NES Remix 2 is a nostalgia mirror. Hold it up to yourself and it will show you the fond memories you have for classic Nintendo games (or the lack thereof).To get the most from NES Remix 2, you’ll need a history with the Nintendo Entertainment System. That was true with the first game, and it’s definitely true this time around. This isn’t like the movie Moneyball or a reality show featuring celebrities. Both of those might seem like you’ll need knowledge of baseball or the featured celebrities’ careers, but you actually don’t need any of that to get enjoyment from watching those. That’s not the case with NES Remix 2. Image Credit: NintendoIts attempts at updating and “remixing” the games into weird, new experiences still seem like they will only have an effect on those completely familiar with the original.The good thing is that if you are in old enough to remember games like Super Mario Bros.

3, Punch-Out!!, and Kirby’s Adventure, NES Remix 2 is packing a lot to like.What you’ll likeMemorable games in the Remix modeNES Remix 2 is the fast follow-up to the original, which debuted in December on Wii U. Knights and merchants download free. That game focused on early Nintendo Entertainment System releases like Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong, and Excitebike.Those games certainly have their fans, but the bulk of original NES owners likely remember the system better for some of its later hits: Metroid, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Kirby’s Adventure. The more memorable games in NES Remix 2 make for a better overall experience. While not every game is a hit, most of those in the package are.The developer breaks down its main mode into sections that include each game as well as Remix playlists.In the playlists under Punch-Out!!, for example, players go from throwing basic punches to having to throw the perfect counter for Bald Bull to knock him out. As a huge fan of that classic arcade boxing release, it was fun to go through and get a “greatest hits” overview of the experience. It was still affecting even though I’ve played Punch-Out!!

NES Remix 2 also features two exciting new modes. Super Luigi Bros. Stars our nervous hero, Luigi™, and dares players to beat each level of the original Super Mario Bros. The other new mode has you trying for high scores in three rapid-fire levels from different NES games, using a scoring system inspired by the 1990 Nintendo World Championships.Broadband Internet access required for online features.

Hundreds of times before.The Remix playlists take the familiar and skew and transform them in ways that are sometimes subtle and sometimes extreme. In one stage, a Kirby’s Adventure boss fight might start out extremely zoomed out and it will quickly zoom in as you play through it. In other levels, you might play as Metroid hero Samus Aran as she blows through blocks to collect coins in Super Mario Bros.It’s some cool “what if” scenarios, and each stage takes only between a couple of seconds and rarely more than a minute, which means you’re in and out before you have time to get bored.Super Luigi Bros. And Championship ModeNES Remix 2 also includes two bonus games.One is a remix of the Nintendo World Chamionship game that the company used for its competitive gaming promotion in 1990. The World Championship game had players trying to get a top score in a little over 6 minutes in three minigames based on real NES releases. The first minigame had players collecting 50 coins in Super Mario Bros., the second had them finishing a special course in Rad Racer, and the third had them getting a high score in Tetris.The NES Remix 2 version of this doesn’t feature Rad Racer or Tetris.

It instead keeps the 50 coins in Super Mario Bros., but then follows that up by having players get 25 coins in Super Mario Bros. 3 and then getting a high score in Dr. Image Credit: NintendoIt’s a pretty neat feature and a cool way to experience some Nintendo history — as the Nintendo World Championship cartridges are some of the rarest and most desired among game collectors.The other bonus game is Super Luigi Bros, which will put you in control of Mario’s younger sibling in a completely mirrored version of the original Super Mario Bros. You’ll have to run from right to left.I found this extremely interesting as the layout of the original game is etched permanently in my mind. It pounded against those ingrained reflexes in a way that no game really ever has before.Again, this is something that will only really appeal to those who have the memory for it, but considering Super Mario Bros is one of the most widely played games of all time, it’s a smart inclusion. What you won’t likeYou’ll spend more time on menus than playingNES Remix 2’s biggest problem is that it just doesn’t flow from one game to another very well.It takes its time showing you your score after every level. Crested gecko.

When you unlock a new stage, it makes a point of showing it to you. It takes too long to reload a stage when you wish to restart.This all creates a number of pacing issues that end up with you spending more time selecting games than actually playing them. With its bite-sized gameplay chunks, NES Remix 2 might work better if it just served players one stage after another in quick succession and then offered the menu on the side for those who want to choose their own experience.If you don’t like one of the games, you’ll dislike significant portions of NES Remix 2I didn’t know that I didn’t like Wario’s Woods until I played NES Remix 2. I have never touched it before encountering it here.

It turns out that it is an obtuse puzzler with complex rules and convoluted controls. Image Credit: NintendoI have no nostalgia for it, and it doesn’t even seem that good. The problem with that is the eight minilevels in the Wario’s Woods playlist is content I actively dislike. Any Remix stage that uses elements from the game is also lost on me.I suspect that others might feel the same about Kid Icarus or Dr.

Mario, and it brings me back to my original point: If you don’t bring a love for NES games to Remix 2, you’re wasting your time and money. ConclusionIt’s good to see Nintendo flexing the strength of its back catalog. NES Remix was a nice start, and NES Remix 2 is an improvement.

Plenty of people, including me, love this era of gaming, and this game does a good job of capitalizing on that.I do hope that Nintendo continues on with this series into Super Nintendo and its later consoles. I also hope that if it does that, it improves the pacing of the games and finds a way to bring something for players who might only have experience with small portions of the Nintendo gameography.Score: 75/100Nintendo provided us with a retail download code for NES Remix 2 for the purposes of this review.

NES Remix was a celebration. It allowed people to rejoice in their love for classic NES games, attempt to prove their old school skills remained intact, and, most importantly, have an excuse to visit the Wii U eShop.

It was a delight to see 16 of the games we grew up with again, especially when Nintendo and indieszero went to the trouble of introducing new, remixed levels that offered different challenges, new graphics and sometimes unexpected mashups.Given the size of the NES library and the way NES Remix was received, a sequel was assured. Now, it's here, and in many ways, NES Remix 2 is even better than its predecessor. It absolutely offers more incentive to return to the Wii U and reminisce about the games we've loved, especially since this collection of titles is stronger.

Yet, it still falls a bit short due to emulation issues, an even smaller compilation of games, and continued absence of a multiplayer mode. Though, it's difficult to be critical of NES Remix 2's assortment of single player games, even though this time only 12 games are available. I'm willing to forgive that, considering what games we get this time around. While the original NES Remix had some titles that felt like filler and entirely too many Donkey Kong titles, NES Remix 2 gets into the thick of it with some of the console's best games. This time, we get Dr. Mario, Ice Hockey, Kid Icarus, Kirby's Adventure, Mario Open Golf, Metroid, Punch-Out!!, Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros.

3, Wario's Woods, and Zelda II: The Adventures of Link. While there were times in NES Remix where I felt forced to play an older game I didn't really love, each NES Remix 2 title felt like going back to an old friend. These are the games I knew and loved, and I'm more than willing to sacrifice quantity in the name of quality.As expected, there's a difficulty progression in place with NES Remix 2. Each game gets between 6 and 16 challenges, while the Remix categories each offer 20 levels.

The first few levels are a general introduction to the game, with the first levels in both Kirby's Adventure and Wario's Woods actually asking players to watch a tutorial to learn how to play. Each challenge grows more difficult, so players aren't immediately jumping into something they aren't ready to handle.

The last level often has people facing the game's final boss, with Metroid even asking a person to defeat Mother Brain and escape in 999 seconds before a bomb explodes. It's encouraging, especially since it can feel like you're learning skills as you're completing each level.Naturally, this isn't the case with the remixed levels. These are unlocked as stars are earned from completing the level challenges for each of the 12 games and are more of a free-for-all.

Though, I must admit that it felt like the quality of the remix levels was improved in NES Remix 2. There seemed to be more variety and challenge, not to mention the remixes felt more unique.

A few of the NES Remix levels didn't feel like they really added all that much to the NES games, but here almost every level felt like a new experience that enhanced the original game. I have to admit, my favorite was the recreation of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels as an endless runner. All of these incredible NES games and their remixed versions really make NES Remix 2 special.Though, NES Remix 2 is notable for another reason as well.

It marks the end of the Year of Luigi, thanks to the inclusion of Super Luigi Bros. Perhaps Nintendo heard NES Remix players' criticism when it came to the lack of any full games, but Super Luigi Bros. Offers a different look at the original Super Mario Bros. Luigi is going through Super Mario Bros., but the entire game is mirrored as Luigi runs to the left. Also, Luigi can jump higher than Mario. Naturally, this means that players have to get used to two new gameplay elements. It's a novel way to end the year and offer a little extra oomph to NES Remix 2.

Sharp eyed players, however, will often see Luigi appear in the background of other games' levels too.My only lament is that when the going gets tough, NES Remix 2 slows to a crawl. The most challenging Metroid levels are the most egregious offenders, though Mario Brothers 2, Zelda II: The Adventures of Link, Kid Icarus, and even Kirby's Adventure can fall victim to the same trap. The second multiple enemies or effects appear on screen, the action slows down. I have to admit, I even attempted to see if I could 'break' the game during one of the final Metroid challenges, where Samus has to defeat 3 Metroids within a certain amount of time. The lag was so atrocious that I feared NES Remix 2 would crash. (It didn't.).