When Runbow released for the Wii U back in 2015, we praised it as one of the best games on the platform. Sadly, despite an excellent critical reception, the colourful platformer didn’t reach the audience it could have due to the Wii U’s limited install base.
13AM is aiming to share its opus with a different audience on Nintendo’s portable platform, the New Nintendo 3DS (the original models aren't supported) - but did Runbow survive the transition to the small screen? Mostly.
First, a bit of admin. We've been reviewing the retail Deluxe version of Runbow Pocket, which naturally costs more but comes with all of the game's original DLC. If you’d like to keep a little cash in your pocket you can buy Runbow without that DLC from the 3DS eShop; the DLC itself can then be purchased piecemeal or in a bundle.
Back to the topic at hand, all of Runbow’s single-player content - which is absolutely wonderful - has made the transition intact. All 140-plus levels from the original Adventure mode as well as Bowhemoth mode are crammed into the 3DS version; that's an impressive feat on its own.
When we reviewed the original Runbow two years ago, we described the basics of the game as follows:
Runbow in the most basic of forms is a platformer; the objective is to simply get to the goal by jumping on platforms and overcome chasms and obstacles - yet not everything can be that simple. As any other game in the genre, the levels in Runbow boast an array of different platforms - usually they range from black to all the colours of the rainbow. The catch here is that the background colour will change periodically, and when the colour of the platform matches the background it will instantly disappear.
Those basic facts hold true for Runbow Pocket as well. The game plays exactly the same on 3DS as it does on Wii U, but that isn’t to say no compromises were made in porting the Wii U gem to the more diminutive portable. Nevertheless Adventure mode is still the game’s main attraction for single-player fun, with medals unlocking concept art and characters.
The first and most noticeable change is just how much smaller everything feels on the 3DS screen. It’s an understandable choice, given that the action needs to be zoomed out to a certain degree in order for you to be able to see the obstacles that lie ahead, but the presentation suffers from being on such a cramped space. Character details are hard to pick out, which is a shame because they’re absolutely wonderful.
Speaking of character designs, Runbow Pocket Deluxe also includes all of the guest characters from the Wii U original as well, which adds a nice bit of variety to the colourful roster.
We’ve established that you’re getting the same single player and the same roster from the Wii U version in Runbow Pocket, but there are other differences as well and, sadly, they’re not for the better.
Multiplayer is arguably Runbow’s biggest draw, and it had to be scaled back to work on the New 3DS. Where the original supported up to nine players simultaneously across four modes, this version only supports a maximum of four players in three modes. Run, Arena and King of the Hill all made the cut, but ColourMaster - which made use of the Wii U’s GamePad - didn’t make its way in.
You can still play local multiplayer or online, but the modes feel like they’ve lost some of their charm with so few players compared to the original. We aren’t sure if this is due to a limitation of the New 3DS hardware, but it’s also entirely possible this has more to do with the fact that keeping track of more than four players would be too difficult on the small screen.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to love about Runbow Pocket Deluxe, but it’s clear 13AM had to make some tough concessions to get the game onto the New 3DS. Load times are a bit longer than they were on the Wii U, but the core game is still a wonderful platformer. We feel like this would have been a terrific candidate for a port to the Switch, but the compromises made to bring the game to the New 3DS leave the Wii U version as the definitive edition of Runbow. If portability is more important you’ll absolutely love Runbow Deluxe. Otherwise, we recommend dusting off your GamePad and playing the superior version on the Wii U.
So it's not as good as the Wii U version. I'm sure there'll be a Switch version eventually. Every other indie dev seems to porting their Wii U games to Switch.
I'm happy with the Wii U version, so I'll pass on this. If there was a Switch version, I would definitely consider getting that... but for now, just the Wii U version for me.
Love the Wii U version, but this looks like a testament to how horrendous it was for some indie developers to make games for the Wii U. Why else bother making a severely downgraded version for a system that is easier to develop for and has a much bigger install base?
Edit: Didn't even realize this was New 3DS exclusive. So yeah, not sure why this even exists or how smart of a move it was to make this kind of port.
I love Runbow on Wii U, but have no plans for this version honestly. The most fun part about it was playing multiplayer with my wife and friends. Now if this shows up on Switch, I may go again.
"Where the original supported up to nine players simultaneously across four modes, this version only supports a maximum of four players in three modes."
So I'm guessing this means no crossplay between new3DS and Wii U versions.
Sucks, since Runbow's online community is freakin' DEAD on Wii U...
Comments 14
So it's not as good as the Wii U version. I'm sure there'll be a Switch version eventually. Every other indie dev seems to porting their Wii U games to Switch.
Ya, Switch I'd buy again, but I only play 3DS now if I must (Metroid will see play time for sure).
Particularly this game which kinda has a MP focus. I know there's a lot of 3DS out there, but I think most of the buyers are moving on to Switch.
Nah
I'm happy with the Wii U version, so I'll pass on this. If there was a Switch version, I would definitely consider getting that... but for now, just the Wii U version for me.
Got on Wii U and don't need it on the 3ds too. Plus I don't even own a New 3ds if I wanted it...
Love the Wii U version, but this looks like a testament to how horrendous it was for some indie developers to make games for the Wii U. Why else bother making a severely downgraded version for a system that is easier to develop for and has a much bigger install base?
Edit: Didn't even realize this was New 3DS exclusive. So yeah, not sure why this even exists or how smart of a move it was to make this kind of port.
Isn't that kind of backwards? I mean, how many people own a New 3DS in particular in comparison to Wii U?
I love Runbow on Wii U, but have no plans for this version honestly. The most fun part about it was playing multiplayer with my wife and friends. Now if this shows up on Switch, I may go again.
@RyanSilberman Well, least its another "New 3DS" game to tempt people to pick up a New 2DS XL next month.... XD
that's a shame. guess i'll stick with the PC version for now.
I hope Runbow comes to the Switch!
what are the DLC things / prices for those of us who haven't bought yet?
"Where the original supported up to nine players simultaneously across four modes, this version only supports a maximum of four players in three modes."
So I'm guessing this means no crossplay between new3DS and Wii U versions.
Sucks, since Runbow's online community is freakin' DEAD on Wii U...
This game is perfect for Switch because of the Joy Cons but oh well
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