MangoBat
2022
I played the Flash version that came out in 2010. It's quite a cute game, and all the different enemies and elements wowed younger me. Pixel art flash games shaped my love for video games and my creative process alongside Nintendo games. I hope flash games are better archived so they don't become extinct abandonware in the future.
2007
I think I enjoy the sequel more, but its predecessor is still a blast. Also, it's now my responsibility to get all the other pre-mobile Nitrome games added to this site.
1982
Holy crap, it's Mr. DO!
I first learned of Mr. DO! from a youtuber called SpaceHamster, who dedicated a whole video to discussing the strange nature of this game. The main objective is quite simple, collect the cherries underground while avoiding creatures which are mercilessly out for clown flesh. To get enemies off your tail, you can either crush them with a falling apple (which drops shortly after digging under it), or by using Mr.DO's fantastical, miraculous, rainbow-filled Power Ball (which I always forget I have while playing). After collecting all the cherries, you are warped to another level, and repeat the cycle until you die. This game has such a fun wacky vibe, that I would feel badly giving it anything lower than 5 stars. I would recommend it if you are into cutesy NES-Arcade hybrids like Bubble Bobble and Dig Dug.
I first learned of Mr. DO! from a youtuber called SpaceHamster, who dedicated a whole video to discussing the strange nature of this game. The main objective is quite simple, collect the cherries underground while avoiding creatures which are mercilessly out for clown flesh. To get enemies off your tail, you can either crush them with a falling apple (which drops shortly after digging under it), or by using Mr.DO's fantastical, miraculous, rainbow-filled Power Ball (which I always forget I have while playing). After collecting all the cherries, you are warped to another level, and repeat the cycle until you die. This game has such a fun wacky vibe, that I would feel badly giving it anything lower than 5 stars. I would recommend it if you are into cutesy NES-Arcade hybrids like Bubble Bobble and Dig Dug.
2014
It's Peggle, but shoved into a predatory Candy Crush-esque mobile game structure. Boss battle stages against Bjorn's evil brother, Fnord, are tedious multi-step challenges that feel like an artificial difficulty wall encouraging the player to spend money on extra lives. This games only saving graces are 1) It's Peggle, and 2) Some of the new Peggle Masters have cool designs and powers (especially Kablooey and Roxy Raccoon)
The game is pretty short in length; each of the 7 worlds is only 4 levels long. I'm not sure if it falls under the same "Quick-but-fun" vibe games like Luigi's Mansion or Pikmin 3 offer, but it has its moments of joy. The game's colorful claymation style is charming, and the music is great. I especially love the boss theme, and its different iterations with each boss battle. Boss battles are pretty fun too, taking advantage of Kirby's rolling movements to create unique arenas to move around.
(Also Elline's Secret Diary drawings are pure gold, especially her interpretations of King Dedede and Meta-Knight)
(Also Elline's Secret Diary drawings are pure gold, especially her interpretations of King Dedede and Meta-Knight)
2007
The dream that never ends...
Excellent RPG that's approachable for newcomers to the genre, and full of depth and charm! I especially love the almost claymation-like art style with its pixilated 3D models.