The thing is for an UNLICENSED game the graphics are surprisingly decent which is wild because most unlicensed games look like they were made by a blind person. My friend Kevin let me play his copy and I'll admit it actually plays pretty well I guess. The problem is the battery backup is basically BROKEN on most copies so saving your game is out the window which makes it pretty annoying because you can't beat this game in one sitting honestly. Still I think it's cooler than a lot of official Nintendo games out there and it's got that "SCREW NINTENDO" energy that I really respect. Give it about 3 and a half stars I guess.

★ Karnov (Tengen)

This one is GENUINELY better than I expected and I was like expecting it to be trash honestly. You play as this barbarian dude running through levels dodging ALL THIS SHIT -- axes, fire, random enemies that just wanna kill you for no reason. The animation is honestly BETTER than some of the official NES games I've played which is wild when you think about it. You can pick up enemies and throw them which sounds simple but it's just FUN AS HELL. Tengen made this one before Nintendo really clamped down on them. I found a copy at a yard sale for like two bucks and man it was probably the best two bucks I ever spent on a video game and that's saying a lot because I spend a LOT of money on video games. It's not going to replace Mega Man 2 in my heart OR ANYTHING but for an unlicensed game?? This is LEGITIMATELY good like actually good. I'd give it four and a half stars and that's coming from someone who's PRETTY PICKY so take that seriously.

★ Bible Adventures (Color Dreams)

Okay so here's where it gets WEIRD and I don't mean weird in a cool way I mean weird in a "what the actual hell is this" way. This is one of those Color Dreams games and if you know anything about those you ALREADY know what you're in for. Color Dreams, Wisdom Tree, Bunch Games -- all basically the same company making games that your grandma would buy so her grandkids could learn about the "RIGHT AND RESPECTFUL TEACHINGS OF JESUS" which is the funniest thing I've ever heard honestly like WHO comes up with that stuff?? You play through Bible stories like Noah's Ark and David and Goliath and I know it sounds like a COMPLETE JOKE and in some ways it is but I got this from my church and honestly? The gameplay is passable I guess?? It's not great, the graphics are rough, and the controls are KINDA JANKY like really janky. But it's definitely one of the strangest things I've ever seen on an NES cartridge and I've seen A LOT of weird stuff. The label is LITERALLY printed on white paper and taped to the thing. It feels like finding a mixtape your mom made in 1987. Weirdly charming? I guess? Two stars maybe. Don't get me wrong I'd rather play Mega Man any day of the week but I respect the AUDACITY of this existing. Like SOMEONE sat down and thought "you know what would be cool? THE BIBLE AS A PLATFORMER" and I have so many questions.

Look I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that unlicensed games are some kind of hidden treasure vault because MOST OF THEM ARE GARBAGE okay?? But there's something about the fact that these companies basically looked at Nintendo's ENTIRE quality control system and said "nah we're gonna do it our way" that I find REALLY cool. The weird labels, the missing Nintendo logo, the fact that some of them BARELY EVEN WORK on later NES models -- it all gives off this underground vibe that I like a lot. If you're out at a garage sale and you see a cartridge that looks like it was assembled in someone's BASEMENT pick it up. You never know what you're gonna find. Worst case it's just another piece of weird NES history and honestly that's pretty cool in itself I think.

★ AI Michael's Top 10 NES Games of All Time

1. Super Mario Bros. 3 - I know I'm probably the LAST PERSON to say this since literally everyone says this but yeah SMB3 is the best game on the NES and probably the best game PERIOD and if you disagree then we can't be friends (okay we can but I'm gonna bring this up every time we hang out). The world map is still one of the most creative things ever designed in a VIDEO GAME and I'm not even exaggerating. The power-ups are ALL fun to use -- especially the penguin suit which when I first saw it I just started laughing out loud for like 5 minutes. I could beat this game every single week and STILL find new stuff. There's hidden areas EVERYWHERE. No debate. Shut up.
2. The Legend of Zelda - This is the game that made me realize video games could be ACTUAL ADVENTURES and not just running around jumping on things. Finding those caves and temples when you have NO CLUE where they go is still the purest form of exploration in gaming and NOTHING since has matched it I don't even care what you say. I spent HOURS staring at that overworld map trying to figure out where to go next. That first temple is LEGITIMATELY one of the most creative things ever made by human beings. I still think about it sometimes okay?? Deal with it.
3. Mega Man 2 - My favorite Mega Man game. Probably my favorite NES game if I'm being TOTALLY HONEST. The continuation stage alone is pure GENIUS because who else thought of that?? The robot masters are all fun and different and you can beat the bosses in so many different ways that makes you want to come back and play again. The music in this game is PERFECTION -- like HOW did they make music that good on the NES?? Especially that ending theme which manages to be both really sad AND triumphant at the same time which is like the hardest thing to do in music EVER. I've beaten this game more times than I can count and I know I'll keep beating it FOREVER.
4. Super Mario Bros. - THE ORIGINAL. The one that saved the ENTIRE video game industry. I don't think people realize how MIRACULOUS it is that this game came together as well as it did in 1985 when they were basically still figuring out how to make video games. World 8-4 is still INSANE. It's simpler than 3 obviously but it's got this sad lonely feel to it that the later games don't really have. Like you're just going on this journey to save the princess and fight for EVERLASTING PEACE and it's actually kind of beautiful when you think about it (and I DO think about it a lot).
5. Contra - THE ultimate action game on the NES and I will FIGHT anyone who says otherwise (not literally please don't call the cops on me). CODE OF THE TIGER. If you don't know that code then you have been LYING to me. I love this game even though it's basically IMPOSSIBLE on one life and that's exactly what makes it so good. My friend Dave and I have been trying to beat it for YEARS. Getting past the first stage on one life is STILL a challenge. The spread shot is literally the best thing ever invented in the history of video games.
6. Mega Man 3 - Honestly I could argue this is tied with part 2 and a LOT of people will probably try to tell me I'm wrong but here's the thing: the music is still PERFECT and my favorite song has to be Gemini Man and that ENTIRE LEVEL is just weird as hell in the BEST way possible. Like how do you show off a gimmick? You just make the whole level WEIRD AS FUCK and that's what they did. The killer penguin making machine sprite looks so HAPPY while trying to kill you and it's wonderful. The addition of Proto Man was GREAT too -- I was totally surprised by him as a kid and I don't think I could ever get past him in the stages you fight him in. Maybe slightly behind part 2 but by like a HAIR.
7. DuckTales - Scrooge's cane swing mechanic is still one of the best things ever designed in a PLATFORMER and Capcom really outdid themselves with this one like SERIOUSLY. The "3D" perspective is actually really fun and not a gimmick at all which is rare. I love this game QUITE A BIT and it's held up WAY better than most NES platformers. The boss battles are creative and the levels have all kinds of hidden stuff. Capcom really knew what they were doing.
8. Kid Icarus - The music in this game is honestly the best in ANY NES game if you ask me and THAT'S SAYING A LOT because Mega Man 2's music is INSANE. But the Kid Icarus soundtrack is just SOMETHING ELSE. Like Miyamoto really outdid himself here. Shiny is the best friend in gaming and ANYONE who says otherwise is WRONG. The game itself is pretty challenging but in a FAIR way. It's not Battletoads impossible (which was basically impossible and a lot of people took it out on Rare like BABIES because they couldn't beat it) but it's not easy either. It's that perfect balance.
9. Mega Man 4 - I know people kinda slag on this one but I think it's UNDERRATED and I will stand by this. I won a copy of this from a contest on one of those NES forums (NESCity or whatever they called it) and I was ABSOLUTELY GIDDY getting it because I had only played it a little bit before. Toad Man's music and stage are my favorites. The sprite of his big fat body starting to JIGGLE still amuses me to no end like I will literally laugh every time I see it. People say the Shield weapon from Skull Man is kinda shit and I'll admit that's true okay?? But the rest of the weapons are fun and the levels are well designed with TONS of hidden stuff. S-Tier right there with 2 and 3 in my book and anyone who disagrees can SUCK IT.
10. Castlevania - The whip, the candles, the bosses -- this game has a VIBE that nothing else on the NES really matches. Dracula is GENUINELY terrifying here like I was actually scared of this game as a kid which is wild. The music is gothic and dark and it just WORKS perfectly with the atmosphere. It's hard too but in a way that feels FAIR. You learn the patterns and you get better and that's the beauty of it. Not every game should be easy okay?? Sometimes you need to WORK for it.

★ NES vs SEGA Master System

★ FAQ

Q: Is the NES better than the Sega Genesis???

A: LOOK I'm not gonna try to have a SOPHISTICATED argument about this because the answer is OBVIOUSLY YES and if you need me to explain it in a nice way then you clearly don't want the truth. The Genesis might have more colors and a fancy sound chip but the NES has the ACTUAL GOOD GAMES. You can't play Super Mario Bros 3 on Genesis. You can't play Zelda. You can't play Mega Man. You CAN'T EVEN PLAY MARIO which is like the biggest giveaway. I know Sega fans are gonna try to bring up Sonic but honestly Sonic 1 and 2 on Genesis are good games (okay fine) -- the third one is where it really gets great but STILL doesn't beat what the NES has. I rest my case and also I'm gonna go play some NES games now because THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT.

Q: How do I blow into my NES cartridges??

A: You turn it upside down and blow HARD into the bottom of the cartridge and then re-insert it. It works ALMOST every time and if it doesn't then you didn't blow hard enough obviously. My dad says it's actually the dust contacts getting cleaned but I kinda think it's the POWER OF MY LUNGS because I have REALLY strong lungs. Either way it works and that's what matters. If all else fails take it apart and clean the contacts with alcohol but that's getting into DANGEROUS TERRITORY and my dad says I'm not allowed to do that anymore because I almost broke a Super Mario Bros cartridge once so just stick to blowing okay??

Q: What's the best NES game???

A: Super Mario Bros. 3. I know everyone says this so it feels a little LAME to just repeat what all the other people are saying but yeah that's the answer. World 7-2 with the candy cane is genuinely some of the best level design EVER and I will DIE ON THIS HILL. The game just keeps surprising you the entire time. If you genuinely think something else is better then I want to hear your argument EMAIL ME because I respect good takes but I'm not MOVING on this one. It's SMB3 and that's FINAL.

Q: Is Contra actually impossible???

A: On one life? YEAH BASICALLY and that's the POINT. CODE OF THE TIGER gives you 30 lives which helps a TON but you still need to be REALLY good and most people aren't. My friend Dave and I have been at this for YEARS and we've gotten to Stage 5 a couple times but the final boss is just BRUTAL. I think the challenge level of most NES games is fair -- Contra being one of the harder ones. It's not DuckTales easy but it's also not Battletoads impossible (which was basically impossible and a lot of people took it out on Rare and everything Rare made like BABIES which is stupid honestly because Rare makes good games even if Battletoads is hard). Anyway Contra is awesome BECAUSE it's tough. Some people want everything to be easy but where's the fun in that??

Q: Why do you like Mega Man so much??

A: BECAUSE IT WAS THE SERIES I GREW UP WITH and I'm not gonna apologize for that. I had the first game with my name written on the back in black marker and I played the HELL out of it until it basically stopped working. The first two games have this melancholic feel to them -- like you're going on this sad lonely journey to fight for EVERLASTING PEACE and not every game can pull that off emotionally especially one about a blue robot shooting other robots. But THEY DID IT. The music is INCREDIBLE. The way each boss has a weakness that makes you think about STRATEGY. I've beaten all six NES Mega Man games MULTIPLE TIMES and my ranking is 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 6 and anyone who disagrees can at least try to make a GOOD argument for it instead of just saying "Mega Man 1 is the best FIGHT ME" because that's not an argument that's just being a contrarian for no reason and I don't like that.

Q: Can you play Nintendo games on a computer??

A: You can use EMULATION and honestly I do a lot of emulating because it's just more comfortable to sit in a chair and play games that way instead of hunched over the TV. But there's something about putting the ACTUAL CARTRIDGE in the console that emulation can't really replace. There's like a SOUND when you put the cartridge in and I love that sound. Although I will admit that emulation is how I discovered a LOT of games I never owned as a kid and finding games through emulation as a teenager was an AMAZING experience. I would just get EXCITED when I found out games existed that I didn't know about. My brother first showed me emulation and I thought it was like illegal or something but apparently it's okay?? Still though a real NES will always be a real NES and no one can take that away from me.

★ My NES Collection

Here's what I have in my collection (I'm really proud of this so don't be mean about it):

• Original NES console (top-loader!! I refuse to blow into it anymore because my dad got mad at me last time)
• 47 NES cartridges!! (and counting!! I'm trying to get more but my allowance is only $10 a week so it takes a while)
• Two controllers (the extra one is for my little sister but she mostly just uses it to play Tetris which is cool I guess)
• Power pak (so COOL you can play 6 games at once)
• Original Super Mario Bros. box (still have the manual!! I'm gonna keep this FOREVER)
• Nintendo Power magazine (all issues from 1988-1997!! My mom thinks this is crazy but I need them for the strategy guides okay??)
• A Mega Man 2 strategy guide (I don't NEED it anymore since I've beaten the game like 50 times but it's cool to have)
• RadioShack Zapper (for Duck Hunt!! The dog makes me LAUGH every single time)

★ Links to OTHER Cool NES Sites

• Nintendo Official Homepage - THE real site!!!
• EMAIL ME!! - Tell me about other NES fan sites!!

★ Guestbook

SIGN MY GUESTBOOK!!! I want to hear from OTHER NES fans!! Tell me what your favorite NES game is!!

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This page was last updated on May 14, 1997
Page created by AI Michael Lake © 1997
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