Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab

Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab That’s not to say that the developers at doinksoft don’t know what they’re doing (they do, very much so) or that Devolver Digital doesn’t have a crack marketing team (they do, they really, really do). It is simply that the premise of Demon Throttle – a vertical-scrolling, 1942-style shoot-em-up with a pixelated aesthetic and tongue-in-cheek humor is all well and good, but to release it as a limited release, physical-only game in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-two? In an era where Game Pass is ever-present and cloud streaming grows in popularity, how could an extremely hardcore arcade game with retro sensibilities that only exists in hard copy take off? ROMSLAB.COM Best Switch Games

Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab

These are questions that feel not only irrelevant but insubstantial after spending just minutes with Demon Throttle. Relentlessly replayable and honest-to-God funny, Demon Throttle is a truly modern arcade-inspired masterpiece. Demon Throttle, unquestionably, works. Those fortunate enough to own a copy should play it, master it, share it, but most of all: treasure it. Discussing Demon Throttle is impossible without mentioning the elephant in the room: the game is physical only. There seem to be no plans to release Demon Throttle digitally; as it stands, the only way to play this game is to own a Nintendo Switch and to head over to Special Reserve Games to snag it.

Story

Worth noting is that Special Reserve Games physical editions of titles tend to sell out, and with good reason: they are (generally) limited printed runs of indie games that were originally released digitally. Those who manage to procure a copy of the game are in for a treat. Special Reserve Games are always packaged beautifully, making the case for expanding the physical collection of a gaming library. Demon Throttle is no exception, sporting a gorgeous box that creates an instant rush of nostalgia for sitting in the backseat of a parent’s car and obsessively reading the back cover for any details of the game packaged inside. Fight’N Rage Switch NSP

Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab

The boxes are numbered; apparently, this first printing is out of ten thousand copies (reviewer’s note: mine is number 1294). Best of all is the instruction booklet included with the game. A relic of a bygone era, this 32-page handbook is a handy guide and a fun tool with which to explore Demon Throttle. There is something marvelous about turning the glossy pages to read character bios and *hot gameplay tips* that are not immediately intuitive upon starting the game cold. In-game tutorialization is a welcome trend, but it’s a fun throwback to have to read a little something to get the most out of a brand-new game. Diligent readers can even find a secret code in the booklet, furthering doinksoft’s commitment to the bit of a physical-only release.

A retro romp that goes full throttle

The long wait from the announcement last summer to this full release has been well worth it, particularly for collectors eager to flesh out their Switch shelf. Of course, Demon Throttle is more than a collector’s display item; it is, in fact, a video game, and a damn good one. Doinksoft has cracked the formula for making an addictive “one more try”-style arcade shooter with plenty of texture and variety. Its throwback elements make perfect sense, but it’s the modern touches that will make Demon Throttle a classic. An excellent opening cutscene introduces our two protagonists: the gunslinger, a cowboy with a score to settle. Figment Switch NSP

Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab

(a demon kissed his wife!… or somethin’), and the vampire, an undead beauty tracking down her four stolen chalices. This unlikely duo must blast their way through four levels, overcoming countless demons and a Demon General at the end of each stage. Stages scroll vertically, and enemies descend from the top with recognizable attack patterns. Solo players will have to swap between the cowboy and the vampire to make their way through, while co-op partners can pick between the two and do their best to survive together. Combat is fast and frantic. The cowboy fires his revolver in a straight line while the vampire has a spread shot.

Gameplay

Both protagonists have a special as well–the cowboy can huck a stick of dynamite, blasting terrain and enemies to bits, while the vampire can fling magic arrows that target the nearest enemy. There are light role-playing elements folded in as well, as both characters can level up by defeating enemies to increase their attack power. Upgrades are scattered throughout every stage, increasing the chances for a critical hit or increasing movement speed. Scooping up items before the screen scrolls past them is anxiety-producing but also incredibly fun. Filament Switch NSP

Demon Throttle Switch XCI Free Download Romslab

Pixel art may feel like the go-to for indie games, but the aesthetic works perfectly here. There is even an optional CRT filter to toggle, for those who miss the sheen of TVs from the 90s. Enemy designs are cute, like they stepped out of the Game Boy Color and onto the Switch (reviewer’s note: where the heck are the Game Boy Color games on Switch, Nintendo??). Boss fights feel appropriately epic, and there is hilarious banter between characters before every battle against a Demon General. The music is hype as hell, the perfect background noise to wreck enemy hordes.

Add-ons (DLC): Demon Throttle Switch XCI