Electronic Super Joy (2013)

In conclusion, my feelings on Electric Super Joy are pretty much the same as they were back in 2015: It’s a super solid yet challenging platformer with plenty of replay value, thanks to the bonus content, collectibles, and in-game achievements to unlock, and since this one isn’t the censored one from the Wii U days, this is pretty much on par with the Steam version, so you have a really good port of a fun platformer to enjoy.

The adult-themed sound effects and on-screen timer are both misses, but fortunately you can toggle them off and should do so if you pick up the game. It would have been nice to see a little more variety in terms of the abilities you can use, but the stages are still fun and quite varied themselves, and online leaderboards and achievements add some great replay value, too. You can't go wrong with Electronic Super Joy if you're looking for a satisfying and full platforming experience.

Ultimately, though, I'm just not as smitten with Electronic Super Joy 2 as I was with the first. The free price tag makes this a lot more palatable, but I do believe more could have been done here. It's a little disappointing, but still a fun time that fans of the first are sure to get something out of. Just don't go in expecting anything dramatically different.

It's not ground-breaking or genre-defining, but Electronic Super Joy masters the retro-style platformer. It's stunning visually and sonically, and the presentation is tied in directly to the arresting gameplay that's complemented perfectly by tight controls and super smart level design. Hardcore platforming fans will be completely at home here.

Electronic Super Joy is a delight. Its simple visuals are elevated by a soundtrack so perfectly in tune with the experience that it turns a punishingly difficult platformer into a trance-like experience and will soothe the pain of your multiple deaths. It will defeat you over and over again, but manages never to feel unfair or to set goals that are unachievable. If you like the sound of a challenging platformer that will push you to the edge of frustration when things are going badly but make you feel like a gaming god when things are going well, Electronic Super Joy may be just the game you're looking for.