MIGHTY SWITCH FORCE! COLLECTION is a Lot of Fun if You Enjoy Puzzle Platformers
The Mighty Switch Force! Collection was recently released on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. I’ve been able to play the PC version of this 4-game collection and it’s fun. I’ve played around in all four of the games at least a little and have gathered my thoughts below.
If you’re already a fan of Mighty Switch Force! or you prefer pixely art, you’ll enjoy the first entry in the collection, but if you’re like me and want to enjoy the game with smoother art, you can skip straight to the Hyper Drive Edition which is the same game with additional levels. In addition, you can toggle it so that your character is pixelated like in the original. MSF!2 is essentially the same game as the first, but now you’re a firefighter instead of a cop. Both games are simple puzzle platformers, but they’re fun and challenging in a good way. There’s a little bit of story, but there’s really nothing in-game except the descriptions in the Collection Menu to tell you what said story is. In the first game, you’re rounding up the Hooligan Sisters and then in the second game, the sisters are reformed and so you’re rescuing them from the fire surrounding you.
Mighty Switch Force! Academy is the most different of the games. It isn’t really a platformer anymore, but there are still puzzle elements involved. In addition, the story is about Private Wagon training to be a cop, so she’s not in the field but appears to be more of a simulation. Although Academy is very different from the other entries, the core mechanics of the game are the same.
In the game, you can shoot your gun/fire hose, take pictures with your camera, jump, and use your hat to change which blocks are tangible. You have to combine all of these abilities (minus the camera) in order to get through the levels in creative ways. It’s a lot of fun.
On the PC version, controllers are supported, but I found I had one big problem with using a controller. I couldn’t edit the buttons in-game. I’d have to edit them on Steam, and I didn’t want to deal with that. It leads to some awkward controls that I still mix up every now and then. My only other complaint is that I wish there was more explanation of the story that exists.
If you like puzzles and platformers, Mighty Switch Force! Collection is a treat for only $19.99.
