Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Gaming»Retro Game Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street for the NES
    Gaming

    Retro Game Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street for the NES

    Loryn StoneBy Loryn StoneOctober 30, 20183 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email
    This is a Nerd Voices contributing pieces from Nerdbot reader Chris Macauley. You can see more of his writing on his personal blog, Talking Comics.
    I’m going to admit this straight away, I’m not the biggest fan of slasher films.  The plots depend on stupid protagonists who are there as fodder to get sliced up. However when I was younger, I did enjoy The Nightmare on Elm street series.  Freddy terrified me, he could invade your dreams, when you were at your most vulnerable and kill you in a multitude of grizzly and inventive ways.   A game based on this franchise would have a lot of potential but unfortunately LJN wasn’t able to deliver the thrills of the silver screen to the NES.  That’s not to say it’s a terrible game, it’s just disappointing.

    The game isn’t based on any specific movies in the franchise (although there are elements of the third instalment – The Dream Warriors present).  Instead it’s based just on the character of Freddy Kruger.  This is a great idea as singling out one specific movie from the franchise could have been incredibly limiting. Your goal is to explore half a dozen locations along the famous Elm Street to find and collect Freddy’s bones to destroy them in the school incinerator.

    There is some innovation with this title which I want to address.  This was one of the few games to utilise the NES’s Four Score adapter which enabled four players to play at the same time.  There’s also a sleep meter which effectively splits this game into two parts, the waking world and the dream world. This is a fantastic nod to the essential elements of the film franchise. There’s also some nice versions of Freddy to fight when you encounter him through the game.  From a giant snake version to an enlarged version of his razor tipped glove.

    The gameplay is mediocre, the platforming is tight but simplistic.  The multitude of enemies can easily get some cheap hits in which can be annoying but ultimately not a game destroying issue. The real issues come from not understanding where to go next to achieve your objectives. The game features a randomiser which means you have to try and enter every, single house on Elm Street in order to get to the next stage.  There’s no health bar so no real way of knowing how many hits you have taken.

    What really kept me playing was the random encounters with the man himself.  You will know when Freddy is about to make an appearance because the music will switch to a fairly faithful rendition of the ‘Freddy Song’.  You know the one that you sung in the playground “One Two… Freddy’s coming for you..” When the music stops you are informed by a black screen with blood red letters that the fedora wearing slasher is ready to attack you.  I found these encounters to be fairly fun if a little dull.

    There was so much potential for this title but it feels squandered. It’s still a title I dig out for Halloween season and relive memories of playing this in the dark. It’s not a total nightmare but it could have been so much better.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleWhat If Freddy Krueger was a Rogue Cenobite?
    Next Article Nerdbot Exclusive Interview: Eric Vale – DBZ, One Piece
    Loryn Stone
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Loryn Stone has dedicated her life to the written Word of the Nerd. Her writing has also been published on other pop culture websites such as Cracked, LoadScreen, PopLurker, and Temple of Geek. Her debut young-adult novel "My Starlight" (a contemporary love letter to fandom, friendship, anime, cosplaying, love, and loss) is out now by Affinity Rainbow Publications. When she's not writing, Loryn's other interests include collecting robots (Megazords, specifically), playing bass, and blasting metal.

    Related Posts

    Why Philippine e-Gaming Sites Are So Popular Among Chinese Gamers

    May 22, 2025

    Winter is Here thanks to “Game of Thrones: Kingsroad”

    May 21, 2025

    EA Sports FC 25: Kansas City Current Player Ratings Unveiled

    May 21, 2025

    Black Ops 6 Ranked Play: The Ultimate Competitive Experience

    May 18, 2025
    James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader in “Fortnite”

    SAG-AFTRA Files Labor Dispute Over AI Darth Vader in “Fortnite”

    May 17, 2025

    Impact of 5G Robots Supercharge on Various Spheres of Activity

    May 8, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews
    A Fractional CMO leading a virtual marketing strategy session with a remote team

    What Is a Fractional CMO Service and Why Growing Businesses Need One

    May 24, 2025

    Guide to successful motorcycle accident claims

    May 24, 2025

    Unforgettable Dolphin Cruise Hilton Head Island Adventures Await

    May 24, 2025

    Beyond Flowcharts: Influence Diagrams as the Next-Level Decision Tool

    May 23, 2025

    “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Disappointing End to Exciting Franchise [Review]

    May 22, 2025

    Netflix Docu on OceanGate Titan Sub Tragedy Coming in June

    May 22, 2025

    The Spiritual Meaning of Birds Oracle Deck: Honest Review(2025)

    May 22, 2025
    Kermit the Frog

    Kermit The Frog to Give 1st Commencement Address in Decades

    May 21, 2025

    “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Disappointing End to Exciting Franchise [Review]

    May 22, 2025

    Alex Garland to Direct “Elden Ring” Live-Action Film for A24

    May 22, 2025

    Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns in Talks to Star in “Street Fighter” Film

    May 21, 2025
    Elle Fanning in "The Great"

    Elle Fanning to Play Effie Trinket in “Sunrise on the Reaping”

    May 20, 2025
    “The Secret of Secrets,” 2025

    Carlton Cuse to Showrun Dan Brown’s “The Secret of Secrets”

    May 23, 2025

    Jem and the Holograms Releasing 40th Anniversary Album

    May 22, 2025

    Zach Braff Returning as J.D. in “Scrubs” Revival

    May 21, 2025

    Norm from “Cheers” Actor George Wendt has Passed Away

    May 20, 2025

    “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Disappointing End to Exciting Franchise [Review]

    May 22, 2025

    The Spiritual Meaning of Birds Oracle Deck: Honest Review(2025)

    May 22, 2025

    “Final Destination: Bloodlines” New Franchise Fun, Same Old Death [review]

    May 16, 2025

    “The Accountant 2,” “Fight or Flight,” “The Surfer” and More! [Review]

    May 10, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.