When we first reviewed VVVVVV for the 3DS way back in 2010, we praised it for its ZX Spectrum / Commodore 64-style graphics, along with its simple and intuitive gravity-shifting mechanics. Not much has changed about VVVVVV in the intervening years, but truly, we don't mind.
If you haven't tried VVVVVV before it's a rather simplistic game. You need to find all the members of your crew in a foreign and strange dimension, and in order to do so you'll need to traverse pits, spikes and avoid native wildlife by shifting gravity around you. The controls consist of the D-Pad for movement and a sole button, any of them, for controlling gravity for your character.
You have to rescue your six crew members and guide them to a teleporter to return them to your ship, which has (of course) crash landed. To find them you'll need to gravity shift your way through platforming challenges that require a steady hand and quick reflexes. Even the most seasoned of veterans will die in VVVVVV. A lot. Every time you die you'll start back at the last checkpoint you cleared, and they are plentiful.
The chiptune soundtrack is simple but enjoyable, much like the game's visuals. Aside from rescuing your comrades, there are also a handful of collectibles to find littered throughout the world. The map - which can be accessed with a tap of the R button - isn't particularly helpful in finding these, but will at least help you keep track of where you're going, as well as where you've been.
Both collectibles and comrades are trapped behind what can sometimes be downright vicious platforming. You'll die plenty, but you never feel like you're being punished. There's no loading or delay to come back thanks to the simplistic presentation, and that keeps up a lovely sense of momentum and a 'one-more-try' mentality.
As with the 3DS port, completing the main adventure opens up a series of additional modes, including a No Death mode for those with nerves of steel and reflexes to match. You can also share the madness in local multiplayer in this Switch iteration, with some crazy action possible once a couple of players grab a Joy-Con each.
Conclusion
VVVVVV feels every bit as fresh on the Switch in 2017 as it did on the 3DS in 2010; if you didn't try it back then you should definitely pick it up now. If you did, now may nevertheless be a good time to revisit. Mutliplayer makes the Switch version even more interesting, and this is a game that still serves up an intense and enjoyable challenge. VVVVVV is a fantastic value and a great addition to the Switch library.
Comments (38)
Dumbest game title of all time.
@invictus4000 Dumbest first post of all time.
Especially because this exists:
If these is ever a lull in Switch releases this is one I will play to help fill that void.
@GC-161 to be fair it is a dumb title for a supposedly great game (I say supposedly because I haven't played it)
Also, I don't understand why it's $10 on the Switch, but then $5 on 3DS and WiiU?
Ah yes, VVVVV, played this during my first semester at university and would just randomly curse on the way to, in and on my way from university when I had one of these almost ragequit moments. I‘d instantly buy it if I wasn‘t saving up for Batman Telltale and hadn‘t too much to play as it is. Definitely high on my 'later list'.
Loved this game on the 3DS and I certainly couldn't pass up the opportunity to double dip and play it again on the Switch. Money well spent. I feel like 8/10 doesn't do it justice personally, but each to their own.
I tried this on 3DS years ago but I got bored of it very quickly.
Loved this on my 3DS, if a physical for switch comes out i would snatch it up
@Fuz completely agree with the C64 comment
A good game, but I didn’t play that much on 3DS so will skip.
I would snap this up in a heartbeat were the level editor included, but added multiplayer is twisting my arm just a little bit!
Does this version have "Player Levels" like 3DS version or other kind of additional content besides the No Death mode? I might be interested to buy it again for the multiplayer alone. Not right now, though.
@Hikingguy @invictus4000
Also, it's six V's. The game (prior to co-op) has one player character and five NPCs to save, all of whom have names that start with V.
I believe this actually came to 3DS in 2011. I double dipped. Well triple dipped as I have it on my 3DS, Vita, and now Switch. I just wish this version came with a level editor. I would kill for that
@GC-161 HAHAHA Ok, that one definately takes the crown.
Great game. Switch has too much for me to double dip... plus I liked playing it with 3D in. But great game.
It looks like anything can get an 8. Well...
"When we first reviewed VVVVVV for the 3DS way back in 2010"
December 2011. Don't scare me like that, I was beginning to feel WAY TOO OLD 😋
@Hikingguy That and it's the first letters in the names of all the crew. Viridian (you), Verdigris, Vermilion, Victoria, Violet and Vitellary.
If the game's composer is to be believed, the game's title is just pronounced "V". (Vee)
@Tetsuro It's almost like it could actually be....a good game?!?!?!
@Tetsuro this game really is great. There's a lot of replay value, music is outstanding imo, the 3ds version even had 15 user made levels, so there's actually more content than just the story mode. It really deserves the 8.
@Pluto14 Question: is it really cool for normals too or just for nerds? Because I don't really get the fun of it, eventually I'm not nerd enough. Looks like a 70's game, I would not put 2 cents on it.
Pushing Onwards is the greatest videogame song of all time. How dare you call it "simple"? Wait, I mean Potential for Anything. Or was it Passion for Exploring? Predestined Fate? Positive Force maybe? Yeah, they are all tied for the title. Man I love Potential for Anything so much. This song is amazing.
@Tetsuro You're right about that. You need to really like the commodore-like graphics and sounds to enjoy the game, and the time it takes to 100% the game for the first time is about three hours, so if you like to play a long game with a cool story you shouldn't buy this. So yeah, you need to be a little bit of a 'nerd' to enjoy the game, otherwise it's not the game for you.
@Pluto14 I had those times in my life. I'm somewhat old and played with those very old platforms and limited games, but would not pass any more time with this type of game. I would still enjoy simple platforms game or beat'em ups, not this. I would also not rate such a game so high. There are some games these days that gets too high undeserved rating, like this one and Isaac for example.
@GC-161
Haha! Good one.
You couldn't have reviewed the game in 2010, as the 3DS wasn't out yet.
Hmm, do I buy it again? I’ve already got it on Steam, iOS and 3DS. I think I just might...
This is one of my absolute favorite indie games of all time.
Been a big fan of Monsieur Cavanagh's ever since playing it.
Price is a bit steep so long after release. Will wait for a discount.
I got this game on Steam about a year ago, and beat it in one sitting. Not because it's easy, but because it's good.
@Tetsuro "undeserved rating" is a meaningless phrase. Games are subjective. A game can be good and still not appeal to someone; you're not some universal arbiter of entertainment.
Some review this is.
No mention of the extra levels that was in the 3DS version.
No explanation of what the co-op mode entails.
Reviewer unaware of when the 3DS even came out.
A handful of collectibles - there are exactly 20.
Jeez NL. WTF?
Anyway I regard VVVVVV as a masterpiece. It's got great music and incredibly challenging and inventive level design given Capt Veridian's moveset never changes. I will quadruple dip on this and grab all 20 trinkets while I'm at it.
@Scrummer
It was $10 on the 3ds when I got it.
Maybe the Switch version will have its price lowered several years later too.
@Hikingguy I totally agree with your view too. Nicely worded.
I do recommend the 3DS version. The subtle use of 3D is nice.
I have played it on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad and 3DS. And soon Switch although I do think it should be a little cheaper.
@GC-161
brilliant post, you have what it takes to join my legendary team.
ogo79 is impressed
@Thexare Nope, if you are reviewing something 'subjective' should be not. Otherwise anything can get a 1 and anything can get a 10.
What you are referring to is 'tilt', but a game should not be reviewed by 'tilt'. Graphics, sound, etc. do count. Mechanics do count, etc. This would have been a shame in the '80s. No one would have cared for it in the '80s... now it's considered 'cool' by todays nerd population (like Isaac) but it will sell low in comparison to many games that actually deserves an 8, even with its low price.
I didn't like the game very much, I like hard games but the gameplay got really boring very quickly
@Tetsuro Thank god you’re not the one rating these games then!
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