It has been a long time since the last Donkey Kong Country game was released, but other developers have been trying to fill the void with games like Kaze and the Wild Masks, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, and Marsupilami: Hoobadventure. Now, a new game called Nikoderiko: The Magical World from VEA Games is joining the mix.
Nikoderiko follows the adventures of Niko and Luna, two mongoose adventurers on a quest for ancient treasure. The game features charming dialogue sequences with voice acting that adds depth to the journey. The gameplay is a mix of Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, with 2D and 3D sections filled with collectibles and bonus rooms. There are seven worlds to explore, each with unique challenges and hazards to keep players engaged.
While Nikoderiko does a great job of capturing the essence of classic platformers, it doesn’t bring many original ideas to the table. The game may feel repetitive to those familiar with the classics. However, the colorful and varied environments make exploration a joy, despite some performance issues on the Switch.
The soundtrack, composed by David Wise, adds to the overall experience with a mix of playful and atmospheric tunes. Although there are some bugs and glitches in the game, a post-launch patch has addressed some of these issues. Overall, Nikoderiko is a solid platforming experience that will appeal to fans of the genre, especially those who love Donkey Kong Country.
In conclusion, Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a fun and challenging platformer that pays homage to classic games in the genre. While it may lack originality and suffer from performance issues on the Switch, the game’s smart level design and engaging gameplay make it a worthwhile experience. Consider picking up Nikoderiko if you enjoy nostalgic platformers, and don’t mind some technical hiccups along the way.