Throwback Thursday, Every day!

Do you remember the days of VHS ?? How about pop culture references from the 80s? Pixel Trip Studios do too and they’re bringing all that sweet sweet nostalgia straight to the Nintendo Switch with their game Video Kid: 80s edition. Ever wonder what a world populated by Big Bird, Pee Wee Herman, the Terminator, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would be like? Well, Video Kid has you covered plus you’re going to see tons more of your favorite characters. You can even buy new characters in the in-game store with the currency you collect in each run. It’s a throwback Thursday in every run.

Radical Special Delivery

The gameplay loop is a simple but addictive one. You ride down the street on your bicycle and throw videotapes into people’s mailboxes. (Perhaps this would have been how Netflix worked if it was around in the 80s. 🤔) All while collecting coins, hoverboards and avoiding obstacles like vehicles and 80s pop culture characters. Oh, and you look like Marty Mcfly. Heavy! Sound a bit like PaperBoy for the NES? Well, it should because Video kid is clearly heavily inspired by it but still has its own charm.

Simple and Addicting, Heavy!

Like I mentioned above the gameplay is surprisingly addictive. Each run goes fairly quickly and it keeps you wanting to best your high score. Whenever you throw a tape you can hit a window, mailbox or characters to earn points. Each part of the environment acts differently depending on what is hit. The pop culture characters even throw in the famous catchphrases or familiar noises when passed by or hit. Jumping and grinding on vehicles can be incredibly satisfying and pop cultural items like the power glove, high top kicks, and cola act as power-ups for a limited time.

A Few Missed Deliveries

A couple of things that I have issue with is some vehicles you can jump and some just end your run with a death that feels like you’ve been a bit cheated. I’m not sure if that because some are just obstacles to end your run or if this is something going on with the hitbox detection in the game. Also, I really wish Video Kid: 80s Edition had online leaderboards,  it’s the type of game you could really get competitive with a friend with seeing who can best whom.

The Bottom Line

Video Kid: 80s Edition on the Nintendo Switch satisfies that arcady itch for high scores. It’s pick up and play game style works so well on the Switch. It really surprised me with its nostalgic charm and 80s pop culture references make this so much more than just a PaperBoy clone and at $ 4.99 USD it makes it a perfect impulse buy.

 

PLAY OR PASS??

PLAY

 

 

-Tony

Want more reviews? Look HERE!!

** This game was provided to us by Pixel Trip Studios for review. Images provided from press kit **