Super Spy Raccoon | Switch Review

High scoring arcade action returns in the guise of yet another Nintendo Switch ported 2D collect-a-thon platformer from the Flynn's Arcade label! This stealthy Donkey Kong inspired game known as, "Super Spy Raccoon" has you playing as the titular tie and suit wearing Romeo Raccoon as he goes about stealing intel from the game's super villain. 

This job, assuming you choose to accept it, entails dodging the view of lurking humanoid animal kingdom baddies while using cover, and an invincibility power-up to collect vanilla, and gold colored classified documents each worth a set amount of points. Collecting all of these clears a stage, and as per usual there are a series of themed stages with their own hazards, and guards waiting to spot the elusive Romeo as he goes about business. Getting enough points will net you a bonus life which is needed in this extremely challenging experience.

Varied are the color palettes and well articulated are the animated character assets that make-up this arcade cabinet friendly console port. It is a world of dangers that only stealth gameplay, and careful navigation can conquer. As Romeo Raccoon you can jump, hide behind certain set pieces, climb ladders, use elevators, and briefly go invisible with a special power-up. With these simple tools you'll need to stay out of view of the patrolling perps, and collect each stages' allotted amount of classified documents. This ultimately leading to a final series of boss battles against the game's main villain on a stage that pays homage to classic retro titles like Donkey Kong, and Popeye. 

Complimenting the colorful backdrops, and creature characters is a chiptune soundtrack fitting of the retro aesthetics. The music is much like that which you'd find in old NES spy focused titles with a lighthearted twist. Think Spy vs Spy. Like Donut Dodo, and Flynn Arcade's previous retro releases "Super Spy Racoon" also holds true to the core formula, and functionally so, while straying far enough away from the beaten path to be it's own unique experience. 

The Verdict ...

Super Spy Raccoon is a budget retro throwback with it's own gimmicks, characters, and thematic elements at play. It pays homage to the foundational classics of yesteryear while reinventing the base fundamentals in an attempt to set the game apart from that which inspired it's creation. In that sense it succeeds, and does stray far enough from the inspiration to be it's own unique experience built upon an era of gaming that many still hold dear to this day. Fans of retro gaming will greatly enjoy this return to formula as well as it's innovation, and creative takes. Even new gamers will find something fun and challenging to try and beat! It gets my seal of approval and is a game recommended for all ages!