Does this version of the NES game stand the test of time with just a few improvements?
Now, the game itself is pretty complex for a NES game, and while not up there with the first games in Nintendo's super series like Super Mario, Metroid, Zelda and Kirby, it is way above average. In Excitebike you drive a bike from left to right with four different lanes, which you switch between with up and down and a variety of objects. Those are jumps and bumps in the road of various kinds and sizes, some speed panels, grass that you must avoid because it slows you down, small walls that will trip you etc. By pressing left and right you make the bike move backwards (like doing a wheelie) or forwards (particularly important in jumps to see how much speed you can maintain. If you land poorly you might fall of your bike which costs you a lot of time. You speed with A, but get more speed if you use B, however when using B the engine is heating and you must not overheat.
However the part when the game gets really exciting is in section B, when you don't drive alone, but are surrounded by other bikes that can potensially trip you, which considerably ups the difficulty.
I really didn't expect the 3D effects to add much to this game, but it did. Giving the tracks more debt made it a lot easier on the eyes and particularly when playing section B, it is a great improvement. When I tried to turn the 3D off, I really didn't like it and had to turn it right back on. The 3D is pretty much perfect for the game, so I guess mission accomplished Nintendo.
As far as the game goes though, it hasn't aged as well as many other NES games. While I can see how I would have loved the game if I played it back in the day (or for that matter was alive back then), today it is only fair. The main mode is to drive through courses and beat a certain time to advance, plus trying to beat the records and there aren't that many tracks. It also has a level editor though that adds a lot to the replayabilitiy and I can see myself playing this game from time to time on the go. However while the game is fun, there are definitely greater games out there.