If you haven't gotten a big group of people together for a competitive game of Runbow then you haven't lived life in COLOURFUL CAPS LOCK yet. The competitive nine-player runner with a roster of original characters and borrowed favourites is a great way to make friends and alienate people.
Thanks to the wonders of E3, developer 13AM Games has confirmed today that Runbow Pocket is coming to New Nintendo 3DS this summer at retail and on the eShop - and it's bringing WayForward's Shantae along for the ride as a new character. You too can enjoy the magic of getting really mad at your friends while at home, at the airport, or even on the bus. We kid, of course - we found the original Wii U release rather excellent in our Runbow review last year and are curious to see how the game translates to a smaller, portable screen.
In fact, we had a few words with Runbow Pocket creative director Alex Rushdy about just that. Here are those words.
Playing on a 50-inch HD television is obviously a much different experience from playing on a tiny 3DS screen. Were you concerned with how the game would translate to the smaller screen? Did you have to make any gameplay or presentation concessions to fit the new resolution, or did it all translate relatively painlessly?
This is very true. While the game is still in development and we still want to test a few more options out with the visuals, we already have completely redesigned all of our user interface and menu navigation. This not only makes it clearer to see on the small screen, but it also allows you to navigate menus with the touch screen if you wish!
We've also de-cluttered a lot of the HUD from the top screen and moved it to the bottom screen during play, giving players more space to see their character and environments.
Luckily Runbow's art style is so high contrast and uses strong defined shapes, so a lot of the levels actually read just fine on the small screen!
Were you concerned about changes to the social living-room dynamic in bringing Runbow to 3DS? Depending on your circumstances on Wii U, two players might actually be tethered together by the controllers when playing this game where it's super easy to mess with each other, which creates all sorts of interesting social situations that would be absent if everyone needs their own console unit.
Well, the way we look at it, Runbow Pocket will be a different experience from Runbow and will be experienced by a different user than Runbow.
While the multiplayer features of Runbow are obviously a huge attraction for people, the response to the game shows that most players spend the majority of their time mastering the single player story mode of the game, and trying to get Bowhemoth high scores. Local and Online multiplayer is great, but you might not always have a buddy around and that's why we spent a sizeable amount of development time making Adventure, Bowhemoth and the Satura's Space Adventure DLC.
People fell in love with the characters (especially Satura) and the collectibles in the gallery and the achievements, and we think that's great.
So for Runbow Pocket we recognize that A) people really dig the single player stuff and B) handheld devices are often used in isolation, on a bus or on a plane - not at a party. So we want to accommodate those players with this game. For example, we are changing some of the achievements in the game to accommodate more solo play, and are using StreetPass to highlight your progress in the single player, your bowhemoth times and deathcount, etc. If you pick the game up at retail it also comes packed in with all the DLC including Satura's Space Adventure and some other goodies as well.
So, to answer your question, we're not really concerned about the shift in the social dynamic, and think that those who really want to have a party will enjoy the Wii U version, while those who want more of a solo adventure experience might prefer to take it on the go with Runbow Pocket!
And let's not forget, when you're playing any game with a friend. . . as long as you are in punching distance, you're good.
Shantae has joined the race on New 3DS and will be heading to Wii U as well. How did that come about? Are there plans to add additional characters from indie games? (Blink twice for yes.)
Yeah we're super excited to Shantae join the Runbow cast! To be honest, she almost made it into the previous DLC pack but we just had some timing issues we had to work through. We've been working with Matt Bozon for a while to get her in so we're really happy to see her in the game. She was the most highly requested character, and in a game featuring a huge cast of Nintendo indies, she feels right at home!
As for future characters, I think Shantae will be a nice send off for Runbow and Runbow Pocket. That will bring our (DLC included) character count to 23, which is pretty big! And that's not including all the costumes and colors for Hue and Val!
Maybe we'll see more characters show up in a future Runbow title. For now, I think Shantae is the perfect final addition.
So, about the tough-as-nails Bowhemoth marathon mode found in the Wii U edition. I got halfway through before it completely kicked my butt and made me almost bite my controller out of rage. I don't really have a question here, I just wanted you to know.
That's what I like to hear. That whole thing was designed by one twisted sadistic designer (Thomas McCall) and every time I play it I curse his name.
I used to think I was pretty good at the Bowhemoth but jeez… People have posted up no-death runs and runs under 14 minutes online! No deaths!
Hopefully you can brush up your skills and show off at next year's AGDQ or something! [Editor's note: That will in all likelihood not happen and we too curse the name Thomas McCall.]
Big thanks to Alex for participating!
Comments 25
I got runbow in Nintendo's recent humble bundle and it's great fun to play with friends, but also provides a nice solo challenge too. I look forward to the 3DS port, and hope more people play this amazing game!
I don't have the game on the Wii U, so I was a bit interested in this, but for it being on 3DS, would of been nice for multiplayer and maybe cross play to the Wii U, not sure if I would want it now or not
You didn't ask why it's not coming to regular old 3DS?
Why not normal 3ds with new 3ds having a little more features. If love to have this game but I don't wanna upgrade my 3ds for one or two games.
Makes sense to leave out the multiplayer from the 3DS version and focus on the singleplayer only. Multiplayer is challenging enough on a large screen.
game is great, i got it in the nindie bundle and have only played a little bit and only in multiplayer so maybe ill check out some of the solo stuff when i get home tonight
@jariw some online multi on the 3DS would have been fun though 🙁
I'll stick with the Wii U version I got with the Humble Bundle, but it's still nice to see this game getting a 3DS version (shame no online though). I highly recommend this game to anyone who hasn't played it yet; it's awesome! Really happy to see Shantae made it in as well!
@James_mussell98
Don't upgrade for one or two games. Upgrade for Xenoblade, Runbow, Binding of Isaac, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, Zelda Link to the Past, Earthbound, Super Punchout, Contra 3, Donkey Kong Country, DKC2, DKC3, F-Zero and Pilotwings.
Upgrade for Miiverse support in Smash, for screenshots in Smash and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, for camera controls in MH3/4 Ultimate and Zelda Majora's Mask. Upgrade so you don't need to carry a clunky add on to play RE Revelations.
Most importantly, I would say upgrade so you can finally enjoy the 3D effect as it was meant to be experienced. Upgrade for faster downloads (significantly faster), for amiibo support, and for the sheer style of owning one
Trade yours in and you could probably even upgrade for $100. Money well spent if you ask me. I highly recommend New 3DS. Can't believe I actually used to play on those old models
@JaxonH Actually, the CPP works wonders on MH4U. It's also a really nice grip; yes, visuals are visuals, but I've actually seen people say they prefer using a CPP for it over the Nu3DS.
It also works on Majora's Mask 3D.
@CrazedCavalier
Well, it does, actually. CPP is (truth be told) superior for control.
With that said, you have to use a pre-New 3DS model which means sacrificing stable 3D (which means turning it off cause in MH it would be extremely challenging holding the system perfectly still to keep 3D effect). It would also mean no posting Miiverse pics (and that's half the fun of Monster Hunter).
It would also mean having to lug it around every time you pop the game in.
For a game like MH, where you're not really aiming with precision like a FPS, the c-stick is more than sufficient, and it's built right in which is the best part. Play anywhere, anytime, always have 2nd analog control for camera. I used CPP for years. It works but it's just not worth the hassle compared to the benefits the New 3DS offers
@JaxonH Well, Monster Hunter hasn't been something I play on the go. I treat it more like a console game, with hour(s)-long grind sessions.
3D gives me a headache, and the Nu3DS facetracking would just mess up for me anyways (I have glasses).
And Miiverse isn't something most people use that much.
I'm not saying the Nu3DS doesn't have appeal; I'm just saying it doesn't appeal to me. Anybody who doesn't have a regular job can't exactly just shell out a couple hundred dollars whenever; a lot of thought needs to be put into it, and I'd rather buy Nintendo's next handheld rather than splurge on a Nu3DS.
Hmm, might grab this version of Runbow. Never got the Wii U one because I have no friends to play with. Perhaps the 3DS version will have a more enticing single player experience. If so, I'm totally down.
Bought Runbow day 1, and then another copy at work.
.... But, it was only a week ago I played the run mode.
That is by far the best mode in the game, but because of all the other modes, I hadn't tried it.i figured why do that when we can play multiplayer story mode.
However, the pacing if run mode is WAY better and perfect fit multiplayer groups!
Best the game, and enjoyed it, but I love run mode. Please add more levels to it I'll gladly pay...2x!
Runbow is a great game, and I just love 13AM's story (basically going from a game jam to indie darling with a huge success). I'll be picking up retail versions for both Wii U and New 3DS!
After having the Wii U version kindly donated to me from ThanosRexxx (you're awesome if reading), I will be trying my best to make this 3DS version a day one purchase!
Finally, a new New 3DS game! Woop
You asked about characters but not DLC in general? Is this the last bit of DLC at all or just characters is what I want to know.
Already got with the Wii U Humble Bundle, so not interested in a New 3DS port.
I'm not good at but I love Bowhemoth. I can't normally get a group for it but it makes great fun. Always only 2% finished.
@CrazedCavalier The c-stick worked fine for me in resident evil. It's not the CPP, but it's works better than expected.
I've admired the Wii U game from afar for a while now, so this is almost certainly one I'll be picking up, but I was excited about getting to play it online when the 3DS version was leaked. Can't help but feel a little disappointed, even though I would have spent most of my time in single player.
Online multiplayer isn't integral to my enjoyment of games, but I always find myself wishing I had more than a few games that support it. Lately, online games for 3DS have been a bit disappointing for me, and I hoped this one might buck the trend. Wasn't to be.
Why? Why is this a New 3DS exclusive, give me all of your reasons on why this had to be on the new, and not on a cartdridge, or just a bigger eshop game. I have enough blocks left if that's the problem, and I have Hyrule Warriors Legends so I would be used to a lower frame rate if that's the problem
@Bengyman
The 3DS is just not powerful enough. That players wouldn't care about making sacrifices in terms of performance doesn't mean that devs are happy with tenuous running games. Also it might not run at all on the 3DS. Runbow was made with Unity, the old 3DS doesn't support Unity – I think. And I would assume that a completely new development for a 3DS version would be too much for the team.
Buy a new 3ds just to play run bow. Old 3ds is not good enough. It's old and bad.
Run now must have some quality graphics
If you wear glasses you should not get new 3ds. Yes make more games for the new 3ds but VC games should be on all handheld versions.
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