Mighty Flip Champs! for DSiWare (mini) Review

I haven't delved far enough into this game yet to give a truly professional review, plus I've rarely spent time reviewing games in the past. But since it's E3 week, so far the game seems to have been passed over in the review process. In fact, due to the lack of reviews, I almost didn't buy it. But as I have great trust in the team over at WayForward for being one of the more solid developers out there, I decided to take the plunge. The fact that I've known the lead artist, Matt Bozon, as well as Voldi Way potentially jades me a touch, but in the end I either enjoy a game or not.

In this scenario, so far, I'm definitely enjoying it. As is common to most good puzzlers, the gameplay is deceptively simple. The character can move only left or right (no jumping, ducking, etc.), climb fences (think of Mario), and change pages. Wait, what?

See, each level's made up of multiple pages. So far I've seen as many as six, and as few as two. Each page is essentially a different platform layout for the current stage, each with its own hazards, walls, pathways, fences, etc. When you reach a limitation in your current page, you simply hit any button, and it swaps for the page that's displayed on the bottom screen. Your character remains exactly where she was, whether she be on a platform, fence, or falling through the air, and ends up in the corresponding place on the new page. By continuously flipping pages, moving your character, and figuring out where you need to be on each page, you'll work your way to the goal.

So far one twist's been thrown into the gameplay, and I can only assume there will be more: little critters you have to collect along the way before you can exit the level. This often requires more creative movement and backtracking, and adds some challenge.

Beyond that, most of the game has a very classic feel. Gameplay graphics are simple, with an almost 8-bit (well, maybe 16-bit) feel, but purposefully so. It seems like it's meant to remind us of the classic puzzlers of that age. Meanwhile the between-stage artwork, in particular, is classic Matt Bozon, with all of his charm fully intact. Music and sound effects also pay homage to the classic style, although they're slightly more modern. That said, I tend to play my DS games with the sound off so I don't bother those around me, so I don't hear much of them.

It's one of the most expensive games on DSiWare at the moment, being one of only four (if I'm not mistaken) selling for 800 points. But that's still far less than any retail game on the DS, and I think it's worth it. Along with the Art Style titles, I think it's one of very few titles on DSiWare that show off the true potential of the medium.

If you've picked up the game, please pass along your comments here. I'd like to hear what you thought of it.