Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

About

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a single player platformer game with a kids theme. It was developed by Pocket Trap and was released on May 28, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Explore a vast urban landscape in this narrative-driven, 2D top-down platforming adventure! In Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, you're a budding yoyo master facing off against enemies using the weapon you know best: your prized yoyo! As Pippit, you'll be quite literally thrown into the shocking story of your auntie's business empire, a soul-stealing mega-laser, and four dastardly crime bosses! E…

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo screenshot

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99%

Audience ScoreBased on 928 reviews

gameplay120 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Exceptional level design and puzzle design with clever use of unique yoyo mechanics for combat and traversal, making each room a fresh and engaging challenge.
Highly polished game with vibrant GBA-era pixel art, fluid animations, and a catchy, fitting soundtrack composed partly by Yoko Shimomura.
Innovative upgrade system involving debt and temporary debuffs that add strategic depth; generous accessibility options and balanced difficulty curve enhance player experience.

Late-game sections involve demanding platforming that some players find finicky and frustrating due to control responsiveness and complexity of chained moves.
Combat, especially boss fights, can feel tedious or spongy with limited attack directions and sometimes overwhelming enemy swarms.
Exploration can be overwhelming with a large map and extensive optional content that may feel tedious or involve excessive backtracking for completionists.

gameplay
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
56%
1%
The gameplay of this game is widely praised for its fresh and innovative use of the yoyo mechanic, which serves as a versatile tool for combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving, creating a deeply engaging and satisfying experience. It combines classic 2D Zelda-like exploration and platforming with modern, tightly designed mechanics and a clever upgrade system that emphasizes strategic choices. The game features responsive controls, well-paced difficulty, creative puzzles, and continuous introduction of new mechanics, making the gameplay feel both intuitive and richly layered throughout its duration.
- “This game is a masterpiece in both game design and art. The gameplay is very fun and engaging, the controls are responsive, the way the game explores its yoyo mechanic is excellent, the writing is funny, the artwork is top tier, and the cherry on top is that it's a metroidvania.”
- “The core mechanic of how the yoyo works for combat is fun and rewarding—strategic enough to be engaging and unique enough to feel fresh. The abilities for traversal and engagements are interesting, and the way they are applied to technical challenges and puzzle elements is remarkably inspired.”
- “Pipistrello and the cursed yoyo is a mechanically tight, well thought out, and interesting to explore zelda/metroidvania.”
- “I think being short works against this game a little bit, because when you leave out the end/opening segments of the game, the main gameplay in the middle (consisting of exploring the city, searching for collectibles and completing the dungeons) doesn't quite give itself enough time to fully spread its wings.”
- “It just feels a bit less tight in its design when you really start pushing the mechanics to their limits.”
- “I think the major one is that for the walk-the-dog move the input can be a bit finicky and a little too precise especially in late game platforming; there needs to be some sort of a stored input mechanic when Pippit is unactionable.”
music
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The game's music receives widespread acclaim for its catchy, upbeat, and nostalgic GBA-inspired soundtrack, often highlighting the involvement of renowned composer Yoko Shimomura. Reviewers praise its memorable melodies, fitting variety across areas, and how well it complements the gameplay and art style, making it a standout feature that enhances exploration and combat. While a few mention minor repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a major highlight and a key contributor to the game's charm and lasting appeal.
- “The soundtrack is such a vibe and the pixel art is awesome!”
- “Also, the music deserves special mention - there is absolutely no reason for the music to go this hard, and I had multiple tracks stuck in my head during my playthrough.”
- “Every single track of this OST was a hit for me and would be stuck in my head for quite a while after putting the game down (especially the standard battle and the poultryfc stadium themes).”
- “If it has one weakness, it's the music.”
- “It also probably didn't need 3 separate soundtracks for basic enemy battles, but they put them in anyway.”
- “I would love some soundtrack variation in some areas; you will be spending upwards of 3 hours in some areas. Can I get some more great tracks? Sure, they are good, but they can start to grind after the 15th repeat.”
story
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The story is generally lighthearted, charming, and humorous, providing a simple yet engaging backdrop with clever social commentary on capitalism. While not deeply complex or heavily character-driven, it complements the gameplay well and offers satisfying twists and thematic elements without overstaying its welcome. Overall, it serves as a solid, enjoyable narrative that enhances the game's exploration and mechanics rather than being its main focus.
- “The main thrust of the story is pretty threadbare, but the game shocked me with a genuinely very effective endgame twist and an emotionally satisfying and strong ending.”
- “Presentation is top notch, with many setpiece animations, great music, cool and cute characters (especially Pippit running while holding an object above his head), and a story that, though simple, is smart and interesting with hilariously pointed commentary on the ills of unregulated capitalism delivered by genuinely amusing and endearing characters.”
- “It follows the story of Pippit Pipistrello, a young and brash member of the wealthy Pipistrello family, whose luxurious world comes crashing down when a mysterious curse traps his aunt’s soul inside his favorite yoyo. What begins as a seemingly small mishap unfolds into an imaginative quest across a sprawling city powered by a corrupt energy monopoly.”
- “The main thrust of the story is pretty threadbare, and basically every NPC that isn't the main character, his sidekick (billionaire corporate auntie trapped in a yoyo), or one of the various main bosses, is basically non-existent in personality and impact. However, the game surprised me with a genuinely very effective endgame twist and an emotionally satisfying and strong ending.”
- “My only pet peeve with the game is the narrative part, which is honestly understandable considering the target audience is younger, but still, most NPCs are uninteresting, some of the secondary characters lack personality beyond their art style, and the main storyline is really short, linear, and predictable.”
- “If I could complain, I thought the story bits at the very end were disappointing as the 'twist' meant nothing and felt pointless.”
graphics
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The game excels in delivering a vibrant, polished graphics style that nostalgically and skillfully emulates the Game Boy Advance era while adding modern touches such as lighting and smooth animations. Its unique, colorful pixel art and charming character designs enhance exploration and combat, creating a visually engaging and memorable world. Although the art style can be an acquired taste for some and occasional repetitiveness in environments is noted, overall the graphics receive high praise for their quality, creativity, and faithful retro aesthetic.
- “The pixel artwork is some of the best you will see in a game this year—from the detailed character design to the introductions of items and the abilities you unlock.”
- “Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo nails the Game Boy Advance aesthetic flawlessly, combining vibrant visuals with a unique and charming art style that stands out in the metroidvania genre.”
- “The gameboy advance-inspired visuals are beautiful and very faithful to the era, with a clean, colorful pixel art style that enhances exploration and character design.”
- “Otherwise, the GBA aesthetics work well enough but can't say it made much of an impact on me, nor did the music.”
- “Despite the areas in the city having different themes (like a mall or a construction zone), the environment can start to feel a little repetitive in terms of aesthetics.”
- “I do feel like the character designs are a bit ill-suited for the pixel art style, but it really doesn't get in the way of gameplay at all.”
humor
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is consistently praised for being clever, witty, and well-balanced, blending funny dialogue, satirical social commentary, and charming character interactions without overstaying its welcome. Players enjoy its lighthearted, playful tone that complements the creative gameplay and vibrant world, often highlighting sharp critiques on capitalism through engaging and amusing writing. Overall, the humor adds significant charm and enjoyment, making the experience both entertaining and memorable.
- “Great metroidvania - exceedingly creative, super funny and interesting at all points.”
- “All this alongside witty satirical writing in a very cartoony capitalistic setting, balancing being contemporary and funny without getting too depressing for the fun romp the game is.”
- “Presentation is top notch, I love how many setpiece animations there are, music is great, characters look cool and cute (especially Pippit running while holding an object above his head), and the story, though simple, is still smart and interesting with some hilariously pointed commentary on the ills of unregulated capitalism delivered by genuinely amusing and endearing characters.”
character development
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The character development is praised primarily for its bold, expressive, and charming designs that shine in pixel art form, complemented by fluid animations that enhance gameplay energy. While most find the visuals bright, fun, and detailed, a few note that some designs feel overworked or slightly mismatched with the pixel art style. Overall, the character designs contribute significantly to the game's engaging and enjoyable experience.
- “Character designs are bold and expressive, and the animation work is fluid, giving the game a sense of energy that makes even simple movement satisfying to watch.”
- “The pixel artwork is some of the best you will see in a game this year—from the detailed character design to the introductions of items and the abilities you unlock.”
- “Colours are crisp, the character design is top-notch, and everything just 'feels' great.”
- “What even are these character designs?!”
- “I find the character designs overworked to the point of being unclear and unpleasant to look at, although I do like the animations and silhouettes of Pippit's various moves.”
- “I do feel like the character designs are a bit ill-suited for the pixel art style, but it really doesn't get in the way of gameplay at all.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a heartfelt and emotionally satisfying experience, blending humor, nostalgia, and clever storytelling without becoming melodramatic. Its playful tone and inventive mechanics evoke childhood wonder, culminating in a strong ending that resonates emotionally despite a somewhat thin overall story. Characters and dialogue are charming, enhancing the game's warmth and emotional impact.
- “This all builds to an emotionally satisfying conclusion that maintains its humour while still managing to tug at your heartstrings.”
- “It weaves humor and satire into its story without losing emotional weight.”
- “The characters and dialogue are cute and fun, and the story is very touching.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game is often seen as tedious and frustrating, primarily due to an upgrade system tied to a costly "debt" mechanic and limited fast travel options. Boss fights exacerbate this with spongey, prolonged encounters that require repetitive attempts, leading many players to resort to monotonous farming just to survive tougher sections. Overall, grinding detracts from the experience by feeling like an unbalanced and tiresome necessity.
- “The worst aspect is the ever debuffing upgrade grind, especially with each death permanently costing you a portion of your money. Respawning enemies no longer yield any cash unless you've stopped to rest, and money bags are only in specific spots. This makes upgrades either feel unearned or require tons of monotonous farming.”
- “Combat becomes tedious and overly long-winded due to juggling an upgrade debt system that, while thematically interesting at first, ends up making the game frustrating with not enough reward by the end.”
- “Not being able to pay outright for upgrades leads to extremely lame money grinding before the final boss, as the high debt cost for upgrades means even after completing dungeons, you still need to grind to afford necessary upgrades for survival.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, running smoothly on both PC and Steam Deck with responsive controls, providing a consistent and reliable performance.
- “Runs great on my PC and on my Steam Deck and controls like a dream.”
- “Runs great!”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere effectively blends nostalgic and modern elements, evoking a strong sense of wonder typical of great adventure games. Each area offers a distinct ambiance tailored to the villain encountered, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- “Together, the sights and sounds of the game create an atmosphere that feels nostalgic yet unmistakably modern, capturing the sense of wonder that defines great adventure games.”
- “Each area in the game has its unique feel and atmosphere based on the type of villain you're dealing with.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers extensive customization in abilities and difficulty levels, significantly enhancing its replayability.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Optimization is inconsistent, with performance fluctuating unpredictably, causing moments that feel like unintended glitches rather than smooth gameplay.

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20h Median play time

18h Average play time

14-22h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a platformer game with kids theme.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 18 hours playing Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was released on May 28, 2025.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was developed by Pocket Trap.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a single player game.

Similar games include CrossCode, Islets, Crypt Custodian, Phoenotopia: Awakening, Death's Door and others.

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