Violence solves nothing… unless you’re in a Bud Spencer and Terence Hill movie, then it pretty much solves everything. If you are part of the generation which grew up in the '70s and '80s, it was impossible to avoid the Italian duo’s numerous adventures during afternoon movie sessions on television. The sets varied from spaghetti westerns to modern day locations, but the plot was usually the same: baby-faced Terence Hill would get in trouble with the local ruffians and inadvertently drag jolly giant Bud Spencer into the mess. The many, many humorous slap-based fighting choreographies they used would entertain us no end.
Yet it took all these decades for the duo to jump from cinema to video games. And of course it's a side-scrolling beat’em up. Slaps and Beans is the exact kind of game one would expect to find in an early '90s arcade salon alongside similar offerings from Konami, Capcom or Data East. But are these beans worth cooking (and consuming) today?
For most of the time Slaps and Beans is a co-operative beat’em up. Even if you’re playing alone, the AI does a good job of taking care of your partner to provide an enjoyable experience. You are free to switch between either Bud or Terry on the fly by hitting ‘ZL’. While Terence plays like a faster, more agile character using his trademark slaps or his dodging skill to get around baddies, Bud is the classic brute who can easily pick up one or two enemies clean off the ground and use them as battering rams and block attacks by using the enemy's own fists against them. It is a glorious 16-bit pixelated translation of both character's distinct traits and just one of the many telltale signs of the developer's true love for the source material.
While the fighting is responsive and enjoyable, just before it outstays its welcome the game throws in numerous surprise mini-games (inspired by many scenes from their cinematic adventures) that change the complexion of the gameplay considerably. There are cowboy shoot-outs, an overhead racing game, a beer-drinking/sausage-eating rhythm game, an impromptu food fight in the supermarket and so many more fun things up for discovery. Bosses usually have some sort of gimmick you have to figure out before an untimely ‘Game Over’ tells you that you’re probably doing something wrong, and there are even some light puzzle bits when you need to use Terence’s agility and Bud’s brute force to make progress. Even the original arcade games that provided the template for this game don't offer as much variety.
It is a bit of shame then that we found a few frame rate issues in a few of these mini-games, something that could probably improve with a bit of post-release optimization. Despite having a button dedicated to special moves, you won't find the usual ‘lose a bit of your HP and send everyone to the ground’ techniques here; instead of having to make do with Terence’s super fast slaps or Bud’s big closed-fist-to-the-head. The biggest omission we found was the lack of a jump button, but at least you can double tap either direction (or use ‘ZR’) to run and perform crowd-controlling rush attacks. Levels will usually take you between 10 to 15 minutes to complete and once you finish your adventure, there's little to no incentive to replay the game… but while that first run lasts, you'll be smiling broadly thanks to the in-game text dialogues between both characters and the very satisfying rollercoaster ride of non-stop beatings.
From character design to stage backgrounds, the pixel art goes above and beyond your average 2D eShop release, with several clever lighting tricks and small little details adding constant charm to even the most plain-looking of stages. The audio side of things is also excellent – the developers successfully managed to license many of the movie duo's iconic songs to make up the game’s soundtrack and the hilarious, nostalgic sound effects from slaps and head pummels are present and accounted for. This game’s design foundation may be found in '90s arcade cabinets, but its production values are way above the ones seen all those years ago.
Conclusion
Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps And Beans is a love letter to the career of both Italian actors and arcade side-scrolling brawlers. If you find yourself in either camp, this is a highly recommended option. If you happen to be on both groups, this is truly a no-brainer – even the relatively high price is more than justified by the quality and quantity of content that will keep you smiling, at least while the ride lasts. It's a shame Bud Spencer passed away back in 2016 – we believe he would get a kick out of seeing this game in action, bringing the duo’s trademark slapstick comedy into a whole new medium and generation. Kindly slap us some beans, please.
Comments 33
As a kid, I have pretty much seen all their movies. I treasure those memories. Indeed a shame Bud past away two years ago.
I never saw a film of these two, even thought I'm from the 80s, but if it's a good game, why not?
What they don't say is how long it lasts.
I also used to love their movies as a kid. As one would expect, they don't really hold up too well these days so I wouldn't recommend anyone revisiting them. The game however I was very much looking forward to and going by Gonçalo's review, its about as good as one could hope for. I'll be getting this as soon as I have the free time to enjoy it.
WHAT STARTLING AND EXCITING NEWS TO APPEAR FROM NOWHERE!! The loveable duo literally have DESERVED a video game for aeons!
I can't believe you can race the dune buggy from Watch Out We're Mad! And I hope the Oliver Onions sound track is included too!
This is the Switch's defining moment. The sheer fact this game even exists immediately propels them to the top of the charts. A scrolling beat em up is the most fitting genre imaginable for them too. No contest, this is epic news and I'm disgusted I have to do a day's work before I can throw money at the eShop as quickly as possible to buy this game.
I'm actually hyperventilating I'm that excited to play it. God rest your soul Bud Spencer you beautiful man. He'd have loved this game. Glad Terence Hill is around to see it happen. YAY!!!!
@EasyDaRon I know, but there are so many things in this world and so scarce is the time, that we have to choose what we watch, read or play.
@EasyDaRon Don't worry, I know you meant no offense!
i really don't like brawlers, but i still wanna check this out some day just because it's a bud spencer and terence hill game
Thanks to you, NintendoLife, I’ve decided to not only get this game but to check out some of the duo’s films. I’m afraid I’ve never watched any of their movies, but there’s no time like the present. At any rate, I’m excited to play this game with my friend!
@MagicEmperor
Start with Watch Out We're Mad! (in my opinion their finest hour) and then Who Finds A Friend Finds The Treasure.
Then just watch everything else except Boot Hill as that's poo. Can't wait to play this game! It's like 40 years or so of waiting for a video game in these lads is finally at an end. The wait is over. Milestone, historical day! And according to this review it's an excellent game too!
I was born in 1980 (UK) and I have absolutely no idea who these characters are, not even heard their names before now
@NintoRich It would indeed seem most UK residents are unaware of these two, but I can assure they were massive starts in the rest of Europe and even America. I may be wrong, but it is also probably because you were too young to be exposed to their movies at the height of their fame. I too was too young back then, so I ended up learning of their work due to reruns on Portuguese TV stations well into the early 90's.
Literally never heard of these guys before. game looks cool though.
These guys were big in NZ too - I loved their movies as a kid. Will check out the game for sure.
They were huge in Germany and most of central Europe. In Denmark were i live, they were big as well, but not as big as in Germany.
I used to watch all their films on German television with my father when I was a kid back in the eighties. The German voice overs for Bud Spencer and Terence Hill were amazing. I enjoy these movies the most, when I watch them in German language today
At first I thought this was a Neo Geo game by looking at it.
They were huge in Spain too!
I watched quite a few of their movies back in the day. Kind of rough slapstick comedies, really fun for us kids in the 80s, even though I probably wouldn't enjoy them much nowadays.
If these two were ever to make the jump to video games, it just had to be in a side-scrolling brawler. It makes perfect sense!
but where is TMNT or Simpsons?
Legends, simply legends. I’m not even that big of a fan but I’m glad this game even exists!
Also, I’m only finding out now that they’re so famous all over the world.
They’re obviously huge here in Italy, but I didn’t think they were so famous abroad.
I loved the movies when I was a kid. It's surprising that some people never heard of them. I thought they were like The Beatles or strawberry pies, a part of world culture. The game looks fun.
I remember watching the TV show when I was a kid, the sounds effects and the music were unforgettable and so much fun, I'm glad they used so much original materials for this game! hopefully they will release a patch to fix the few technical issues, other than that it look great!
@MagicEmperor I watched a number of their Westerns...the one with the highest production values is "My Name is Nobody" that has Henry Fonda in it. As long as you understand the movies are from another era, and dubbed, then you won't have a problem appreciating them. They are pretty light hearted and humorous, the violence is slapstick. Good light hearted fun you could take your whole family to.
The review reads like the top, non ACA beat em up on the eShop for me. Very soon then.
I have never heard of these people, when I saw it I had no clue what it was a reference to. I actually assumed it was just some type of odd 90's gaming duo, lol.
This game looks surprisingly good, and it seems like the kind of game that won't be around forever.
Let's get physical
I had not even heard an inkling of who these guys were in America. But this game is on my radar, and I look forward to checking out their movies now.
A heads up, the entire Terence Hill and Bud Spencer filmography is on Amazon Prime Video worldwide. Get a free trial if necessary. You have no excuses!
Start with Watch Out, We're Mad! first. Then watch Who Finds A Friend Finds The Treasure next.
Then go from there. Boot Hill is poo though so avoid that one. Enjoy!
SIDE NOTE: Completed about 50% of the game yesterday and it's brilliant. A real love letter game in every sense.
I recommend watching some of the movies first, especially the ones I mentioned as they feature heavily. That way you can enjoy all the love that went in to this game. It is not without it's flaws, granted, but we've waited four decades for this and it's truly wonderful. Go! Buy! NOW!
@stuffiwrote Thanks! I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind, especially since I was wondering where I should begin. (Edit: Whoa, those movies are on Amazon Prime? That just made my quest a lot easier, haha!)
@Lone_Beagle Oh, definitely! "1970s vibes" or "different from films today" are no boundaries for me, thankfully! I grew up with slapstick and comical buddy/duo adventures, so that's why the premise of Slaps and Beans really got my attention. That and that jaunty music, "Lalalala."
Just picked this up as it's currently discounted, and it's really good. I'm in the UK and almost 42 years old, and hadn't heard of them at all up until a couple of years back when a random funny clip from 'They Call Me Trinity' surfaced on Facebook so I researched the movie, watched it and became a fan. Never would have imagined anybody making a game based on them though 😂 Makes me wonder if any other random actor partnerships should get their own games too...Micheal Landon and Victor French in some kind of Little House On The Prairie/Highway To Heaven spinoff maybe? The possibilities are endless 😛
Hello lovely Nintendo Life. I have a question for you. Have you played the whole game?? I'm Italian and as most of the Italians I'm a massive fan of Bud Spencer & Terence Hill. And so I bought this game. The problem is that the game is overwhelmingly bugged. After reaching a bit further than half the game, it gets continuously stuck. I reached a point (end of "the beach") where I'm not able to proceed any further. A friend of mine has the same problem. Not to mention the performance. This 16 bit game runs probably at 10 fps in the most advanced levels.
So have you played the whole game? Did you manage to beat it?
For me right now the right score is 0. Potentially a blast, but currently unplayable.
@n_malo Nice to know !
Better new ?
@SenseiDje
No not really. I managed to beat the game, but I got stuck several times because of the bugs. I contacted the developers and they ignored me. I contacted Nintendo and they asked me for evidence, which I didn't haev because I didn't take any video clips, and I'm not keen to go back to it just to take some videos.
@n_malo
Oww, Bad news... congrats for beating the game. And thank you, I spare 30€ not buying it...
In france also, 80’ kids loves them ! Such. Shame
If you are a fan of the Italian duo this game is worth a try, it's full of references to their films and it has a soundtrack which is of better quality than in the actual movies.
If not, there are way better executed brawlers on the Switch, like Streets of Rage 4.
Slaps and Beans has too many flaws to give it a really high score. Like that one boss battle against this guy on stilts on the fun fair, which takes ages for no reason. Then some dialogue that disappears too quickly, not even giving you the time to read it fully. And finally the AI of the CPU controlled character during the last boss battle, it's more like AS (artificial stupidity).
6/10 from me, mostly because I'm a fan of these two guys and own most of their films on DVD.
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