This week, we're checking out last year's December surprise: NES Remix. This Wii U eShop game brought back lots of nostalgic gameplay from original NES games, presenting each game in bite-sized challenge form. The Remix aspect comes into play in the fun hacks where you have to play as Zelda in Donkey Kong or deal with an auto-running version of Super Mario Bros.

Our original review from Daan Koopman was very positive, as he adored the fresh take on old games. So, what do we think of this Wii U eShop game almost a year later and on the cusp of Ultimate NES Remix on the 3DS and the NES Remix Pack on Wii U? Read on to find out.

Justin Berube, Features Editor: NES Remix was a major last minute surprise in 2013. While the game does have several fun remixes of NES games, it also features addicting, modern-day-style, challenges for several classic NES titles. These challenges are not only for giving veterans something new to do, but they also serve as a great learning tool for rookies since they force players to learn the deeper mechanics of each game in order to get the best rank possible. My only problem with NES Remix is an unfortunate exploit allowing players to earn impossibly low times.

Alex Culafi, Associate Editor: At its time of release, NES Remix made such a strong first impression that we almost willed it into GOTY mere days after it came out. The idea of smart, bite-sized NES tutorials combined with some really creative NES mash-ups (Zelda Kong represent!) made for a package that succesfully appealed to both younger and older folk. Upon reflection, the game remixes could have used a bit more variety, and many of the solo game challenges felt like repurposed ROM save states, but it was still fun, challenging, and addicting enough that I put 17 hours into it over three days.

Neal Ronaghan, Director: My first hour with the original NES Remix was exciting. The idea was so neat and fresh, but after the novelty wore off, it turned sour. When the challenges were based off of fun games, such as Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda, they were super rad. Sadly, for the most part, the games featured in NES Remix are ones I have little fondness for. The less I have to play the original Mario Bros. or Golf, the better. NES Remix is an interesting idea that didn’t totally work for me.

Andy Goergen, Managing Editor: It's understandable that some might be turned off by the selection of NES games presented in NES Remix; games like Pinball and Golf don't hold up today under any measure. Even so, the bursts of fun in NES Remix can consume you, driving you to get every last star. It's a type of game we've seen from Nintendo before, but this particular coat of paint is a real blast. Most impressive is the way it teaches you how to play and enjoy games you wrote off years ago. Still, true leaderboards are sorely missed.

Addison Webb, Associate Editor: If someone tried to convince me that NES Remix was coming out before the official announcement, there would be no way I would believe them. The idea of Nintendo making ROM hacks of their own games, let alone the Black Box classics seemed crazy for a company so protective over its licenses. I couldn't wait to play it. However my love of reminiscing about these games was soon found to be false nostalgia as I played through the offerings of NES remix. While some of those games hold up well (Super Mario Bros., Balloon Fight, Zelda, Donkey Kong), the majority of the titles were better left as a happy childhood memory (Ice Climber, Pinball, Urban Champion, Mario Bros., Golf, Baseball). The concept for NES Remix is outstanding, however the library of games included made my experience with NES Remix more filled with frustration than happy memories.

Stay tuned for next week's Review Revisit where we look back on New Super Mario Bros. U!