Spy Bros Pipi And Bibis DX Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

Rating: 7.2
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · October 7, 2024

Spy Bros Pipi And Bibis DX Review, Spy Bros. is a single-screen action platformer game, reminiscent of Snow Bros. and others of that time where the players take on the role of Pipi and Bibi: two spies entering and bombing a series of six buildings protected by guards, scientists, divers, mob bosses, humanoid cats and other wacky individuals… and escaping the buildings just in time before they collapse from the explosions!

Spy Bros Pipi And Bibis DX Review Pros:

Excellent retro graphics.
251MB download size.
Graphics settings – mode (pixel art/upscaled), CRT effect (off/soft/hard), and seven bezel art (border art).
Sound test menu.
Top scores local leaderboard.
Two-player local multiplayer support.
You can play as Pipi or Bibi.
Opening playable tutorial.
Action-platformer-style gameplay.
The goal of the game is to plant bombs and blow up the machines.
Enemies will get in your way but you can temporarily stun them with your weapon.
Very retro in appearance and atmosphere.
The enemies will walk around the level, they can group up and generally make your life hell.
Easy to play but hard to master.
Has that just one more go feel to it all!
Once you plant all the bombs you have to make it to the exit within a time limit or you get blown up aswel.
Some enemies can be taken out completely if they take enough stun hits.
Very addictive in its nature.
Bonus score coins will appear on a level.
The soundtrack has a bit of a MegaDrive soundtrack vibe to it.
A second player can jump in whenever.

Spy Bros Pipi And Bibis DX Review Cons:

No online leaderboards.
Hard to know how much time you have after stunning an enemy.
You cannot remap the controls.
The music can get a bit grating after time.
Only the one-game mode.
Doesn’t offer an achievement-like system.
The leaderboards are only good if you have a load of players joining in.
Hit detection when there’s a group is frustrating as sometimes you hit them all and sometimes you hit none.
Only local multiplayer.

Spy Bros Pipi And Bibis DX:

Official website.

Developer: RAWRLAB Games

Publisher: RAWRLAB Games

Store Links –

Nintendo

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.2/10

Summary

Spy Bros: Pipi and Bibi’s DX offers a delightful retro gaming experience with its excellent pixel art graphics and nostalgic atmosphere. The game is a manageable 251MB download and provides various graphics settings, including pixel art and upscaled modes, CRT effects, and seven different bezel art options. Players can enjoy a sound test menu and a local leaderboard for top scores. The game supports two-player local multiplayer, allowing players to choose between Pipi and Bibi, and features an opening playable tutorial to get you started.

The action-platformer gameplay revolves around planting bombs to destroy machines while navigating levels filled with enemies. These enemies can be temporarily stunned with your weapon, but they often group up, making the game challenging. The game is easy to pick up but hard to master, with a compelling “just one more go” feel. After planting all the bombs, players must reach the exit within a time limit to avoid being blown up. Some enemies can be permanently taken out with enough stun hits, adding to the game’s addictive nature. Bonus score coins appear on levels, and the soundtrack has a MegaDrive vibe, enhancing the retro feel. A second player can join in at any time, adding to the fun.

However, the game has its drawbacks. There are no online leaderboards, and it can be difficult to gauge how much time you have after stunning an enemy. The controls cannot be remapped, and the music can become grating over time. The game only offers one mode and lacks an achievement system. The local leaderboards are only useful if you have multiple players participating. Hit detection can be frustrating when dealing with groups of enemies, as sometimes you hit them all, and other times you hit none. Additionally, the game only supports local multiplayer, which may limit its appeal for some players.

In summary, Spy Bros: Pipi and Bibi’s DX is a charming and addictive retro action-platformer with excellent graphics and a nostalgic soundtrack. While it offers enjoyable gameplay and local multiplayer support, it falls short in areas like online features, control customization, and variety. Despite these shortcomings, it remains a fun and engaging game for fans of retro-style gaming.