Gunpowder on the Teeth: Arcade (NS)

Touted as a hardcore military platformer with simple mechanics, "Gunpowder on the Teeth: Arcade" makes it's way on the Nintendo Switch as exactly that. This grey scaled pixel perfect arcade experience has you filling the combat boots, and army fatigues of different soldiers as well as piloting various vehicles of mass destruction as you face insurmountable odds in what could best be described as a tough as nails speed run experience. Much like that of Super Meat Boy, but with run and gun elements at play. As one of several soldiers with their own unique weapon class you'll take to the fight in various parts of the known world. Running, gunning, and bombing targets as you make your way from start to finish. The finish being an awaiting chopper at the end of the challenging obstacle course. Of course between you, and that escape lies the boot camp-like missions that will have you acting as a saboteur, shooting down soldiers, and blasting the fool out of armored heat packing vehicles with grenades and a whole arsenal of life ending tools. All while collecting dog tags, earning score for various feats, and outpacing the onscreen timer.

When the game opens up in it's unusually cinematic way with it's commander issuing orders sending you out into the fray you'll bare witness to what makes this game so appealing. It's visual charm, if you will. With layered background and foreground environments littered with military themed hazards, objects of objective, and soldiers out for your blood you'll find only scales of black, white, grey, and an off pink that makes this game feel like your playing through a pixel imitation of an old black and white WWII flick. On the OG Gameboy, no less. While it is more comical in presentation with the miniaturized platoon, and the Metal Slug inspired vehicles it still has that oldschool military vibe about it, though perhaps misplaced slightly by the platforming focus.

It's the type of game that I think fans of Metal Slug, and Super Meat boy will find familiar if not slightly mixed in those regards. As far as controls go it is mainly a four button deal using 'Y' for shooting, 'B' for Jumping, 'A' for grenades, and 'X' for planting bombs or interacting with objective based items. According to the soldier, and vehicle in use these pre-mapped buttons will change accordingly in regards to function. The good thing is that with each new feature introduced, whether it be hazards or whatever, the game will showcase a sort of animated tutorial image letting you know what does what. Mechanics, as the PR at Forever Entertainment SA have said, are simple. The challenge, however, comes mostly from learning the best route from start to finish, where all the hazards and objectives are, and how to best approach it all in the fastest time within a single playthrough.

Levels or stages, as they are, do change according to theme. Needless to say so do the hazards. The assortment of hazards placed between you, and your end goal are varied enough in each instance to keep you on your toes as you make your way through. Hazards such as the insta-kill razor wire, perilous pitfalls, and breakaway walls or platforms will make what initially seems like a straightforward ordeal into one hell of a nightmare to master. Having wall jumping, and dashing (ZR) thrown in as well along with ammo limitations, and the need to reload on the go (ZL) will make the experience at hand all the more grueling. If that's something that doesn't scare you off then I have no doubt it's something you'll enjoy. Gamers who are glutton for punishment need apply. Do note that there are also boss levels/stages to tackle along the way as well. Another element to gameplay to add to the challenging challenge of progress.

The Verdict ...

In closing I'll say that I'm honestly not the type of guy who will commit to mastering a game of this sort, but at the same time I am a gamer who can appreciate good game design. This game, while it does take inspiration from others, it does good enough to stand on it's own as a unique platformer. The gameplay is about as hardcore as it gets, and it's visuals alone are something to behold. Everything from the animations to the layered design features come together in such a way as to be a blend of well crafted 3D, and 2D elements. When I first laid eyes on the intro sequence and the helicopter animations, for example, I was truly taken aback at how they seemed to almost pop from the screen like a 3D effect. It is one of the most interesting pixel art styles I've seen, and I think that special flair along with the solid gameplay comes together in perfect harmony. I can, without a doubt, recommend this game to those of you seeking a proper platforming challenge. Even to hardcore gaming critics due to the ammo restock checkpoint feature that allows respawn without too much of a penalty to score. Speaking of score this game also keeps track of in-game stats such as kills, deaths and such. It also has a scoreboard for bragging rights. Not bad at all if I do say so myself. As far as a rating goes "Gunpowder on the Teeth: Arcade" gets the Gaming Inferno's blazing seal of approval! One of the most prestigious ratings I give. You'll find it on the eshop come July 25!