Bulb Boy

 Switch
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. FNintendo
    Sep 3, 2017
    70
    Bulb Boy is a competent effort at creating a game with a horror atmosphere and which features a very interesting light mechanic that fits very well on an overall well executed presentation. While it may be too linear and have not enough content to please everyone, this is still a game that is worth exploring.
  2. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jul 19, 2017
    65
    Overall, Bulb Boy is a solid title on Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking for a horror-based point and click adventure and are on a budget, definitely pick it up when you get the chance.
  3. Vooks
    Jul 13, 2017
    60
    Expect nothing inventive or complex with its puzzle design, but if the idea of a cute family in a uniquely gross and dark world sounds appealing you might just enjoy your time with this brief little adventure.
  5. Cubed3
    Jul 17, 2017
    50
    Bulb Boy certainly has an intriguing visual concept, but lays it on a bit thick with the weird and wacky side of things later on without really explaining why, or even bothering to draw everything together into a cohesive package. Rather than being an extremely smart point-and-click adventure with mind-bending puzzles and a clever-but-creepy storyline, it instead strings together a handful of simple scenarios that do not hold the attention for long, and barely offer any challenge - unless awkward controls and long re-loads count. To top it off, there is barely any story to tickle gamers' imaginations, and then it finishes in about an hour, which for its price makes it hard to recommend.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best Switch Game of 2017
79
#79 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
91
#91 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 47
  3. Negative: 6 out of 47
  1. nusco
    Apr 9, 2018
    5
    It's hard to even talk about Bulb Boy without mentioning Machinarium, or some other game from Amanita Design. From the quirky eastern EuropeanIt's hard to even talk about Bulb Boy without mentioning Machinarium, or some other game from Amanita Design. From the quirky eastern European visuals to the weird music and sound effects, this game almost feels like a homage to the Czech team's work. Unfortunately, that's also Bulb Boy's greatest shortcoming: it doesn't really know what it wants to be, aside from "a game like Machinarium, only with gore".

    Bulb Boy starts off well, as a point-and-click adventure with grotesque overtones. The graphics are nice, the atmosphere is spot on, and some of the encounters are genuinely creepy. The hit-and-miss animation constantly reminds you that this is the product of a tiny team that has to cut a few corners–but the game has enough soul to make up for that.

    Then something weird happens: Bulb Boy seems to lose its way, and starts improvising something, anything, to keep you engaged. The gore gradually becomes more gross, morphing into "poop and mucus" humor. The puzzles become illogical enough that it's faster to click around randomly than reason about solutions. By the end of its short life, the game has lost itself, devolving into a pretty unfunny platformer that relies heavily on instadeath and rote repetition.

    Bulb Boy is a game that tries to find its own voice, struggles more and more, and by the end of it, it just gives up. It's also a short and cheap game, so it's a good choice to support an independent team. Just don't expect much–and in particular, don't expect another Machinarium.    … Full Review »
  2. shymoon
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    Bulb Boy excels in the horrifyingly twisted world that it inhabits, delivering an unworldly experience that will linger in your memory longBulb Boy excels in the horrifyingly twisted world that it inhabits, delivering an unworldly experience that will linger in your memory long after you see it through to completion. Illuminatingly unique, it proves to be yet another Nintendo eShop release that is not to be missed.… Full Review »
  3. SolomonRambling
    Dec 30, 2022
    5
    Bulb Boy certainly has character and could almost pass off as a morbid children's cartoon if it weren't for the mountains of poop, snot, andBulb Boy certainly has character and could almost pass off as a morbid children's cartoon if it weren't for the mountains of poop, snot, and other unseemly beasties you find. As a visual experience, the game is a treat if you can get it past your gag reflex. As a point-and-click adventure, Bulb Boy lacks anything novel to make it memorable. Puzzles are generally simple when they're not unintuitive, and despite the general presence of danger, the pace trudges along leisurely. Despite its imagery, Bulb Boy isn't offensive; it's just not much of anything.… Full Review »
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