We need more frog-influenced platformers in our lives, right? Well, Frogun might just have us covered then. Even if you aren't controlling an actual frog...
Today, developer Molegato and publisher Top Hat Studios announced that this nostalgic 90s-style platformer will be launching on the Switch on 2nd August. The game's publisher describes Frogun as "an old-school platformer with the soul of the PS1/N64 era", and it certainly looks that way. From the low-poly visuals and the unusual frog-grappling mechanics (your frog friend can be used as a grappling hook. It's cute. But it's weird because it's also a gun), right down to the bubbly music, we're getting the warm fuzzies just watching the trailer!
We have to say though, that the plot is a little bit concerning — the main character is Renata, who is left as a base camp by her parents who happen to be intrepid explorers. On their expedition, they go missing, leaving Renata to fend for herself and find her parents by herself. Well, she and her best friend Frogun. As long as it leads to adventure, hey?
Here's what Top Hat has to share about the game from its press release:
Experience dozens of levels set across many uniquely themed worlds, encounter other mysterious adventurers, and find unlockable secrets, collectables and in-game achievements, as well as notes left by pirates, raiders, and previous explorers of the ruins. To reward collection maniacs, Frogun’s coins can be traded for unlockable cosmetics and behind-the-scenes peeks. Upon 100% completion of the game, players can unlock an expert time trials mode which provides a set of pro times to beat for each level and should serve as a speed runner’s dream, alongside a bonus dedicated speed-running mode.
Frogun Features:
- Explore colorful levels full of crispy pixelated ruins, freezing snow caps, and scorching lava swamps in a modern representation of the classic 90s 3D platformer aesthetic
- From levers to buttons, lethal traps, and adorable enemies, there are countless ways to use your Frogun to navigate the world
- Race across levels against Renata's rival and take on the challenge of huge bosses
- Find secret areas and shortcuts by mastering the grappling mechanics
- Collect emblems by fulfilling level challenges
- Visit the hatter to trade your coins for hats, bestiary entries, behind-the-scenes looks at concept art, and more
- Unlock 2-player duel arenas to challenge your friends
- Over 30 achievements available on all platforms
- A posable photo mode to show off your creativity!
We'll be hopping on over when Frogun hits the eShop on 2nd August because we're ready for our dose of 90s nostalgia every single day.
What do you think of Frogun? Will you be picking it up? Give us a croak in the comments!
Comments 26
Looks more PS1 inspired.
I have to say it, this looks kinda cool.
They've also announced that a physical release of Frogun will be coming to Switch, PS4, and PS5, via Limited Run Games.
Not clear if it'll be a distribution or a numbered release.
Looks like a low-poly Balan to me.
Frogun looks like a cool edition to the Switch. I also like what this represents in a larger context. Way back when, the consensus was that early 3D games, from 1st generation consoles, would be discarded in the future because of the poor graphics. Now we are seeing our first glimpse into N64 style retro graphics. While the performance level will be higher, there is a certain aesthetic art form these early entries into a new dimension. For example, there is a whole sub-genre of modern horror games that emulate the odd look of Playstation 1 titles. They have that odd, muddy surreal look to characters faces that's eerie in atmosphere, but that you need for that genre. If N64 style graphics become acceptable, we could see indie developers finding some space in the 3D gaming world.
I don't have any nostalgia for this era and I generally feel N64 games have aged like milk. But this looks great. It makes a big difference to keep all the colours bright, the framerate high, and hopefully the controls smooth and responsive.
If there is a Shovel Knight-ification of low poly graphics, i.e. making them look better than they were rather than authentic, it's a welcome trend in games' visual designs.
Looks good, although the lack of texture filtering means it looks more PS1 than N64. Still, I'll be happy to play something that homages that era.
@swoose Alot of them haven't. I was kid when the N64 came out and besides a few good games, the library was quite small and there were plenty of duds. The majority of N64 games have not stood the test of time.
This looks like a cross between a 64 platformer and a 3d game with tighter, smaller levels, like the Mario with cast suits.
I might try it.
The frogun is also cursed. But you get your choice of topping!
I was about to knock it and say it looks just like My Sims for NDS, but after watching the trailer I think it actually looks quite promising.
Unless this is a numbered LRG release I feel I can skip it. I need to save money somewhere and this game...just doesn't interest me.
Oh yeah, the game from the frog direct
It looks okay I guess? Collecting a billion coins doesn't look very fun though.
@SteamEngenius Yeah I can understand a retro aesthetic but IMO some conventions like its movement and that focus on pure collecting are better left in the past.
As someone mentioned Balan Wonderworld also thought that just collecting is compelling.
To me, it looks more like a PS1 or high-rez Nintendo DS game.
@SteamEngenius You kidding me mate? You wouldn't have made it growing up in the 90's. Nothing says fun like throwing your controller because a single coin needs precise precision or else you die and have to restart from zero.
Looks more like to a PS1 game to me. Seems like you get the awkward camera controls thrown in for good measure. It's also too zoomed in and the character movement seems really slow. I can see this one being a bit boring.
This game looks so much fun, I would love to play this using the N64 Switch controller!
(if I can ever get one that is...)
I hope this game gets a physical copy soon.
This is my nostalgia talking, but outside of the totally from Megaman Legends face texture, Croc and Crash Bandicoot are not my thing as much, which is more where this seems to be (especially Croc). Also the music seems kinda bad based on that, you could do some really cool stuff on even less than great games from that era (listen to the music from even Crash 1 or Glover), while that one particular song sounds like a midi from vgmusic(dot)com and should be in some freeware RPG Maker game from 15 years ago (a different type of nostalgia).
Looks pretty good to me!!
Yes. Swaddle my eyes in those sweet 32-bit era style graphics..
Looks more PS1 than N64. Love the art style; but the gameplay looks a little boring.
@kkslider5552000 "vgmusic (dot) com" now there's a deep cut.
Best to overlay it with Ape Escape or Jumping Flash music.
Though the quality of the music is TBD when it releases.
$15 is cheap.
Love the nostalgic N64-PS1 blocky art style & aesthetic!
Tbh, it just makes me want a new Mega Man 64/Legends game on Switch though.
... Wun can only hope.
I'm really looking forward this hum Psone hum Era nostalgic platform game. I'm a sucker for 3D platform and this one looks lovely and interesting to play with its old school camera and frog gun mechanic. Another feature that really got my interest is the time trial mode with set times.
There are many games with time trial modes, but par times are really good, I'm not good enough to compete with world records, and I'm usually not motivated enough to go all out and beat my own times over and over until I reach my limits. Good set times are a bliss. I really enjoyed these times in games like Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Diddy Kong Racing and Crash Bandicoot 3 to name a few games that had some similar features.
I hope that the game will be as cool to play as it looks.
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