
One of the top ten best-selling indie releases on the eShop to date is that of Enter the Gungeon, a super-tough twin-stick roguelike that’s great for local co-op sessions. However, those of you that regularly play on the PC may be aware that Gungeon was actually not the first notable game to execute the concept of a twin-stick roguelike; that honour belongs to Nuclear Throne, which has now made its way onto the Switch. Though lacking in its presentation, Nuclear Throne proves that it knows what ingredients are needed to make a compelling roguelike adventure; it’s a wildly fun game to play both alone and with a friend.
Nuclear Throne takes place in the distant post-apocalyptic future, a time where humans have long since died off and the world is overrun by insane mutants that vie for control of the coveted Nuclear Throne. You take control of one of twelve (unlockable) mutants, each with different strengths and weaknesses, in your bid for glory, shooting your way through the countless bandits, mutants, and derelicts that stand between you and your goal. Should you fail on your quest – and let’s be real, you’re going to fail way more often than not – you’ve got to start over from square one and work your way back up. It’s harrowing, difficult, and seemingly impossible, but Nuclear Throne is the kind of game that’s excessively difficult to put down once it has its hooks in you.

See, every run that you make for the throne is randomly generated; each ‘world’ still retains consistent theming and enemy types, but the arrangement of each level is entirely fresh every time you play it. This goes, too, for the weapons that you come across, which are randomly dropped via a couple of chests that appear at some point in each level, forcing you to become familiar and comfortable with a diverse lineup of firepower if you want a realistic shot at winning. Weapons aren’t everything, however, as every killed enemy drops ‘Rads’ that act as experience points; once you collect enough of these, your character will mutate and you can pick from a randomized selection of buffs before entering the next level.
What’s immediately striking about Nuclear Throne is how ‘arcade-y’ it feels in nearly every aspect, in the sense that this is the kind of game that will quickly put you in the ground if you make the barest mistake. Levels generally feel quite claustrophobic in nature, and given that many of the mutants don’t have viable escape options, it can be exceedingly easy to get cornered and subsequently torched. Or, in the rare cases where you find yourself in a wide-open area of a level, it’s all too common to be surrounded on all sides by a silly amount of enemies that waste no time in trying to end your run. Though it certainly has a high skill ceiling, Nuclear Throne is very much a luck-based affair at its core and the hard truth is that you can often find yourself in scenarios where it’s not about how you can win, but how you can best minimize your loss.

For example, ammo is excessively scarce, which basically forces you to continuously be dropping weapons in favour of new ones, even if the new weapons are a ‘downgrade’. You can only carry two weapons at a time, and you just might be content with the two that you’ve got on you, but if both of them are out of ammo, you have to drop one so you can finish clearing out the enemies and keep moving. Luckily, the weapon variety is deep – there’s everything from ordinary shotguns to guns that shoot spinning blades that can bounce off walls – and there are very few that don’t feel viable, but it’s inevitable that certain types will jive better with your particular playstyle.
Similarly, the mutations system pushes you to make tough decisions, as most of the four buffs offered to you after each level up are sure to make a notable difference in your survival. Do you take the mutation that gives you back some ammo after every kill, or do you go with the one that adds four points to your max health? What about the one that increases the drop rate of medkits? As with the rest of the game, there aren’t strictly any wrong answers here – which is why Nuclear Throne can be so rewarding to continuously replay – but nonetheless, the decisions you make both in the short term and long term directly correlate with whether or not you succeed.

You only have access to a couple of mutants at first, with later ones being unlocked after reaching certain milestones and finding secrets, and we found it admirable how the developers have made each one play so distinct from the next. One of the earlier mutants, Crystal, is fit for more defensive players, as it has an unusually large health pool and an ability that grants it temporarily invincibility. On the other hand, Melting is more geared towards the offensively-minded players, as it gets more rads from kills and can blow up enemy corpses, but at the cost of a paltry 2 HP health bar. Regardless of playstyle, there’s sure to be something here for everyone, and we appreciated how the different mutant kits can make subsequent runs feel entirely different, cutting back significantly on any grindiness.
Though online isn’t featured here – other than daily and weekly runs that offer the community one shot at a set challenge – local co-op is present and correct, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already difficult game. You and your partner don’t share guns or ammo, so there’s less for you both, but you have to ensure that you keep each other alive. If one of you goes down, the other one only has a few seconds to run over and revive; if the survivor doesn’t make it there in time, their health depletes rapidly until they join their fallen comrade in death. If the survivor does make it there in time, half their health is automatically drained to revive their partner. It’s gruelling, to say the least, but having the extra firepower offered by a friend certainly does help, especially in later levels. All the same, we’d recommend you play this one with a friend who’s similarly skilled in playing twitchy shooters, as you can’t really ‘carry’ someone to the end.

Unfortunately, adding a friend to the mix causes a notable issue with overall readability that hinders how much fun you can have. Nuclear Throne features a letterboxed view and the camera is already fairly zoomed in, so throwing another player into the fray can make for a chaotic and messy screen in which its difficult to track who’s who and what’s going on. It’s not deal-breaking, and disabled screen shake in the settings helps to mitigate this, but after seeing how well the co-op works in Enter the Gungeon, it can be hard to put up with the sub-par co-op offering found in Nuclear Throne. Your mileage may vary.
From a presentation perspective, Nuclear Throne manages to satisfy, if not impress, going for a goofy, pixelated wasteland vibe that’s nice to look at but not particularly memorable. All the pixel art and animations are fine and adequately convey the information they need to, but we were hard pressed to find any ‘wow’ moments here that show any meaningful ambition; it’s clear that the focus was placed more on gameplay than visuals, which is a fine, though disappointing, decision. Similarly, the next to non-existent soundtrack seldom adds much to your experience, although the random screams, squeals, and other mutant noises do help to instil the moment-to-moment action with some much-needed charm.
Conclusion
Nuclear Throne proves to be an enjoyable and devilishly challenging roguelike shooter that no fans of the genre will want to miss out on, even if it does tend to become more frustrating if you add in a second player. Though the visuals and music are rather disappointing, the core gameplay of Nuclear Throne more than makes up for any deficiencies through its variety and feedback loops; it’s the kind of game that’s so easy to jump into, you just can’t refuse having ‘one more go’. If you’re a fan of Enter the Gungeon, roguelikes, or difficult games in general, Nuclear Throne is going to be right up your alley; we’d give this one a high recommendation.
Comments 36
Looks like just another indie retro rogulelike on a console that has dozens of them. But this looks like one of the better ones, anyway.
"visuals and music are rather disappointing"
I've read enough. Hard, hard pass.
I’m not one to really be annoyed by a persistence of good scores, but I have to say I’m confused seeing some of the many 8s and 9s. When Nuclear Throne gets a 7. Oh well, I encourage opened minded gamers with a tolerance for difficulty to check this game out. It’s my favorite rogue lite, of the twin stick shooting variety at least.
I’m glad it got a review tho, I had given up on that.
I'm not a huge fan of rogue games mainly because of the difficulty, I couldn't get into The Binding of Isaac for whatever reason. I just bought Gungeon and, I think I like it more than Isaac? I dunno...
Death Road to Canada is still my most favorite rogue game, though. lol
@SmaMan Yeah it's a game we have seen many times already.
The visuals are pretty rough, but assuming the switch version doesn't crash like the never - fixed Vita version, it's an easy 8.
@aznable Doesn't mean the reviewers view is definitive. This game is generally considered a total modern classic; the art has quite a sophisticated level of subtle details - and the music is more than adequate. If someone said Breath of the Wild's art and sound was disappointing (because it wasn't their style/didn't like cell-shading) would you hard pass that without developing your own opinion?
Anyway, I think 'The Binding of Issac' looks like a dog's arse - but apparently it's really good.
I’m fed up with these ultra difficult games...give me more like Yoshis crafted world, Gunman Clive etc.
Whoa maybe the timing on the switch isn't the best but when I played on pc I thought it was awesome
I recommended to my brother and he completed the first loop before than me
Enter the Gungeon released and was the 'meh another one'
Nuclear Throne is fast paced, with nice characters, enemies, weapons
There's alternate routes, space cops etc, little details that were always nice to discover
Or maybe I'm nostalgic already
For what it is worth to anyone else interested, I enjoyed this game far more than Enter the Gungeon. I played through this with a friend, so perhaps that's difference, but I definitely enjoyed my time with Nuclear Throne more.
I’ll be checking this out. - NL, please up the amount of reviews. It’s getting a little sparse.
I'ma just say this rn.
I LOOOOOOVE Nuclear Throne. Literally the best roguelike out there.
Don't let the pixel art fool you, this game is top notch. I might triple dip on the Switch. NUCLEAR THRONE ON THE GO!!!
IF YOU LIKED GUNGEON YOU WILL LOVE NUCLEAR THRONE!!!!1
(probably)
Also the music has perfect ambiance, just not the download-to-your-phone type.
Except the Y.V. Rap.
https://youtu.be/_jl3iBbkwFM
Now where is the Baba is You review?
Hmm, appreciate that people seem to love this, but i don't really have enough play time for 2 games like this, and i still enjoy gungeon (and barely ever get past level 2 still). The graphical style of this one doesn't appeal eithet, so i think I'll pass.
@brunojenso The game didn't look good to start, from videos i'd seen. their impressions bolstered my own. Modern classic? BotW is a modern classic. This is a retro POS in a market figuratively littered with retro indies. Many of us are getting- if not already- tired of this stuff. The hard pass comes from not seeing anything new or polished enough to take my attention away from games like EtG, Neurovoider, or Everspace. Roguelikes that have something special to offer. Not just cash grabs at a (god i hope) dying fad.
So yeah. Also, if somebody said "I don't like this because it isn't my style," it would be different than this scenario which is just poor execution of pixel art. See Hyper Light Drifter for contrast.
Also also i don't like b.o.i. either
This is at least an 8. Great game.
@aznable Fair enough mate. It was just that your post read like you had literally read that line and dismissed it purely on that alone.
JFYI I'm fairly sure this title was around and making a name for itself before all the games you mentioned – so it's definitely not a cash grab of the current trend of pixel rogue-likes. I love good pixel art – so I definitely wouldn't call this a POS on that alone - but I can appreciate it's not a look all modern gamers enjoy.
For me the trend of developers treading the same water with making 2D platformer games way too much and not daring to invest more in 3D titles is a more concerning trend - so I guess we all have things that drive us crazy.
Saying that I'm currently hooked on Downwell which sports super simple pixel and is yet another bloody 2D platformer.
@aznable
Nuclear Throne was released in 2015. Although it was in early access since 2013.
It started the roguelike boom alongside games like FTL, TBOI, and Spelunky.
In my opinion, this game is significantly more fun than Enter the Gungeon.
Enter the Gungeon is still a great game, and it's more polished and has more content, more variety, but Nuclear Throne's gun mechanics and moment-to-moment pacing completely blow Gungeon out of the water. Even ostensibly powerful guns in Gungeon feel like little pea shooters compared to the guns in Nuclear Throne.
If Gungeon has you feeling like a tactical dude in a cover shooter, Nuclear Throne makes you feel like a cracked up gun-wizard who has to kill to breathe. The flow state you can get into in this game is simply sublime.
I've always been disappointed with Nuclear Throne because it runs at 30 fps, which I think looks and plays terribly in a game like this. Enter the Gungeon is much smoother and a better experience. Also just want to comment that no matter how good Binding of Isaac is I can never enjoy it. The dreary, depressing, and ill-sounding music, the piles of poop everywhere, the combination of poop and blood in the graphics, etc all just makes it a not fun place to be. When I play it (always briefly) I always think why be in a digital place like this when I could be in the mushroom kingdom?! It would probably help if I didn't know the plot. I'm no fan of Christianity, so it doesn't offend me, but why would I want to play in such a horrific story? Yuck. It's like a videogame about child abuse and abandonment. Anyways, back to Nuclear Throne. In spite of it maybe not being exactly the same type of game, I'd also recommend Tesla vs Lovercraft over Nuclear Throne. It has awesome guns and power ups, plus it runs super sharp and smooth!
I'd give it a 6. It's the best in a genre of easy to make shovelware on Steam. The art is basic, there's no real substance here beyond random weapons. I'm not saying this to be a troll. I paid $15 for this game. There are so many better dual stick shooters out there. The fact it took so long to get the game finished for what never grew out of its game jam beginnings is astounding.
Have you played the game jam?
Cause... Here you go.
https://vlambeer.itch.io/wasteland-kings
This is definately on my watch list, I’m glad it’s come to Switch.
Ok, but it's made by Vlambeer so I'll skip this one. 2 SJW 4 me.
The game is pillarboxed, not letterboxed. Just to avoid any confusion.
Also, it is a fantastic, aggressively addicting game. Despite being one of the earliest examples of this specific genre, it absolutely holds up as one of the best.
I like Gungeon, but this game is far superior. The “luck” aspect plays a role in every game of this type, the point is fun and character. Gungeon’s characters and aesthetic feel so generic compared to Nuclear Throne. There is also more interesting and powerful weapons, while many of Gungeon’s weapons just plain stink.
Nuclear Throne is a phenomenal game, I've put in hundreds of hours and this was an insta-buy when it came to Switch (same as Vita and PS4). Comparing it to Gungeon misrepresents both games.
@Fake-E-Lee @Dustopolis This game was repeatedly quoted by many to be the best in its genre... Even the great Enter the Gungeon dev, Devolver Digital, put a reference to Nuclear Throne in its game in the form of an interactable Shrine! I'm heading straight to the E-Shop to buy! This + the Farewell to Arms Update for the Gungeon + Cuphead predownload= Very Fun Weekend!
Wow, a "super-tough twin-stick roguelike"?! That's like a triple play of game concepts I really hate! Those things can go jump in a fire next to isometric platforming, overly obscure puzzles, morality systems, escort missions, excessively open worlds without decent direction, completely manual cameras, indirect control systems, simulataneous multi-character control systems, job/chore/walking simulators, video games that aren't actually "games," and graphics so retro they're just ugly.
Okay deep breath..
I must admit, after being a huge fan of Vlambeer having loved the likes of Super Cratebox, Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne, their year old constant promises to update the broken Vita version of the latter title came to nothing and I blew up at them on Twitter with a very personal attack. It's something I regret, but I am still frustrated by how they can treat customers who pay to support them with such utter neglect for a platform.
Personal opinions of the devs aside, I felt compelled to get Nuclear Throne again on Switch because it is a stellar twin stick roguelike. There's nothing quite out there like Nuclear Throne that has the substance of formula this game has. Easy to learn - hard to master.
Enter the Gungeon and Nuclear Throne can't be compared in all honestly as the mechanics are very different in both games. EtG I find is far slower where as Nuclear Throne's tempo is akin to Hotline Miami - its kill or be killed. That's not to say EtG is inferior in any way, it's just a different game. It's like directly comparing Streetfighter to Mortal Kombat - same genre, but a different kettle of fish.
One thing not mentioned in the review is how Nuclear Throne also adapts to how well you play, meaning you could be in the second level and it throws you a jam sandwich to keep you on your toes. The sense of personal accomplishment you get when you commit to playing this game is very palatable. It isn't Dark Souls. You won't throw the controller away in disgust. You die because YOU effed up. You learn, adapt and move on. I've spent many a night with 'a just one more try' moment causing hours to flow together.
This game pushes you to constantly be better. The fact you can never just cruise through parts of the game and need to be switched on at all times is something I find admirable. I've been playing this since 2013 and still not ONCE have I finished it. That's a true testament to how relentless this title can be if you don't step in with your A-game each time.
Despite that fact, it's still fun as hell. Its like the earliest game you played as a kid that dangles the end right in front of your face but screams at you to earn it. No cheap victories or cheating your way to the credits here.
Unlocking some of the characters is quite an interesting process that really gives the player a sense of achievement when it happens. Some are relatively straight forward to acquire and others have a very nuanced sequence which causes elation when you are able to trigger it. The characters themselves ooze character and charm and would make ideal licensed figurines. I see online a few fans have sculpted some awesome unofficial representations.
The game takes place in an arid nuclear wasteland and the theme of a hard life is ever present throughout each aspect of Nuclear Throne. Balancing health & ammo, trading off one weapon for another that you find, unlocking characters, items and secrets - even your very quest to the famed titular Nuclear Throne is in question. Is it worth the trade off? Will it fulfill your mutant's dream of a better life? What is the cost? Its all very take take as you would expect.
To all those that criticize the game without having played it; no beef. It just means the genre isn't for you. I could rant about Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley too but it just means they aren't my thing, as opposed to being 'POS cashgrabs' as someone mentioned.
If you don't like it, move on. If you are into roguelikes and twin stick shooters, there's a lot to love in Nuclear Throne. Screenshots do not do the game justice. Watch some actual gameplay vids and make up your mind. There's a stellar experience in here awaiting those that want to tread through the radioactive wastes..
Sounds perfect for me. Once I finally finish off dark souls...
@Jawessome you have been playing it hard core for 6 years, and still not finished it? Wow.
I finished at least a couple of endings of gungeon but I find it far too random and too slow. I'll definitely try this out.
@Reigestugatensho That indeed sounds like a good weekend. I’m still so amazed Cuphead is coming to Switch. I’ll double dip some day.
7/10 is criminal
@aznable The reviewer is dead wrong with his disappointment from the visuals. NT has a very strong art direction with originality and Styyyyyle oozing from every pixel.
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