RetroGamer84’s room is ready for action with a CRT TV and shelves filled with game cartridges. Gaming magazines are scattered around, and the Nintendo Entertainment System takes center stage. The duo prepares for another gaming adventure.

RetroGamer84 Alright, GamerFan, it’s time to play Back to the Future. This should be interesting.

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GamerFan I read the review in Nintendo Power. They weren’t exactly kind. We’re in for a treat—though maybe not a good one!

RetroGamer84 Let’s fire it up. Okay, so Marty McFly is zipping through Hill Valley. What’s with all these random obstacles? Bumblebees and park benches?

GamerFan Maybe it’s symbolic of time travel challenges. Or maybe they just ran out of ideas!

RetroGamer84 Look, clocks! We collect them to keep Marty’s photograph from fading. I get it’s a nod to the movie, but why does Marty have to run from hula hoop girls? What’s their problem with him?

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GamerFan It’s the ‘50s, Retro. Clearly, hula hoops were serious business back then. And hey, watch out for those bullies!

while playing, the character collides with a park bench and loses a life

RetroGamer84 These controls are rickety. It’s like Marty’s on roller skates! Where’s Doc Brown when you need him

GamerFan Probably inventing something more entertaining for Marty to use. Speaking of Doc, I read in Nintendo Fun Club News that LJN developed this. They’re famous for subpar movie tie-in games. This might be their magnum opus of awkward gameplay.

Navigates to the milkshake minigame

RetroGamer84 Now we’re talking—throwing milkshakes at bullies. Was this ever in the movie?

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GamerFan Not that I recall. Though honestly, any problem can be solved by tossing food, right? It’s like a 1950s food fight.

After failing the minigame…

RetroGamer84 The controls make this nearly unplayable. Notes for anyone else attempting this: throw shakes swiftly and accurately, though that’s easier said than done.

GamerFan Yeah, good luck with that. Now, we have Marty fending off kisses from his mother. This just got way too Oedipal for my taste. What’s next?

RetroGamer84 Collecting notes to rock out at the dance. This is the most bizarre mix of minigames I’ve ever seen in one title. But a silver lining: all these repetitive, mind-numbing tasks make me feel accomplished… sort of.

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Defeats the minigame

GamerFan Now, it’s time for the grand finale. Let’s get this DeLorean flying.

RetroGamer84 Oh boy, it’s the same street sections but now with lightning bolts. We need enough energy to travel back to the future. How innovative—sort of.

GamerFan Watch out for those obstacles. Spoiler alert: no epic showdown with Biff, just more dodging and energy collection. We made it to the end!

Barely escapes to the end of the game – Spoiler Alert

RetroGamer84 The ending is less of a bang and more of a whimper. So Marty just drives the DeLorean and… we’re done?

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GamerFan Yes, that’s it! A Movie Moments game that sidelines the movie moments. What a twist! Imagine getting a post-game revelation like the ones in RPGs. Here, it’s more like an endurance run.

RetroGamer84 Game Tip: Gather those clocks religiously and avoid every obstacle like the plague. Skating your way through is essential.

GamerFan If nothing else, it’s a showcase of what happens when movie licenses go awry in video games. It gave us a good laugh, at least!

RetroGamer84 1989 is more about gaming potential. Can’t wait for ‘Super Mario Bros. 3’ and ‘Final Fantasy’ to hit our shores. Those are the real adventures.

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GamerFan Cheers to that, Retro. Now, let’s grab a drink and play something that’s actually enjoyable.

 

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RetroGamer84 and GamerFan finish their session, planning to explore more engaging games. They appreciate the humorous trip down pop culture’s quirky side road known as Back to the Future for NES.

You can also read the Villain View for Back to the Future here!

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