A Compilation For Everyone

The Mutant Mudds series, developed and published by the small team at Atooi, has earned a name for itself over the last few years. Originally created using the 3D effect on 3DS, Mutant Mudds was eventually ported to WiiU, PS4, PS3, Vita, PC and even iOS. With such saturation in the market, it would be strange to not have played or at least heard of a Mudds game by now (free demo versions are available). But if not, the Mutant Mudds Collection on Switch makes it easy and affordable to experience this fan-favorite series while also giving long-time fans something new.

This compilation is composed of three games, two old and one brand new.

First, Mutant Mudds Deluxe is a slower and deliberate platformer. Unlike Mario, for example, there is no run button and the player can really only jump at one height and speed. There is a jetpack to allow for short hover bursts and a water gun to kill baddies.  The moveset is actually extremely limited, enemies repeat over and over, and the platforming is actually pretty basic. However, even with limited assets, Mutant Mudds Deluxe is still filled with charm and entertainment value despite doing the same things repeatedly.  The level design is strong and is paced well, the visuals are brightly colored although lose something when not viewed in stereoscopic 3D, and the soundtrack is shockingly good. Just be careful because there is a bug in the main hub world – if the player presses down and the jump button to fall through the platform that holds the door to level 1, the player will get stuck and have to restart (I actually made this annoying whoopsie a couple of times).

Second, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge is more of the same only much more challenging.  The original Mudds starts off slow then ramps up toward the end. Here in Super Challenge, the challenge is high right from the beginning stage and only expert players will be able to finish.  Think of Deluxe like Mario 1 whereas Super Challenge is the Lost Levels; same game and same engine only much more challenging.

While Deluxe and Super Challenge have been ported to almost everything with a screen, fans will be pleased at the surprise inclusion of Mudd Blocks, a totally new spin on the Mudds series.  In fact, this puzzle game has nothing to do with platforming at all and is surprisingly entertaining.  To be honst, I enjoyed Mudd Blocks more than the overly challenging Super Challenge stages. Mudd Blocks plays a bit like Wario’s Woods where the player lines up blocks of certain colors, then explodes them with certain bomb pieces.  Super Puzzle Fighter fans should also be pleased.  Besides the typical Endless and multiplayer modes, there are a couple other modes that put a different spin on the solid gameplay.  Rescue has players dropping numerous bombs on a cage to free Max while staving off the surround blocks from reaching the top and Numbers forces the player to blow up certain pieces in order. Although nothing super special, these extra modes offer just enough variety to make Mudd Blocks one of the shining highlights of the package. The developers even took the extra step by allowing a vertical screen alignment option if you wanted to rotate your Switch 90 degrees. Shame that more games don’t do this.

Not only this Mudds compilation a solid package, it is also priced very well. With a launch price set at only $10, the lower price should make this a must buy for new comers while low enough to entice fans to re-purchase Deluxe or Super Challenge without feeling cheated as Mudd Blocks is a pretty solid puzzle game.  Each game has dedicated save slots and a detailed online Leaderboard system too. In an era when games gets repackaged, resold, and “remastered” constantly, it is refreshing to see a compilation not just rehash old content but offer fans something entirely new, with a clean interface, at an attractive price point.

Don’t Forget To Play: Chicken Wiggle (3DS eShop)
Wait For It: Virtual Boy’s WarioLand on 3DS Virtual Console
Also Try: Rampage Puzzle Attack (GBA)

By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com
Twitter: @ZackGaz