Dandy & Randy DX Review

Game: Dandy & Randy DX
Genre: Adventure, Action,
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows & macOS) Xbox and PS4)
Developer|Publisher:  Asteristic Game Studio| Ratalaika
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone
Price: US $6.99 | UK £6.99 | EU € 6,99
Release Date: April 29th, 2022

Review code provided with many thanks to PR Hound. 

Coffee Game

Dandy & Randy DX is a top-down pixelated adventure that can probably be best described as retro Zelda shaking hands with Super Mario Bros 2. But more on that later. It’s been a while since I reviewed a good old coffee game. A game I describe as something you can sit down with a nice drink and usually finish in a few sittings.

Only this time around you may want to make two drinks as this coffee game features local co-op. Going alone there’s a pretty decent retro-inspired title here but I think the magic of this game reveals itself more if you can share it with someone you love.

Debt Problems 

Dandy & Randy are having a spot of bother with their bills. But rather than talking to a financial adviser or breaking their problem down into small manageable pieces, they decide to fly to an island looking for a special gem. One does question that if they can afford their own plane then that alone might fix their financial woes but then we wouldn’t have a happy go lucky video game premise, would we?

The game is presented in text-only to allow the parents out there to put the funny voices on if they choose to play with the kids. You’ll meet several NPCs, which will provide some witty commentary to the experience. Be sure to speak to characters more than once as often they have more than one thing to say.

The game is presented in a charming and colourful pixelated art style. It kinda felt like a very vibrant Game Boy Color game. Since it has the retro look and the sounds really reminded me of the handheld. I don’t see this as a negative but more a satisfying trip down memory lane. Even if you’re not familiar with retro it all comes across as pretty cute and cuddly. 

Find the Keys, Defeat the Boss

The flow of the game follows a pretty traditional retro design. Controls are easy to use and very accessible for experienced or casual gamers. Items are mapped to a single button and can be easily changed on the fly with the shoulder buttons. Presented in a top-down perspective you explore the level looking for four coloured keys to access new areas of the map. There is one equipable item to find which can be used to solve some basic puzzles or even attack enemies. Some of these items might be familiar to the Zelda fans such as a boomerang, hammer, spade and many more. You attack enemies by picking up fruits and vegetables dug into the ground and flinging them at them.

It brought back the Super Mario 2 nostalgia which ironically is one of my favourite Mario games to date. You’ll come across the odd puzzle, usually in the form of moving some blocks to the correct spot. It all feels pretty reminiscent of the dungeon designs of the older Zelda games which may appeal to those fans. Money bags and coins are hidden throughout the level, found in chests or if you’re really dedicated you can dig them up with the shovel. I personally found this prospect a bit tedious but maybe with a co-op partner, it’s more fun. If you take a hit from a trap or enemy you will lose a few coins but you are given a chance to reclaim them before they disappear (hello Sonic nostalgia). These coins can then be used at a local vender to increase your total health or heal you. 

Two New Characters to Unlock.

As you progress you will likely find two new characters to unlock. Although cosmetically different all characters play the same. At the end of the level is a boss encounter that follows a standard formula of following its pattern and waiting for the right moment to fling a vegetable at them. NPCs and signposts do provide hints to gameplay but I often found I was able to figure things out for myself. Casual players, possibly children, may appreciate the hints though. The game feels like it leans into this casual audience more as it’s pretty easy even on the base difficulty. The only exception may be a mild spike towards the end at the final boss encounter. The game does offer three difficulty settings, if you are experienced you may want to opt for the hardest on the first playthrough.

My only niggle with the game is it is quite formulaic. Clearly taking cues from other games and mixing it into a decent short gaming experience. It’s not bad by any means and I had fun with the game. It just doesn’t do anything original or anything to particularly push the boundaries except for maybe one feature.

Better Together

The main draw of this game is couch co-op. Another player is able to jump in at any time during the campaign. With the exception of old titles like Zelda: Four Swords which are hard to obtain these days, I don’t know of a lot of top-down games that you can play together. This really feels like the ideal title to play with your child or loved one who is not as experienced with gaming.

If you do play with younglings you may be able to make up some fun counting games on the fly such as how many vegetables they can pull up on a level screen. Experienced players will breeze through this game with no problem but taking your time playing with someone less experienced might create a wonderful memory that will mean the world to them. 

Conclusion – Make Someone’s Day 

I recommend Dandy & Randy DX if you’re playing alone looking for that simple retro fix that might just tickle the nostalgia memories. I highly recommend it if you want something to play with together. Sure the premise is simple but I can’t think of any other title that has this theme that lets you play locally. Playing games together can solidify some memories that will last forever. Know a friend who’s feeling a little blue? Buy this game then take the Switch over to them. It might be the pick up they need. Dandy & Randy DX doesn’t push any gaming boundaries. But this is an absolutely solid and uplifting game that is well worth the price of entry. 

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot