Nikoderiko: The Magical World Reviews
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a wonderfully satisfying platforming experience that borrows and expertly replicates the elements that made classic entries in the genre so beloved. Smart level design, enjoyable gameplay, lots of collectibles, and a killer soundtrack all come together to make this one an easy recommendation if you love DKC.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World looks fantastic, plays brilliantly, and hits all of the right spots.
With tight and colorful 2.5D platforming, challenging and fun boss battles, and seven worlds to explore, it's a great time.
I really enjoyed my time with Nikoderiko: The Magical World. It's a blast in singleplayer, and after a good few evenings playing in coop with my kids I and can absolutely recommend it as a local multiplayer experience too. If you're a platforming fan, then this is one you won't want to miss.
A remarkable platformer designed for the whole family whose main "sin" is to pay excessive homage to other titles, instead of pursuing a flavor of its own. Still, it's very solid and very beautiful to look at.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is everything that nostalgic fans of old platformers need to dive back into the memories of yesteryear. It may not be among the most original games of the past decade, given the many similarities to Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong, but the care with which the work was created allows it to stand at more than decent levels of harmonious enjoyment.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Nikoderiko takes all the best lessons from the games of yesteryear, and presents them in a colorful package that lands firmly in the all-ages “easy to play, difficult to 100%” box with all the greats of the genre.
"Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a tribute to classic platformer games, bringing together their best features. Although the game doesn't introduce any new mechanics, this doesn't take away from its value and provides an exciting experience. Perhaps the only major flaw is the shallow and superficial combat, but in other aspects, the game offers a beautiful and enjoyable experience.
Review in Persian | Read full review
An interesting, though in places all too challenging platformer for one or two people. The storyline is unlikely to be memorable, but the escape to the back of the board from the dragon - already rather so.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Nikoderiko: The Magical World could be labeled as the son of Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, but almost all the experience is based on the Nintendo IP. It's great and it has the same level of quality, but we expected to see more unique ideas and concepts. Also, the Nintendo Switch version is not the ideal way ti play it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Nikoderiko does things you already know from other games. Only it does them in a worse way. You want a game like that? Play Crash. Play Donkey Kong Country. Play the new Astro Bot, even though it's a different kind of platform game. All of these games are much better and won't frustrate you with stupid bugs or even glitches. If anything stands out here, it's the graphics and the local co-op.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Nikoderiko is a true love letter not only to Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, but also to the platformer genre. By mixing the most varied elements present in these games, we are graced with a game that brings a nostalgic and at the same time current experience. Despite having some minor problems and a dull unlockable system, the game is fun and capable of putting a smile on the player's face with each reference. A title recommended for all fans of the genre and that will please both more experienced and novice players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I'm definitely looking forward to whatever they make next which will hopefully be a bit more polished and much less derivative. 🦁
With Nikoderiko: The Magical World, VEA Games draws attention with a platformer that shows clear nods to the best exponents of the genre, but stands out for its own virtues. Those who enjoy challenges, and are not afraid to repeat levels over and over again until they are perfect, and miss the golden age of Rayman, Crash and Donkey Kong, will find Niko and Luna's adventure a great proposal.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is the sum of its parts; some of which it has borrowed from established platformer IPs, and the rest created by the Vea Games. With the option for co-op also available, I could see Nikoderiko getting younger gamers into the genre. Overall, it makes for a polished, fun-filled, albeit familiar experience that I really enjoyed.
While borrowing heavily from classic titles, Nikoderiko proves to be a light and enjoyable adventure. Despite some imperfections, it’s a perfect fit for younger players or fans of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A highlight reel of classic late ‘90s platformers
Nikoderiko: The Magical World feels like if Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong fused together, providing an experience that is not only nostalgic, but also innovative at the same time, and a joy for any platforming fans out there.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a vibrant platformer that the whole family will enjoy. Jam packed with eye-popping visuals, loveable characters and solid level design, it’s the prototypical modern day platformer. Hampered only by long loading times and a smattering of bugs, the main drawback might only be how heavily it leans on its source material, essentially becoming Donkey Kong Country Returns-lite - for better or for worse. Sporting modern palatability and polish alongside the old school gameplay, if there was ever a game that a parent could show their kids about ‘platform games back in my day’, Nikoderiko is the one.
I by no means think Nikoderiko is a bad game. On the contrary, I think it’s a lovely little piece with some strange missteps (the voice acting feels unnecessary) but an overall strong presentation. Yet the execution, particularly on the Switch, is just not a spectacular piece. It janks in weird places, the fluidity is ruined by the limitations of the hardware, and sometimes the perspective changes are too frequent and too unexpected. I adore the chances and swings, and, when it works, it works so very well. When it falls, though, you really feel the weight of it all and the legacy it’s trying to carry.