Reviews

Bouncy Bullets review for PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch

Platform: PS4
Also On: PS Vita, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Publisher: Ratalaika Games
Developer: Petite Games
Medium: Digital
Players: 1
Online: No
ESRB: E

I initially played Bouncy Bullets on my Vita, because, even now, that?s my platform of choice. This was a mistake, because Bouncy Bullets on the Vita verges on the unplayable. It?s not that it can?t perform — it can. It runs smoothly, and it looks as bright and vibrant as it does on PS4. Unfortunately, the controls are so lousy, none of that matters. It?s a game where you have to make all kinds of quick, precise jumps, except it?s so floaty that you can barely do anything, particularly on such a tiny screen. Even the allure of a very, very easy Platinum wasn?t enough to get me to spend more than half an hour on it before I finally gave up in frustration about a dozen levels in.

Interestingly, half an hour was more than enough time to Platinum the game on PS4 — which, in fairness, isn?t that much of an achievement, since it only requires that you finish 31 levels. Still, at the very least, Bouncy Bullets is playable on PS4, which, relative to its handheld version, constitutes an achievement.

Not much of an achievement, though, because the game still isn?t that good. The controls are still floaty, the jumps are still imprecise, and moving is still a bit of a nightmare, with the only difference being that you have more screen real estate so you stand a bit more of a chance. Not a great chance, because the game is still asking that you make all kinds of precise movements and then it?s not giving you the tools to do any of them, but a chance nonetheless.

The unfortunate thing is that it?s easy to imagine Bouncy Bullets being kind of decent with a little bit more work. Regardless of the system on which you play it, it?s a bright, colourful game that pops off the screen, and with a few tweaks you could easily pretend you?re soaring through the levels.

As it stands, however, there?s no soaring going on here — just lots of annoying floating off the edge of platforms, and into razors, and lasers, and enemy bullets. Consequently, Bouncy Bullets just ends up being more frustrating than anything else.

Ratalaika Games provided us with a Bouncy Bullets PS4/Vita code for review purposes.

Grade: C-
Matthew Pollesel

Recent Posts

Sail the seas with Captain Majima as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii releases today

Treasure hunt, enjoy arcades, aid the locals, do anything but to assist out of work…

17 hours ago

DeadToast Entertainment reveals Shotgun Cop Man and announces demo for Steam Next Fest

Shoot your way through hell and arrest Satan…seems like a regular day on the job.

1 day ago

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii review for PlayStation, Xbox, PC

Who’d turn down a return trip to a tropical paradise?

1 day ago

Hunter x Hunter x Nen Impact dated for July 17th, pre-orders available now

The game will arrive before the next chapter of the manga.

1 day ago

Queen Dizzy finally graces the Nintendo Switch version of Guilty Gear Strive

You won’t have to pay a king’s ransom for this franchise mainstay.

2 days ago

Gameplay modifiers and new moves come to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

My dreams of making Kimberly the powerhouse of the team can finally come true!

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.