Game: Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition
Genre: Strategy
System: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 (also on Xbox and PlayStation)
Developer | Publisher: Digital Eclipse | Team 17
Age Rating: EU 12 | US Teen
Price: US $24.99 | UK £24.99 | EU € 24,99
Release Date: September 26th, 2024
A review code was provided with many thanks to Press Engine
Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition – A Worm-Tastic Return
Worms Armageddon was a standout title in my childhood. I still remember picking up the PS1 version and instantly falling in love with its chaotic, turn-based mayhem. Whether I was blowing up worms solo in the campaign or sneaking in a quick match before school, this was a game that never failed to make me laugh. Since then, the Worms franchise has gone through numerous iterations, some in 3D, others back to 2D, but none quite captured the magic of Worms Armageddon. Now, with the Anniversary Edition, the best entry in the series is back and better than ever.
This definitive edition isn’t just a simple port. It’s a fully featured tribute to one of the most beloved strategy games of its time, with new enhancements, preserved charm, and even a museum full of Worms history. And with its release on Nintendo Switch, along with other modern platforms, it’s easier than ever to relive the carnage or discover it for the first time.
For Those Who’ve Never Dug In
If you’re new to the Worms series, here’s the basic idea. It’s a 2D, turn-based strategy game where teams of cartoon worms battle it out across destructible landscapes. You’ll take turns moving your worms and using a wild assortment of weapons to eliminate the opposing team. Sure, you’ve got standard tools like bazookas and grenades, but the series is most famous for its utterly bonkers arsenal.
You might launch an exploding sheep across the map, swing a worm off the screen with a baseball bat (complete with a home run sound effect), or drop the Concrete Donkey from the sky. Yes, really. There’s even a backstory to that particular weapon tucked away in the game’s new documentary content. Combine that with dozens of quirky voice sets, hand-drawn maps, and a level of humour that’s somewhere between slapstick and satire, and you’ve got a game that’s just as much about laughing with friends as it is about winning.
A fun bonus is the ability to rename your worms and teams. Whether you’re naming them after your family or just making up nonsense, it adds another personal layer to the comedy. A lot of the humour comes from player creativity, which keeps things feeling fresh no matter how many times you’ve played.
For Concerned Parents
Despite the game being about worms blowing each other up, the violence here is light-hearted and cartoonish. When a worm runs out of health, they simply explode into a little gravestone. If they fall into water, they sink dramatically, complete with a sad expression, but there’s no blood or gore to worry about. It’s mischief, not mayhem, and it’s as suitable for teens as it is for nostalgic adults.
Packed with Content
The Anniversary Edition includes the full original PC version adapted seamlessly for Nintendo Switch. You’ve got the full campaign, training missions, deathmatch modes, and robust multiplayer that can also be played solo with AI bots of adjustable difficulty. The amount of customisation is staggering, you can tweak game rules, choose which weapons are allowed, and even hand-draw your own maps to blow up later.
But the real star of the show might just be the museum feature. Digital Eclipse has gone above and beyond here, offering a wonderfully detailed timeline of the Worms series, packed with artwork, development notes, leaflets, and short films. You’ll even find out how that Concrete Donkey weapon came to be. It’s a love letter to longtime fans and a gold standard for how to treat classic re-releases.
Retro enthusiasts will be thrilled with the inclusion of additional playable versions of Worms from Game Boy Color, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy Advance. While these may appeal more to fans of vintage games, their inclusion adds serious value for collectors and series devotees. It’s only a slight shame that spin-offs like Worms Blast and Worms Pinball didn’t make the cut, but what’s here is still incredibly generous.
Conclusion: A Classic Reborn
Decades later, Worms Armageddon hasn’t lost a bit of its charm. Whether you’re playing a quick solo match, diving into the campaign, or sharing chaotic laughter with friends in multiplayer, this is still one of the best strategy games around. Now that it’s on the Switch, it’s even easier to take the fun on the go.
Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition is more than just a re-release; it’s a beautifully presented tribute to a game that’s stood the test of time. If you’ve never played Worms before, there’s no better entry point. And if, like me, you grew up launching sheep across enemy lines, this is the ultimate way to revisit an old favourite.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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