Wild Dogs (2023)

Overall, Wild Dogs is a very competent game that bets on some gameplay variety. Though this decision was a good choice, the long stages with no checkpoints make the title a little annoying and the excessive focus on the nostalgia factor reduces the originality feeling in this work. Even so, with its fair difficulty and the general technical competence, this is an easy recommendation for retro fans.

Wild Dogs can be very fun to those who want to face the classic challenge of run and guns and shoot'em ups from past generations. Four-color pixel art isn't my favorite style, but it didn't bother me when I used the right palettes for me among the dozens available. The fun of exploding pixels in various gameplay styles is certainly worth the price, which makes the game recommendable even for those who are not used to the difficulty level of the genre, an issue that can be solved by using the convenient cheat code to increase lives.

Is Wild Dogs worth your time and attention? If you’re a fan of punishing retro action games, absolutely. This game nails that balance of old-school presentation and modern sensibilities. Assuming you’re looking for a very specific kind of challenge, that is. Anyone looking for a new game to memorize will be overjoyed. On the flip side, your raw skills won’t be tested to the same degree. This is a short, sweet, sadistic title with remarkable graphics and an excellent soundtrack. Wild Dogs is the quintessential retro action experience.

Despite the bullet-soaking and clunky vehicle sections, we like Wild Dogs. It’s a Contra tribute in an unexpected but genuinely eye-pleasing style that mostly hits all the right notes and will satisfy any die-hard fan of Konami’s series or retro gaming generally.

Wild Dogs may have been created with the intention to be a retro run and gun, but the combination of the elements it brought made it something bigger. It's a recommendation I'd do in a heartbeat to people who want to get a taste of the genre or those who are already veterans. Your desire for action and nostalgia with a good challenge will be fulfilled.