Spelunker Party

Solo Spelunker Party is an unforgiving grind, but a strong multiplayer component makes for a fun time with retro-minded friends.

The Switch could always use another multiplayer game and Spelunker Party! is a good addition to the ever expanding library. It's challenging, both in reasonable and unfair ways, and it's length gives players a lot of levels to play through. It might not be something pulled out for newcomers and guests at a party, but it could be a good match for those looking to play together in something that lasts a little longer.

Spelunker Party! offers a rather meaty package that will certainly provide dozens of hours of gameplay to the right audience, those able to stand the controls and difficulty or are looking for that sort of experience. Such people certainly exist out there and, while of course the unfairness certainly doesn't reach the levels of the NES or 8-Bit computer versions, the stiffness and accuracy required when playing still feels like something from a different age that won't necessarily appeal to everybody. With that in mind, however, Spelunker Party!, like other Spelunker games, chooses that approach on purpose so as to appeal to its fan-base and certainly does succeed in that regard! It is, therefore, a fairly good rendition of the series on Nintendo Switch that should lend itself well to multiplayer Spelunker parties amongst fans both online and locally, on the go.

Overall, Spelunker Party! is a solid time. It's easy to pick up and play, which is good for a title that clearly wants multiple people joining in.

Frustrating controls and poor gameplay design are the things you want to try and avoid when making a platformer. But it is the slow pace of both the game and the progression that feels most out of place and one that makes this game the kind you want to avoid.

Don’t let the cute art style fool you, Spelunker Party is a hard as nails platformer that will challenge you at every step. While its caves are filled with interesting items that do indeed change up the way you play, the coop requirements to obtain some of those are a bit of a letdown.

Spelunker Party! is the kind of game that fails to make any real lasting negative or positive impression. It’s a better experience when played in a group, however, the game’s overall mix of frustrating platforming, bland presentation and uninspired level design mean this is a party you might want to pass on.

Even though Spelunker Party! is a fun and challenging game, it sadly feels monotonous after some hours. You might enjoy playing with your friends but there are better multiplayer experiences in the Nintendo Switch catalog.

Spelunker Party! hearkens back to the old days of platformers, featuring simple yet challenging gameplay

Even though Spelunker Party! can be almost be in the realm of controller rage, I actually enjoyed this journey back in time to a gaming world that was a lot more simpler with mechanics and where the blame falls on the player when you fail. It's definitely an addictive title on the Switch in both single-player and multiplayer but if you really want to get through the 100 or so levels, you really need to take this game online because it is tough… especially those bosses later on.