Excitebike | nes | Play retro games online for free, Play emulator games online for free

Excitebike

Excitebike is a motocross racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES. Released in 1984 in Japan and 1985 internationally, it was one of the system's launch titles in North America. The game features physics-based motorcycle racing with overheating mechanics, ramp jumps, and a track design mode that was revolutionary for its time.

Platform

nes

Year

1984

Genre

Racing/Sports

Developer

Nintendo R&D1

Controls

←→Steer
Accelerate
Brake
ATurbo Boost
BTurbo Boost (alternate)
StartPause
SelectChange View

About This Game

Created by Nintendo's Research & Development 1 team, Excitebike was among the first NES games to showcase the console's advanced scrolling and sprite capabilities. Its pseudo-3D perspective created a sense of depth unprecedented in 1984.

The game introduced innovative mechanics like motorcycle overheating that required strategic use of turbo boosts, and terrain deformation where bikes would leave temporary tire marks on the track. The Design Mode allowed players to create and race on custom tracks - one of the earliest console level editors.

Excitebike became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 1.5 million copies in the US alone. It spawned multiple sequels and was included in the NES Classic Edition. The game's distinctive engine sounds and music remain iconic in gaming history.

Related Games