BZZZT

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

BZZZT is a challenging Platformer released on PC in 2023 and ported to Nintendo Switch in 2024. This game puts players in the role of a robot running through test obstacle courses for its creator when an unexpected threat arises.

The gameplay here starts out simple, with just a basic jump, but soon enough you’ll be adding more moves to your abilities, including a double-jump and air dash. Using these abilities, you’ll be trying to get through each level and find your way to an exit as fast as possible while collecting as many golden screws as you can en route.

While the gameplay here is simple and not revolutionary, the solid gameplay supported by excellent puzzle design and overall good game design makes all of this work extraordinarily well, making this game play just a bit like Super Meat Boy, albeit without that game’s speed or physics-based movement. The comparison is more in the way you’re playing through each level trying to time your movement and jumps, repeatedly dying, and then jumping right back in to try again, with things feeling extremely satisfying when you get it right. In addition, the game has a good amount of variety to keep things interesting, introducing new elements regularly.

One of the other things that really helps to make this game feel like something special is the nice 2D pixel art visuals with some absolutely wonderful animation, with these visuals backed by a catchy soundtrack that combines chiptune music with heavily-synthesized voice clips, which fits this game very well. Some good examples of this are Retrobits With Love, Birth of a Hero, Robotic Plant, All or Nothing, Retrowave, Sunset Cassette, Jungle Nation, Dancing Droid, Looper, and Transmission.

Overall, while BZZZT may not be super-original, everything it does, it does well. Fans of Platformers and especially those who crave a challenge should give this game a look.

tl;dr – BZZZT is a challenging Platformer where players try to get through obstacle course-style levels as a robot. This game doesn’t do anything especially new or original, but nevertheless the quality of the gameplay, level design, and presentation shines through, making this well worth a look.

Grade: B

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

Runner-Up: Best Platformer

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