Title: Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive EditionFormat: Wii URelease Date: November 18, 2012
Publisher: WayForward Technologies
Developer: WayForward Technologies
Price: $9.99
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone (10+)
This port of an earlier release on the 3DS eShop strives to maintain its core gameplay while adding some additional features and content, but how does it do?
Presentation & Core Gameplay:
You are Patricia Wagon, cyborg police officer responsible for rounding up the five female convicts found within each level. Your goal is to do exactly that, and then to return to the exit point. There are checkpoints, but lose all three of your hearts and you're done for. This port has been sized up to HD and looks great, supports off-screen gameplay on the GamePad, has downloadable content from the Nintendo 3DS update, and features some additional stages, as well.
Alongside generic jumping and shooting comes the unique ability to lock blocks in and out of place with the touch of a button. This emphasized component is used very prominently throughout the game in a lot of creative ways. For example, the purple blocks will launch Patricia in the direction it points to, and there are even times when it'll be required to use the bomb-like enemies to blast through concrete blocks in order to proceed in the level. If you're a completionist and/or are into speed running, you'll have a fun time tackling each stage's Par Time (and take it from me, they can get quite challenging). As mentioned earlier, off-screen gameplay is supported with this title, and for the most part it plays just as well on the GamePad as it does on the TV. The Hyper Mode stages of the game are simply difficulty-enhanced versions of the normal ones, but make for a nice gesture and nod at players looking for a reason to purchase the otherwise shorter game.
Final Thoughts:
Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition is just as good as its 3DS counterpart, if not better. It offers some very addictive platforming, catchy and upbeat tunes, and high replay value. Though dedicated completionists and speed runners alike will have a lot on their plates with this game, casual players may be thrown off by its somewhat short length. If you can get past that one minor issue, then this is a solid eShop title that is definitely worth checking out (especially if it's still on sale by the time you're reading this).
S&S Rating: 8.0/10.0
