Nikoderiko: The Magical World Nintendo Switch Review 8.5/10 "A highlight reel of classic late ‘90s platformers" 🐲 @GamesVea #IndieGame #GameDev

I’d never heard of Nikoderiko: The Magical World before receiving it for review, but within seconds of playing, I knew exactly what treats I was in for. This is very much a game that tips its hat to titles such as Donkey Kong Country, and Crash Bandicoot, as we follow the adventurous mongoose duo Niko and Luna as they try to retrieve a magical artefact from the devious Grimbald and his army of ‘Cobrings’. 

I really mean it when I say that this is a highlight reel of PS1 / N64-era platform games, everything from the incredibly summery, vibrant visuals through to the 2D/3D cutesy, kid-friendly designs and music – by David Wise, nonetheless! – all show that this is not a game that is afraid to paint its influences  on a massive flag, and hoist that flag aloft so that everyone can see from whence inspiration has been taken.

Playable in single player or co-op modes, you’ll find yourself leaping on the heads of enemies, careening through underground minecart levels – natch – and exploring everything from tropical jungles through to freezing, icy tundra as you collect the hidden letters of Niko’s name for a bonus, and search for unlockable stages and items aboard your trusty, selectable steeds (a dinosaur, warthog, or frog), all of which offer different abilities to help you through the levels.

The stages are quite generous in length, with each one being a blend of both 2D and 3D sections, seamlessly segueing into each other. It is fun to make your way across the stage, before the camera zooms around as you head ‘into’ the screen, the more vehicular sections also add variety to the proceedings, making sure that this is a high-octane action-fest throughout.

The co-op aspect is also well-handled, with the oft-used ‘bubble’ mechanic ensuring that players of differing skill levels and ages can help each other out. In fact, the only thing that I did pick up on somewhat negatively, is that it’s such a fast-paced game that it’s easy for a player to get left behind and have to play catch up as the lead character (selectable) is cannon-balled from one place to the next, leaving their comrade in the dust.

The game runs at a solid 30fps, and whilst 60fps is always my personal preference, 30fps is understandable hereon the Switch, and it doesn’t impact gameplay – although I did notice a touch of screen-tearing on a handful of cut scenes, usually leading up to a boss encounter. Again, not a dealbreaker, but a little bit ugly to see, clashing as it does so with the smooth and frantic in-game action.

SUMMARY

If you have a hankering for 3D ‘90s platforming action, look no further than Nikoderiko: The Magical World. It won’t set the world on fire with new ideas, but it captures the essence of those titles that it so clearly takes its inspiration from so well that it gets a positivity and energy all of its own, a great game to play, especially with younger gamers. And, quite frankly – you can’t go wrong with David Wise on the case!