198X

 Switch
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 6 out of 22

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  1. mal957
    Jul 3, 2020
    8
    Is VERY short (1-2h), so don't buy it unless it has a heavy discount. I really like the visuals and the music, each small game takes you back to a different type of arcade game.

    The story seems to be put there just to add a bit of content, to be honest I'd love to see a continuation or maybe an expansion.. each of the arcade games could have been complete games if they lasted more than    Is VERY short (1-2h), so don't buy it unless it has a heavy discount. I really like the visuals and the music, each small game takes you back to a different type of arcade game.

    The story seems to be put there just to add a bit of content, to be honest I'd love to see a continuation or maybe an expansion.. each of the arcade games could have been complete games if they lasted more than 4 minutes    … Expand
  2. FYM
    Feb 6, 2020
    10
    It's perfectly possible to finish 198X in under 2 hours. This is not a particularly long game, but the same could be said about Journey, Portal, Superhot, The Stanley Parable, Dear Esther, Gone Home and countless other short, modern classics. When it comes down to it, it's not the lenght that counts but the experience itself and I can honestly say that this one will stay with me til theIt's perfectly possible to finish 198X in under 2 hours. This is not a particularly long game, but the same could be said about Journey, Portal, Superhot, The Stanley Parable, Dear Esther, Gone Home and countless other short, modern classics. When it comes down to it, it's not the lenght that counts but the experience itself and I can honestly say that this one will stay with me til the day I die. The sprite work is amazing, the soundtrack is absolutely perfect and the melancholic 80s atmosphere is takes me back to my own youth. Do yourself a favor and buy 198X. It's not expensive. It's not lengthy. But it's a ride like none other.… Expand
  3. Lucifer182
    Mar 12, 2020
    9
    A nice and well-made trip to the 80s. A breath taking stylish game with an astonishing soundtrack. I was really pleased by this game even if I must say that it has some minor flaws. The Shirt and vague Story is not for every one, but it met my taste.
  4. Kiibxaiim
    Feb 8, 2020
    10
    Este videojuego está hecho con mucho amor, pasión y dedicación, deberían darle otra oportunidad para puntuarlo, creo que muchos ni lo han jugado para poder puntuar.. no es justo.
    Pd : es un pequeño gran videojuego
  5. Kokomadida
    Feb 16, 2020
    8
    An enjoyable trip through games of the 80s. Told against the backdrop of teenage angst and some gorgeous pixel art. The story has some really impactful moments, following "The Kid" and their dreams of escaping suburbia, small town life and finding excitement and themselves.

    The game is split down into levels consisting of nods back to games of the 80s. Each beautifully realised and well    An enjoyable trip through games of the 80s. Told against the backdrop of teenage angst and some gorgeous pixel art. The story has some really impactful moments, following "The Kid" and their dreams of escaping suburbia, small town life and finding excitement and themselves.

    The game is split down into levels consisting of nods back to games of the 80s. Each beautifully realised and well designed. Each level is a allegory to The Kid's ongoing story and fits the theme really well.

    As mentioned by others,.the game is short and the story has more to explore. But as a concept that's fun to play, I can't fault it.

    I'd recommend exploring it's delights. Especially if you're a fan of games of this era.    … Expand
  6. BADWOLF28
    Jun 1, 2020
    10
    A poignant coming of age game that uses an impactful storyline accompanied by an incredible 80s synth score to tell a meta story of how games (arcade games) can shape a persons perception and provide meaning for the grim life of a teenager. The music through this was enough to make it a masterpiece!
  7. Lessjake333
    Jun 19, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a great game! Or set of games? 198x plays like a cinematic visual novel at some points and like an arcade classic (several actually) at others. They really hit you in the feels a few times. What starts out a a simple Double Dragon clone soon pans up to the city and story beyond and leaves plenty of mysteries for the next installment (really hoping it gets made). Pacing can be a bit slow at times, but it all seems intentional and pays off in fuller immersion.… Expand
  8. Ernest_
    Dec 7, 2022
    8
    A short but capturing experience that uses the arcade games genres, visuals and gameplays to tell a story of a young troubled gamer kid growing up. Impeccable art and gameplay, amazing idea and realization, just a bit too short. Vote 8 to award all the really good meticulous work even if it's short, because it's a piece of art and needs to be awarded, congrats to the developers, can't waitA short but capturing experience that uses the arcade games genres, visuals and gameplays to tell a story of a young troubled gamer kid growing up. Impeccable art and gameplay, amazing idea and realization, just a bit too short. Vote 8 to award all the really good meticulous work even if it's short, because it's a piece of art and needs to be awarded, congrats to the developers, can't wait to see more from you… Expand

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Gaming Age
    Mar 24, 2020
    58
    As I said, if you have an emotional connection to the era, 198X may be exactly what you need in your life. But if you don’t pine for the ‘80s and arcades as a stand-in for your lost youth, then 198X probably isn’t something you need to play.
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  2. Gameblog.fr
    Jan 29, 2020
    50
    198X is a true love letter to the old arcade genre : through a retro trip of five different mini games, Hi-Bit's celebration only manages to copy and paste tiny bits of classic ones. Thanks to a cliché narration, 198X does nothing but tell how good the past used to be, and how much the present suck. If you still possess the original, there is not much need to play this wanabee experience.
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  3. Vooks
    Jan 28, 2020
    60
    Ultimately, I did enjoy my time with 198X. Much like my own youthful trips to the arcade, it dazzled me briefly but cuts itself short before delivering a substantial experience. What it does succeed at, though, is decorating itself in a pastiche of ‘80s arcade hits, with a brilliant aesthetic and authentic retro remakes. The $15 price isn’t outrageous, but the short runtime might be enough to convince you to wait for a sale before pumping those hard-earned coins.
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