Stranger Things S5 Has a Glaring NES Error Fans Can't Unsee
The latest season of Stranger Things is a love letter to the '80s, but eagle-eyed viewers have spotted a significant inaccuracy in one scene. This small detail has sparked a huge conversation online among enthusiasts who know their classic video games inside and out.
The fifth season of the hit show is a deep dive into 1980s nostalgia, and it arguably reaches its peak inside the bedroom of Derek Turnbow (played by Jake Connelly). His room is an absolute treasure chest of toys and games, looking like it was pulled straight from the pages of a Sears catalog from that decade. However, a critical slip-up in how the show presented Capcom's legendary action game, Ghosts 'n Goblins, has drawn the mostly playful outrage of vintage gaming aficionados.
A Gaming Gaffe
In the third episode, we get a good look at Derek's room, which is filled with everything from Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots to a full-sized Hang-On arcade cabinet. A Domino's pizza box is even strategically placed for maximum authenticity. We see Derek himself deeply focused on playing Ghosts 'n Goblins on his Nintendo Entertainment System, a moment that gets significant screen time.
There’s just one tiny issue: the game footage on the television isn't from the NES port. While Derek is clearly holding the iconic rectangular controller, the screen displays the original, graphically richer arcade version. As you might expect, this discrepancy has already spawned at least three Reddit threads, numerous tweets, and even a post on Threads calling out the gaffe. (Credit to Time Extension for spotting the chatter.) Most of the complaints are lighthearted, echoing the classic line from The Simpsons, "boy, I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder."
For the Hardcore Fans Only
Of course, 99.9% of the audience will likely never catch this little continuity problem. But for that small fraction of us who do, it becomes a fun bit of trivia to share with friends and family for years to come. What really gets under my skin, though, is a different detail. Derek is playing with the cartridge cover on his console flipped wide open. Seriously, dude! Your going to get that thing full of dust!
This kind of detail, while minor, is what makes the community around the show so vibrant. Spotting these small inconsistencies becomes part of the viewing experience for the most dedicated followers. It's a testament to both the creators' attention to detail and the audience's passion for the era being depicted.