A Retro Revolution
As you first boot up The Angry Video Game Nerd 1 + 2 Deluxe, it doesn’t take long for you to see the tone the game will be taking. The opening cinematic of the first game has the protagonist being pulled through his video game system by the crotch of his pants and whisked away into familiar feeling and punny worlds based off of some of the most iconic video games of the past. Levels like “Nerd Gaiden”, “Assholevania”, and “Dungeons and Dickholes” tell you exactly the kind of humor to expect. The quips, puns, and fart jokes are unrelenting. Missiles shaped like penises, giant poop monsters that look eerily similar to a Cacodemon from the Doom series, and a boss named Dark Onward (which looks and speaks a lot like a certain Star Wars villain) are just a few of the over-the-top and wacky things you’ll encounter through your adventures in Game Land. However, the puns from iconic 80’s pop culture aren’t the only aspects of the game that are unrelenting.
Old-School Tough
I’m convinced that the developers at FreakZone Games truly enjoy experiencing your pain. You will die. A lot. Even on the easiest difficulty this game is incredibly unforgiving. Between hectic bullet-hell sections, endless groups of strong enemies and platforming that requires absolute precision with your stick or D-pad, every level requires your full attention. Blocks that will insta-kill you are everywhere. They’re conveniently placed exactly where your jumps would land, or just outside your vision on darker levels. Checkpoints are placed just out of reach, but there is nothing more relieving than finding a Nintoaster (the checkpoint item) after finally making it through an especially tough section. Thankfully the frustration of dying is short lived, because you respawn almost instantly which gets you back into the action right away.
Your main tool for combat is going to be your Powergun, which looks an awful lot like a Nintendo LightGun from the NES era. In addition to your trusty sidearm you’ll find a number of different power-ups. These include a keg that will refill your health (which saved me more times than I’m willing to admit), an “F-Bomb” used to literally bomb your enemies, and a Super Scope which gives your character a more powerful version of your gun until you get hit next. There is also a chance of special power ups dropping from killed enemies that are incredibly powerful and have gotten me out of a number of tight situations. The Glitch Goblin will freeze all of the enemies on the screen including bosses which gives you an opportunity to clear a screen with ease, and the “Super Mecha Death Christ” which will automatically kill all the enemies on the screen. These power ups can be incredibly helpful during combat, but offer no saving graces during the pixel perfect platforming sections.
An Iconic Experience
AVGN 1 and 2 are definitely more brothers than twins. Though the basic jumping and shooting mechanics are the same between the two games, there are a number of differences between the two. AVGN 1 is relatively straightforward. There are 6 levels with a distinct theme a la MegaMan for you to explore. In addition to just completing the level, there are 4 NES cartridges scattered throughout the level to spell out the word NERD. Once the 6 worlds are complete you unlock the final boss world. AVGN 2 loses the single level for 4 level Worlds that contain unique mechanics and an aesthetic all their own. The 4 NERD cartridges make a return, but that’s not all you have to collect. There are also unique power-ups and upgrades to find along the way to give your Nerd unique combat and traversal abilities. After completing the 5 Worlds you gain access to the final two levels, which looks like you’re playing through a Virtual Boy game.
After completing the first two games, a third sequel unlocks to wrap up the story of the first two games. This is a welcome reward for completing the game, but don’t think this is going to be a walk in the park, the same painstaking gameplay awaits you. Throughout all 3 experiences, there are a number of secrets and easter eggs to find referencing back to the AVGN universe. There are a number of hidden characters and cameos from noted video game pundits like Jim Sterling and Game Grumps’ Arin Hanson that give people that enjoy pouring over every level something to seek.
True To The Source
On the whole, AVGN 1 + 2 Deluxe is a rewarding game that can get incredibly frustrating, especially on higher difficulties. Though there are better contemporary 2D action platformers in the likes of Dead Cells, Chasam, and Celeste, AVGN owns its own little corner of the genre for those looking for some of the hardest challenges and dumbest jokes. It is the definition of “easy to understand, difficult to master”, and can be breezed through in 4-5 hours or painstakingly combed over by a completionist for dozens of hours across all the difficulty options. For $15, it’s hard not to recommend this game to anyone with nostalgia for brutal NES era platformers.
