Vvvvvv full portable#
Vvvvvv full professional#

Vvvvvv full professional#

It was also impossible to shake the feeling that I was playing an indie game instead of a fully polished, professional release. but it felt a bit 'off' the whole time I was playing and added to the frustration* level in places where there really shouldn't have been any. The game definitely is good, but controls weren't as responsive as I like due to the momentum your character builds up and always felt a bit slippery. I was kind of disappointed with VVVVVV after reading a considerable amount of hype about it. This isn’t quite the definitive version (it would be closer to that if they add in the online leaderboards and level editor later), but if you’re into brilliant retro challenges, this is more than worth checking out. VVVVVV is a spectacular game, and while the 3DS version is a little pricier compared to other available options, it’s well worth it if you’ve never played the game before or want it on the go. Time trials and other optional ways to play the main game are unlocked as you progress as well, including the brutal No Death Mode, which is for sadists only. Most of them don’t match up to the excellence of the main game, but still add hours of content. These levels are generally more difficult than the main game, often to the point of pull-your-hair-out frustration. In addition to the main game, which is rather short, there are numerous user-created levels, some made by the creator of the game’s soundtrack and even one from the creator of Minecraft. Most of the toughest trials revolve around collecting 20 different optional trinkets, which in turn unlocks bonus modes and songs from the game’s spectacular soundtrack. VVVVVV is immensely challenging, but fortunately, there are plenty of checkpoints throughout the area. These additions keep the game fresh, though the main game won’t take you more than two or three hours. These levels introduce new mechanics, such as mid-air lines that change your orientation and blocks that disappear when you step on them. The game features an overworld map, handily displayed on the bottom screen, with different levels sprinkled throughout. A lot of the depth comes from moving the character from left to right while he moves. It’s very binary (you’re either up or down), and you can only switch gravity when you’re on stable ground. Instead, your hero, the stalwart Captain Viridian, who must navigate a weird dimension to save his five crewmates (all with names starting with V, hence the name of the game), can only flip gravity to change his orientation. VVVVVV is easily one of the best platformers made in the past decade, and the craziest thing about it is that there isn’t a jump button. For owners of the original, it might not be too exciting, but if you’ve never played the game, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Vvvvvv full portable#

The 3DS version, which we can thank Cave Story 3D developer Nicalis for, is more or less the original PC game delivered in a dual-screened portable package. It’s heavily modeled after old Commodore 64 games, with appealing, simplistic graphics and a fantastic chiptune soundtrack. For me, looking for collectables isn’t exactly in the spirit of the game-it’s more about direct challenges than exploration-and playing the same few unlockable modes on the Switch isn’t really doing it for me.VVVVVV originally came out on computers almost two years ago, but relevancy was never the game’s focus. Clocking in at just a few hours, I found myself wanting more as the credits rolled, which is a shame as there were still more risks that could have been taken, or added in over the years as various ports have come to light. Here’s the bad news- VVVVVV is over far too soon. When all is said and done, the frame rate is consistent, and you aren’t going to be screwing up jumps because of the engine. It’s not going to wow people who aren’t into the retro motif, but even if your eyes are strained at the sight of it, you can’t argue that it gets the job done and doesn’t screw around. All the while, the soft, concise visual style eases you in. But the thing that really stuck in my mind was its wonderful art style, which regales us of a simpler time when the Commodore 64 was king.

Its chiptune soundtrack, especially during the more intense challenges, haunts and soothes me to this day. VVVVVV (Switch) – gameplay image via NIcalis and Nintendo