- Release Date: 10th September 2004
- Developer: The Mix Games
- Publisher: Limited Run
- Platforms: NES, PC, PS4, XBO, Switch
- Version Played: PC
Rugrats Adventures in Gameland is both a new NES game and a HD remake of it in one package. In the modern console version of the game (it was also released in a dodgy NES cartridge), you can swap between the retro 8-bit style (with optional scanlines) or a modern look that captures the look of the show extremely well, and in this you can play in full wide-screen or with borders. Definitely pick the latter, as widescreen is just zoomed in horribly and the game is a nightmare to play in it.
Controls are simple. The A button jumps while B lets you do a ground pound and also pick up stunned enemies. It’s a fairly typical 2D platformer with levels based on the babies’ imaginations as they play through a “bibeo game” across different parts of the house, with the fridge being an ice/lava level and the attic being a Castlevania inspired level (which is amusing as I played this in the middle of a Castlevania marathon).
The game supports co-op, which is what I played most of the game in and I do not recommend this at all as the mechanics make it horrible. With the game being made of lots of small “rooms”, the other player is whisked along to the next screen. This includes falling on vertical platforming sections – one person falls, the other is dragged down. It’s much harder than the same game.
Not helping matters are how the babies have different jump and float abilities, and the levels aren’t balanced around this at all. Some sections are much nicer with Chuckie’s tall jump, while others seem impossible without Lil’s float ability. I ended up doing the last level myself and swapping babies made it manageable. You can also do this to spread damage. The highest difficulty blocks the ability to swap characters and I would not want to experience the game like that.
Ultimately, the whole “lost NES” game aspect seems more of an excuse for lazy level design, frustrating enemies and just not bothering to make a balanced or entertaining game. The HD version is also compromised due to the use of borders and how widescreen just zooms in and makes the game barely playable. It’s the worst of both worlds combined when a retro inspired platformer build for the gorgeous modern graphics would be so much better – essentially, the same was ruined because Limited Run wanted to sell tat more than they care about a good game.
Fine
