A Journey to the Moon: RetroGamer84 and GamerFan Tackle Where’s Waldo? for NES

Ah, another fine afternoon in 1991. This time, we’ve got Where’s Waldo? for the NES. I’m skeptical, but maybe I’ll be surprised. It’s based on those popular books, right?

That’s right! But don’t be fooled; this isn’t a book. And we’re here to see if this digital adaptation lives up to the classic Where’s Waldo? experience. Let’s dive in.

The game starts, and the screen displays a crowded scene in what appears to be a train station.

Oh look, there’s our first challenge—the Train Station. So, we just move the magnifying glass around to find Waldo, right? Well, this seems relatively straightforward.

Well, except that the graphics look like they were drawn by a junior high art class. The colors are muddy, and everything blends together. I think I see Waldo over there—wait, that’s just some random dude with glasses.

Yes, the pixel art might be a bit… avant-garde? It feels like trying to find a needle in a haystack that’s been through a blender. At least on Practice mode, we don’t have a time limit.

After some time, they manage to find Waldo and move on to another level.

We’re moving to the Forest now. Looks like the screen scrolls here, at least on the Medium difficulty. Shall we face the jungle of pixels?

Sure, why not? Let’s see what new tortures await. Ugh, the scrolling makes it feel like I’m piloting a slow-moving ship through a sea of static. The challenge is less about finding Waldo and more about not losing your sanity trying to differentiate anything on screen.

True! It’s like playing hide and seek with a chameleon. But let’s put our champion puzzle-solving skills to the test and power through. At least the music is… well, no, even the music is unforgettable in a bad way.

They continue finding Waldo through several levels, progressively feeling more fatigued by the challenge.

Hey, did you know that THQ—yes, the publisher—was just getting started? Interesting to think that this was part of their humble beginnings.

Yes, and I also heard that the developer, Bethesda Softworks, is currently more known for their RPGs. I just didn’t expect *this* as one of their creations. I love RPGs, but this puzzle game is quite the opposite of captivating.

They finally reach the final level, prepared for the ending.

Spoiler warning! It’s the Moon!

Oh, Waldo finally gets to the celestial body. And there he is, blending in with the lunar surface as if he’s a part of NASA’s camouflage project. What’s this? The final challenge was just finding Waldo among a landscape that’s mostly grey and white pixels? No surprise boss battle?

Yeah, no final boss. Hardly a One small step for man moment. I don’t know what I was expecting—a pixelated Moon Monster, or maybe some challenge that commemorates the trip.

Let’s be real; the biggest challenge was sticking with it to the end. So, who even needs tips for this? Other than patience and a willingness to laugh at the absurdity, I’d say just stay on Practice mode where frustration is minimal.

Indeed! But if you’re itching for a high score, remember to conserve your magnifying glass movements, and focus on distinguishing small differences in clusters of pixels. And maybe get your eyes checked afterward.

Well said! This game might not be a stellar trip to the Moon, but it provides a trip down humor lane with its quirky flaws. One for the memories, and definitely a laugh among the more entertaining finds this year.

Agreed. In conclusion, if you want to experience a classic book in a totally different—and possibly less enjoyable—way, give it a go. Otherwise, we have plenty more gems in our NES library.

To beating our next adventure! And hoping it’s a little easier on the eyes this time.

*And so RetroGamer84 and GamerFan look back at the lovely, not-so-lovely Waldo escapade with laughter. They’re reminded that not every game is a masterpiece, and sometimes, the flaws make the memories even sweeter.*

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