Back to the Future (1989). Play online

Summary

When I finally tracked down Back to the Future on the NES, the experience felt like a love‑letter to frustration. The game’s soundtrack is basically two sped‑up versions of the film’s hits – a manic cover of “The Power of Love” that never stops and a brief “Johnny B. Goode” cameo during the guitar‑shaped level.

Bob Gale, the movie’s co‑writer, famously called it “one of the worst games ever” and said he begged LJN for design input, only to be told it was too late. Reviews from the era echo his outrage: VideoGames & Computer Entertainment gave it a meagre 4 overall, noting a 2 for sound, a 5 for graphics and a 5 for playability. The slow‑motion function on the NES Advantage controller almost becomes a lifeline, and many players swear they felt an urge to toss the cartridge out the window. In short, the title lives as a cautionary legend in the retro‑gaming world.

Storyline

In Back to the Future for the NES, Marty McFly runs through a series of 1955 stages while trying not to alter the timeline too much. He must gather clock icons; each collection restores a fading photograph at the bottom of the screen that represents his future. If the picture fades completely, Marty loses a life as he begins to vanish. Collecting 100 clocks fully restores the photo and lets him move on.

Each level ends with a short minigame that recreates iconic moments from the film. One pits Marty against Biff Tannen’s gang in a cafe, another has him block heart‑shaped kisses meant for Lorraine, and the third requires precise guitar positioning so George and Lorraine can kiss at the dance. These challenges test timing and reflexes while staying true to the movie’s humor.

The final stage puts the player behind the DeLorean, racing down a night‑lit street. Marty must dodge lightning bolts and obstacles, accelerating to hit exactly 88 mph at the finish line. Reaching that speed sends him back to 1985, completing his quest to restore the timeline.