Vs. Excitebike takes the dirt-bike racing foundation of the original NES classic and significantly expands it. Originally released in Japan for the Famicom Disk System in 1988, this updated version features a highly requested two-player split-screen mode, letting you race head-to-head against a friend. It also introduces new tracks, varied music, and the ability to save your custom-built coursesโsomething the original western NES cartridge couldn’t do. You might even spot a few familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom cheering you on from the sidelines.
How to play
The objective is to qualify for the championship by beating the target time on each track, dodging mud pits, and managing your engine’s temperature. In the browser, the default NES controls are mapped to your keyboard: use the Arrow Keys to steer and balance your bike mid-air. Press Z (A button) for standard acceleration, and X (B button) for the turbo boostโbut keep an eye on the temperature gauge at the bottom of the screen so your engine doesn’t overheat. Press Enter for Start and Shift for Select.
Tips
- Perfect your landings: To maintain speed, tilt your bike mid-air so both wheels land parallel to the downward slope of a hill.
- Manage your heat: Feather the turbo button (X) rather than holding it down constantly. Hitting an arrow chevron on the track will instantly cool down your engine.
- Block your opponents: In both single and two-player modes, if your front wheel clips the back wheel of another racer, they will crash while you keep going.
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