Hole io & Paper io 2

Genre: Compilation / Arcade

Players: 1-8 Competitive (Local Split-Screen)

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Review:

Hole io & Paper io 2, released on Nintendo Switch in 2024, is a Compilation containing the two named games, both family-friendly Arcade-style games.

I have previously reviewed both of these games. Here is what I thought of both of the games in this collection:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Score
Hole io	Arcade	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen)	B-
tl;dr Hole io is a family-friendly Arcade-style game where players move a hole around to swallow up objects to grow its size, aiming to get it as big as possible. The core gameplay is pulled straight out of the game Donut County, and there are countless poor design choices and gameplay flaws here. Yet despite all of that, it’s hard to deny how fun and compelling this game is, and for only $5, this is a superb time-waster.
Paper io 2	Arcade	1-8 Competitive (Local Split-Screen)	B-
tl;dr Paper io 2 is an Arcade-style game where players draw lines to expand their territory while trying to avoid other players touching their line before it’s completed. The simple gameplay is surprisingly compelling, and there’s a lot of good multiplayer potential here. It’s a shame this game doesn’t have more options or game modes, but with a $5 price tag, this makes for an easy game to pick up for anyone looking for a fun time-waster.

In short, I really like both of these games. Each has their problems – Hole io has a laundry list of smaller issues, and Paper io 2 feels like it could use more options. However, at the end of the day, I think these are both really fun games, and it doesn’t hurt that they’re both pretty cheap.

However, that last note raises the question – is this bundle worth it if the original games were already pretty inexpensive? As it happens, yes. Sure, the $8 price tag is only saving you a few bucks off the $10 it would cost to get these games separately, but it’s still an okay bargain, and the price going under $4 when this game goes on sale (ensuring it remains cheaper than the individual games when they go on sale) ensures that it’s a good bargain regardless of when you get it.

In the end, Hole io & Paper io 2 is a bundle that offers a decent savings on two enjoyable Arcade-style games. They’re not without their issues, but despite those issues they’re a delight to play, and I think this package is well worth its price.

tl;dr – Hole io & Paper io 2 includes the two named games, both family-friendly Arcade-style games. These two games aren’t perfect, but they’re still plenty of fun in spite of their flaws, and this bundle is a decent deal on the price of this pair, making it well worth getting.

Grade: B-

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2024 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Best Value

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