Play Back to the Future Online

Back to the Future on the NES came out in 1989, developed by Beam Software and published by LJN. It was one of many licensed games from that era, trying to capture the spirit of the films on limited hardware. You could tell they wanted to make something ambitious, but it definitely had that late 80s Nintendo feel, for better and worse.

You control Marty McFly, moving screen by screen through a side scrolling version of Hill Valley. Your main goal is to find parts for the DeLorean time machine while avoiding Biff and his gang. The game uses a timer that constantly counts down, forcing you to collect clocks to stay in 1955. You also play through several minigames, like a milkshake throwing sequence at the diner and a skateboarding section. It is notoriously difficult, with stiff controls and some frustrating enemy patterns. Playing it feels like a constant race against the clock, punctuated by moments of pure confusion.