Retro video game fans are having fun pointing out a Nintendo-related blunder in Stranger Things Season 5.
Warning! Spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 follow:
If you’ve watched Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1, you might have noticed Lovable Bully Derek Turnbow, portrayed by Jake Connelly, playing Ghosts ‘n Goblins on the NES. This makes sense given Stranger Things is set in the ‘80s, and Season 5 itself kicks off in the fall of 1987. The NES version of Ghosts ‘n Goblins was released in North America in November 1986, so everything fits together nicely so far.
But, as pointed out by retro video game website Time Extension, the game seen on the TV that Derek is looking at while he’s holding a NES controller is actually the arcade version of Ghosts ‘n Goblins, not the NES port. As Time Extension says, the black border at the top is a dead giveaway. Whoops!
Could Derek somehow BE playing the arcade version via a NES controller on his TV? Not a chance. We even see the Ghosts ‘n Goblins NES cart when Derek’s older sister, Tina, rips it out the console (too quickly, if you ask me — was the flap already open?!).
So, what’s probably happened here is someone used footage of the arcade version of Ghosts ‘n Goblins by mistake. It’s not a big deal, really, just a fan blooper retro video game fans are having fun with. And let’s be honest, poor old Derek is doing okay — he’s got a full size Sega Hang-On arcade cabinet in his bedroom. Not bad for a 12 year old in 1987!
I love Stranger Things but… NES Ghosts and Goblins this ain’t. Called it out immediately and my 10 year old son replied, “Dad, you only know that because you’re an old retrogaming nerd!”
I feel attacked. 😉 pic.twitter.com/jkkuZ3FjbJ
— Zophar (@TheRealZophar) November 30, 2025
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
Trust Stranger Things fans to notice something like this — it’s a series packed with fun Easter eggs and hidden details, some of which spill over into the real world. For example, if you call the number on the “missing teen” poster in Stranger Things Season 5, it has a message from the “Hawkins Police Dept” looking for Jane Hopper.
Stranger Things Season 5 debuts on Netflix in three parts, with the first four episodes arriving on November 26. The next three episodes premiere on Christmas, and the series finale will debut on the streamer and in over 350 theaters nationwide on New Year’s Eve.
Stranger Things Season 5 release dates:
- VOL 1 – November 26, 5pm PT
- VOL 2 – Christmas, 5pm PT
- THE FINALE – New Year’s Eve, 5pm PT
We’ve got plenty more on Stranger Things, including Ross Duffer’s call to arms for fans to turn off “garbage” TV settings before watching Season 5. And be sure to check out our Stranger Things: Season 5, Vol. 1 spoiler review.
Image credit: Netflix.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
