The story behind Gimmick! is utterly fascinating. It remains one of the most rare NES/Famicom games in existence. And it somehow made its way back to the spotlight with a Special Edition re-release in 2022 – heavy difficulty and all. Between the two, it’s gotten a cult-like following with its star-chucking hero. And that legacy happily continues with Bitwave Games’ inspired Gimmick! 2.
Like the original, throwing stars and solving puzzles in stages is the name of the game. And, as before, the more seasoned you are with platformers, the better. That said, however, Gimmick! 2 does have a bit more forgiveness than the original game. Especially when you consider its helpful “Assisted” mode, set to help out rookie players in certain jams.
With its adorable visuals and challenging (but entertaining) gameplay, Gimmick! 2 has plenty to offer. Some more stages would’ve definitely pushed it to incredible heights. But as it stands, it’s a welcome and comfortable continuation of a long-lost brand. We’ll take that any chance we can get it.
Gimmick! 2 Isn’t Out To Trick You
The game’s plot is simple – a wizard has kidnapped a princess, and you must rescue her. Over the course of the game, you generate a star projectile that’s as big as you are. You can throw it to defeat enemies, use it to fit into a nearby “star hole”, or ride it to higher platforms.
In earlier stages, you get into ease with this, ahem, gimmick. But later stages ask for more precision, as we saw in the original game. Fortunately, with the help of “Assisted” mode, it’s a bit more for all types of players. Hardcore players will get the challenge they appreciate, while newcomers won’t be so easily frustrated.
The gameplay works very well, and the depth of some of the later puzzles is incredibly cool. You’ll be figuring out solutions you may not have thought even existed. It really lends into a “trial-and-error” style of play.
That said, the game comes to an end a bit too soon. You can replay levels to see if you can get through them faster – a speedrunner’s dream. There are some hidden secrets as well. But there’s very little past that point.
Still, it’s the journey, not the destination. And Gimmick! 2 provides a noteworthy one. Especially when compared to the first game. It’s a nice leap forward.
Enjoy the Gimmick-y Graphics
Along with gameplay, Gimmick! 2 also brings some nice visuals. Rather than going with the 8-bit style of the original, Bitwave Games incorporates beautiful hand-drawn visuals. This is incorporated into enemies, heroes and backdrops alike. It all comes together quite lavishly, with a lot of personality to spare. And what’s more, it performs without missing a beat, with only a few small visual hitches on Switch. (They’re likely fixed now with the game’s latest patch, too.)
David Wise, the veteran soundtrack creator for many Rare hits, also provides a smooth soundtrack for Gimmick! 2. It’s hardly what I’d call his finest work (I’m a sucker for Battletoads), but it’s lovely nevertheless. Back that up with some cute sound effects (even with enemies!) and you’ve got a pretty good winner.
It’s an overall nice evolution for the franchise, and makes me wonder just how much better Gimmick! 3 could look. If we get one, that is.
It’s Tricky, But Worth It
The original Gimmick!, while hard as heck, definitely left an impact on classic gaming. But it’s with Gimmick! 2that Bitwave Games finds its real groove. It shows appreciation for the challenge we’ve gotten used to. But it also introduces options for newcomers, all backed by an adorable hand-drawn presentation.
I know we’ve already gotten a handful of great platformers this year, but Gimmick! 2 definitely deserves a spot. It continues a legacy we didn’t even think needed extending. Now we’re wondering if Taito’s super-rare Little Samson should get a turn…
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Clear River Games for the review code! Gimmick! 2 is now available on Nintendo Switch and PC,and will launch soon for Xbox and PlayStation!
Oh, you want more retro goodness from Gamerhub UK? We got you. Check out our coverage on Aero the Acro-Bat 2, Iron Meat and Castlevania Dominus Collection!
