Clockwork Aquario Reviews

Clockwork Aquario is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
3.5 / 5.0
Jan 27, 2022

Clockwork Aquario isn’t without its shortcomings, such as its occasionally uneven challenge to its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it runtime. However, it’s hard not to appreciate finally being able to experience this long-lost piece of gaming history three decades later. With its distinctive presentation and solid platforming action, the game’s a delightful throwback to a simpler time, when the arcades represented the pinnacle of what video games could be and rainbow-haired heroes and heroines dominated the landscape. If you’re looking to take a trip back to those glory days of gaming and don’t mind the issues I mentioned above, Clockwork Aquario is time well spent.

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jan 19, 2022

Clockwork Aquario is a wonderful example of how awesome of a time in games we are truly in. A forgotten gem that likely would have never seen the light of day makes an appearance some 30 years later. I had a blast with its simple mechanics and gorgeous art style. If you are like me and grew up hanging out in arcades far too much, this one will spark that childhood nostalgia we all strive for as we grow old and jaded. Definitely recommended.

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7.2 / 10.0
Jan 17, 2022

Clockwork Aquario is a fascinating piece of arcade history and an enjoyable action platformer. While it may be extremely light on content for today’s standards, this title offers gameplay that takes you back to the 90s in the ways you expect. And, for that reason, it should satisfy your enthusiasm for retro gaming.

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Jan 5, 2022

Clockwork Aquario is a retro two-dimensional platformer. After going through various development cycles, this game has hit the shelves boasting excellent visuals, intuitive gameplay, and a lovely accompanying soundtrack. Does it stand up against modern games? Or should it have been left in the dust? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
7 / 10
Dec 23, 2021

An obvious labour of love that finally provides a full release for one of the best looking 2D arcade games ever made, although it'd be wrong to paint it as a lost classic in terms of gameplay.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 21, 2021

As a game, Clockwork Aquario is a clearly dated product that would have little room in the modern world, now extremely bloated with daily released games, something that couldn't be conceived back in the day. However, it's a valuable historical piece from a time that feels nostalgic, and still inspires people who develop and create games nowadays.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Dec 21, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is a great title if you are looking to be transported to the arcade from your house. It's bright, colourful, and has a fun co-op mode so you can share the experience with a friend. If you have a Switch this is a title to check out!

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5 / 10.0
Dec 21, 2021

Sadly Clockwork Aquario offers little challenge and can be completed in next to no time at all. Once the game has been beaten for the first time everything is unlocked and the only thing left to do is look at a rather nice gallery or try to beat your own high scores. If there is one element that saves Clockwork from being forgotten for another thirty years, it is it’s co-op mode. While the levels stay the same, save for a few extra baddies, the frantic experience of simultaneously playing with and against Player Two is the genuine highlight of the game.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is a very short 2D platformer that may or may not be worth your time. It’s a fascinating play knowing how long it took to release and it looks great but you’ll quickly experience all that it has to offer.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is a miracle of preservation, but that doesn't make it a game for everyone. Arcade fans will welcome it, but others will find it difficult to continue playing after finishing it the first time, and the scoring system isn't particularly creative. In any case, the low price should keep even the merely curious happy.

Review in Italian | Read full review

65 / 100
Dec 19, 2021

The arcade roots of Clockwork Aquario are proudly on display - for better or worse. While it proves to be a fun side-scrolling romp, it is also far too cheap and short for its own good. This time capsule is still worth a go, but even the staunchest side-scrolling fan should be aware of what they’re getting into.

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6 / 10
Dec 17, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is an old-school and colorful arcade game which sticks to its original roots. Developed to be a coin consuming experience, its shortness will only be forgiven by those willing to perfect their score. Simple and still quite fun, Clockwork Aquario is more valuable when shared with a friend.

Review in French | Read full review

5 / 10.0
Dec 16, 2021

On the one hand, I can say Westone's arcade "treasure" was worth the wait when viewed as a piece of gaming history. But, as an ININ Games published release in 2021, not as much. Once the warm fuzzies wear off, you're left with a short game with little replay incentive due to a lack of online leaderboards. Combined with a lack of both standard and extra features, I'd wait for this $19.99 release to get a sizable discount unless you're an arcade fanatic who has someone readily available for two-player co-op.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 16, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is here. 30 years late, but soaked in old-school style. Westone Bit Entertainment’s final release would not win any awards for originality, but offers a short, fun, and attractive journey to the halcyon days of the ’90s arcade renaissance. The package on offer is a little thin, and the price will be a tad high for the average player’s taste, but important work has been done by publishers ININ Games and Strictly Limited — here’s hoping they will be rewarded in kind.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 16, 2021

There isn't much to say about Clockwork Aquario. It's a side scrolling game. It doesn't stand out, looking good and having solid controls doesn't make it a must play. While Clockwork Aquario is a fun game, it's price of admission doesn't make it a must play for anyone other than a diehard 90s arcade fanboy.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2021

The five stages have a high score element, but if you're in it to explore the levels, beat the difficulty modes, and romp around it all with a friend, there's still not a lot to do here. I'm happy I can say I played Clockwork Aquario, but outside of supporting game preservation, I can't say it's something you need to drop everything and play. It's cute and fun, but more as a curiosity than a game to keep coming back to.

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Evan Norris
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2021

If you're concerned about investing in a game that was canned 30 years ago, worry not. Judging by the final product, lovingly restored by Steve Snake, Ratalaika Games, and several of the original Westone employees, this game should never have been cancelled.

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6.8 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2021

With its huge character sprites, vibrant colors, and old-school side-scrolling design, Clockwork Aquario should certainly charm retro gaming fans...

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4 / 5.0
Dec 14, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is a fantastic action-platformer that blends quick-moving playable characters and enemies alongside an inventive attack strategy.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 13, 2021

Clockwork Aquario is an incredibly colorful, fun arcade gem restored and finally released after so many years, leading to a great platformer that feels like the perfect sister game to Monster Lair. This port job is pretty decent, though the lack of some expected features from other Ratalaika Games releases is rather disappointing, especially considering the completely asinine lack of button remapping.

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