It's been a while since our last Kickstarter summary article — our apologies, please understand — so we thought we'd make a return to check on the success or otherwise of those that made the list last time, while also highlighting new projects currently doing the rounds.
As before we are showing projects with attainable goals and those that generally look promising; there are some suggestions we've received that don't quite hit the standards we're aiming for. Community feedback always brings more games to our attention, of course, so keep at us with those suggestions.
All of that said, let's get to it.
Funded Projects
Adventures of Pip — Wii U included in core goal [$53,000 of $40,000 target reached, 3 days to go]
The original campaign for this game was aborted, so it's been second time lucky for Tic Toc Games. The key selling point is that this platformer incorporates three different core forms for the hero, who can also absorb the pixels of enemies as weapons. The different move-sets and capabilities of the three forms — tiny, gangly and strong — could make this a unique experience.
Chances of success: Funded and confirmed for Wii U, targeting early 2015
Nefarious — Wii U included in core goal [$50,331 of $50,000 target raised]
This is a 2D platformer that switches things up by placing you in the role of villain, as you're the one doing the princess kidnapping and outwitting heroes. This is boasting some eye-catching visuals that show an impressive attention to detail.
Chances of success: It was a very narrow success, but the Wii U version is funded - targeting mid 2015.
A Rite from the Stars — Wii U included in core goal [$41,302 of $40,000 target raised]
Inspired by point-and-click adventures of old, this incorporates a 3D graphics engine, featuring multiple paths and different endings depending on performance. The developers cites unique features while staying true to the genre as key goals.
Chances of success: Only just, but funded for Wii U — targeting May 2015.
Hive Jump — Wii U included in core goal [$58,675 of $50,000 target raised]
This one looks particularly attractive and was originally pointed out to us in the comments. With punchy retro-styled visuals and sound, this is a run and gun action game with some elements of strategy thrown in. Online and local co-op for up to four players looks fun, as do upgradable weapons and permadeath; the target Wii U release (Fall 2015) is later than on PC, while the developer aims to give the Nintendo system's version some unique features.
Chances of success: A successful last two days confirmed the Wii U version, targeting Q3 2015
The Power of Glove: A Power Glove Documentary — [$18,278 of $15,000 target raised]
As the title makes clear, this is a film project to produce a documentary all about the iconic but barely functional NES peripheral. It's production slowed down, with this campaign aiming to secure funds to get it over the finish line.
Chances of success: Funded.
Pending for Wii U
Aegis Defenders — Wii U included as $150,000 stretch goal [$145,815 of $65,000 raised]
Already a significant success in its campaign, this looks like a stylish tactical platformer in which two players co-operate and use various items for self-defence and navigating the environment. The pitch trailer shows promising use of these mechanics with some attractive visuals.
Chances of success: Paypal donations are slowly taking the developers towards the Wii U goal, but as yet it's not been reached.
Ray's the Dead — Wii U included as $65,000 stretch goal [$51,773 of $30,000 raised]
Another success story, this game has eye-catching visuals and a neat hook as you raise the dead — hence the wordplay in the title — to accompany you on an adventure; it seems to be part exploration, part strategy as you lead and hurl an undead army into action. It's all with the goal of exploring Ray LaMorte's backstory.
Chances of success: Pre-orders from the game's website will apparently count towards stretch goals, so there's hope yet for a Wii U version.
New Projects
Warlocks — Wii U included in core goal [approx $21,850 of $25,000 target reached, less than 24 hours remaining]
A title we covered recently, this is an action platforming game with multiple areas to explore, loot to collect, bosses to battle and different playable characters to master; online and local co-op will also feature.
Chances of success: It'll come down to the wire in the final hours of the campaign.
Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King — Wii U included as $250,000 stretch goal [approx $14,700 of $45,000 target reached, 16 days remaining]
This looks like an utterly charming action RPG, with pixel-based visuals shown off to great effect in the pitch video. There are very clear moments of inspiration from the 2D top-down Legend of Zelda titles, particularly A Link to the Past, including some of those famous mechanics. Despite those familiarities there seems to be a neat twist that the plot is based off storytelling in-game, with some twists and unexpected developments promised.
Chances of success: Despite the outlandish stretch goal, the developer's emphasized that the Wii U is top of the porting list and has decent odds if the project's core goal is reached.
Wii U funding missed
Super World Karts — Wii U included as $32,000AUD stretch goal [$17,816AUD of $16,000AUD target raised]
This is a Mode-7 Super Mario Kart-inspired racer, with its own range of modes, racers, courses and items. It looks a little rough and ready — and has lifted a few sound effects from well-known retro games — but looks rather charming and chaotic.
Chances of success: The campaign fell well short of the Wii U goal, and there's been no indication of that being overcome.
Let us know what you think of this current crop and the newcomers, and by all means share other projects that have been left out in the comments below. We'll also endeavour to get back to more regular updates, we promise.
Comments 34
Awesome. I'll look out for Warlocks and Adventures of Pip.
3ds... You know where this is going... To hard to change the name of a title? Or are you that desperate for clicks?
I've already pledged to Blossom Tales! Really hope this gets funded, and as you guys said, Castle Pixel (the dev) said even if it doesn't hit the high Wii-U stretch goal, it'll most likely still be planned! Can't wait!
Those who backed Rex Rocket might want to check out the Blossom Tales deal that was announced recently. Check your e-mail!
As a whole, pretty good week for kickstarter games. Bucks the recent trend I've seen. A few of them look promising. Hope the devs deliver - and glad now they must deliver something with the new rules in place by Kickstarter.
Nefarious was a close one, hit funding within the last ten minutes. It'd be great if people kept donating though, some of those stretch goals look amazing.
AoPip looks good.
The kickstarter for Warlocks seems to have some momentum now, so it might perhaps reach its goal. I funded it myself just recently, after NL's article on the project.
Huh. I'll admit, Ray's the Dead looks better than I imagined. I admittedly wasn't planning on getting it when I looked at the picture, but after seeing the trailer, I'm honestly looking forward to it. Besides, I like zombie games.
I kept aiming for people to fund hive jump since it looks nothing but awesome but I am also thinking about nefarious, maybe aegis defenders, warlocks, rays the dead if they reach the goals but I am more into how much space they take up and the price.
I pledged for Nefarious, and it was ridiculous watching the totals change over the last few hours. I could hardly watch, and I was just a backer.
I'm still on the fence about Warlords, not because I'm not interested, but because with two of the other Kickstarters that have been funded, and a significant number of major releases from last week to the end of this month, my gaming budget is pretty much shot. On the flip side, I think I've already bought enough games for 2015 and 2016, so at some point by budget will return to normal levels.
Nefarious came in unexpectedly close, but still made it. Would've been a shame to see such a beautiful and funny platformer go down.
Adventure of Pip was kinda surprising, since the first attempt was going rather badly, and was then canceled. After such things, people often mistrust the creators and plegle less or nothing at all for the second round.
Blossom Tales seems a bit too straight ALttP for my taste, but who knows, it could have something to it.
But I really hope Aegis Defenders will reach the WiiU stretch goal! A game based on one of the many beatiful Miyazaki movies that keeps itself in resonance with the source material cannot go unnoticed!
I don't care for the rest, though. Good to see more, but not my stuff.
@BarbieGurl777 There were some projects here and there in the past that were planned for 3DS, but most of them failed horribly, due to various reasons. I suppose indie devs don't see much of a point in creating games for 3DS, at this point. Sad, but understandable.
Glad to see Nefarious reached its goal. Can't wait to play it.
Hive Jump looks super rad, I am all over that!
Yes A Rite from the Stars is funded i'm so happy,and i hope Warlocks get's funded to it looks so awesome and chaotic.
Hey, you left off 'Heroes Never Lose: Professor Puzzler's Perplexing Ploy'. It's already funded and Wii U was added to the core goal, so it's good to go. I'm surprised it was missed.
You should've also mentioned the recent success of Heroes Never Lose: Professor Puzzler's Perplexing Ploy
absolutely garbage games.
Stash was also funded, no idea when/(if?) they'll port it to Wii U though.
@ogo79 your opinion is more than incorrect, as I say these games are fantastic, which makes that statement even more false.
(Getting a feeling of deja vu?)
I seriously can't wait for Adventures of Pip.
FYI Warlocks just hit its funding goal with 15 hours to go, looks like its coming to Wii U.
Super excited about A Rite From the Stars getting funded! Yes!
@PolarKoalaBear
hey there
(the only feeling im getting is one of a secret admirer)
welcome to nintnedolife, yer life began 4 hours ago, have a fantastic stay.
No Elysian Shadows? Man, that game got fully funded and may land on Wii U.. I know the guy behind it personally AND he partnered with Watermelon (of Pier Solar fame) and is publishing it on Dreamcast and other consoles.. I tried to tell you guys about it but was ignored.. It's an action RPG with amazing retro visuals and a cool lighting system.. Also inspired by the likes of Secret of Mana.. It's pretty cool, look it up.
Nefarious looks pretty neat IMO. Reminds me of Mighty Switch Force HD, and I loved MSF HD
You've missed Band Saga. It got funded, but did not meet the 3DS stretch goal.
@B3ND3R AFAIK, the games listed here are the campaigns that ended just recently. The campaign for "Elysian Shadows" ended a month ago, and there's still $65,000 left to the stretch goal that cover consoles like the Wii U.
Help get Blossom Tales funded! There's still hope if people help spread the word : )
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1441844041/blossom-tales-the-sleeping-king
@SirQuincealot It's a series that covers both platforms, so I'm not going to change the title. I'll happily paste this reply in every time if you like.
I think there are more important things to think about.
Some good looking indie games have been successfully funded for the Wii U. I am going to keep an eye on some of these.
I like how the picture of the island in A Rite from the Stars looks very much like Scabb Island from Monkey Island 2
@jariw I'm aware when it ended, and the possibility of it hitting Wii U is still there.
@jariw Even if it didn't hit the stretch goal, I brought it up to NL months ago (even sent a message through Contact Us) when it was just started up in Kickstarter and got ignored
@ThomasBW84 yeah, like which crappy Wii u games are never coming out
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