Gimmick! 2: I’ve found my modern day Mario meets Kirby

My newest addiction? Madden 25? NBA 2K25? Call of Duty? NOPE. I won’t lie - when offered an opportunity to cover and check out the new Gimmick! 2 game - I let loose a few light chuckles and curiosity had me check out the details and I was insanely interested. Spoiler? This game is hard and fun as hell.

There’s too many dope things to say about it with its initial release on PC and Nintendo Switch back in September 2024 but getting this to drop on PlayStation and Xbox this past January 30, 2025? Holy smokes.

First things first - a massive salute to the Bitwave Games/Clear River Games and Sunsoft crew for the opportunity to check this title out. I’m obsessed with it.

Much like the twists and turns you get from loading up Doki Doki Literature Club - this game seems ‘kiddy’ on the outside but within moments of loading up Gimmick! 2 - I was laughing out loud - literally - over how simplistic it ‘looks’ and how much strategy and exact perfection is needed to complete maps and levels.

Obsessed.

I’ve taken the time to pause my gaming goals on other titles and focused on my love for what Gimmick! 2 has to offer. For those of you who like myself were little to zero familiar with the title:

A Classic Challenge Modernized

In Gimmick! 2, you once again meet the green little yokai Yumetaro. Decades after his first adventure he now sets out on a new quest in a world packed with interesting challenges, dangerous enemies, and hidden treasures. The game can be played in either a friendlier assisted mode, or if you’re up for a challenge play in the true-to-the-original “Gimmick!” mode!

Star physics

As a yokai, Yumetaro has the ability to summon and throw a powerful star that not only bounces, but also keeps the momentum of his movement. The Star can be used to activate switches, defend against enemies and even be ridden to get to those hard-to-reach places while exploring the secrets of the world. You can discover treasure, find shortcuts or set speed records by mastering the Star’s bouncing physics. Experiment with it to unlock its full potential. This is a game with true star power!

Once again - not thinking much of anything and thinking to myself, ‘Okay, there’s no way I need to use the assisted mode…..’ holy smokes - the challenge activated immediately!

But what really has blown me away by this title is the overall sound. When you’ve played titles like The Last of Us, you know how much legendary sound and music can play on your overall experience and well, for Gimmick! 2? It’s pretty breathtaking.

A Legendary Soundtrack

The composer David Wise hardly needs any introduction. In his work on the Gimmick! 2 soundtrack, he has both written completely new melodies and remade old classics. The soundtrack was creatively directed by Pelle Cahndlerby and recorded live in Sweden together with Joel Bille.

Blast from the past

The original Gimmick! game was released for the FamicomTM in 1992. It was localized and released in the West - but only in Scandinavia. This, combined with the fact that the game’s physics and gameplay mechanics were far ahead of its time, made the game both fabled and beloved. With Gimmick! 2, however, there is no longer any doubt: this is a game that the whole world should have the chance to experience.

You’ve seen some of the video footage from up above but take me at my word - this is a must-play and the fact it has PlayStation 5 graphics rocking? Picture perfect.

Gimmick! 2 is officially available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox.