Watch Nintendo Quest

Nintendo Quest is a 2015 documentary film about a man named Jay Bartlett who embarks on a quest to collect every single Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game ever released in North America. The film follows Jay as he travels across 9,000 miles, visiting garage sales, game stores and even the private collections of fellow video game enthusiasts, in order to achieve his goal of acquiring all 678 games before 30 days elapse. Directed by Robert McCallum, the film is a love letter to classic gaming and the enduring appeal of Nintendo's flagship console.

At the start of the movie, we see Jay expressing his passion for video games, particularly the NES. He explains that the console was a big part of his childhood and he has never lost his fascination with it. However, he also admits that he never owned every game in the system's library, and this has been a long-standing goal of his. In order to achieve this dream, he enlists the help of his friend Rob McCallum and embarks on a quest that takes him all across North America.

Throughout the film, we witness the highs and lows of Jay's journey. From finding hidden gems at garage sales to striking out at thrift stores, we see the sheer dedication that motivates him to keep going. As he travels from city to city, he meets fellow collectors and gamers who share his passion for the NES, and who offer valuable advice and support. At one point, he visits the home of Thor Aackerlund, the 1990 World Champion of the Nintendo World Championships, and engages in a friendly rivalry as they compete in a game of Super Mario Bros. 3.

Despite the fun and excitement of his journey, Jay also faces challenges along the way. At one point, he falls ill and is forced to rest for a few days, cutting into his limited 30-day window. He encounters some unscrupulous dealers who attempt to take advantage of his quest. And as he approaches the end of his deadline, he has yet to find some of the rarer and more expensive titles in his quest, leaving him with a difficult decision to make.

Throughout the film, we also see interviews with various people in the gaming industry, who discuss the impact and legacy of the NES console. From developers who created classic games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, to avid collectors who have amassed huge libraries of games, these interviews help to contextualize the world that Jay is exploring. Additionally, we hear from academics and cultural critics who discuss the impact that video games have had on society as a whole, and how the NES played a key role in shaping the medium.

Ultimately, Nintendo Quest succeeds as both a love letter to classic gaming and a compelling human story. Jay's passion for the NES is contagious, and his quest is genuinely exciting to follow. Through his journey, we see the enduring appeal of the NES and the impact that it had on a generation of gamers - and we also see the dedication and perseverance required to achieve a seemingly impossible goal. Whether you're a diehard NES fan or simply curious about the world of retro gaming, Nintendo Quest is an engaging and entertaining documentary that is well worth watching.

Nintendo Quest is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.