Mighty Switch Force! Collection
- July 25, 2019
- WayForward
Mighty Switch Force! Collection is a great way to bring Wayforward’s 3DS series to the Switch that will undoubtedly appeal to both fans of the series and newcomers alike. The decision to separate the first game and its HD remaster is one we’re not fully on board with, and we’d love to have seen some extra content like concept art and soundtracks. Nevertheless, every game included features superb gameplay and level design, making this a collection that every Switch owner should experience.
"Four-in-one game compilation, Mighty Switch Force! Collection, features Officer Patricia Wagon using puzzle-solving and platforming skills to protect Planet Land across multiple games. Utilize the Siren Helmet to switch blocks in Mighty Switch Force! and its Hyper Drive Edition, fight fires and rescue victims in Mighty Switch Force! 2, and train cadets in Mighty Switch Force! Academy. Co-op and versus modes available for up to four players in Academy."
Reviews
- The collection features a beautifully crafted set of four games with charming visuals and a fantastic soundtrack by Jake Kaufman.
- The gameplay is engaging and challenging, with unique puzzle mechanics that keep players entertained and encourage speedrunning.
- Mighty Switch Force Academy introduces multiplayer elements and a full-screen view, adding variety to the gameplay experience.
- The games can become repetitive and frustrating, especially with the reliance on precise timing and the potential for trial-and-error gameplay.
- Some players find the controls and mechanics to be clunky, leading to a less enjoyable experience during challenging levels.
- The collection includes redundant content, such as both the original and HD versions of the first game, which may feel unnecessary to some players.
- music47 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the games, particularly composed by Jake Kaufman, is widely praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers describing it as "fantastic," "banging," and "incredible." The soundtracks are noted for their catchy, memorable tunes that enhance the overall experience, making them a significant draw for players. Overall, the combination of great music and appealing art style contributes to the games' charm and enjoyment.
“Also, these games have an incredible soundtrack by Jake Kaufman, especially the second entry.”
“The real highlight, to me at least, was the absolutely amazing soundtrack done by the superbly talented Jake Kaufman.”
“Great fun if you like platforming puzzles, and a brilliant soundtrack.”
“The art's like they hired Picasso after a bad breakup, and the music... let's just say it's stuck in my head like honey on feathers.”
“Art and music, perhaps a delight, but the rest?”
“There’s something about its tone, art, characters, music… the combination of it all that just really rubs me the right way.”
- gameplay42 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay across the Mighty Switch Force series is characterized by its clever "switch" mechanic, which allows players to alternate between solid and non-solid platforms, creating a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving challenges. While the core mechanics are simple and engaging, some levels introduce frustrating elements that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the games are praised for their addictive gameplay, charming visuals, and rewarding challenges, though they can be short and occasionally infuriating.
“It's a delightful mix of challenging puzzles, addictive gameplay, and charming visuals.”
“There is both some real platforming and real puzzle challenge to the game, something I really appreciate, and you get this sense that you are really learning new 'rules' to the game all the time with how certain mechanics interact.”
“All four games are a mix of action and switch-based puzzle gameplay that is addicting, rewarding, and frustrating all at the same time.”
“The platforming is too precise for how poor the hitboxes and jumping mechanics are, as you have to make perfect jumps at the last second or you die.”
“If the last level gimmick takes the whole main mechanic out of the player's hands, it's not good. You have to be perfect every single time; it just ruins the simple mechanic the game is built around.”
“The gameplay is a simple platformer game, where you must make it through the level by using the gimmick, a 'switch' to turn one lot of platforms on and the other off.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, blending nostalgia with modern HD visuals. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, fluid animations, and the delightful character designs, which enhance the overall experience of the challenging puzzles. While some prefer the original pixel art for its expressive qualities, the upgraded visuals in the newer editions are also well-received, contributing to the game's appeal.
“It's a delightful mix of challenging puzzles, addictive gameplay, and charming visuals.”
“All four games are a lot of fun, and have a very colorful and vibrant art style that is brought to life even more by fluid and beautiful animation.”
“The pixel graphics are top notch while the character and art design are really fantastic; Patricia Wagon and the escaped criminals are among my favorite game characters in terms of visuals.”
“Pixel graphics so sharp, I could probably cut myself on the screen.”
“This renders the entire game unplayable and may or may not be fixable using your graphics card's driver settings (in my case, it wasn't) as the physics appear to be somewhat tied to framerate.”
“The original in terms of content and graphics, but in a way not the original since it doesn't have two screens.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development in Wayforward's games, particularly highlighting the adorable and recognizable character designs in "Mighty Switch Force." The hand-drawn art style is noted for its appealing balance of simplicity and catchiness, contributing to the overall charm of the characters.
“WayForward makes such great games with an adorable and recognizable character design, and Mighty Switch Force is my favorite of them all!”
“The hand-drawn aspects really appeal to me; I think the character designs have that perfect balance of simplified but catchy.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while longer levels can lead to frustrating setbacks and tedious repetition, the challenge of beating par times adds an enjoyable layer that keeps the gameplay engaging.
“That does make some sections kind of frustrating, but only during the longer levels, since you can lose minutes of progress in those, causing those sections that you've already completed to be really tedious.”
“Grinding feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding can turn what should be an exciting adventure into a monotonous task.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is praised for its cuteness and charm, with players appreciating the delightful blend of chaos and fun. The character art style contributes to the overall comedic appeal, though some users express a desire for less anime influence and more traditional cartoon aesthetics.
“Water and chaos, a delightful blend!”
“Excellent game, it's cute, funny, and has good level design. I can't ask for more! The art style of the characters is excellent.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's story is considered weak, providing only a minimal plot that serves primarily as an origin story for the character, lacking depth and engagement.
“The game presents a captivating origin story that draws you in from the very beginning.”
“The narrative is rich and immersive, making you feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys.”
“Each twist and turn in the plot keeps you engaged, revealing layers of depth that enhance the overall experience.”
“Story-wise, this game is lacking and only provides enough of a plot to give the character a reason to do anything.”
“The narrative feels underdeveloped and fails to engage the player.”
“Character motivations are weak, making it hard to invest in their journey.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its strong replayability, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.
“The game offers incredible replayability with multiple endings and diverse character paths.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the random events and choices that keep you engaged.”
“I love how the game encourages you to try different strategies, making every run unique and exciting.”
Critic Reviews
Mighty Switch Force! Collection Review
Mighty Switch Force! Collection is a great way to bring Wayforward’s 3DS series to the Switch that will undoubtedly appeal to both fans of the series and newcomers alike. The decision to separate the first game and its HD remaster is one we’re not fully on board with, and we’d love to have seen some extra content like concept art and soundtracks. Nevertheless, every game included features superb gameplay and level design, making this a collection that every Switch owner should experience.
80%Mighty Switch Force! Collection (Nintendo Switch)
Players who have not experienced any of the titles, just one, or just want them all together in one place, should pick this up. Fans of puzzlers and platforming alike should certainly look into the Mighty Switch Force! Collection. Honestly, the price of $19.99 is an amazing value, considering the amount of content included.
80%Mighty Switch Force Collection (Switch) Review
You’re Safe!
90%