If you own a 3DS and you're reading this before July 7th 2011, forget about this stupid blog and go download the game! It's free until then. If you don't, well, run and buy a 3DS! This game is really neat!
You've probably heard or even played the original so I'm not going to bore you with a 26 year old review (talk about outdated!) If you haven't, well, Google it, goshdarnit! Thousands of reviews have been posted over the ages, including gameplay videos!
What you might not be able to see in Google, though, is the awesome 3D effect accomplished in this game.
In terms of menus, you get a pre-game main screen with a high-res logo, a catchy tune and three options: Start Game, Records, and Options. When you hit Start Game you see the original splash screen (but with a checkered background). The options there are still Selection A, Selection B, and Design. In Design mode it reverts to the pre-game 2st century graphics to allow making tracks easier, and trust me, it is. It's also fun. You have 32 slots to save them and you can rename them. Truly awesome, too bad you can't share them online.
The real retro goodness occurs, of course, in Selection A or B modes. It's hard to describe (screenshots work better) but they literally just turned a 2D side scrolling motocross into a 3D masterpiece that still carries all the 8-bit nostalgia you'd get from a straight up emulator!
I strongly suggest launching this game with the 3D off. Originally what you see is a game adjusted for a wide screen. The graphics do not appear stretched or resized even though clearly the 3DS screen is of a higher resolution than a NES display, all you get is some extra track on the sides to fill the wider display. The gages and timers on bottom remain the same with some extra data thrown in. The magic occurs as you adjust the analog 3D slider, the track leans back accordingly without the slightest hint of smoothing or antialiasing or anything beyond 8-bit graphics in terms of color or resolution (even though it's clearly happening). Since now you can now see the horizon, you get to see more of the stadium, and even the sky with clouds.
The game plays exactly the same and the sounds are loyal to the original, including the dreaded "OVER HEAT" screech. Since higher pitched 8-bit sounds travel better over the air, you get a very loud experience, causing people around you to turn and look at the sounds that bring back pleasant memories from their childhoods (or annoy the heck out of them).
The game still carries a lot of replay value. As a kid I used to just jam on the gas button and aim for the big ramps. Now that I understand what is going on, I adjust my landings, manage my boost/heat ratio and focus on getting high scores. It's so much fun.
Even if you're not the early adopter kind and you miss the free promotion, I still recommend you pay for it.
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