Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Mighty Switch Force! Collection
Developer: WayForward
Publisher: WayForward
Genre: Action, Adventure
Price: $19.99
Also Available On: PS4, Switch, Steam
Even though WayForward Technologies already boasted of an impressive resume when it came out with Mighty Switch Force! in late 2011, it was nonetheless presented with not insignificant hurdles in its efforts to steer its intellectual property to success. For one thing, the Nintendo 3DS wasn’t yet a year old and developers and gamers alike still had to grasp the handheld’s full potential. For another, it saw fit to release the third title in its Mighty series via the eShop; at the time, the digital distribution platform was in the early stages, and the definition of ownership of a product that couldn’t be physically handled remained the subject of debate.
For all the evident obstacles, Mighty Switch Force! proved to be a critical and commercial hit. In part, it benefited from WayForward’s stellar reputation and the 3DS’ rapid takeup rate. In larger measure, it found its cause strengthened by gameplay mechanics and characteristics that held universal appeal. Puzzles platformers aren’t always well received, but its work became the exception to the rule, transcending genres with the ideal blend of story, character development, technical proficiency, and fairness. Parenthetically, outstanding replay value offset short length and gave great bang for the buck.
WayForward would go on to make four more Mighty titles, including a “Hyper Drive Edition” of Mighty Switch Force! which presented updates and additional levels for Wii U owners. And as with its iterations on Nintendo hardware, releases on the personal computer were well received. Considering the crossover acclaim and appeal, it’s no wonder the developer has now seen fit to offer gamers the opportunity to enjoy the aforesaid material, Mighty Switch Force! 2, and Mighty Switch Force! Academy on current-generation consoles.
Compilations are nothing new to the industry, with publishers seeing them as a way to get contemporary gamers on board while giving their subjects new leases on life. In the case of the Mighty Switch Force! Collection, the benefits are compounded by the fact that the series sports an unabashed retro look and feel, but with decidedly modern-day sensibilities. On the Xbox One, the port of every single title is nothing short of outstanding; the pixel-art style jumps off the screen in an obvious nod to the processing power of Microsoft’s eighth-generation console despite seemingly less-capable roots, and the accompanying audio tracks embrace their classical inspirations.
Needless to say, titles in the Mighty Switch Force! Collection retain their storylines and gameplay. Mighty Switch Force! and Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition get to see principal protagonist Patricia Wagon on a mission to recapture the Hooligan Sisters, five erstwhile convicts who managed to escape from Planet Land. Mighty Switch Force! 2 has her making a career change from police officer to firefighter in her efforts to rescue the same sisters, but already reformed, and, occasionally, the “Ugly Secret Baby” from spontaneous combustions threatening to engulf the planet. Mighty Switch Force! Academy transports her back as a cadet, but zooms out the grid and expands the action to allow for four-gamer cooperative play on a single screen.
If inclusions in the Mighty Switch Force! Collection sound like birds of the same feather, it’s because, well, they are — albeit with enough unique features to make each stand out from the rest. The puzzles are certainly varied and challenging, never mind that their handheld DNA has level designs leaning toward relatively quick finishes. Difficulty spikes are thankfully nonexistent; rather, handicaps progress gradually and logically. Moreover, the interface is a blast; whether with a standard or Elite controller, gamers will appreciate the pristine input registers and ultra-smooth aesthetics, even during frenetic activity.
If there’s any negative to Mighty Switch Force! Collection, it’s the utter absence of bells and whistles. While others have seen fit to churn out compilations introducing new features or providing a smattering of production-related Easter eggs, WayForward eschews any add-ons. Even the menu is relatively barebones. That said, the Xbox One port earns its $19.99 price tag with plenty to spare. The absence of embellishments aside, it stands out because of the games themselves. Simply put, they’re fan-tastic.
THE GOOD
- Outside of the Shantae series, the best of WayForward on the Xbox One platform
- Retro-style puzzle platforming with modern-day sensibilities
- Excellent port, with standout aesthetics and superb controls
- Progressively challenging level designs
THE BAD
- Not complete (Mighty Switch Force! Hose It Down! is missing)
- Barebones and absent any bells and whistles
RATING: 8.5/10
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