Mutant Mudds

Platforming games have been a staple in Nintendo’s collection of video games since the very start, games such as Super Mario Bros and Donkey Kong have been elevating the genre since forever and keep doing so, but while those games modernize with each installment and shine on the mainstream market, obscure modern retro titles keep paving the way for new and innovative gameplay.

Mutant Mudds (2012) is one of such games; it is a simplistic platformer with fresh gameplay elements added to it as a form of revitalizing the 8-Bit platformer genre. It resembles games such as Celeste with its refreshing take on platforming and level design, with a simplistic control scheme, retro art design and a fun soundtrack that elevates the experience of a simple platformer.

More than Just a Background

Mutant Mudds’ implementation of an interesting new mechanic makes it such an enjoyable experience, for the most part the game is quite retro and simple, where you walk towards a direction, collect coins and shoot bad guys, but it adds a feature that lets the player character transition between the background and foreground of the screen to grant access to different areas of the level.

This adds a touch of complexity to the gameplay as you must rotate between the main area and the background to reach your objective and if you’re a completionist (like me!) then you’re definitely going to want to explore every nook and cranny the game has to offer. The transition from the foreground to the background looks so cool too; it has a 3D animation that just looks epic!

Simple Doesn’t Mean Bad

Mutant Mudds’ simplistic game design is often criticized, calling it a game that is too easy to play or too simple to play. That wasn’t my experience with it, though; the game might be simple with not too many buttons for the players to learn, it has a strict and tight level design which makes for quite a challenging experience.

The game’s simple controls and availability on handheld devices makes it a super addictive experience too, with hours of play time just going over without me even noticing. The level design and the art in those levels specifically is what makes this game stand out amongst other retro-like platformer games, or just retro-design games in general.

A Blast to the Nostalgia Train

Mutant Mudds is a highly addictive, extremely fun, side-scrolling 8-Bit 2D platformer game with the interesting gameplay mechanic of getting to the backgrounds of the levels. The game packs a solid punch with its challenging level design and nostalgic art and sound design make for a memorable and fun experience in its own right.

Pros

• Art Design
• Fun and challenging level design
• Great original soundtrack
• Simplistic controls, accessible for both new players and veterans of the genre
• Background transitioning gameplay mechanic is fun and experimental