The going is good for metroidvanias on Switch

If you're ever in the mood for another metroidvania but you don't have a ton of time to invest in learning the lay of a new land, Renegade Kid's Xeodrifter might slot nicely into your schedule. It's on the shorter side, it's good ??at what it does, and soon?? enough, it'll be available on Nintendo Switch.

Drifting through the stars. More intel soon. #xeodrifter #atooi #nintendoswitch pic.twitter.com/qq8bDlg7G4

— Atooi (@AtooiLLC) January 3, 2018

Unlike Xeodrifter for Wii U an?d 3DS, the Switch version? won't have cross-buy.

"Like the Metroid titles that inspired it, the music, graphics, and world/enemy design are more than worth revisiting a few times a year," Holmes said in h??is review. "This may be Renegade Kid's best game yet, despite its relatively short length." ??If all goes well on Switch, maybe we'll get a sequel.

Related: the game is only a buck on Steam right now thanks to the Winter Sale.

Atooi [Twitter]

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The worm looks like a... never mind

It was only yesterday that Brett reported on the divorce between Jools Watsham and Gregg Hargrove of Renegade Kid. Apparently, Mr. Watsham is wasting no time getting himself back out there. Today his new company Atooi announced that it'll be re?leasing a new game IP on the Nintendo 3DS eShop a??nd the App Store.

Called Chicken Wiggle, the game's protagonist is a chicken who carries a worm around in its backpack, which can be used like a grappling hook. The press release notes that the pair will "jump, peck, and worm-grapple across a myriad of perplexing platforming levels – full of fun gadget?s, tricky hazards, and sneaky foes – determined to rescue their friends from the wicked witch in her sky towers."

In addition to the story mode, the announcement mentioned that Chicken Wiggle will contain a deep level editor, and that creators will be able to leave hints and tips ?for anyone who downloads the levels they create. There will also be?? multiple art themes, and created levels can be uploaded via a community portal.

This new IP will presumably come out sometime after the previously announced Treasurenauts, which is scheduled for 2017. Atooi has already released Totes the Goat, an isometric platformer that looks like Q-bert got run over trying to play on Crossy Road. 

Between the dual protagonists sharing a single pair of feet, the aesthetics, and the witch antagonist, I'd say it's fair to assume that Banjo-Kazooie was an inspiration for Chicken Wiggle. We'll keep an eye on this one and let you know when we find out more?.

Jools Watsham Unveils Chicken Wiggle [NintendoLife]
New Platformer from Creators of Mutant Mudds! [Atooi]

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Each with half the Renegade Kid games

As of today, Renegade Kid is no more. The Texas-based developer that's known for games such as Xeodrifter, Mutant Mudds, and Dementium has ceased operations ??after nine years as a studio.

The news was revealed on the company's site. "Renegade Kid has announced that its co-founders, Jools Watsham and Gregg Hargrove, have made the diff?icult decision to bring their 10-yea?r partnership of developing games together as Renegade Kid LLC to an end," the post begins. T??he dissolution seems to be amicable, as the two say that they're going their ??separate ways "with their friendship and their respect for each other still very much intact."

Out of this split will come a couple of new studios. Watsham has now founded Atooi, LLC, and Hargrove has founded Infinitizmo, LLC. The two will divy up Renegade Kid's properties. Watsham will take the rights to all of its 2D titles (Mutant Mudds, Xeodrifter, Bomb Monkey, Treasurenauts, and Totes the Goat) while Hargrove gets all the 3D games (Dementium, Moon Chronicles, and ATV Wild Ride/ATV Renegades.

Renegade Kid Founders Embark on New Solo Ventures [Renegade Kid]

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Mudds never say die

Mutant Mudds is a criminally underrated series. I've heard all the criticisms, but to me, it perfectly summarizes the "less is more" design that is still very much viable and welcome in the current era of complexity. Everything it does, it does it cleanly, and offers up a ??fair and uncompromising challenge to boot.

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge is basically a full-on sequel, expanding upon the already packed-in Deluxe version. And it's just as good as the original.

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge (3DS [reviewed], Wii U [reviewed])
Developer: Renegade Kid
Publisher: Renegade Kid
MSRP: $9.99 (Cross-Buy, loyalty discount of 15% for 30 days)
Released: March 17, 2016

Our protagonist Max returns in full force to fight the evil Mudd creatures (this time with a secret base) and the story is just as minimal as it's always been. A lot of things are minimal actually, as everything is ostensibly the same. I'm okay with that. Max can still jump, hover, and shoot as he makes his away across multiple 2D landscapes, which are augmented by backgrounds and foregrounds, which you'll transiti??on to and fro frequently. You can also opt to upgrade your damage, hover time, or vertical leap, slightly altering the way some levels are approached.

But don't get it twisted -- despite the relative level of familiarity, the first stage assumes you ??already know a lot ab??out the series and how its various mechanics work. From minute one, you'll have to deal with quick hover canceling, firing at enemies while moving forward above hazardous acid, and those annoying-as-hell sword and shield enemies. Individual stages may incorporate up to five or more different concepts, in fact, like spike dodging, ice physics tempering, and so on.

Now, merely completing levels will be more of a struggle, much less earning all of the bonuses, like collecting every individual token in each stage. As always, I love the concept of letting you keep previously acquired ?collectibles after completing a map, as it gives you more of an incentive to replay old stages without it feeling like a slog. Bonus int?erludes that pay homage to classic visual styles of old like the Virtual Boy and hidden soundtrack discs are back too, much to my delight.

Masochists will feel right at home. There are some brutal sections, filled to the brim with spikes, pits, and enemies. It's not just haphazardly done though, as care was put into nearly every placement. You also get a wide view of the screen, and any given jump can usually be calculated or planned, so you aren't going to get any "gotcha" surprises.?? Optional mid-le?vel checkpoints are also a go, so you won't be throwing your GamePad (or 3DS) at the screen that often.

Speaking of the differences, the 3D effect of Nintendo's portable is muted, but effective, and the Wii U version of course allows for Off-TV play -- other than that, there's really no differences between them, and the game even supports Cross-Buy (a code is given to you for the opposite system when you buy it on the eShop). Challenge will vex players with over 40 new levels, some of which have ghost enemies from Deluxe (which need a special ghost buster power-up to defeat) mixed in for good measure. There's also several boss fights that are more like puzzles -- think the Dragon God in Demon's Souls -- ??and 20 secret characters to unlock (with are?? basically skins, mind).

If you're interested in a modern classic that's both a loving retro homage and a cleverly design platformer, go ahead and give Mutant Mudds Deluxe a go first to see if it's your thing. If so, picking up Super Challenge wouldn't be a bad idea, because while it doesn't wildly alter the formula, it complements the series in an honorable way.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Submitted to the Wii U eShop

[Update: Renegade Kid has clarified that due to "technical limitations," they may not be able to offer a Cross-Buy code for previ?ous owners. New owners should get a code though.]

Xeodrifter, which initially launched on the 3DS and is now coming to Wii U, will be Cross-Buy when it arrives on the latter platform. It's $9.99 for both, and if you currently own the 3DS iteration right now, you'll get the Wii U one fo??r free retroactively. Cool! Since the Wii U version has been submitted to Nintendo, it could arrive any week now.

In other Renegade Kid related news, Xeodrifter has been doing poorly in Europe, to the point where day-one sales in the US surpassed the EU ones to date. For what it's worth, although Xeodrifter consists of a much smaller scale than I'd like to see out of a Metroid-like game, it's still a fun action romp.

Jools Watsham [Twitter]

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One of which is from Steamworld Dig

While I generally give pretty much every platformer a fair shake these days, there are two standout favorites that really blew me away in the past few years -- Steamworld Dig, and Mutant Mudds. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Rusty, the main hero of Dig, would be a secret character in the upcoming Mutant Mudds Super Challenge!

According to GoNintendo, Rusty is one of 20 "secret" characters that will be featured in the game. I've reached out to Renegade ??Kid, who has confirmed that the characters will be cosmetic, with no specific upgrades or differences.

Roth Sothy [Twitter via GoNintendo]

Rusty (SteamWorld Dig @ImageForm) is in #MutantMudds Super Challenge! wonder what other indie game characters joining pic.twitter.com/RwOzAr40tJ

— Roth Sothy (@RothSothy) June 18, 2015

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About on par with the Granny levels

Mutant Mudds has enjoyed quite a ride on Nintendo systems and beyond. It was original released in 2012 on 3DS, but eventually made its way to the Wii U, PC, Vita, PS3, and even iOS. While it was touted as a return to retro aesthetics and difficulty, it was the Granny levels, introduced by way of the PC edition, that really tested players. That's the sort of feel that the upcoming Mutant Mudds Super Challenge ;is g?oing for when it hits 3DS and Wii U later this summer.

Having played the three-level demo, Super Challenge can be downright nasty at times ?(in a good way). Coins ar??e hidden behind walls, some jumps are pixel-perfect and designed with little to no margin of error, and many enemies are devilishly obscured from destroying with your standard shot. It's important to note that all of the stages are completely doable though with practice and an understanding of the core mechanics, which is something Renegade Kid just seems to "get."

Bosses are a thing now, and arguably the toughest aspect of Super Challenge. The big bad in the demo is a ghost, and works like an obstacle course of sorts, tasking players with running a gauntlet from left to right to jump back to the boss' plane and blast him. You'll have to do that three times -- it sounds simple en?ough, but a number of distractions make it more difficult than at first glance.

For starters, for each gauntlet run you'll pick up a ghost bust?er item, which is the only way to damage ghosts. You'll have to conserve ammo while you're running through the miniature level, and save at least one shot to hit the boss' weak point. It's really tough, as some enemies need to be destroyed the way. It's the kind of retro difficulty that'll make you rip your hair out, but it feels completely fair and should only take you a few runs to conceptualize.

Download the demo on Wii U yourself right now, until it goes away on June 22. If you decide to buy Super Challenge, you'll get 15% off for up to one month after laun??ch by o?wning the demo app.

The post Mutant Mudds Super Challen??ge is true?? to its namesake appeared first on Destructoid.

Currently on 3DS and PC

Last year, Renegade Kid released Xeodrifter out into the world. It took time time, but it was eventually confirmed for the PSN. Now, according to a podcast fr?om Nintendo Enthusiast, we know that it is also coming to the Wii U.

There might be some sort of Cross-Buy initiative involved to either net a discount for a free copy for 3DS owners, but that's currently being wor??ked on. I never bought the PC version so I may double-dip for Wii U.

Class vs. Crass [Nintendo Enthusiast]

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'Konami said they wouldn't let a 'team like us' handle the Silent Hill property'

As the Internet continues to blink with incredulity at Konami's decision to spike one of the most exciting E3 teasers of all time, Silent Hills, here's another head-scratc??her of a decision made by the Japanese developer/publisher. 

Renegade Kid's Dementium: The Ward had originally been pitched as a Silent Hill DS game -- and Konami turned it down.

"Little known fact: We pitched 'The Ward' to Konami in 2007 as something that could have become a Silent Hill DS game," co-founded Jools Watsham said yesterday on Twitter.

When questioned by followers about Konami's response had been, he added: "They said they wouldn't let a "team like us" handle the Silent Hill property."

Watsham expanded further on this with an interview with IGN. 

"Our goal was always to release The Ward as an original game, but we were also open to the idea of turning it into a licensed horror game and approached Konami to see if they wanted to work together to mold it into a Silent Hill game for the Nintendo DS."

"They were kind enough to meet with us, but the meeting only lasted a few minutes and ended with their [representative] saying they wouldn't let a team like us handle the Silent Hill license."

Dementium: The Ward was eventually released on the DS in 2007 as a??n all-new IP, spawning several successors and now a remake for the 3DS. 

It doesn't stop there, however. Renegade Kid approached Konami again, this time with the bones of Dementium II presented from the third-person perspectiv?e. And yet again, ??Konami passed.

(Image credit: IGN)

"Konami's response that time wasn't di??smissive like the first time," ??Watsham said. "They simply didn't want to venture into the DS space with a horror title at that time."

I know: hindsight's 20/20. I just wanted to write this article so I can keep the words -- and the dream -- Silent Hills alive in ??my mind for a few mor??e short, painful moments. Sob. 

(Although I'll be honest: I always thought the name Silent Hills was fecking terrible.)

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Arguably Renegade Kid's finest work

The Dementium series pushed the Nintendo DS to its limits, and reaped the rewards from a legion of fans that enjoyed the series for years. It's probably Renegade Kid's most known project, a?nd now a new generation will? be able to enjoy it on the 3DS.

It will be an enhanced re-release of the original, with ??60 frames per second and 3D support. Apparently some of the game's "unfair" parts will be toned down, but a "hardcore mode" is being considered ?for those who want a bigger challenge.

Don't expect the game until mid-2015.

Vinesauce [Twitch via Nintendo Life]

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Love me some metroidvanias

In August, it was revealed that Mutant Mudds developer Renegade Kid was working on a metroidvania for Nintendo 3DS titled Xeodrifter. It's about an interstellar vagrant, and the game was supposedly born from a Moon Chronicles 2D remake. 

At the time, we only had that information and some screensh?ots to pique our interest, but now we have footage of the game in action. It looks to be a quick-moving affair with hea?vy emphasis on platforming and action, all wrapped up inside a nice color palette. Suddenly, I want to go Xeodrifting as soon as possible.

The post The first footage of Renegade Kid’s Xeodrifter is totally doin’ it for me appeared first on Destructoid.

Ghost levels are a go

Mutant Mudds was released on the Nintendo 3DS all the way back in 2012, but?? it's still updated to this day. In addition to adding the Granny levels? that were introduced with the PC version of the game, developer Renegade Kid has just added the special ghost levels that were present in the Wii U Deluxe edition.

It is very rare for developers to do this in terms of feature parity between versions. Most of them just leave the appropriate consoles to their own devices, so good on Renegade Kid to give back to their fans. As a side note, since the PAL region never got the Wii U edition of the game due to problems with Nintendo of Europe, this is their first chance to play the g?host levels (they're good).

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One small, tepid step

Five years ago, a little game by the name of Moon launched on ??the Nintendo DS. Being a competent first-person shooter on a portable platform, it was something of a curiosity. Studios seldom attempt the genre on handhelds, and examples of decent experiences are even rarer still.

So perhaps it doesn't come as much of a surprise that the Nintendo 3DS library is one with a dearth of first-person shooters. Enter Renegade Kid and Moon Chronicles, an upd?ated version of the 2009 DS game with remastered visuals and a new e?pisodic structure, to fill the void.

Moon Chronicles: Episode 1 (Nintendo 3DS)
Developer: Renegade Kid
Publisher: Renegade Kid
Released: May 15, 2014
MRSP: $8.99

For those unfamiliar with the original game, as I was before starting this journey, Moon Chronicles is a tale set in the near future, following generic protagonist Major Kane on a mission to investigate some bizarre happenings o??n, yes, the moon. A mysterious hatch has been discovered on the satellite's surface, and he has the unenviable job of figuring out what's going on beneath the sur?face.

Due to the game's episodic nature, we only get a taste of the story in the first four chapters. But, suffice to say, things go terribly wrong, people die, and you're left to explore a hostile foreign environment. Along the way, you'll receive orders from your commanding officers, who seem to know more than they let on, which gives it a nice dark sci-fi vibe reminiscent of Aliens or Event Horizon -- except, you know, nowhere near as compelling.

In terms of gameplay, Moon Chronicles emphasizes exploration and atmosphere more so than action. Seemingly drawing inspiration from the Metroid series, players will find themselves in drab corridors with roadblocks that necessitates some mild puzzle solving. Frequently this involves utili?zing a tiny RC robot, which can squeeze thro??ugh tight spots and open doors from behind. 

The combat is generally bland, with predictable enemies that can be easily outwitted by strafing back and forth or running around in circle??s, but one encounter in particular left a lasting impression. My little robot pal, armed with only a stun gun, wheeled around an obstacle and came up against multiple foes. The enemy drones started ripping the little guy apart with laser fire, requiring me to make a mad dash to unlock the doors so Major Kane could come to the r??escue just in the nick of time. It was a rare exciting moment in an otherwise tepid experience.

While the shooting itself is pretty simplistic, the controls can make things a tad more complicated. While the game does boast Circle Pad Pro support, the 3DS obviously doesn't come equipped with a second analog stick as standard, which might be frustrating with players lacking the peripheral. Moon Chronicles handles t??his one of two ways: using the stylus and?? touchscreen or, alternatively, the face buttons and trigger.

While the latter method is more comfortable, as holding the 3DS upright with a pair of hands is far easier on the wrist, it's also less responsive. Fighting enemies with this control scheme adds a great deal of challenge, but not in a good way, as the speed of the reticle moving around the screen is painfully slow. The stylus method is far more accurate, but supporting my 3DS XL with a single hand? for an extended period of time gave me cramps. And I never really figured out how to hold it in a way that felt natural.

Thankfully, the experience is a short one, so players needn't suffer too much pain. My first time around, I completed the episode in roug??hly an hour. Much of that run time included needless backtracking, though, as I found myself turned around in rooms that looked nearly identical to one another. After getting my bearings, I promptly went back through the episode for a speed run, which clocked in at under 30 minutes.

Now, I'm not usually one to equate game length with value, but roughly an hour of gameplay for nine bucks seems a little steep. And while more episodes will be coming at a later date with smaller price tags, I'm not sure I'm too fond o?f the pricing model. Renegade Kid is asking players for a larger sum upfront, before they know what they're really getting into. It's a relatively high barrier of entry, which I could see limiting the potential size of the audience.

Aesthetically speaking, Moon Chronciles looks considerably nicer than the original game, and still runs at a clean 60 frames-per-s??econd, even with the stereoscopic 3D switched on. That said, the art direction is fairly uninspired and t??he visuals still seem a tad dated. These issues are most evident with the nausea-inducing robot camera and in brief cutscenes scattered throughout the experience, which see a significant nosedive in quality with the standard graphics.

After a bit of exploring, shooting, some light puzzle solving, a boss fight, and a hilariously precarious vehicle section; the experience just kind of ends. You go into a new shaft and it's over, not so much in a cliffhanger but more of a break between levels. And that's what this really is??: the first level of a game. I'm kind of torn between wanting to play more or just saying 'Well, that was fun for a bit' and moving on with my life.

It's really difficult to give Moon Chronicles a strong appraisal one way or the other. It's far from a stellar experience, but isn't a bad one eith??er. There just isn't anything here that hasn't been done better elsewhere, and I can't see anyone other than FPS-starved 3DS owners or hardcore fans of the original being too interested.

Regardless of how good Moon Chronicles may or may not be, though, it will forever hold the distinction of being the first FPS on the Nintendo 3DS. And nobody can ta?ke that aw??ay from it. Nobody.

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After failed Cult County Kickstarter

Renegade Kid's Cult County Kickstarter failed to obtain its desired funding level, but the studio is moving on -- starting with its episodic revival of the Moon franchise on the 3DS. But in addition to Treasurenauts, Renegade Kid developer Jools Watsham has announced that they are developing a new experimental 2??D ??game for the 3DS -- "pixels, no cults."

Of course this game could end up on the cutting floor as well given the ?experimentation phrasing, but I hope we get to see more than less from Renegade Kid someday. I generally prefer their 2D work over their 3D projects.

Jools Watsham [Twitter]

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The studio is currently 'discussing other options' on how to proceed

On Friday, the clock struck zero for Renegade Kid's Kickstarter project Cult County. The crowdfunding campaign failed to achieve its $580,000 goal by a wide margin. It seems that target was a bridge too far, as the Mutant Mudds de?veloper managed to raise just $46,736 in? pledges.

Cult County was announced for Nintendo 3DS ??????????????????????????at PAX East in March 2013. Since then, Renegade Kid has revealed plans to bring the episodic first-person horror game to PlayStation systems, Wii U, Windows PC, Mac, Linux, and Xbox One. 

Jools Watsham, the studio's co-founder, thanked fans for their support over Twitter and revealed the team is currently "discussing other options" on how to move forward. Apparently those alternatives don't include reducing the number of platforms, though. Watsham asserts the "only w??ay to reduce budget is to only make? episode [one]."

In the meantime, Renegade Kid is preparing to release Moon Chronicles on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. The developer is presently seeking fan input on how to price the sci-fi shooter.

Cult Country [Kickstarter, Twitter via Joystiq]

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Check out the survival horror game in action

Renegade Kid is currently in the process of seeking funding for Cult County, which is set to hit al??l major consoles and PC. One of the best things you can do in a Kickstarter campaign is quell people's fears with actual gameplay footage, and the developer has done just that, showing off an atmosphere demonstration.

While there isn't a whole lot of intense action in the video, the entire thing is narrated by developer Jools Watsham, so you can expect to learn a thing or two about the project in the pr?ocess. All things, considered this?? early build is looking interesting.

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The Walking Dead + Silent Hill + Resident Evil = success?

Developer Renegade Kid, responsible for the DS survival horror adventure Dementium: The Ward and sci-fi shooter Moon, has taken to Kickstarter with a brand new project. It's called Cult County, and it aims to blend specific elements from successful series like The Walking Dead and Silent Hill to create a new br??eed of first-person survival horror. Color me intrigued.

Cult County follows one Gavin Mellick, a poor individual with a terminally ill mother who's making a six-hour trek across Texas to break the bad news to his sister Alissa. Once Gavin reaches his hometown, Alissa's nowhere to be found, likely having fallen off into a bottomless pit formed at the end of a road, Silent Hill-style. With the dust storm that's rolled in, who knows? Anythi??ng is possible.

During his search for Alissa, Gavin catches wind of a certain cult-like group who have convenientl?y settled into town, and I've seen enough horror movies to know when a? cult's squatting in your hood, you're gonna have a bad time. Gavin starts seeing these strange creatures popping up here and there, so obviously he's going to have to take arms against them (probably a lead pipe) and show them what's what. The Kickstarter page does a great job of making the game sound palatable, but a bit clichéd, following familiar tropes culled from several different games.

Cult County by Renegade Kid [Kickstarter]

The development process will involve backers and fans, as they'll be given a selection of artwork and other assets to vote on, with the hope that this will make them feel as though they've been part of the creation process all along. Also intriguing is Renegade Kid's acknowledgement of fan requests about Dementium III and why it can't come to fruition. Apparently some contractual ties have made it impossible for them to return to t?he license, but instead of wallowing around in sadness, they decide??d to move forward with new ideas and concepts. 

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Blackula's absence confirmed

Word from Renegade Kid (Mutant Mudds, Treasurenauts, Moon, Dementium) is that they'll be launching a new Kickstarter on April 2nd. They're keeping the specifics un??der wraps, but I ?did get a hint that there may be first person perspectives and/or horror involved. 

With so many games already in the works, I'm guessing this will be a return to a prior franchise or the re-imagining of a previously announced project. When I hear "renegade kid" and "horror", my first hope is always that they'll return to that vampire thing from years ago. Naturally, my first question to Jools Watsham (Remegade Kid co-founder) if the Kickstarter was for a Blacula game.

Sadly, it's not. I'm still goi??ng to do m?y best to peer pressure him into putting a Blacula poster in there somewhere though. Any Blacula is better than no Blacula. 

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I'm liking the music

Renegade Kid has a lot of projects in the works -- Moon Chronicles, Cult County, and Treasurenauts. Of all of the games i?n their upcoming portfolio though I'm the most interested in the latter, which features old school 2D exploration and combat.

A new trailer has popped up that shows off some action with a few different characters, most notably the addition of Max from Mutant Mudds. It's looking pretty good ?so far, and we'll find out soon enough how the final game pans out.

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Remake due this Spring

Renegade Kid has released a new trailer for Moon Chronicles, recently announced for Nintendo 3DS. The remake of the 2009 first-person shooter? released for the DS boasts improved graphics in full 3D and will be delivered in four episodic chapters starting this Spring, before continuing with a second "season" f??eaturing all-new story content.

The original Moon is one of the best FPS games released on the portable platform, and I'd expect that it will turn out just as well on the 3DS. I'm not thrilled at the idea of making people wait to play the whole thing in chunks, even if it means I get my hands on some of the game a little quicker, but I'm very interested to see what lies in store for that sec?ond season.

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Episodic first-person shooter coming to Nintendo eShop this spring

Mutant Mudds studio Renegade Kid has announced Moon Chronicles, a remake of the 2009 Nintendo DS first-person shooter Moon, for release on 3DS this spring.

The remastered sci-fi adventure will foll??ow an episodic structure this time around, with the first four chapte??rs launching in March or April for $8.99. Three additional installments will be released somewhere down the line for $1.99 apiece. A second season with all-new story content is planned for 2015.

Moon Chronicles has been rebuilt fro?m the ground up to take advantage of its new platform, vaunting visual enhancements, while running at 60 frames-per-second, with or without stereoscopic 3D. The shooter will also feature Circle Pad Pro support, providing players with an option for more conventional twin-stick controls. 

Renegade Kid boss Jools Watsham has shared some co??mparison shots between the remake and original game. Check them out in the gallery?? below.

Mutant Mudd Dev Announces Moon Chronicles for 3DS [IGN, Renegade Kid]

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Portabliss

Mutant Mudds: Deluxe is great. It's really great. And now it's great on Sony platforms. Great! Renegade Kid's 12-bit platformer made the jump to PlayStation 3 and Vita this week, offering Cross-Buy and Cross-Save functionality alongside myriad of trophies to collect for $9.99.Like the Wii U and Steam versions of Deluxe, the PlayStation release features an additional 20 g??host-themed stages, sev??eral unlockable characters, and welcome (but entirely optional) mid-level checkpoints. 

I've had some time to test Mutant Mudds: Deluxe out on both PS3 and Vita. And the game looks and plays as lovely as ever -- especially on Vita. Man, is this game gorgeous on that little OLED screen. Unfortunately, it's not all good news. I've had some troubles getting the Cross-Save feature to work and I'm not alone in that. While I'm more than happy to just keep plugging away on the portable for the time being, Renegade Kid boss Jools Watsham says the Cross-Save issue is being sorted out.

Watsham has also indicated "there&rsquo??;s definitely a chance of the game coming to PS4 in the future." So make sure to pester the folks at Renegade Kid if you want to see Max and the mu?ddy invaders go next-gen.

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Developer diary reveals some!

A new developer diary for Dementium II HD has been unleashed upon an unwitting world. This time, sound desi?gner Morné Marais goes over some of his approaches to creating audio for the game, always crucial to evoking the proper mood in a horror title. 

Who knew such a cute litt??le mutt could be respons??ible for so many horrible sounds?

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If you wanted a Moon 2, it may happen

Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham has some good news for Moon fans -- they will regain the rights to the Moon IP in 2014. Apparently a deal was struck between Renegade Kid and the publisher (Mastiff) in 2009, with a five year agreement, so ??when 2014 hits, they'll have full access again.

Jools notes that it has "always been [their] plan to create a sequel for Moon, but also notes that it's not currently in development, so it may be a ways away. While I wasn't really a big fan of Moon, I think it'll be interesting to see how Renegade Kid handles the IP with current technology -- assuming t??hey ?go for it on the 3DS.

JoolsWatsham [Twitter]

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Bustin' makes me feel good

Last year, Renegade Kid released Mutant Mudds on the 3DS eShop, where the "12-bit" throwback platformer became an immediate hit. Since then, ports have appeared on PC and iOS, each version introducing new levels and features. Now the game arrives on Wii U as Mutant Mudds Deluxe, having achieved its "perfect form."

In my original original review, I praised Mutant Mudds for its singular focus of delivering rock-solid platforming without any unecessary fluff. Those who disregard it because it doesn't "push the envelope" are sadly missing the point of its simple purity. If a game is going to do one thing and one thing only, it better do it well -- and Mutant Mudds does it very well.

If you've already played Mutant Mudds before, I doubt there's enough fresh content in Deluxe to warrant an additional playthrough. However, if you'v??e never taken the plunge, the new levels and other subtle tweaks make Deluxe the definitive experience.

Mutant Mudds Deluxe (Wii U)
Developer: Renegade Kid
Publisher: Renegade Kid
Released: June 13, 2013 (US) / TBD (EU)
MSRP: $9.99

Once more, you assume the role of Max, a young boy with a water cannon and jet pack combo who must rid the planet of the vile alien Mudds. As you hop from platform to platform and between the fore, middle, and background planes akin to Wario Land on Virtual Boy, you must also collect diamonds to purchase equipment upgrades. Using these upgrades, you can then return to the ?20 main levels and seek out hidden doors leading to 20 tougher stages.

Everything I said in my original review regarding the core game holds true in Deluxe, from the masterful level design to the pleasant chiptune ??soundtrack. But thanks to all the new tweaks and additions, the package is even better than before.

The most noticeable change from its predecessors is the much wider view of the landscape. Mutant Mudds never had a habit of surprising players with unavoidable off-screen obstacles, although there m??ight have been one or two blind jumps. But with this pulled-back camera, you have even more opportunity to react to oncoming dangers -- blind jumps are no longer a concern.

You can use the GamePad for off-TV play, but in an unusual twist, the view isn't 100% identical to what appears on the television. It instead presents a zoomed-in view similar to that of the 3DS version, only with a slightly expanded horizontal view thanks to the GamePad's widescreen aspect ratio. This caught me off guard at first, but it comes in handy whenever Max is run??ning along the background plane. Popping your head down to glance at the GamePad is like looking through a pair of binoculars, allowin??g for improved precision platforming.

Introduced in the PC version of Mutant Mudds were 20 new "CGA-Land" bonus levels, named for the old-school IBM graphical color scheme. An update brought these levels to the 3DS, and they resurface once more in Deluxe. They are accessible from the main stages only after you've unlocked the Grannie character, who is able to simultaneously use all three item upgrades -- a po?wered-up shot, extended jet pack hover time, and a super rocket jump. And you will need to use all these abilities in perfect sync if you wish to navigate these spike-laden death mazes.

The 3DS and PC games lacked checkpoints, so levels had to be cleared in one straight shot. While the levels aren't so long that you would lose a significant amount of progress should you die, later levels become extremely frustrating without a safety net. The iOS port planted checkpoint signs in all the levels, and they appear in Deluxe as well. You can toggle checkpoints from the main level select hub for a more hardcore expedition, however. You don't receive any special bonus for clearing a stage unassisted, just your own? twisted satisfaction.

Exclusive to Deluxe are 20? "ghost" levels, bringing the total stage count to 80. By passing through the mirror in the stage select hub, you can tackle remixed versions of any main stage currently open. In these levels, you'll encounter spectral versions of familiar Mudds as well as new enemies, none of which you can damage with your standard weapon. Instead, you'll need to track down a ghost gun power-up that contains 10 rounds -- these shots won't kill enemies, rather th??ey will temporarily dissipate them and allow you to run past safely.

Since you typically can't harm ghost Mudds, levels have been constructed around this element. You have to time your jumps and hovers to avoid marching baddies, and you sometimes have to jump to a separate plane and j?ump back to maneuver around walls of flying specters. Merely by eliminating your ability to kill, the game takes on an entirely new dimension, ??forcing you to play defensively rather than offensively. It's a fitting final ordeal for a game that has otherwise done nothing major to challenge expectations.

But having played through Mutant Mudds three times before, I'm not sure these additions warrant a revisit. I mean, if the CGA-Land stages were brought to the 3DS original via update, what's stopping the ghost levels from likewise appearing as a free 3DS update later down the line? What would be incentive for a home console version then other than the larger screen real estate? Furthermore, the depth-of-field effect that replaces the stereoscopic 3D simply lacks the same punch. This was a game?? built for the 3DS, after all, so some loss in translation was to be expected.

Don't take this as a slight against Mutant Mudds Deluxe, which is definitely the most complete Mutant Mudds yet -- until the next more complete version arrives, that is. Mutant Mudds has served its purpose as an unapologet??ic retro celebration, but at this point, I'm ready for Renegade Kid to build upon this found??ation and pursue something truly original.

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Jonathan Holmes and Jools Watsham go rapid fire

Jools Watsham of Renegade Kid, the studio behind Mutant Mudds and the recent ATV Wild Ride 3D, unveiled a new 3DS first-person shooter at PAX this week: Cult County. Jonathan Holmes wanted to get t??he skinny on a??ll these wares directly from the horse's mouth, but this is the Internet and nobody has time to site through a super lengthy interview session. Solution? Rapid-fire Q&A!

Remember those old commercials starring the Micro Machine Man? Then you've got the gist behind Holmes' "Talk Fast" segment. Check out more of Holmes' Talk Fast interview series!

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Atmospheric demo shows off in-game engine

If you're interested in more first person action on the go, you're in luck: Cult County was fully revealed today at PAX East for the 3DS. Renegade Kid had a brief "atmospheric" demo to show off, which basically was just a demonstration of the in-game engine. At first, it looked like a pretty typical shooter, but with the 3D cranked up, the visual effects looked ?great, which could make for ?a pretty interesting experience.

Not much info was given on the game, other than the fact that it's a thing now, and it supports the Circle Pad Pro. If you were a fan of Moon or Dementium, you'll probably want to check this out closer to launch. Otherwise, check out our coverage of Mutant Mudds Deluxe.

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Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham 'loves' the eShop's flexibility

Mutant Mudds Deluxe, now coming to the Wii U eShop in the second quarter of 2013, is looking great so far, based on my hands-on time with it earlier today at PAX East. The game is setup to run on both the TV and the Wii U GamePad, and for all intents and purposes, plays just like the original.

Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham was readily available, and took the time to spend a bit explaining a bit of his design philosophy on the game, and the theme of the franchise in general. He noted that the GamePad gives you "roughly a bit more than the 3DS" in terms of screen real ??estate, but if you want, you can look up at the TV for a much more full view of the action.

Although the GamePad was zoomed in a little too much for my tastes, Jools stated that he wanted the game to be "pixel perfect," and didn't want to compromise the graphics in any way, which I?? respec?t.

There will be 20 new Ghost levels in this version of the game, in addition to the previous Granny levels from the PC version. Watsham noted how the ghost levels would be more seamlessly integrated in the experience from the beginning, allowing players to imm??ediately jump into the ghost world if they wish.

These new stages will feature spectres that are otherwise impervious outside of being hit with the "ghost shot," a new limited ammo gun found only in Deluxe, and only in these new levels. The ghost shots are pretty few and far between, so these stages wi?ll test your skills, as you'll have to dodge a ton of invulnerable enemies -- plus, if you kill them with the ghost shot, they'll reform and come back within a few seconds anyways!

When I asked him about possibly un??locking the Granny stages earlier as well, he said that he thought about it, but wanted "something special" for players to unlock after completing the game, so he kept that mechanic in.

He noted the reflection on the mirror that you use to traverse into the world of the ghosts, and how he was going for little details like that, citing "oldschool Capcom games" as a reference point. From what I can tell, he's really going all-out to make sure that this upholds that classic  platformer feel of old, which is what I really liked about the original Mutant Mudds.

Jools was really passionate about the game, and it shows right on the screen. I have high hopes for the Wii U version of Mudds, and I hope it brings the franchise to a? larg??er audience.

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Not quite a wild time

ATV Wild Ride 3D brings the racing genre to the 3DS eShop. It brings us back to a simpler time, when racing was just about racing, without all the bells, whistles, super charged item??s, and crazy unlocks.

With full online play support, extended and mirror option??s for tracks, and online leaderboards, there's a lot on offer here content wise.

When it comes to substance though, it's unfortunately lackin??g.

ATV Wild Ride 3D (3DS eShop)
Developer: Renegade Kid
Publisher: Renegade Kid
Release: March 7, 2013
MSRP: $7.99

Straight and to the point, ATV Wild Ride 3D allows you to, well??, race ATVs across a number of courses and gametypes. There's a world tour campaign, as well as quick race, freestyle, time trial, and online and local play options.

Everything is just how it sounds. The campaign will allow you to race sequential courses as you progress through more difficult races, and? freestyle is a gametype that measures trick points rather than speed.

You can customize the amount ?of laps you want, as well as AI opponents, and an optional "elimination" setting that boots the lowest?? place racer each lap.

Visually, the game is fairly unimpressive, and the 3D effects are fairly minimal, to the point where you may not even notice them at times. The level design is all over the spectrum in terms of quality, with some stages having a unique, obvious imprint, and others fee?ling a bit more generic.

Like the Cruisin' USA and World racing games of old, I wish the different regions in the game were a bit more pronounced, and perhaps even over the top -- it would have suited Renegade Ki??d's style a bit more.

You can see a tiny bit of Renegade Kid's imprint in the game (if you look hard you'll even see a little Mutant Mudds and Bomb Monkey Easter egg), but from a pure racing perspect??ive, there isn't much heart here.

In addition to trying for first place, you're going to want to also pull some tricks from time to time. There's two layers with the trick system -- pre-loading, and trick type. As you start ??to hit a jump, you can hold up or down to pre-load a certain type of move.

Then, by using the L, R, or L+R buttons, you can launch a short, medium, or long tricks respectively. The system is ha??rd to get used to, but once you've practiced a bit, you should be able to judge distances properly and pre-loading will come naturally.

Online play works exactly as advertised. All you have to do is boot up the mode,? jump in some lobbies, and race! With a distinct lack of online games on the 3DS eShop, this addition was refreshing, and should help elongate some of ??the repetition found in the single player portion.

For those of you who have friends with a 3DS close by, there's also a local play option. You have to commend Renegade Kid for add??ing what should be a staple feature in most multiplayer eSho??p games.

If you're looking to get more out of the game, all of ATV 3D's six stages have an extended track ?and a mirror version, which brings the stage count to 24 variations. But after you've tackled the extended tracks, everything starts to blend together. The racers all feel the same, a few of the tracks look the same, and all of the tricks function in the same manner.

In many ways, ATV Wild Ride 3D is stuck in the ??90s, but that isn't wholly a bad thing. It does everything that it advertises -- it allows you to ride ATV vehicles on some pretty neat courses, in 3D.

Just don't expect much more than that.

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Free on Thursday and Friday

Renegade Kid developer Jools Watsham dropped us a line today letting us know that Mutant Mudds will be free this Th?ursday and Frid??ay (January 31 and February 1) for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch platforms.

You'd be crazy to pass this one up if you have an iOS device. I really enjoyed my time with Mutant Mudds, and even though I think there's room for improvement, it should tug at any ??retro fan's heartstrings.

Make sure you check out the page's official App Store listing tomorrow! If you don't have an iOS device, you can grab it on PC and the 3DS eShop. It's also coming to the Wii U.

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