data/claims/excitebike-history.yamlExcitebike (history and reception)
Game: Excitebike.
Excitebike came out for the Famicom in Japan in November 1984. excitebike-history/release-japan
Vol. 5, p. 2, note 8Excitebike: a side-view racing game released for the Famicom system in November 1984.Nintendo, NES Classic Edition developer interview: Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 · note 3A racing game released for the Famicom system in November 1984, and later for NES systems.Nintendo Classic Mini: NES special interview – Volume 3: Super Mario Bros. · note 4A racing game released for the Famicom system in November 1984 in JapanChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Nintendo's notes give the month, not the day; the day is in excitebike-history/release-japan-day.
Cited by: Excitebike
A retrospective catalog of Famicom games dates Excitebike's Japanese release 30 November 1984, the 28th cartridge in its list. excitebike-history/release-japan-day
PDF p. 123, ファミコンソフト完全目録, 1984, row 028 — the OCR misreads the title brackets and 任天堂; the page image reads 028 1984/11/30 『エキサイトバイク』任天堂0281984/11/30 rエキサイトパイクj任天里Our translation028, 1984/11/30, Excitebike, NintendoChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The catalog is an unsigned retrospective mook that names no source for its dates; no period or Nintendo source giving the day has been found.
Cited by: Excitebike
Excitebike came out for the NES in North America in October 1985. excitebike-history/release-na
PDF p. 5 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a dayExcitebike Nintendo October 1985Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
In February 1986 Computer Entertainer counted Excitebike among the 15 games available for the NES in the markets the system had reached, a Programmable Series game at $35 alongside Wrecking Crew. excitebike-history/na-launch-games
Nintendo Updateis accompanied by 15 games in the markets where it is availableComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo UpdateEXCITEBIKE and WRECKING CREW (Programmable Series at $35)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Available for the NES in the markets the system had reached" for "sold with the NES".IGN's Top 100 NES Games entry calls it one of 18 launch titles in North America (excitebike-history/ign-rank).
Cited by: Excitebike
In July 1985 Computer Entertainer reported from Nintendo's Consumer Electronics Show booth that the system's Edit Game function could be used with Excitebike, a motocross-style bike race whose courses can be customized; the system was set for a limited release in the New York area in September. excitebike-history/ces-1985
p. 10, Games Are Big at Nintendo — the page image (Internet Archive item computer-entertainer-4-4, page image n9) reads "Nintendo showed off its Video Entertainment System in a C.E.S. booth", cut at the left edgeshowed off its Video Entertainment System in aComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, Games Are Big at NintendoThe Nintendo System's “Edit Game” functionComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, Games Are Big at Nintendo — the page image reads "can be used with EXCITEBIKE, a motocross-syle bike race that can be customized for a variety of playing experiences"used with EXCITEBIKE, a motocross-syle bike raceComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · p. 10, This and a Robot Too — the page image reads "The Nintendo Video Entertainment System is now set for a limited release in September"ted release in September in the metropolitan New York area.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quotes "showed off its Video Entertainment System in a"; the note gives the page image's "C.E.S. booth" (lead asked for it, to match Ice Climber's).Excitebike came out for the NES in Europe after its Famicom release in Japan; Nintendo's note gives no European date. excitebike-history/europe
note 4A racing game released for the Famicom system in November 1984 in Japan, and later for the NES in Europe.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The Vs. System arcade version came out in Japan in December 1984, by Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games. excitebike-history/arcade-japan
p. 57, 国内編 (Japan), Nintendo — the OCR reads パイク for バイク; the list gives year and month only. The pinned OCR text has no page breaks: the row is at line 12172, and printed p. 57 (PDF p. 59 of Internet Archive item ArcadeGameList1971-2005) is the scout's reading of the scan84/12エキサイトパイク （VS)Our translation84/12 Excitebike (VS)アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · introduction, 国内編と海外編、リストの限界日本と海外の市場において出荷された TV ゲームを、国内編と海外編に区分して収録するOur translation(it) records the TV games shipped in the Japanese and overseas markets, divided into a Japan part and an overseas partRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The note says the pinned OCR has no page breaks and gives the row's line; the printed page is the scout's reading of the scan.The row is in the list's Japan part, which also dates Vs. Urban Champion and Vs. Clu Clu Land 84/12.
Cited by: Excitebike
In July 1985 the Canadian arcade trade magazine Canadian Coin Box listed Vs. Excitebike in Nintendo's Vs. Pak library, playable on both the Vs. Dualsystem and the Unisystem, and an ad in the same issue named Excitebike among the Unisystem's top earners. excitebike-history/arcade-na
Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10 — the pinned OCR text has no page breaks (this line is at lines 870-871, the table at 957, the ad at 6583); scan pp. 10 and 65 of Internet Archive item canadian-coin-box-magazine-july-1985 are the scout's readinglibrary to include VS. Ladies Golf, VS. Excitebike, VS. Ice Climber, and the new VS. Hogan’s AlleyCanadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, table — the table's columns are GAMES, DUALSYSTEM, UNISYSTEM, COMMENTSVS. Excitebike Yes YesCanadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · scan p. 65, advertisementUnisystem top earners: Golf, Excitebike, IceRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The note gives the Coin Box OCR lines; the scan page numbers are the scout's reading.Cited by: Excitebike
The arcade version had three levels and let players choose where to start, because, Shigeru Miyamoto says, players who were good would want to start at the advanced levels right away. excitebike-history/arcade-levels
Vol. 5, p. 3The arcade version of Excitebike had three levels, and you could choose where you wanted to start playing. That was because we thought people who were good would want to start at the advanced levels right away.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Shigeru Miyamoto says he made Excitebike with Toshihiko Nakago after Devil World, and had Takashi Tezuka polish the art he drew. excitebike-history/makers
Vol. 5, p. 2, The New Guys, Too! — Miyamoto, after Kondo says Devil World was his debut too; "8" is the page's note markerAfter that, Nakago-san and I worked together making Excitebike.8 I had Tezuka-san polish up the art I didNintendo, NES Classic Edition developer interview: Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 · Miyamoto, on the games before Super Mario Bros. — "3" is the page's note markerLater, we made Excitebike3, which is included in the NES Classic Edition. Tezuka-san helped a little that time, too.Nintendo names the game's original developers as Shigeru Miyamoto, who wrote its specifications; Takashi Tezuka, a designer in his first year at Nintendo when the first plans were drawn up; Toshihiko Nakago, president of SRD, the contractor whose programmers built it; and Koji Kondo, whom Miyamoto appointed to sound. Interview — the full names of Nakago and Tezuka, from the same Iwata Asks seriesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Rests on Iwata Asks and the NES Classic interview only; the fan transcript's "vast area" clause moved to scrolling-aim.No staff credit list has been found.
Cited by: Excitebike
In a 2010 Nintendo Channel interview, Miyamoto said he made Excitebike because he wanted a scrolling game played over a vast area. excitebike-history/scrolling-aim
volume 1Around that time I wanted to make a scrolling game that you're able to play in a vast area. So I made ExcitebikeRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: New T1 claim for Miyamoto's scrolling aim, from a fan site's transcript of the Nintendo Channel interview.The source is a fan site's transcript of Nintendo's video interview.
Cited by: Excitebike
Miyamoto calls Excitebike perhaps the most important of the games Super Mario Bros. drew on: its partial scrolling technology went into Super Mario Bros., and the idea for warps came from it. excitebike-history/smb-influence
Vol. 5, p. 3 — Iwata, to Miyamotoyou brought in the partial scrolling technology from Excitebike, which allowed you to scroll part of the screenIwata Asks: Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary, Vol. 5, p. 3 (The Grand Culmination) · Vol. 5, p. 3 — Miyamotoperhaps the most important one was Excitebike. For example, the idea for warps came from there.Iwata Asks: Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary, Vol. 5, p. 3 (The Grand Culmination) · Vol. 5, p. 3 — Miyamoto, on Super Mario Bros.'s warps to World 8That was like how you could choose which course you wanted to start on in Excitebike.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Excitebike is a motocross race in Nintendo's Programmable Series: the player races one of five tracks Nintendo designed, alone or against other riders, or builds a course in Design mode. excitebike-history/object
p. 2, Object of the GameExcitebike is part of Nintendo's Programmable series featuring the exclusive Design mode that allows you to create your own race courseExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 2, Object of the GameYou can also select from 5 different tracks designed by Nintendo and choose to race alone or against other motocross riders.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (HVC-EB) · PDF p. 6 (p. 4)エキ サイ ティ ング な モト クロ ス ・ レ ー ス が 家庭 で 楽しめOur translationYou can enjoy exciting motocross racing at homeChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
The menu offers Selection A, a solo run, Selection B, a race with competing motocross riders, and Design mode; the NES game is for one player, on controller 1, and doesn't use controller 2. excitebike-history/modes
p. 4, SELECT buttonSELECTION A is a solo run game.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 4, SELECT buttonSELECTION B has competing motocross riders.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 4, SELECT buttonDESIGN mode is for programming your ownExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 3, Names of Controller Parts — under Controller 1Used for all gamesExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 3, Names of Controller Parts — under Controller 2Not usedRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Competing motocross riders", the manual's words, for "computer riders"; quoted Controller 2's "Not used" for the one-player clause.Cited by: Excitebike
A is the throttle: held, the bike accelerates, and let go, it brakes. B is a turbo that accelerates fast but overheats the engine if held too long, and an overheated bike can't be ridden until it cools. excitebike-history/controls
p. 4, A ButtonThis is the accelerator and brake button. Press it and the bike accelerates, let go and the brakes operateExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 4, B ButtonThis is the turbo button. The engine accelerates quickly and the speed is fast, but if used too much the engine overheats. When the engine overheats, the bike cannot be operated until it cools downChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
A TEMP meter at the bottom of the screen shows the engine's heat, and riding through a cool zone on the track brings it down. excitebike-history/temperature
p. 6, How to PlayHolding the B button (Turbo button) down too long will overheat the engine.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 6, How to PlayThe engine temperature decreases when you pass through the cool zoneExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 6, How to PlayEngine condition is indicated by the TEMP meter in the lower centralChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
The control pad steers the bike and tilts it: the speed and angle at take-off decide how far a jump carries, a bike that lands on both wheels pulls away quickly, and one that lands unevenly falls. A wheelie gets the bike over small obstacles. excitebike-history/jumps
p. 3, Names of Controller Parts — the control padUse for the landing control of the red bike.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 3, Names of Controller Parts — the diagram's other labels read "Turn handlebar to the right", "Raise the front during a run", and "Lower the front during a jump"Turn handlebar to the left.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 3, Names of Controller PartsRaise the front during a runExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 7, JumpingThe distance of a jump is determined by the speed before jumping and the angle of the jump.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 7, JumpingIf the bike lands squarely on both wheels, you can take off quickly. If you land unevenly, your bike will fall.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 7, WheeliesYou can do a wheely (raise the front wheel in the air) to get over small obstacles.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Each track has a qualifying challenge race: third place or better there leads to the main race on the same track, and third or better in a main race leads to the next one. In Selection B some riders run normally and others chase the player; a rider who runs into another from behind falls. excitebike-history/races
p. 5, How to PlayBefore entering the Excitebike race, you must f irst qualify in the preliminary "challenge" race.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 5, How to PlayIf you place third or better in the preliminary, you go to the main race of the same number.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 5, How to PlayIf you place third or better in the ma in race, you go to the next ma in race.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 6, How to PlayThere are two types of motocross riders. One type runs normally and the other type pursues. If a pursuing motocross rider hits you from behind, he falls down. If you hit a motocross rider who is ahead of you from behind, your motocross rider falls down.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Design mode builds a track from 19 kinds of hurdles, about 50 of them in all, raced for up to 9 laps. excitebike-history/design-mode
p. 10, Design ModeThere are 19 different hurdles you can choose fromExcitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 10, Design ModeGenerally, about 50 are possible.Excitebike instruction booklet (NES-EB-USA) · p. 11, Design ModeThe maximum number of laps (LP) is 9.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (HVC-EB) · PDF p. 13 (p. 11) — the OCR reads 本物等 for 障害物本 物 等 の キャ ラク タ は 「AーS」 ま で 19 種 類 あ りま す 。Our translationthere are 19 kinds of (obstacle) characters, A to SChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
The NES cartridge can't keep a designed track: its Save and Load menu entries don't work. In Japan the Famicom booklet has the track saved to cassette tape through the keyboard and data recorder sold for Family BASIC. excitebike-history/saving
p. 9, NoteSave and Load menu selections are not operable in this game; they have been programmed in for potential product developments.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (HVC-EB) · PDF p. 12 (p. 10)ファ ミリ ー ベ ー シ ッ ク で 使用 し て いるキー ボー ド(HVC-007) と 専用 データOur translationthe keyboard (HVC-007) used with Family BASIC and the dedicated data (recorder)エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (HVC-EB) · PDF p. 12 (p. 10) — the booklet names the data recorder HVC-008 and gives the SAVE and LOAD steps on p. 13ー プ に 保存 (SAVE) す ること が で きま す 。Our translation(you) can save (SAVE) to (cassette) tapeChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Computer Entertainer's April 1986 review called Excitebike an excellent motocross-style racing game, satisfying to play for its variety of challenges and fast action, and a great game even without the track-building; it rated the graphics 3½ and the game play 4 out of 4, and Recommended. excitebike-history/review-computer-entertainer
Value
{
"review": "Computer Entertainer",
"of": 4,
"scores": {
"graphics": 3.5,
"game play": 4
}
}p. 12, review of Excitebike — the ratings, garbled in the OCR, read "(♦♦♦½/♦♦♦♦)" on the page image of Internet Archive item computer-entertainer-5-1, page image n11 (https://archive.org/download/computer-entertainer-5-1/page/n11.jpg)is an excellent motocross-style racing game that lets you program your own coursesComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 2, The Rating System — the key; the first set of diamonds rates graphics and the second game play4 SYMBOLS = excettenTComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 13, Satisfying Game to Playis a very satisfying game to play because of variety of challenges and fast actionComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 13, Satisfying Game to PlayEven without the track-building aspect, EXCITEBIKE is a great game.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 13, Satisfying Game to PlayRecommended. (MSR $34.95)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The ratings note names the page image it was read from (computer-entertainer-5-1, n11).The review is unsigned.
Cited by: Excitebike
The same review faulted Design mode for having no way to save a course for another session, and read the menu's inoperable Save and Load as a sign of a disk drive Nintendo planned for the system; it found the programming "not really enjoyable" until courses could be saved. excitebike-history/review-computer-entertainer-design
p. 12, Design ModeThe only drawback to the Design Mode is that there is no way to save your design so that you can use it again in another playing session.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 12, Design Modefunctions, currently inoperable, do appear in the Design Menu.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 12, Design ModeThis would seem to point to possible interaction between the programmable games and a disk drive planned by Nintendo for this system.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 1986) · p. 13, Satisfying Game to Play — the OCR cuts the column's right edge; "enjo[yable] until the results of your efforts can be saved and loaded"Programmability is interesting, but not really enjoRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "functions, currently inoperable, do appear in the Design Menu."Cited by: Excitebike
IGN's Top 100 NES Games list ranks Excitebike 14th and calls it the original that Excite Truck and Excitebots: Trick Racing descend from; Craig Harris recalled leaving his NES on to keep a course he had made, because the cartridge had no battery to save it. excitebike-history/ign-rank
14, Excite Bike — the entry's heading, with its rankExcite Bike Developer Nintendo Released 1985 14Top 100 NES Games: 19, Castlevania · 14, Excite BikeIf you've played and enjoyed ExciteTruck or ExciteBots: Trick Racing on your Wii, this is the original you have to thank for them.Top 100 NES Games: 19, Castlevania · 14, Excite BikeExcitebike was one of the 18 launch titles for the NES here in AmericaTop 100 NES Games: 19, Castlevania · 14, Excite Bike, Our Fondest Memories (Craig Harris)I can't tell you how many hours I left my NES on simply because I wanted to show off my created course to a bunch of my friends. For whatever reason, Nintendo didn't include a battery in the cartridge for the customizable track optionRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the entry heading for the rank of 14.The list is undated in the pinned copy, which was captured in October 2017.
Cited by: Excitebike
IGN's entry for the NES Lode Runner says only Excitebike had offered a level editor on the NES before it. excitebike-history/ign-editor
85, Lode Runnerprovided something that only Excitebike had done prior: a level editorChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Excitebike
Vs. Excitebike, a Disk System game with a 1988 copyright, adds VS. EXCITE, a mode for two players on controllers I and II who set the rounds, track, and laps; its track editor has 21 kinds of panels, against the cartridge's 19. excitebike-history/disk-version
PDF p. 2, opening — the OCR reads Vg. for VS. and drops the hyphen; the sentence names Nintendo's 「ファミリーコンピュータ ディスクシステム・VS.エキサイトバイク」デ ィ ス クシ ステ ム ・ Vg.エキ サイ トバ イク (FMCEBD)Our translationDisk System Vs. Excitebike (FMC-EBD)VS.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (FMC-EBD) · PDF p. 16 (p. 14), VS. EXCITE — the OCR reads ら人 for 2人, checked on the page imageこの ゲー ム は ら人 用 ゲー ム で す。 自分 達 が、 レーー ス の 回 数Our translationThis game is a game for two players. You yourselves (set) the number of racesVS.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (FMC-EBD) · PDF p. 16 (p. 14), VS. EXCITE — the page image reads ROUND(HOUND) ・ トラ ッ ク (走 路 )・・ 周 回 数 (LAP) 等を設定 しOur translation(ROUND), track (course), number of laps (LAP) and so on are setVS.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (FMC-EBD) · PDF p. 16 (p. 14), VS. EXCITE — the page image reads Ⅰ・Ⅱ( 加 ・ 還 コン トロー ラ ー を 使用 します )Our translation(controllers I and II are used)VS.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (FMC-EBD) · PDF p. 22 (p. 20), TRACK EDIT, panels — the OCR reads 81; the page image reads 全部で21種類のパネルがあります全部 で 81種 類 のパネ ル が あり ます 。Our translationThere are 21 kinds of panels in all.VS.エキサイトバイク 取扱説明書 (FMC-EBD) · PDF p. 35, back cover — the copyright line, "© 1988 Nintendo"; the booklet prints no release date1988 NiniendoDesign mode builds a track from 19 kinds of hurdles, about 50 of them in all, raced for up to 9 laps. Manual — the cartridge's 19 kinds of hurdlesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the booklet's FMC-EBD title for "a Disk System game", and states 21 kinds of panels against the cartridge's 19, where the OCR reads 81.Cited by: Excitebike