Super Cable Boy

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 82 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Super Cable Boy Game Cover
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"Super Cable Boy" is a retro-inspired platformer where you play as a living handheld gaming system with a power cord. Collect game cartridges to gain abilities and defeat the mysterious entity, Glitchart, threatening to destroy the world. Gameplay features include grappling hook action, jumping and dashing, alternate dimensions, and onigiri collecting. Prepare for a unique story and solid platforming action.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews
gameplay15 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features smooth controls and enjoyable platforming mechanics, making it fun to play.
  • The art style and music are well-designed, contributing to a charming atmosphere.
  • Accessibility options allow players to adjust difficulty, making it suitable for both casual and hardcore gamers.
  • The difficulty curve can be inconsistent, with some levels feeling overly challenging compared to earlier stages.
  • Visual clutter in later levels can make it hard to track character movements and understand mechanics.
  • Some players found the lack of checkpoints in longer levels frustrating, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • gameplay37 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a challenging yet rewarding 2D platforming experience, featuring innovative mechanics like a grappling hook and a cable system that replaces traditional double jumps. Level design is well-crafted, encouraging mastery of mechanics through collectables and introducing new power-ups that keep the gameplay fresh. However, some players find inconsistencies in mechanics and difficulty spikes, which can lead to frustration, particularly with certain level designs that require memorization and precise timing.

    • “The cable mechanic allows you to perform what other games offer as 'double jumps', but requires some level of mastery, which increases the difficulty.”
    • “Great 2D platformer with well thought out level design and extremely fun movement mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay feels really smooth and handling our little cable boy is easy.”
    • “Also, the mechanics didn't feel consistent, which made some tight moves just frustrating, and it felt random if they would work or not.”
    • “I was already a bit irked by the fact that levels can get pretty large, and some of the mechanics definitely end up requiring you to take leaps of faith and memorize stuff that is out of view. You can zoom out a bit and pan the camera around, but that's not really an option until you reach a safe spot. The reason you want to do it is because you want to know where said safe spot is and to plan ahead how to reach it.”
    • “In my opinion, this should not even be a mechanic in the game--it is not fun to try to keep in mind where invisible platforms and kill zones are so that when you change colors in mid-jump, you don't die.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the appealing pixel art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance gameplay, while others criticize the simplistic graphics as lazy and lacking depth. The option to enable 'simplified graphics' is noted as beneficial for clarity during challenging platforming sections. Overall, the visuals are described as unique and fitting, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “The graphics are simple whilst being very appealing.”
    • “This wonderful precision platformer not only has tight controls and stunning visuals, but also brings a lot of much needed innovation to the genre.”
    • “The story, graphics, music, and gameplay make it a delight to spend time with.”
    • “The graphics here are some of the worst, laziest attempts at video game 'art' I've ever seen.”
    • “It's hard to suggest this game even has graphics.”
    • “It's clear the developer didn't even try to produce any real graphics for the game and just phoned it in.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its enjoyable chiptune compositions that complement the pixel art style and enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as both relaxing and engaging, fitting seamlessly with the gameplay and level design, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “Enjoyable music is enjoyable, especially the chiptune composition that aesthetically fits with the game bearing their pixel art style, from relaxing to heart-thumping.”
    • “You play through many gorgeous levels, where you'll be teased with tons of collectibles, incredible level design, and some major bopping music.”
    • “The soundtrack is perfect for this game.”
    • “Even if they have a natural aesthetic, everything still takes place in a digital landscape, so the music has a chiptune style to it.”
    • “Also, the 8-bit style music fits the gameplay and the genre very well.”
    • “You play through many gorgeous levels, where you'll be teased with tons of collectibles, incredible level design and some major bopping music.”
  • story20 mentions

    The game's story is generally well-received, with players appreciating its humor and atmosphere, though some feel it lacks depth and emotional weight. The main storyline missions and collectibles are highlighted as enjoyable, providing a fun experience alongside the gameplay. While the narrative isn't the central focus, it complements the overall experience, making it a delightful addition to the game.

    • “The main storyline missions and collectibles were super fun, and the progression through a mix of story and difficulty is overall well-paced.”
    • “This game has an amazing story that complements its gameplay beautifully.”
    • “The story, graphics, music, and gameplay make it a delight to spend time with.”
    • “Don't get me wrong, I really love the idea of its story and humor based on computer science, but I think there could have been more.”
    • “Except that it doesn't have an emotionally demanding story; instead, it's quite goofy and amusing.”
    • “I also think that the story could have more depth to it, but yeah, I guess it isn't the main focus anyway.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is characterized by its lighthearted and amusing tone rather than an emotionally demanding narrative. Players appreciate the wholesome dialogues and cheerful visuals that create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy a blend of humor and positivity.

    • “What I like most about the game are the wholesome dialogues and smiley faces that radiate warm energy in every corner.”
    • “If a spiritual successor to Super Meat Boy with lots of wholesomeness sounds like your jam, this will be the game you have long been waiting for.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by clever writing and subtle jokes that enhance the experience without overshadowing the gameplay. Players appreciate the quirky details, such as the use of binary for counting lives, which elicits chuckles and adds a lighthearted touch to the overall atmosphere.

    • “The writing is genuinely funny.”
    • “The story is humorous but not very central, which works well for a parkour game, I think.”
    • “There are so many little details in the game that I found myself chuckling whenever I understood something (like lives being counted in binary, which is silly but appreciated, even when I had no clue how many I had).”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its immersive qualities that enhance the storytelling, allowing players to engage without frustration from difficulty. However, while the visuals contribute to a strong atmospheric experience, they are criticized for hindering gameplay due to poor controls.

    • “It lets you focus on the story and atmosphere without getting frustrated with the increasing challenge.”
    • “The visuals are very atmospheric, creating an immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
    • “Despite the potential, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The game’s atmosphere is dull and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players report that grinding in the game can be quite intense, particularly towards the end, with one user noting that they spent a significant amount of time—over 13 hours—completing optional bonus levels for achievements. This extended grinding experience can lead to physical strain, as indicated by complaints about discomfort from prolonged gameplay.

    • “Grinding near the end here now after 6 hours, and my left thumb and Nintendo Switch d-pad are about to explode!”
    • “It took me a little over 13 hours to get all the achievements, and a considerable chunk of that time was spent grinding out the optional bonus levels after completing the main story.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of Super Cable Boy has been criticized as a cash grab, with a price point of $16 USD deemed unrealistic, especially when compared to the value of older AAA games available for the same price.

    • “Super Cable Boy has a completely unrealistic cash grab price of $16 USD, for which you could easily get any number of older AAA games.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend more money for basic features that should be included in the game.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many essential items are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.

    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that loading times are excessively long, making it hard to stay engaged.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Many users find the optional collectibles to be a lackluster method for enhancing replayability, expressing a desire for more engaging features such as New Game+ modes or additional difficulty levels to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “Optional collectibles are a pretty boring way to encourage replayability; I wish there were some New Game+ options or extra difficult levels.”
    • “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
    • “The game doesn't offer enough variety in its missions or challenges to make me want to replay it after finishing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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