The latest release, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, focuses on mastery. This retro microgame collection features 13 NES classics broken down into bite-sized speedrunning challenges that encourage players to replay and improve their best times. Players compete in the weekly Nintendo World Championships by submitting their best times for five specific challenges and aiming for a top ranking by Monday morning.
Initially unsure of how I would compare against hundreds of thousands of players in the game’s first week, I was pleasantly surprised by my performance. Despite some doubts, I discovered that I was better at games like Super Mario Bros. than I had thought, thanks to the coaching provided by Nintendo World Championships.
Tackling World 1-1
In its debut week, Nintendo World Championships presented players with a set of challenges, including obtaining the first mushroom in Super Mario Bros., completing a platforming sequence in Metroid, and beating a segment of Super Mario Bros. 2. The most challenging task was to finish World 1-1 in Super Mario Bros. as quickly as possible.
Competitors have a week to improve their scores, with new tournaments starting and ending every Monday. The goal is to climb the leaderboard and possibly earn a profile badge awarded to the top 20% of participants. While I struggled initially with the Mario games, I dedicated time to enhancing my skills for the challenges ahead.
A powerful learning tool
Nintendo World Championships serves as an effective learning tool for those eager to improve. Through its single-player speedrun mode, players tackle challenges from each of the 13 games, each designed to teach specific skills critical for mastering the games. By revisiting these lessons, I honed my abilities and focused on enhancing my performance in World 1-1.
After meticulous practice and analysis, I identified areas where I could save time and perfected my gameplay. By meticulously addressing small details and refining my techniques, I gradually achieved faster times. Surprisingly, my final time of 21.16 seconds placed me in the top .8% of players, a rewarding accomplishment for my efforts.
Nintendo World Championships may lack modern features, but its rewarding gameplay experience surpasses expectations. The structured challenges and detailed instructions offer a unique learning opportunity, motivating players to strive for improvement and mastery. With visible progress and tangible growth, the game serves as a valuable tool for enhancing gaming skills.
I’m now proudly proficient in Super Mario Bros. World 1-1, a feat made possible by the innovative approach of Nintendo World Championships. As I continue to participate in the tournaments, I look forward to further challenges and opportunities for growth. Next stop, World 1-2.
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is now available on Nintendo Switch.
