Rugrats Adventures in Gameland - An Old-School Illusion Crawling To PC And Consoles In 2024

Disclaimer:

This is an analysis of a reveal trailer for an upcoming game that contains flashing sprites. Reader discretion is advised.

 

Calling all ‘90s kids who fondly remember watching Rugrats on Nickelodeon back in the day [11] [12]! An upcoming video game starring Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil has been revealed. I am aware that some Rugrats games were not that well received [27], but I see some potential in this forthcoming rehash that would catch a ‘90s kid’s eye by how it is stylised in the reveal trailer [7] [24]. The packaging shown at the start may look like a cardboard container for a game cartridge as a reminder of the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System days [6] [26], but there is a confirmation that its design will eventually be updated and it might just be part of the game’s collector’s edition as a container for the physical release’s case, whether it would be for the PlayStation 4, the PlayStation 5, the Xbox One, the Xbox Series X|S or the Nintendo Switch [7] [24]. As we wonder if there will be a third season of the CGI reboot on Paramount+ that began in 2021 in honour of the franchise’s 30th anniversary [2] [18], let us see how effective the nostalgic aspects of Rugrats Adventures in Gameland seem [7] [24], even from a baby’s point-of-view. Hold onto your trousers, grown-ups! 

I was quite a big fan of Rugrats when I was a kid [11] [12], even though plenty of fans believed that the original series jumped the shark about two times throughout its run [8], so it is delightful to know that there is a new Rugrats game in development [7]. I also remember 2021 being the year of the franchise’s reboot [10] [18], along with Lara Croft’s participation in the sixth season of Fortnite: Battle Royale [28]. [7]

The graphics and gameplay appear to be heavily inspired by Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and the Western version of Super Mario Bros. 2, which are pretty much the same game with a big regional difference [7] [9] [20] [23] [24]. A few examples in the reveal trailer include Phil digging through some soil, much like how Mario, Luigi, Toad or Princess Toadstool would and Lil throwing what appears to be a knocked-out enemy at one of the bosses, quite like how Birdo can be hit by one of her eggs [7] [14]. There is the option to switch to “H.D. Mode”, which is basically changing the pixelated graphics with vibrant visuals based on the later seasons of the original television series and makes the experience seem more original [7] [12] [24]. It is hinted at the bottom of the trailer that the graphics and features will soon be updated for the final outcome [7], which leads me to suspect that there might just be an updated trailer with the final graphics and final packaging to further prevent misleading advertising and hopefully look less like a modern mod of the Western version of Super Mario Bros. 2 whilst maintaining the NES style to maintain a nostalgic gamer’s interest [9] [20] [23]. 

The result of this adventure will be the babies imagining themselves as video game characters. Oh! And do not forget that there is a co-op mode that requires a second player as demonstrated by the twins in this image. [7]

Aside from how the supporting characters of the series will make cameos throughout the levels [7], I would not be surprised if another boss will be Angelica, just like in Rugrats: Castle Capers [25]. Hopefully, if she were to be a boss to battle, the way to defeat her will not be making chocolate pudding at 4 o’clock in the morning [5] [13]. [19]

In conclusion, I am quite infatuated with a forthcoming 2D game starring Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil inspired by Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and the Western version of Super Mario Bros. 2 [9] [20] [23]. However, perhaps a few graphical changes to the eye-catching Nintendo Entertainment System style can be seen in its second trailer to show that it is not “ripping off” those classic titles, such as a proportionately bolder colour for sand [7] [20]. Rugrats Adventures in Gameland is set to be launched sometime in 2024, another year of the dragon [7] [22] [24]. No reference to Spyro the Dragon intended [21]. In the meantime, fellow cartoon fans are also psyched for Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, the sequel to Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl [3] [4]. Additionally, Super Mario Bros. Wonder will begin a new chapter of the main Super Mario series and Star Ocean Second Story R might just leave anime admirers starstruck later in the second half of 2023 [15] [16] [29] [30]. Once the babies let their imaginations go wild like they always do on an adventure in either 8-bit or HD next year [7] [24], feel free to imagine along with them as you relish in those ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia vibes in the mid-2020s, no matter how old you are. A gamer’s gotta do what a gamer’s gotta do! 

Tommy Pickles giving a peace sign? I have never seen that before! [7]

Even though the “HD mode” makes the experience look more original, the 8-bit style still infatuates me and might as well infatuate me more with a few tweaks [7] [24]. To this day, my thoughts go out to those who survived the wrath of Reptar back in 2010 [1] [17]. [7]

 References

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