Super Meat Boy

Almost a decade later, Super Meat Boy still offers an excellent difficulty curve, sharp level design, and heartless, brutal platforming.

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In "Super Meat Boy," play as a sentient cube of meat on a perilous journey to save your bandage-bound girlfriend from an evil fetus. This challenging platformer features over 300 levels across multiple chapters, with soul-crushing difficulty and epic boss fights. Additional features include a level editor, unlockable secrets, and warp zones for extra replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 17,585 reviews

music829 positive mentions

grinding58 negative mentions

music
1,344 mentions
62 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in *Super Meat Boy* is widely praised for its energetic and catchy compositions, primarily created by Danny Baranowsky, which perfectly complement the game's fast-paced and challenging gameplay. Many players recommend using the original 2010 soundtrack over the newer versions, as it enhances the overall experience and keeps players motivated through difficult levels. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and replayability.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Danny Baranowsky, is equally fantastic, with pulse-pounding tunes that perfectly complement the frenetic action on screen.”
- “The music is the greatest OST I've ever heard; it was inspiring how amazing it was.”
- “The soundtrack is a standout feature, energizing players as they navigate the treacherous terrains.”
- “The story is a complete nothingburger, the music is meh, and annoyingly repetitive in later stages where you are doing attempt after attempt.”
- “For some reason they changed the music of the original version (that was a masterpiece, and pumped well into the action) and the game does not seem the same as the current version is not trash but sounds like trash compared to the original and also feels a bit out of place.”
- “The music is boring; it is the same throughout the game.”
gameplay
1,050 mentions
46 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Super Meat Boy* is widely praised for its tight controls, fast-paced mechanics, and challenging level design that keeps players engaged. While the game is known for its punishing difficulty, it offers a rewarding experience through precise platforming and a quick respawn system that minimizes downtime. Players appreciate the introduction of new mechanics throughout the levels, although some find certain aspects frustrating or unresponsive at times. Overall, the gameplay is characterized as addictive, skill-based, and a standout example of modern platforming.
- “Super Meat Boy's gameplay is at the heart of the game, with precise and challenging platforming mechanics that require refined skills and precise control.”
- “With its well-polished gameplay mechanics, captivating graphics, and a vibrant soundtrack, Super Meat Boy offers a platforming adventure that is both challenging and incredibly fun.”
- “The gameplay is fast and intense and doesn't waste any time between stages or deaths, for constant gaming action.”
- “The gameplay is unforgivingly hard and even worse your character is a bit slippery.”
- “However, I cannot really recommend this with how unresponsive the jump mechanic is at times.”
- “The charm of the levels and the mechanics soon faded with its basic design and lack of direction.”
story
695 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *Super Meat Boy* is generally described as simplistic and derivative, revolving around the classic "damsel in distress" trope where Meat Boy must rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the villainous Dr. Fetus. While many players find the narrative humorous and charming, it is often considered secondary to the game's challenging gameplay and level design, with some reviewers noting that the story serves primarily as a lighthearted backdrop to the action. Overall, the plot is seen as entertaining but not a significant draw for those seeking a deep narrative experience.
- “The story is simple, but it allows you to fill in the blanks like most games back in the old days.”
- “The story follows the love of Meat Boy and Bandage Girl who love each other very much, however, the evil Dr. Fetus, which everyone hates, takes the advantage of kidnapping Bandage Girl every time Meat Boy manages to save her; this story is oddly familiar to Super Mario.”
- “The story is hilarious and riveting; you will feel for Meat Boy as he tries to save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl.”
- “The game's story sucks and is super generic.”
- “The existence of a 'story' that's this primitive isn't a feature, it's bad story-design.”
- “The story is too sparse for my tastes, and not really interesting, just a little bit of window dressing, at least as far as I played.”
graphics
632 mentions
51 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Super Meat Boy" are characterized by a distinctive retro-inspired pixel art style that blends charm with a dark sense of humor, effectively complementing the game's challenging gameplay. While some players appreciate the simplistic yet polished visuals, others find them lacking compared to modern standards, describing them as reminiscent of early flash games. Overall, the art style is seen as a key element that enhances the game's unique atmosphere, despite its minimalistic approach.
- “Super Meat Boy's visual style is distinctive and captivating, with pixel art graphics that are both nostalgic and modern.”
- “The pixelated graphics and vibrant colors create a visually appealing world that complements the fast-paced gameplay.”
- “The graphics are extremely polished for an indie title and look great in 1080p, each world has its own distinct art style that plays through perfectly in the game world.”
- “Super fun and difficult 2D precision platformer, although it lacks good graphics and an actual story, stuff that you would get with The End is Nigh or Celeste.”
- “The graphics are really nothing special.”
- “The graphics come across as lazy rather than as an homage to the classic games that inspired it and the level design is uninspired and repetitive.”
humor
607 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Super Meat Boy" is characterized by a blend of dark, juvenile, and absurd elements, often eliciting laughter even amidst the game's challenging gameplay. Players appreciate the quirky characters, hilarious cutscenes, and the comedic presentation of death, which adds a layer of charm to the otherwise intense platforming experience. While some find the humor dated or crude, it generally resonates well with fans of retro gaming and those who enjoy a mix of frustration and fun.
- “But don’t let the difficulty scare you off; the game’s charm and humor keep you coming back for more.”
- “The developers at Team Meat have crafted a game that’s not just tough as nails but also packed with personality and a sense of humor that makes you smile through your frustration.”
- “The game has a dark and twisted sense of humor that will have you chuckling even as you die repeatedly.”
- “It has a kind of funny side to it, but it's not funny enough to save you from a very repetitive and boring platformer.”
- “The humor is unfunny Newgrounds type stuff.”
- “It's not funny when you hit the same buzzsaw for the 20th time in the exact same way.”
replayability
161 mentions
50 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, featuring over 300 meticulously designed levels, various unlockable characters, and additional challenges that encourage players to return. With a smooth difficulty curve, collectibles, and user-generated content, players can enjoy countless hours of gameplay, making it a standout choice for fans of challenging platformers. Overall, the replay value is consistently praised, with many players highlighting the game's addictive nature and extensive content.
- “High replayability: in addition to the main levels, there are a variety of extra challenges, achievements, and unlockable content that encourage players to revisit the game to complete all objectives.”
- “With robust modding tools and Steam Workshop support, players can create and share their own custom levels with the world, extending the game's longevity and replayability indefinitely.”
- “The insane level design, reactiveness of the controls, and epic boss battles make this ultra-simple and hyper-brainy ride worthwhile with endless replay value.”
- “I have finished the entire game (normal/alt/cotton alley) but I'll never get all the achievements... actually - once you have completed cotton alley, this has very little replay value.”
- “The rewards are garbage and the replay value sucks.”
- “Replayability: we never touched this game again.”
emotional
78 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling and intense gameplay that often leads players to tears, whether from joy, frustration, or sadness. Many users highlight the game's charming narrative and characters, which evoke strong feelings, while others note the emotional turmoil caused by its challenging mechanics. Overall, the game is described as an emotional roller coaster that resonates deeply with players, making them laugh, cry, and feel a profound sense of accomplishment.
- “No game has made me cry as much as this one has, 10/10.”
- “Amazing storyline, fast-paced gameplay with heartfelt characters.”
- “A heartwarming adventure and story that makes you love life a little more each level you play.”
- “Boring story with dry characters. The platforms are placed in various locations and sometimes require luck. If played with a keyboard, the spacebar barely jumps most of the time. It's hard but not fun. I refunded it and wouldn't picture myself buying it again. Dark Souls is at least fun and hard, and you can get good at it; this game isn't that way.”
- “The emotional impact of the game is nonexistent. I felt no connection to the characters or the story, which made the experience feel hollow.”
- “Despite the game's attempts at emotional depth, it ultimately falls flat. The narrative feels forced, and I couldn't invest in the characters' journeys.”
grinding
77 mentions
4 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often reducing gameplay to a frustrating cycle of trial and error. While some players appreciate the challenge and the satisfaction of overcoming difficult levels, many find the experience exhausting and lacking in genuine skill progression, leading to a sense of burnout rather than enjoyment. Overall, the grinding can feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge, with players divided on whether the difficulty enhances or detracts from the experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy at times.”
- “And for a game that prides itself on difficulty, it does everything right in order to make the gameplay actually tough, and not tedious.”
- “The game stops being fun almost immediately and becomes a tedious chore of trial and error, repeating the same exact set of moves 40 times in a row until it finally works once and you never have to see the level again.”
- “There is a difference between a challenging task and a time-consuming task, and the devs seemed to understand that just grinding the same level until you muscle memory the whole thing isn't fun.”
- “When perma-death games and mass repetition is all you can choose from, you put up with it, but in a new age where games are meant to be a more fluid experience pushing through a storyline, it is hard to accept 4 hours of grinding on a particularly hard level just to move forward in the game.”
stability
53 mentions
6 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, crashes, and unresponsive controls that can significantly hinder gameplay. While some players find moments of enjoyment amidst the bugs, many express frustration over game-breaking issues and inconsistent performance across different platforms. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and "riddled with glitches," leading to a mixed reception regarding its stability.
- “Runs great on Linux!”
- “It's fun, cheap, bug-free, with a long online ladder and hardcore achievements.”
- “Yes, it's bug-free now. It had many bugs when it was released, but with the updates on Steam, it's 100% good now.”
- “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs/glitches.”
- “Riddled with glitches, some of which are game-breaking; otherwise, an okay game.”
- “Difficult gameplay would be acceptable if the game was not plagued with unresponsive controls and glitches that send the sprite through walls and floors.”
optimization
35 mentions
34 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players praising its smooth performance and tight controls, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, especially on PC, leading to crashes and frame drops. Despite its solid mechanics and enjoyable gameplay, many users report that it feels like a rushed port from console to PC, resulting in inconsistent performance and stability issues. Overall, while it runs well on lower-end systems, the optimization challenges detract from the experience for some players.
- “Hands down my favorite optimization platformer game.”
- “Performance is also very good, smooth framerate and no stuttering at all.”
- “The game is well optimized though so you shouldn't run into any issues messing up your time.”
- “Decent game, but I can't legitimately recommend this game for performance reasons.”
- “Poorly optimized by today's standards, really feels like a poorly ported flash game.”
- “This game was poorly optimized and glitched out several times; my PC is not even that old.”
atmosphere
26 mentions
50 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant and energetic qualities, enhanced by a strong soundtrack and sound effects that complement the gameplay. Each level features distinct designs that contribute to a retro feel, immersing players in various thematic worlds. However, some critiques mention a lack of depth in the atmosphere due to minimal storytelling and changes in the original soundtrack that altered the game's identity.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects complement the experience, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.”
- “Each level has a nice design and the different worlds are completely different in their atmosphere, which fit in nicely with the retro feel of the game.”
- “While you're playing this masterpiece, you can listen to tons of great soundtrack that gives an unforgettable atmosphere to the game.”
- “I didn't like the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The levels do not differ much, but everyone is happy with its atmosphere and the level of difficulty!”
- “While you're playing this masterpiece, you can listen to tons of great soundtrack that gives an unforgettable atmosphere of the game.”
monetization
7 mentions
14 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it as a cash grab, particularly for its high price and lack of optimization for PC. However, others appreciate the absence of in-game purchases, highlighting that the game is straightforward and relies on its marketing rather than complex monetization strategies. Overall, opinions vary on whether the game's pricing is justified given its performance and content.
- “The controls are good, the levels are each unique, and there's no in-game purchases!”
- “I would not recommend it for the full price because it's just a cash grab. The fact that Team Meat only stuck to the Xbox or PS shows that they don't know how to run a game on Steam or how to make a PC game.”
- “All in all, a very straightforward game which only appeared like it had all this awe and wonder to offer, due to its great marketing and advertising, but in reality was very simple.”
- “No, I do not mean in-game purchases, but in real life.”
character development
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in Super Meat Boy is characterized by inventive and quirky designs that, while simple, exude charm and personality. The vibrant colors and whimsical aesthetics contribute to a unique visual style that pays homage to retro gaming, enhancing the overall experience despite the lack of depth in character backstories. The game's cut-scenes further enrich the narrative, adding a layer of crass humor that complements the character designs.
- “I do love the cut-scenes as well; the overall crassness with the simplicity of the character designs makes them oddly charming.”
- “Super Meat Boy also boasts a charming and quirky art style, with vibrant colors and whimsical character designs that add personality to the brutal world of Meat Boy.”
- “Visually, Super Meat Boy is a love letter to retro gaming, with its vibrant colors and charmingly grotesque character designs paying homage to classics of yesteryear.”
- “The character designs were honestly probably not given much time, but they're still inventive.”
- “If you're not convinced by now, just check the character design and rethink it.”