Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow

About

Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow is a challenging action-packed game where you play as a detective duck who transforms into a ninja. Explore various environments, from the top of a volcano to the Realm of the Dead, to find the missing Shabuhm Shabuhm idol and prevent your island paradise from destruction. Throughout the game, face dangerous enemies, such as MudDrakes, Rotting Pirates, Duck Zombies, and Amazon Warriors, and complete 40 hours of intense gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

58%

Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews

music14 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game has a fantastic soundtrack that many players still enjoy and appreciate.
It offers a nostalgic experience for those who played it during their childhood, with many fond memories associated with it.
The unique concept of playing as a ninja version of Donald Duck is considered cool and appealing by fans.

The port suffers from poor controls and lacks proper controller support, making it frustrating to play.
There are significant bugs, including crashes and issues with jumping mechanics that can lead to unfair deaths.
Many players feel that this version does not live up to the original, particularly the SNES version, which is regarded as superior.

music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
47%
9%
The music in the game is widely praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers calling the soundtrack a piece of art that enhances the overall experience. The updated compositions, particularly by Michael Giacchino, are noted for their superb quality and perfect match to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in gaming, with each version offering its own unique charm.
- “Instead, I strongly suggest anyone to check out the beautiful soundtrack, which is really a piece of art in my opinion.”
- “The updated music in this version by Michael Giacchino is superb and matches the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
- “Every version of the soundtrack is amazing and has its own charm.”
- “It's a shame, because the music in this game is some real top-notch stuff but you're probably better off finding an SNES and playing it that way.”
- “Especially the composer of the music was in for it.”
- “I even remember sitting in the bus, or car, anywhere, listening to the CD music using my Walkman, as I realized it would read the music files off of it.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
65%
21%
Reviews indicate that the graphics in the current version are less impressive than those of the original SNES release, with many noting that the PC port results in more pixelation and a lack of smoothness. While some players feel that graphics are not a critical aspect of the game, others emphasize the superior colors and effects of the original. Overall, there is a consensus that the original SNES graphics are sharper and more visually appealing.
- “- improved graphics.”
- “I must say that if I were to compare: the SNES has the nicest graphics, colors, and effects.”
- “But they have used the PC port for it, not the original SNES one, which makes the graphics more pixelated and less smooth.”
- “It is an excellent game, but I found the original had sharper, smoother graphics.”
- “Graphics don't matter in this game.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The game's story is polarizing, with some players noting a complete lack of narrative, comparing it to games like Temple Run, while others praise it as "epic." Overall, the consensus suggests that the story is either minimal or non-existent, leaving players divided on its significance.
- “Epic story.”
- “Like playing Temple Runners for the story.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “It's like playing Temple Run for the story.”
- “For the full story behind this game (not from me): https://streetwriterpodcast.blogspot.com/2014/09/remaking-icon-final-part-true-story-of.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The gameplay is marked by inconsistency in platform edges, hitboxes, and movement, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While it introduces mechanics gradually, it lacks clear explanations, making it challenging for players unfamiliar with its systems. However, fans of retro games may still find some appeal, especially as the difficulty increases after the initial levels.
- “If you're a fan of retro games, Disney, or Earthworm Jim style gameplay, this game is absolutely for you!”
- “It's fairly easy at the beginning of the levels, but it does really step up a bit later if you're not familiar with the mechanics.”
- “Finally, after getting the game to work properly, I played for about an hour, just enough to barely beat the first level boss and getting introduced to the transformation and grappling hook mechanic of the second level.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, particularly for PC and controller users, with many reviewers calling for urgent improvements to enhance performance and usability.
- “Additionally, this port needs urgent optimization.”
- “Lacks PC port optimization.”
- “Zero optimization for PC or controllers.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Users consistently highlight the game's "infinitely replayable" nature, indicating that it offers a compelling experience that encourages multiple playthroughs without losing its appeal.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “The game offers endless replayability.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, particularly for its superb updated music by Michael Giacchino, which complements the overall experience exceptionally well.
- “The updated music in this version by Michael Giacchino is superb and matches the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of "Maui Mallard/Donald in Cold Shadow" is profound for players, as it marks the beginning of their journey into gaming, evoking nostalgia and a sense of personal connection to their early experiences with video games.

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Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow

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