Colorful Game Boy Color inspired sequel Super Squidlit is ready to go on Nintendo Switch. Learn more in our Super Squidlit review!

 

Colorful Game Boy Color inspired sequel Super Squidlit is ready to go on Nintendo Switch. While prequel Squidlit was more of a bite-sized experience that paid homage to the games from Nintendo’s original Game Boy portable console, this time around, Super Squidlit is bigger, better, and more colorful since it’s a 2D action platformer that expands on the adventure while taking into consideration the improvements, and limitations, of the Game Boy Color. This time around, you’ll take control of Plip, as well as of his old foe, Skwit Skwot, as you set out on a journey exploring the islands of Squishu.

At first, you’ll control Plip with the left analog stick or the D-Pad, jumping with the A or L buttons. While Plip is up in the air, she’ll be able to send some ink below her when you press one of the aforementioned buttons. This will also give her a small boost to her jump and keep her airborne a little bit more. When underwater, she’ll be able to swim with the A and L buttons and shoot ink forward with the B button to damage opponents. Early in your adventure, you’ll learn a new ability, a roll that you can execute with the B button, to break down barriers or gain some extra distance during a jump.

 

As was the case for Squidlit, for Super Squidlit, you’ll have three health points in total, represented by the muffins at the top center of the screen. If you’re hurt, you’ll start to lose muffins, so you’ll need to search for more of them in each area that you visit so that you can stay away from a game over. Something else you’ll get to collect is the many notes hidden in each location, which will give you some insight into, for example, Ooblugs, which will allow you to learn that they have insect limbs and wings, but they also have some elements that resemble those of fairy shrimp. There are more than 20 notes to collect, so if you want to 100% the game, you’re going to have to search high and low!

Speaking of collectibles, you’ll also be able to find many buttons during this super adventure. The more you collect, the better the reward you can get when you trade them for recipes. There are 48 buttons to find, so there’s a lot for you to find before your quest is over. Oh, and before you think these recipes will somehow have an effect on your run, allow me to clarify these are going to be actual recipes for things you can cook in the real world! For example, the first one you can unlock for eight buttons will be for a Squidlit Banana Pudding, which will be easy to make and delicious to eat!

 

You’ll be traveling by sea as you steer the mighty ship that will allow you to visit the different islands of Squishu. You won’t be able to travel wherever you want to since there will be a thick fog around each island, which won’t be removed until you complete previous islands. The interesting thing is that when playing as Skwit Skwot, you’ll be taking on a first-person shooter that pays homage to the classic Wolfenstein and Doom we all known and love. And yes, the Game Boy Color did have a first-person shooter in Tyrannosaurus Tex. As a side note, the music for Super Squidlit was recorded on actual Game Boy Color hardware for that extra helping of authenticity.

You can change between spells by pressing the – button so that you can put your mana bar to good use. Press the B button to lock onto an enemy, and then unleash your magical powers to destroy them! Your hit points bar will be shown next to your mana bar, and an enemy’s hit points will be shown in the lower center of the screen. If you run out of mana, there’s a spell that will allow you to steal mana from your opponents. As you defeat enemies with the different spells that Skwit Skwot has in her arsenal, you’ll be able to gain liquid crystal points, which can be used to improve each of her spells to boost their effectiveness and power.

 

The game is showcased in a 4:3 aspect ratio on Nintendo Switch, and you can change the color of the borders – which represent a Game Boy Color type portable console, by pressing the ZR button. You can switch between yellow, purple, lime green, pink, or having no border at all. The game’s aspect ratio can’t be changed to preserve the look and feel of an old-school Game Boy Color release.

Super Squidlit is a great sequel that expands on everything that its prequel did while paying homage to the mighty Game Boy Color. It builds on the 2D platforming sequences of the previous game while giving us more content, a very colorful presentation, and even a first-person shooter set within the limitations of the Game Boy Color, with an RPG twist as Skwit Skwot levels up to improve its Oomph, Ether, and Tough to increase the power of spells, total mana, and physical toughness. Super Squidlit is out on Nintendo Switch with a $9.99 asking price, and it’s one you should definitely check out on Nintendo’s console.

Disclaimer
This Super Squidlit review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Squidlit Ink.