Windjammers Reviews

Windjammers is ranked in the 75th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10
Oct 26, 2017

Windjammers was a very fun game back when it released on the Neo Geo, and it's just as fun now that it's available on PlayStation 4. The added online mode makes it possible to get your multiplayer on even when you don't have any friends locally. If you played this one back in the day then getting the new PS4 version is a no-brainer, and if you've never played it, then this is the perfect time to join in on the fun.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 7, 2017

Windjammers is a good example of how solid gameplay can remain enticing, even if only a few additions are made to the overall package. It lacks some meaningful modes for the solo player, but it makes up for it with a good enough multiplayer component for both online and offline play. The best part is that the core gameplay elements and the presentation are left virtually untouched, which is perfect since any changes would ruin the game's spirit. It remains a quirky game that local multiplayer fans need to have if they want a fighting game experience without necessarily having to learn a bunch of complicated maneuvers.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 25, 2018

At its core, Windjammers is an addictive, colorful, and vibrant experience that is worth investing time and effort in. The online could be better, but this is a great, faithful port of the 1994 original updated to today's standards. It's definitely worth a look for both local multiplayer and retro enthusiasts alike.

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B
Nov 20, 2018

The single-player mode might be a bit weak, but that should in no way deter anyone from buying Windjammers. It’s yet another excellent addition to the Switch library!

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
7 / 10
Aug 13, 2019

Fast, frantic, and far more addictive than it initially lets on, Windjammers is a wild reimagining of Pong, with a well-rounded competitive edge.

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4 / 5.0
Aug 31, 2017

Windjammers might not be as glorious a return of a long-forgotten gem as we hoped for, but still provides some fast and addictive old-school arcade action that does indeed showcase why such a game ever became a cult classic in the first place.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 2, 2017

Windjammers it's the umpteenth blast from the past, the golden age era of gaming. In 2017, is still a great sport game that didn't aged a single day.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2017

Fast and frantic gameplay, crunchy pixel graphics, and local multiplayer that will have you playing with friends all night. Outside of a less than stable online experience, Windjammers on PS4 is the rip-roaring arcade experience you remember.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2018

Calling Windjammers “The most entertaining sports game ever made” is quite a stretch, but this is a very fun game. That said, this Neo Geo port is $14.99 on Nintendo Switch, and if you manage to find any online competition you've succeeded where I have not. So bookmark this one, but for a future sale.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2017

"Easy to learn, hard to master" is the worst cliché possible, but Windjammers really evokes that feeling for me. I feel very comfortable handing the controller to anyone with a passing interest in games, or no interest at all, and knowing that they will figure out how frisbee tennis works. They'll also have a good time.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2017

Easy to play, hard to master – we want exactly those arcade games to come back, especially with online mode!

Review in Polish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 7, 2017

Windjammers is a solid game that is dumb arcade fun from the 90s. While it certainly has some arcade charm to it through its intense gameplay, it isn't meant for long periods of play, which might be a turn-off for some gamers.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2017

Over 20 years since it initially released,Windjammers is finally getting its chance to shine as a competitive game. It's got the accessibility and depth to deliver memorable play sessions, and while the online play can sometimes be disappointing, I'm largely left impressed. Few multiplayer games have made me scream (and make some strange primal noises during the heat of the action) like Windjammers, and it's simply a blast when played with friends.

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EGM
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2017

Windjammers is really fun while it lasts. But how long it lasts depends on how long you're willing to play the same mode. Its tight, responsive, strategic gameplay doesn't quite hide the fact that it's lacking in areas that contemporary multiplayer games almost instinctively include at this point, such as character and match customization.

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7 / 10
Sep 4, 2017

Windjammers is identical to the game released 23 years ago, with one difference: it contains an online mode that gives it a new life. We would have liked a better network code and more flexibility in defining the match options, but for the rest everything is there. It's fast, nervous and extremely demanding in terms of reflexes. Those who have known it at the time will find back their sensations after only a few minutes of play. As for the solo mode, however, this version is so faithful to the original that it maintains its main flaw: except a short competition and a versus mode, there's nothing else.

Review in French | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2018

The aesthetics in Windjammers make it look and feels like an arcade game old enough to run for Congress, because it is almost exactly that. (It's 24 years old, so ineligible for this year's midterms, but Windjammers 2020 is perfectly viable.) However, this game has my vote because it is just really, really fun. As one of the better head-to-head titles on Switch, it is perfect for some quick rounds when you and a friend have a few minutes to spare. It's also deep enough for longer, more intense sessions. Windjammers is a surprisingly simple yet deliciously fun game, and if it's multiplayer you're looking for, this title belongs in your collection.

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8 / 10
Oct 23, 2018

Over the years, Windjammers has slowly achieved cult status due to its simple pick-up-and-play controls that hide complex mechanics that only become apparent the more you play against human opponents. Data East's extreme sports versus title has now arrived on the ultimate multiplayer-friendly console, once again brandishing the same fast and addictive gameplay that had us hooked in 1994. Despite the passing of the decades the core gameplay still manages to entertain, and the 2D visuals have likewise stood the test of time rather well. The bone of contention remains the single-player side of things; if you're playing alone, you'll get bored relatively quickly. However, with online play and easy-to-configure local multiplayer, there's plenty of scope to embrace the game's true USP: two-player action.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 2, 2018

Windjammers is a fun and fantastic multiplayer arcade game and the Nintendo Switch version takes advantage of that strength. The classic Neo Geo game passes that aforementioned 10-second rule while still giving the player more to learn after they know the basics. However, if I didn't have anyone to play with, I don't know if I would want to play at all. This is meant to be played with others, in the same room, playing on a couch screaming at the TV after a long and intense volley. If you know some people interested in that type of experience, purchasing Windjammers is a no-brainer.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2017

Windjammers offers up a healthy dose of what made great arcade games great: tight controls, fast pace, and room to grow.

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9 / 10
Sep 1, 2017

An arcade masterpiece that's been lovingly revived for the PlayStation family, Windjammers is absolutely essential. A hoot both online and offline, hoofing Frisbees across sunbaked beaches is still fun 20 years removed from the title's original release, so here's to another two decades of top tossing.

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