Jeremy Parish

Game Boy Works #124: Nail'n Scale & Pri Pri: Primitive Princess (Patreon)

Published:

2021-07-14 11:39:44

Imported:

2024-04

Tags:

data east game boy game boy works sunsoft

Content

Finally, some puzzle games on Game Boy! I can't believe no one ever thought of doing something like this before.

Sarcasm aside, there is something comforting about returning to Game Boy after all this time to be wrapped in a warm blanket of the familiar. As a bonus, one of these games is actually quite good! The other, less so... but that's also part of what makes it all seem so familiar, you know?

Files

Nail'n Scale & Pri Pri: Primitive Princess retrospective: A puzzling platform | Game Boy Works #024

Puzzle platformers are in their Game Boy; all's right with the world. Yes, this episode brings us not one but two—two!—puzzle action games for Game Boy. As if we'd have it any other way. As often happens, one of these is far more fun and playable than the other in hindsight, reflecting poorly on the lesser of the two. For once, the better game received a U.S. release while the merely-OK one remained stranded overseas. Nail'n Scale from Data East offers much: Two-player simultaneous action, fluid and friendly jump mechanics, and a fun platforming gimmick that also doubles as the key to the puzzle-like level designs. Pri Pri: Primitive Princess... doesn't have these things. It's not terrible, but its plodding pace does not pair well with its unforgiving, trial-and-error design. Weirdly, this one's from Sunsoft, whom you'd expect to have presented a more respectable showing than Data East... but there are no rules on Game Boy! Nothing makes sense! Video Works is funded via Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/gamespite) — support the show and get access to every episode up to two weeks in advance of its YouTube debut! Plus, exclusive podcasts, eBooks, and more!