The VideoKid (PS4)

If 80's were a video game I think "The VideoKid" would be that game. Not only does it take the Paperboy formula and pepper it with iconic 80's characters, and film moments, but it also captures the everything that the 8o's was about.

Imagine taking on the role of a skateboarding teenage movie bootlegger with a route of customers whom you deliver VHS copies to for pay. Then imagine that route having every character from animated 80's cartoons to 80's movies, and even TV series making their way through your route as both targets for mischief, and obstacles to avoid. This is "The VideoKid' in a nutshell. Different from the escapades of the Paperboy though you'll have various scoring opportunities in form of different kinds of themed targets to hit, and skateboard grinding to take advantage of. You'll start off as Marty McFly, or the likeness thereof taking part in his signature shenanigans as you deliver unto your customers their bootleg VHS tapes en route to your date, Jessica. A girl who waits anxiously at the end of your route for your arrival.

Along the way, and in each attempt, you will make bank for landing VHS bootlegs into designated red mailboxes, and by collecting coins and cash lying on the sidewalks as well as in the middle of the roads. For the most part the route only changes in accordance to the 80's themed characters treading it underfoot or in vehicle. Basically themed movie moments that make themselves present in target/obstacle form. When you collect enough cash and coin you can visit the shop menu to buy character skins that themselves embody the very characters associated with 80's pop culture. Characters such as Teen Wolf, the Terminator, and even the Cookie Monster under different names will be available for a certain price. Along with those cosmetics come tricks that you can buy and apply to your skateboard grinding in-game.

When you first start-up "The VideoKid" you'll be force fed all the mechanics through text, and hands-on learning. Afterwards you are on your own to repeat the route like the Bill Murray inclusive Groundhog's Day until you make it to the end, and meet Jessica as planned. The gameplay at hand is definitely about the grind, and learning the static features that block you from getting from point A to point B. While you could theoretically make it from beginning to end without relying on what the in-game currency can buy you the cosmetics, and tricks do add a purpose to the otherwise straightforward goal. Above all else I think this game's charm, and value lies with it's nostalgia factor, and Pixel Trip Studios does good in that area. If you lived the 80's as I did you will recognize every character, and every movie moment added in. The attention to era detail is admirable. My only complaint if any is that the muffled chiptune-like character quotes/singing does get a bit annoying after a while. I get what the developer was going for though.

At the end of the day this is a budget priced indie that will set you back about five dollars, and for that price I think "The VideoKid" delivers. It's not mindblowingly epic, but it does capture that 80's feel in such a way as to be enjoyable. With the price considered, and the gameplay weighed I think it's worth the trip down memory lane. The VideoKid gets a recommendation from me!