THE VIDEOKID
- January 31, 2017
- PixelTrip Studios
The VideoKid clearly loves the 1980s, and it hopes you do too. But strip away the nostalgia and you're left with a pretty basic experience. Unless you REALLY enjoyed Paperboy, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Get on Steam"The Videokid" is an arcade-style skate game set in a hazardous 1980s neighborhood, where you skate, hitch, and grind your way through traffic while dodging various obstacles. The game is filled with 80s nostalgia, featuring references to classic movies, TV shows, and cartoons. As you progress, the references become more epic, making it an exciting trip down memory lane for 80s enthusiasts.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game is a nostalgic trip filled with numerous 80s pop culture references that fans will appreciate.
- Gameplay is addictive and fun, reminiscent of classic arcade games like Paperboy, with simple controls that are easy to pick up.
- The graphics and audio effectively capture the retro aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience.
- Many players experience an infinite loading screen, rendering the game unplayable and leading to frustration.
- The game lacks depth and variety, with simplistic mechanics that may not hold long-term appeal.
- There are reports of bugs and issues that disrupt gameplay flow, such as slow transitions after game overs.
- gameplay23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *The Videokid* is characterized by its fun and addictive mechanics reminiscent of classic 80s arcade games like *Paperboy*, where players dodge traffic while delivering items. While the game features a plethora of nostalgic pop culture references and fluid controls, it suffers from minor bugs and a lack of variety in power-ups, which can disrupt the experience. Overall, it offers a charming and engaging throwback to retro gaming, appealing to those who appreciate its simplistic yet challenging design.
“The game itself is a silly fun time waster with a ton of '80s references, but what actually draws me in is the fluid gameplay and the fact it reminds me of Paperboy but doesn't make me want to pull my hair out.”
“[The Videokid] hearkens back to the good old days of the NES Paperboy arcade game with the time-tested mechanics of dodging traffic while tossing mail into mailboxes, trash cans, and even windows.”
“An insane amount of references that are really cool to see voxelized and an addictive game mechanic that makes you want to keep playing and reach the end!”
“Rating: 4 stars out of 5 - fun and addictive, but has bugs that negatively affect gameplay flow.”
“Like any game, there are some flaws that keep it from being perfect, like slow transitions from wipeout to next attempt, low variety of power-ups, and a few bugs that would make Bethesda want to buy this game out on the spot, but most of it is minor and doesn't disrupt gameplay too much when you know what to look for.”
“Way too short, simplistic mechanics.”
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its quality and retro references, while others criticize the presence of muffled voice clips and overly chip-tuned tracks. Although the soundtrack is generally well-received, repetitive sound clips and an overwhelming mix of audio elements can detract from the experience. Overall, the music is seen as a strong point, but it suffers from issues of clarity and balance.
“Audio: 4.5 stars out of 5 - great music, quality works well, but some sound clips are a bit too repetitive and get annoying fast.”
“Good concept, good music, nice art.”
“Fantastic retro references, great soundtrack and audio work, rewards I actually wanted to earn.”
“Instead of high-quality music and sound, we get muffled voice clips and chip-tuned music.”
“Too many sounds (background, characters, music) are going on, and sometimes it's just too much at once and very, very loud.”
“Instead of high-quality music and sound, we get muffled voice clips and chip-tuned music.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a retro 3D "box-pixel" style, earning a strong rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. While the "boxel" aesthetic complements the overall feel, some animations, such as lane changes, appear overly fluid for the retro theme. Overall, the visuals are pleasing and align well with the game's paperboy-inspired design.
“Pleasing graphics and fair challenge, with a Paperboy-inspired game design.”
“The graphics of this game are retro-3D styled 'box-pixel' type.”
“Graphics: 4.5 stars out of 5 - 'boxel' style works well for the feel, but some animation (i.e. changing lanes) is too fluid for a retro-styled game.”
“Pleasing graphics and fair challenge, with a paperboy inspired game design.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is straightforward and appropriately minimalistic, aligning well with the arcade-style gameplay.
“The story is as simple as it needs to be for an arcade-esque game.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in *The Videokid* is described as light and charming, appealing particularly to those who grew up in the 80s with nostalgic references to iconic characters and their amusing sound effects. While the game has its flaws, its addictive nature and playful elements contribute to an overall satisfying experience.
“Despite its flaws, the videokid is an addictive, charming, lightly funny, and satisfying game.”
“If you grew up during the 80s, you will recognize many of the characters that waltz by in the background, from Inspector Gadget, Duck Tales, TMNT, He-Man, Peewee Herman, Rocky, Eddie Murphy, etc... each with their own funny sound effects as they pass.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, indicating that players feel it prioritizes profit over player experience.
“This is the pure definition of a cash grab!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the high replayability of the game, noting its low entry cost and challenging gameplay as key factors that encourage repeated playthroughs. This combination makes it a quintessential choice for those seeking engaging and replayable gaming experiences.
“Games like this are the quintessential 'video game' in my book - very low-cost to jump into, super-challenging with high replayability.”
Critic Reviews
The VideoKid Review
While its setup does make it look like one of those soulless endless runners that fill mobile app stores, The VideoKid overcomes that hollow association by offering up a nostalgic love letter to the characters that defined a decade. The random layout means you’ll never get the same run twice, but once you’ve played each section of its celebrity-filled suburbia a few times, you will start to notice plenty of bits being recycled as you head to your final destination. Still, with high-scores to chase and new character skins and tricks to unlock, this modern Paperboy has earned its pay packet.
80%The VideoKid (Switch) Review
VideoKid killed the Paperboy star.
75%The VideoKid review
The VideoKid clearly loves the 1980s, and it hopes you do too. But strip away the nostalgia and you're left with a pretty basic experience. Unless you REALLY enjoyed Paperboy, you're better off looking elsewhere.
65%
