December 9, 2023

35. NES Dev compo 2023

As Diego follows the Open AI dram of the past weeks, Wiedo receives his first NES and Megadrive and we all prepare for Christmas.

This time we all pick the 3 games each they like most from the entries submitted at the NES Dev Compo 2023: Color Match Combat, Desert Escape!, Miroh Jr., Little Sisyphus, Echoes of the Unread, Super Strife, Fish, Proximity shift and Mosh lift all make it in this packed episode.

We also touch on Shantae Advance, Chouyoku Senki Estique and we find out not all Famicom controllers are round!

0:00:00 1:58:02
  • Proximity Shift
    NES
    |
    Free
    | Get it here

    Delivering a unique mix of action and puzzle, this NES game challenges players with a novel mechanic: swapping positions between a ship and a blue energy dot to navigate through treacherous maps.
    The gameplay demands strategic thinking and swift reflexes, especially when facing walls where a single touch means failure. It starts with a complex honeycomb pattern, setting the stage for the inventive and challenging levels ahead.
    The soundtrack, reminiscent of catchy C64 SID tunes, adds to the game’s charm without becoming repetitive. This game is a standout for its creativity and it’s narrow window of error tolerance, making it one of the top entries in the competition!

  • Miroh Jr.
    NES
    |
    Free
    | Get it here

    This unique title cleverly combines elements of classic Tetris and Pac-Man, creating an engaging two-player experience. Players find themselves in a dynamic game where one controls a unicorn navigating through a maze to collect fruits, while the other manages a Tetris-like puzzle, guiding blocks that can either aid or hinder the unicorn’s progress. The cooperative aspect is highlighted as players must work together; the unicorn can even interact with the Tetris blocks to help clear lines or avoid getting trapped. Each level offers varied objectives, from fruit collection to completing Tetris lines, adding layers of strategy and cooperation.

    Beyond its innovative gameplay, the title impresses with its polished presentation, featuring pastel visuals and a range of character designs that add charm and depth to the experience. The game also boasts multiple modes, including an infinite mode for endless play and a story mode that adds narrative context, suggesting a level of completeness and quality often reserved for commercial releases. This game is a testament to creativity in game design, offering a fresh, cooperative experience that stands out in the gaming landscape.

  • Mosh Lift
    NES
    |
    Name your own price
    | Get it here

    Developed by Morphcat Games, known for their technical prowess on the NES platform, this game features a guitarist protagonist who ascends by jumping on platforms, utilizing their electric guitar as a grappling hook for innovative movement. This unique mechanic, reminiscent of slingshot or rubber band dynamics, introduces a fresh approach to platform navigation. As players progress, the game’s difficulty naturally escalates with the platforms changing and the challenge increasing, creating an addictive gameplay experience that appeals broadly, from the narrator’s son to their partner. The game’s design, highlighted by detailed tilesets featuring skulls and cathedral-like towers, alongside power-ups such as a guitar in a bubble with bat wings, enriches the visual and gameplay variety. Drawing parallels to “Doodle Jump,” its gameplay centers on endless upward progression, aiming for high scores while avoiding a plunge into the abyss, making it a captivating title for players seeking both challenge and simplicity.

  • Color Match Combat
    NES
    |
    Free
    | Get it here

    At first glance, this puzzle game might seem like another Tetris clone, but it quickly sets itself apart by adopting mechanics similar to Super Puzzle Fighter. The game’s core involves manipulating pairs of colored blocks to align them, aiming to match all blocks of the same color into one contiguous group. These groups are then eliminated with a matching orb, allowing for strategic play and combo opportunities.
    The game shines in its versus mode, offering the chance to go head-to-head against another player or test skills against a challenging AI opponent. While the AI’s difficulty cannot be adjusted, it provides a solid challenge that keeps players engaged. However, the absence of sound effects and the basic graphical presentation are noted as areas that could enhance the overall experience.

  • FISH
    NES
    |
    Free
    | Get it here

    In this unique NES platformer, the main character is a fish that must navigate through levels to reach its home, jumping out of water while managing its oxygen level to avoid running out of breath. The bubbles serve a dual purpose, helping the fish to breathe when out of water and being used strategically to extinguish fires that block its path. The game combines platforming mechanics with puzzle elements, requiring players to think creatively to solve challenges and advance through the game. This concept introduces a fresh take on the traditional platformer genre, emphasizing resource management and environmental interaction. The black and white art style not only sets a distinctive aesthetic tone but also complements the gameplay’s simplicity and depth.

  • Little Sisyphus
    NES
    |
    Name your own price
    | Get it here

    This is definitely an innovative game which adds a physics mechanic that adds a deep layer of strategy and skill to the gameplay. The game employs a ball and chain system where the protagonist, embodying the mythical figure Sisyphus, must maneuver a boulder upwards and reach the goal in each level. Unlike traditional platformers, this mechanic involves a physics-based approach where the player must balance the momentum and weight of the boulder with precision movements to progress.The ball and chain mechanic fundamentally changes how players interact with the game environment. To reach the goal, players must strategically use the boulder to overcome obstacles and navigate through intricate levels.
    The boulder can be swung to gain momentum for jumps, used to activate switches, or even as a counterweight in puzzle segments.
    This unique approach requires players to think several steps ahead, planning their route and adjusting their strategy based on the boulder’s physics.The game’s levels are designed to challenge the player’s mastery of this mechanic, introducing new obstacles and puzzles that require creative use of the boulder to solve.