“For a series that prides itself on period accuracy, I think they goofed”
By Ali Shutler 1st December 2025
Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow in 'Stranger Things' season five. CREDIT: Netflix
Stranger Things has been criticised by diehard video game fans for committing a “cardinal sin” in season five.
- READ MORE: ‘Stranger Things’ season five, volume one review: the big, bold beginning of the end
The first four episodes of Stranger Things season five hit Netflix last week. Set 18 months after the huge showdown between Vecna and the scrappy teens of Hawkins at the end of season four, the new episodes saw Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Steve (Joe Keery), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Nancy (Natalie Dyer) and others teaming up to stop Vecna targeting a new generation of kids.
AdvertisementOne of these newcomers is Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly). “He’s rude to adults and a bully to those his age, spoiled, and has quite a potty mouth,” reads a Netflix description. In episode three The Turnbow Trap, we see Derek playing his Nintendo Entertainment System before his sister removes the game cartridge.
However retro game enthusiasts have pointed out a few errors with the scene. “I love Stranger Things but season five just committed a cardinal sin. They show a kid playing ‘Nintendo’ in his room… but the TV is clearly running the arcade version of Ghosts ’n Goblins, NOT the NES port,” wrote YouTuber My Retro Life on X. “My retro heart can’t take it!”
I love Stranger Things, but Season 5 just committed a cardinal sin. They show a kid playing ‘Nintendo’ in his room… but the TV is clearly running the arcade version of Ghosts ’n Goblins, NOT the NES port. My retro heart can’t take it! 😫 pic.twitter.com/LRZJOOjCTM
— My Retro Life (@myretrolifeshow) November 29, 2025
Others pointed out that the NES’ flap hadn’t been put down either. “The kids sister yanks the cartridge out of the console so they probably thought it would happen faster in the take if the flap was already open,” said My Retro Life. “For a series that prides itself on period accuracy, I think they goofed.”
RecommendedFor a series that prides itself on period accuracy, I think they goofed
— My Retro Life (@myretrolifeshow) November 29, 2025
“NGL if you are pandering with nostalgia you should get stuff like this right,” replied one fan. “I believe creative direction does these things on purpose to generate more conversation and views toward the material. They know it’s wrong, they just want you to talk about it being wrong and push it out there for others to potentially watch it,” added another. “$50 million budget per episode and they couldn’t hire a nerd to tell them ‘hey man that’s not the right version of the game’,” said a third.
It’s not the only issue some fans have found with the latest installment of the beloved Netflix show either, with some criticising the pacing of the final season.
In a four-star review of Stranger Things season five volume one, NME wrote: “Perhaps inevitably, volume one feels a lot like an appetiser for the rest of the season. But even in piecemeal form, Stranger Things has a flair for epic and emotionally resonant storytelling. After all those years, this smart, big-hearted sci-fi show still has the power to turn your head upside down.”
Three more episodes of Stranger Things will arrive on Christmas Day, with the finale dropping on New Year’s Eve.
AdvertisementIn other news, a “lost” chapter of Quentin Tarantino‘s groundbreaking Kill Bill premiered in Fortnite over the weekend, with star Uma Thruman calling the revival “really moving”.
