NES Remix competition canceled due to exploit

Nintendo was forced to cancel an NES Remix competition, after discovering that the time attack challenge was compromised by an exploit.

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NES Remix seems meant for friendly competition, with its bevy of quick time challenges based on classic games. Nintendo's first attempt at encouraging such spirited activities got off to a rocky start, though, as the company had to cancel a contest due to an exploit.

Game director Koichi Hayashida explained his reasoning for the cancellation on the Miiverse page (via Polygon). Note that you'll have to be logged into Miiverse to see all of the follow-up comments, including Hayashida's explanation.

"Unfortunately, we confirmed that there is a way to exploit the challenge to achieve a faster time," he said. "In the interest of being as fair as possible, we decided to terminate the event without recognizing the fastest time. We know that you dedicated a lot of time and effort towards achieving your fastest time possible. We sincerely apologize for this matter, particularly because the vast majority of people played fairly."

Though Hayashida didn't detail the exploit, users seem to have pinpointed the trick. The challenge had players control two Mario characters at once, and had them race to finish the stage as fast as possible. But by pausing and unpausing the game repeatedly, players were able to achieve faster times.

NES Remix was a surprise last month, as Nintendo announced and released it on the same day. In it, players are tasked with completing quick snippets of gameplay or remixed samples from classics like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Donkey Kong.

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  • reply
    January 6, 2014 8:45 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, NES Remix competition canceled due to exploit.

    Nintendo was forced to cancel an NES Remix competition, after discovering that the time attack challenge was compromised by an exploit.

    • reply
      January 6, 2014 8:47 AM

      This has to be a blow to Nintendo, that some part of their online strategy turned out to be problematic

      • reply
        January 6, 2014 9:29 AM

        Yes yes, you are boring we understand. Stop boring us!

        • reply
          January 6, 2014 9:38 AM

          sorry shacknews says i cant read this comment until you confirm my 87 digit friend code. look for it in your mail box (us post) as that is the most convenient means of exchange

          • reply
            January 6, 2014 9:42 AM

            geggy I know you are being cheeky but you can add friends fairly easily now through miiverse and bypass the dumb friend code trading shenanigans.

            • reply
              January 6, 2014 9:53 AM

              All internet jokes are from 5 years ago.

            • reply
              January 6, 2014 9:55 AM

              how would i know, i don't own a wii-u and have only ever played one for 3 mins at a kiosk. the wacky touchscreen controller is surprisingly comfortable

              • reply
                January 6, 2014 11:13 AM

                It looks like it would weigh as much as a cement block, doesn't it? But no. No! So comfy.

    • Ziz legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      January 6, 2014 9:40 AM

      Just release the full games on Wii, Wii U

      • reply
        January 6, 2014 11:14 AM

        The classics, sans modifications? They've done that. It would be fun to play the remixed games, though.

    • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      January 6, 2014 11:30 AM

      NES Remix was really disappointing to me. 90% of the challenges are so pointless and unimaginative, they could have done so much cool stuff with the idea.

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