VVVVVV Review - Screenshot 1 of 2

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.

VVVVVV Review - Screenshot 2 of 2

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.