Since its premiere in 2016, Netflix’s Stranger Things has captivated audiences with a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 1980s, referencing everything from beloved arcade games to iconic film franchises.
Created by the Duffer Brothers, this supernatural horror sci-fi series is now entering its fifth and final season, continuing to immerse viewers in an authentic recreation of the era's music, technology, and entertainment.
However, eagle-eyed gaming fans have noticed a notable misstep in the show’s latest season regarding a classic piece of Nintendo history.
In the third episode of Stranger Things season 5, viewers see Derek Turnbow, portrayed by Jake Connelly, witnessing a tense moment while playing on his cherished Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Yet, the game featured on screen is not one of the NES’s actual titles, but rather "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," a sequel to Capcom’s "Ghosts 'n Goblins." This detail has caught the attention of retro gaming enthusiasts and Nintendo fans alike, as "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" was never released on the NES platform.
Historically, "Ghosts 'n Goblins" launched on the NES in 1986 as one of Capcom's foundational platformers and quickly cemented its place among the console’s best-known challenges.
Its success led to the development of "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," first made available in arcades in 1988 and later ported exclusively to home consoles such as the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), and NEC SuperGrafx.
The NES did not receive an official port of "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," making its depiction on the Nintendo Entertainment System undeniably inaccurate. The scene’s authenticity appears further compromised as viewers can see the words "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" printed on the physical game cartridge being used in the NES, a detail that shows an intentional creative decision was made rather than a simple mix-up.
While it’s not uncommon for period dramas to take liberties with nostalgia, this particular reference stands out in contrast to the otherwise meticulous representation of 1980s gaming culture.
Stranger Things has a reputation for celebrating classic video games, frequently referencing titles that helped establish the popularity of home consoles like the NES, which set significant sales milestones through the late 1980s with over 60 million units sold worldwide.
Capcom’s "Ghosts 'n Goblins" series, which continued with entries such as "Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts," "Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins," and "Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection" (the last of which released on the Nintendo Switch in 2021), remains a testament to enduring retro gaming appeal.
Stranger Things’ choice to showcase "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" on the NES is an amusing anachronism, and though fans of the original hardware may notice the discrepancy, it also highlights the broader cultural impact of these franchises, both on dedicated platforms like the Nintendo Entertainment System and across the retro gaming landscape.
This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of historical accuracy in media, especially as the legacy of Nintendo and classic games continues to thrive through modern eShop releases and new generations of players.
Created by the Duffer Brothers, this supernatural horror sci-fi series is now entering its fifth and final season, continuing to immerse viewers in an authentic recreation of the era's music, technology, and entertainment.
However, eagle-eyed gaming fans have noticed a notable misstep in the show’s latest season regarding a classic piece of Nintendo history.
In the third episode of Stranger Things season 5, viewers see Derek Turnbow, portrayed by Jake Connelly, witnessing a tense moment while playing on his cherished Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Yet, the game featured on screen is not one of the NES’s actual titles, but rather "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," a sequel to Capcom’s "Ghosts 'n Goblins." This detail has caught the attention of retro gaming enthusiasts and Nintendo fans alike, as "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" was never released on the NES platform.
Historically, "Ghosts 'n Goblins" launched on the NES in 1986 as one of Capcom's foundational platformers and quickly cemented its place among the console’s best-known challenges.
Its success led to the development of "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," first made available in arcades in 1988 and later ported exclusively to home consoles such as the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), and NEC SuperGrafx.
The NES did not receive an official port of "Ghouls 'n Ghosts," making its depiction on the Nintendo Entertainment System undeniably inaccurate. The scene’s authenticity appears further compromised as viewers can see the words "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" printed on the physical game cartridge being used in the NES, a detail that shows an intentional creative decision was made rather than a simple mix-up.
While it’s not uncommon for period dramas to take liberties with nostalgia, this particular reference stands out in contrast to the otherwise meticulous representation of 1980s gaming culture.
Stranger Things has a reputation for celebrating classic video games, frequently referencing titles that helped establish the popularity of home consoles like the NES, which set significant sales milestones through the late 1980s with over 60 million units sold worldwide.
Capcom’s "Ghosts 'n Goblins" series, which continued with entries such as "Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts," "Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins," and "Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection" (the last of which released on the Nintendo Switch in 2021), remains a testament to enduring retro gaming appeal.
Stranger Things’ choice to showcase "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" on the NES is an amusing anachronism, and though fans of the original hardware may notice the discrepancy, it also highlights the broader cultural impact of these franchises, both on dedicated platforms like the Nintendo Entertainment System and across the retro gaming landscape.
This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of historical accuracy in media, especially as the legacy of Nintendo and classic games continues to thrive through modern eShop releases and new generations of players.
