We previously reported on the announcement of Super Spy Raccoon, a new retro-style arcade platformer for Switch from developer Slain Mascot and indie publisher Flynn’s Arcade. Although our review is focusing on this new Switch version of the game, Super Spy Raccoon had previously snuck its way onto Steam last year.
Following the aforementioned Steam release of the game, now The Nintendo Switch version of Super Spy Raccoon is set to stealthily slide onto the Nintendo Switch via the shop on Thursday December 19.
As the name suggests, in the game, you play the part of a raccoon, who also happens to be a “super spy”, and you’ve been tasked with the mission of infiltrating enemy territory to acquire top-secret classified documents. At first glance, the game may appear to be yet another early-80s style single-screen platformer/ collect-‘em-up, which is sort of is, but that certainly isn’t the full story. You won’t get anywhere in Super Spy Raccoon by trying to mindlessly charge your way up the levels. What makes Super Spy Raccoon very different from your usual single-screen platformer is that it’s not just physical contact with enemies that must be avoided, you must also ensure that you’re not seen by them, either. This may sound like a relatively small tweak to the usual platform game formula, but it fundamentally changes how you must approach the game.
While the addition of the stealth as an essential factor of playing Super Spy Raccoon initially seems to water down the simple arcade purity of the game, it soon becomes apparent that it’s been very well implemented, and it’s a clever spin on the genre that helps to make Super Spy Raccoon a truly unique game. The levels are cleverly designed, so that some items may seem impossible to reach at first, but with a little thought and by using stealth tactics wisely, you’ll figure out how to get them, which feels very satisfying indeed. Perhaps it goes without saying for a game of this genre, but Super Spy Raccoon is a tough game, and the stealth element only makes it tougher! Thankfully, you have continues at your disposal, but if you want to make an impression on the leaderboards these are best avoided if you can handle it, because using a continue will halve your score.
Graphically, Super Spy Raccoon very deliberately looks like an early-80s arcade game, which an aesthetic that we’re sure will appeal to many of the readers of this site, and it’s a style that suits the game perfectly. The lead character and this enemies have perfectly been charmingly designed, too. In addition to nailing the arcade-style visual style, Super Spy Raccoon also uses sound well, with a suitably funky spy movie-esque soundtrack helping to set the scene for the game’s espionage antics.
Even without the stealth element, Super Spy Raccoon would have been a greatly enjoyable game, but the stealth element, which is a genius idea that has been very cleverly implemented, makes Super Spy Raccoon something very special indeed. The local and online leaderboards add longevity, and it’s the sort of game you’d be happy to replay time and again anyway. If you’re a fan of early-80s arcade platformers, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to sneak over to the eshop to pre-order Super Spy Raccoon today. At its budget price, Super Spy Raccoon really is a steal!
Score: 4/5.
