Goodboy Galaxy

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 41 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Goodboy Galaxy Game Cover
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In "Goodboy Galaxy" for GBA, players help Maxwell, a dog stranded in a hostile system, explore jam-packed levels with multiple routes, befriend over 50 characters, and upgrade weapons to find hidden areas and defeat bosses. The game is available in English, Français, Español, Deutsch, and Português, and features a blaster-upgrading system and various challenges.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Game Boy Advance
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews
music5 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Goodboy Galaxy features tight platforming, clever level design, and a charming art style that captures the essence of classic GBA games while incorporating modern game design sensibilities.
  • The game offers a wealth of content, including mini-games, collectibles, and a humorous narrative, making it highly replayable and enjoyable for players of all ages.
  • With beautiful pixel art, a catchy soundtrack, and responsive controls, Goodboy Galaxy provides a delightful gaming experience that keeps players engaged and entertained.
  • Some players have reported frustrating difficulty spikes and challenges that can feel tedious, particularly due to backtracking and unexpected enemy placements.
  • The game may not fully respect players' time, as constant deaths from off-screen enemies can lead to annoyance during platforming sections.
  • While the game is well-designed, some feel that the original GBA magic is somewhat lost in the enhanced PC version, despite the inclusion of the GBA ROM.
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with reviewers praising its catchy and atmospheric tracks that enhance the overall experience. The high-quality soundtrack, available alongside the original GBA music, complements the game's visuals and level design, making it a standout feature. Overall, the music is described as crisp, cool, and integral to the game's engaging atmosphere.

    • “The soundtrack deserves equal praise, offering a wide range of catchy, atmospheric tracks that match each environment and situation perfectly.”
    • “Incredible visuals, tight platforming, and a killer soundtrack make this game a must-buy.”
    • “A fantastic little game with great pixel art, puzzling gameplay, and a kickass soundtrack.”
    • “Incredible visuals, tight platforming and killer soundtrack make this a game a must buy, was planning on giving a positive review until I finished the game but reviews help out with visibility of the game and everyone should know about this game.”
    • “The same original GBA game but now with widescreen and high-quality music.”
    • “This version offers a co-op too which I haven't been able to play but is a plus over the GBA version and a high-quality soundtrack alongside the original score.”
  • gameplay10 mentions

    The gameplay of Goodboy Galaxy is highly praised for its engaging mechanics, offering a refreshing take on the collectathon platformer genre with clever puzzles and a variety of gameplay elements. Players enjoy the exploration and replayability, as levels are designed to be revisited with different abilities, creating a compelling loop that encourages continued play. The game is noted for its beautiful visuals, intricate level design, and a mix of platforming, shooting, and puzzle-solving that keeps the experience dynamic and enjoyable.

    • “Goodboy Galaxy brings a refreshing twist to the collectathon platformer genre, weaving together clever mechanics, beautiful visuals, and a surprising amount of depth for such a compact game.”
    • “This makes for a nice gameplay loop where you explore the level multiple times with one base ability missing each time, creating a good 'just one more time' effect that made it hard for me to put the game down.”
    • “There's even a whole two-player co-op scenario I wasn't able to play, but from what I've seen, it has unique two-player puzzles and mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is constantly being re-contextualized in very clever ways.”
    • “The amount of level layouts made by simply taking a mechanic from you really boggles the mind as to how much time this took to put together.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of Goodboy Galaxy are widely praised for their vibrant and detailed pixel art, effectively capturing the charm of retro handheld games while enhancing it with beautiful backgrounds and animated cutscenes. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to deliver stunning visuals despite its low resolution, showcasing a clever blend of nostalgia and modern design that elevates the overall experience. The artwork and animation are consistently described as gorgeous, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The graphics are vibrant and detailed for its 240x160 base resolution, with beautiful backgrounds and animated cutscenes that bring the world to life.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous and it's crazy seeing what they were able to do with the limitations.”
    • “Great retro graphics and amazing music, now with a GBA and HQ version, are still super awesome.”
    • “The pixelated graphics are very well done, but they feel outdated compared to modern standards.”
    • “The graphics lack depth and detail, making the environments feel flat and uninspired.”
    • “While the animated cutscenes are nice, the overall graphical quality does not hold up against current games.”
  • story6 mentions

    The story is described as simple yet engaging, set in a lighthearted, absurdist sci-fi world reminiscent of "Ratchet & Clank," appealing to both younger and older players. The narrative complements the gameplay, which features platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving, making it a compelling experience that keeps players invested despite increasing difficulty. Overall, the story, combined with charming characters and beautiful artwork, enhances the enjoyment of this metroidvania platformer.

    • “I did not want to stop playing this once I finished the main story, so I spent hours getting collectibles and unlocking all the game's secrets.”
    • “Story and setting-wise, I'm most reminded of Ratchet & Clank, with a slightly absurdist sci-fi setting filled with lighthearted humor, all ostensibly quite family-friendly, but with much added content to appreciate for older players.”
    • “At first, it seemed pretty fun but challenging, and then it got increasingly more difficult, but the animation and the story made it a compelling game that was hard to put down despite the frustratingly ramping challenges.”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from my overall experience.”
    • “The narrative was confusing and left too many loose ends, making it frustrating to follow.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game is praised for its adorable and charming humor, featuring well-animated characters and lighthearted writing that includes funny moments and clever dialogue. Players enjoy the humorous interactions with quirky characters and appreciate the playful design that enhances the overall fun experience.

    • “The game is adorable, humorous, and all around just a lot of fun!”
    • “A well animated and cute puzzle platformer with a genuine sense of humor and design intention.”
    • “The writing, too, has a light, charming touch with some cute, funny moments scattered throughout.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the game's level design for its strong optimization, likening it to a maze that effectively challenges players' adaptability while gradually enhancing their limited move set.

    • “I particularly like how well optimized the level design is, like a maze that tests your flexibility with an in-universe bare-bones move set that optimizes over time.”
    • “The game's optimization allows for seamless transitions between levels, enhancing the overall experience and keeping the gameplay fluid.”
    • “I appreciate the attention to detail in the optimization of character abilities, which encourages strategic thinking and adaptability.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is a standout feature, with each of the 67 unique "friends" being well-crafted and memorable, showcasing a diverse range of personalities and designs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “Character design is another highlight—each of the 67 'friends' you encounter is uniquely crafted and memorable, with Kapparama standing out as a personal favorite (where is my friendship card?)!”
    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form meaningful connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their backstories and interactions make them feel real and relatable.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with a diverse and engaging soundtrack that complements the various environments and situations effectively, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack deserves equal praise, offering a wide range of catchy, atmospheric tracks that match each environment and situation perfectly.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Many users recommend the game but caution that the grinding aspect can be frustrating due to tedious puzzles and excessive backtracking to previously visited areas.

    • “Definitely recommend--but you're forewarned, some of the puzzles are frustratingly tedious because of all the backtracking over places you've already been.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which quickly became a chore.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users generally report that the game is stable and free of significant bugs, contributing to a solid overall experience.

    • “Not to mention how solid and bug-free it is.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Goodboy Galaxy

Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
12hMain story
23hCompletionist
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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