Fans of old-school 3D platformers may want to take a closer look at Spiny & Chilly, a brand-new collectathon inspired by Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64. Set to launch exclusively for PC via Steam, developer Prisut Studio’s Spiny & Chilly blends simple yet satisfying cell-shaded graphics with familiar retro gameplay mechanics to introduce a fresh take on adventure gaming.
Despite the undeniable dominance of 3D platformers in the late 90s and early 2000s, the genre fell under the radar for many years before making a triumphant return with major hits like Astro Bot and surprise sequels such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Iconic entries like Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, Spyro the Dragon, and many more helped to define many of the now-nostalgic gameplay elements, with many including a focus on gathering specific collectible items to unlock new areas and abilities. Collectathon platformers have maintained a dedicated following, and players who enjoy these types of old-school games could have yet another exciting journey waiting ahead with Spiny & Chilly.
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Spiny & Chilly Brings Classic 3D Platforming to a New Cell-shaded World
Goofy, ice-obsessed penguin Chilly and his sarcastic hedgehog companion Spiny team up to embark on a whimsical journey to take back the ice blocks that have been stolen by the evil Polar Bear King. Players will take control of Chilly and lead the comedic duo through vibrant themed worlds filled with collectibles and secrets while mastering satisfyingly familiar movement mechanics including wall-jumping, double-jumping, sliding, and even surfing. Chilly will be able to interact with various environmental elements, from springy bouncing platforms to sudden gravity shifts, all while working to gather the precious stolen ice blocks that have been scattered throughout each level. Spiny & Chilly follows a world system similar to the levels in Mario games and Banjo-Kazooie, with everything from a meteor-crashed valley turned mining colony run by mole engineers to a haunted harbor plagued by ghost ships and a floating island inhabited by brilliant bird scientists.
The early teaser trailer for Spiny & Chilly on the game’s official Steam page shows off some of the gameplay features that players can look forward to. Rocks can be broken to collect glowing orbs which can then be thrown at environmental pieces, and Chilly can belly-slide down hills for quick traversal. Small enemies can be spotted in the brief video, with Chilly using a spinning attack to send the creatures flying away. There also appears to be a fan-like flower that can send Chilly and Spiny soaring high, and Chilly is shown being able to carry items around, perhaps to solve puzzles. While the game does not appear to have anything too complex in store for fans wanting a challenge, Spiny & Chilly does appear to be a solid choice for players who enjoy a more laid-back platforming game.
As new 3D platforming games continue to help revive the genre, it should come as no surprise that even the latest releases are drawing heavy inspiration from some of the biggest titles that helped make platformers what they are today. Interested fans can now wishlist Spiny & Chilly, and players can stay tuned for more news on the latest platforming games and Steam exclusives.
- Released
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June 28, 1998
- ESRB
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E for Everyone
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
