WindJammers 2

All the new bells and whistles are great, but I lost interest fairly quickly. [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 21]

Windjammers 2 is a playable ode to the original arcade game that relies on its multiplayer and renewed artwork to offer us a truly addictive proposal. Unfortunately, its lack of ambition, by not betting on including new game modes, prevents the game from taking advantage of its full potential.

Windjammers 2 is the jeep full of beach-bound hardbodies to my chubby, brooding, long-sleeved wallflower. Its mechanics, while taught in the most obtuse and uninteractive way possible, are more robust than they initially appear. It doesn't last, but it's fun while it does.

Windjammers 2 is addictive, vibrant, and intense. With gameplay as fun as this you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy it to some degree, but the lack of tutorials and the rather limited modes hold it back a little.

Windjammers is a mixture of volleyball, tennis and air field hockey, but with frisbees. All of that poured over in a visual flair that's bulging with neon and other early 90s sauces. Also 90s: the difficulty. Even the easiest opponents are very difficult.

It’s not often that a classic like Windjammers is able to make a comeback such as this. Obscure software has a tendency to fade into the abyss over time, but Windjammers 2 has taken the fine work Dotemu did with the original game and expanded upon it both intelligently and exponentially. Windjammers 2 has bold, exceptional visuals and an expanded suite of moves and abilities that turn each match into legitimate thrill rides. Solo players won’t get quite as much from the gameplay here, but when played with others Windjammers 2 truly shines. This is the rare sequel that tops what came before it—definitely consider it the next time you head to the eShop.

As long as you don’t mind a few hours of failure while you learn how to commit yourself to the way of the disc, Windjammers 2 is this winter’s sport of the summer.

Strong multiplayer options help lessen the frustration of a high learning curve in the arcade mode, but no matter a player’s skill level, this is a game that fans of fast-paced arcade action shouldn’t miss. Arriving a quarter century later, Windjammers 2 is a fantastic sequel.

Windjammers 2 is still as simple, straightforward, fun and addictive as the original game, but with enough new additions to the franchise. Unfortunately, it still offers little single player content.

In the end, Windjammers 2 is a return to the classic arcade experience in more ways than one. It’s a bit threadbare in terms of features, and you really need to pull in a friend to get the best out of it. You’re only given the barest of instructions, so you’ll have to either study up or learn on the fly. Put the time into learning it, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly thrilling game. Those who loved the original game can jump in without worry. The passion for the original game shines through brightly here.

Windjammers 2 is still an addictive game with it's simple yet deep gameplay that asks a true commitment from the player. No playable tutorial is there, and y'oull have to become a master of the frisbee through sheer sweat, tears and blood, but once you've mastered the art of the Flying Power Disc, the rewards are second to none.

Windjammers 2 is the logical continuation of the episode released in 1994: new characters, new mechanics and online ranked games, it comes out with all the advantages expected of such a title in 2022. in easy hand does not close the door to neophytes while the added moves constitute an additional strategic layer for amateurs of high level game. That said, it must be recognized that the title of Dotemu is sorely lacking in content and that it will hardly hook solo players in the long term.

Windjammers 2 is a great-looking, highly challenging, and mostly functional game. While its difficulty curve can be intimidating to new players, it still provides an all-round enjoyable experience.

The folks at DotEmu obviously cared about what they were doing here, and that by itself is worth consideration. They wanted to put out at least a worthy sequel, and I feel like they did that at bare minimum. This game is not a drastic evolution of its forebears, nor did it have to be. Those looking for a fun pick up and play game will find a lot to love here, and with good reason. Windjammers 2 is a worthy sequel, and a damned fun multiplayer experience.

Windjammers 2 is a worthy sequel to one of the hidden gems of '90s arcades. DotEmu has created a top-tier competitive game that may be one of the most exciting events of EVO.

If you have not played the first Windjammers game and are interested in the franchise, with all of the new additions to Windjammers 2, you can’t go wrong with this one. However, if you’ve played the first Windjammers and are still having a great time with it, I would suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing this entry.

The wait for Windjammers 2 has been long but the end result is one that proves the years of patience have been well worth it. With slick and stylish visuals, a head-thrashing soundtrack and edge of your seat moment-to-moment action, Windjammers 2 takes the original Neo Geo hit and brings it up to date in a loud and memorable fashion. As far as arcade experiences go, Windjammers 2 ranks among the most attention-grabbing, competitive and outright fun kicking 2022 off in high gear.

Windjammers 2 is what a sequel should be. Updated visuals, added bonus games, and new characters, all without ruining the core game play. As I have said, Dotemu did a remarkable job with this release just as they have with their previous classic sequel efforts. If you are a fan of the original Neo Geo game, or if you want a fun game with a lot of challenge, than look no further than Windjammers 2. We may actually have a contender for 2022 Game Of the Year on our hands! I cannot recommend this game enough to every gamer out there, it is truly a super fun time!

As the Anglo-Saxons would say, Windjammers 2 is one of those proverbial cases of "history in the making": an instant classic that collects the heavy and prestigious legacy of its predecessor, even managing to relaunch on the gameplay side - or a topic on which the masterpiece hardware-based NEOGEO has had for decades to teach, from the authentic interactive game design manual it is. Of course, some of that immediacy that made the original a Pong to the nth degree was lost along the way, yet in the end (despite an inadequate tutorial) the game could be worth the candle. Also because the first Windjammers will not disappear anyway, and can always be a valid alternative for purists. Having said that it will be very difficult to give up the exasperated dynamism of this sequel and its genuine playful and audiovisual spectacle.

Windjammers 2 evolves the great original formula, but comes with a severe lack of modes.

Windjammers 2 is a tightly balanced, addictive game of combat air hockey that will have you screaming at your friends.

Windjammers 2 is the sequel of an all-time arcade classic. It retains the same mechanics we loved on NEO-GEO machine, but it adds depth through some new moves and online ranked matches. Old players will feel like home and even the game is easy to access for newcomers, but the game lacks contents for solo play. There’s the sense that more could have be done. 

Windjammers 2 is a safe sequel, restraining ambitions to make sure what’s delivered is fun enough. That means some might be disappointed! But it’s ultimately a fun game to play, especially with friends.

Windjammers 2 is an ultra-refined version of the original disc-throwing experience, but without any kind of unlockables, progression, or reason to return to the game, it can be a hard sell for anyone who isn't already a hardcore fan.

Revealed back in 2018 and with pre-production stretching back to 2017, it does feel like Windjammers 2 has been a long time coming. But despite its delays, and the fact it’s a sequel to a game approaching its 30th anniversary, it’s a fresh-feeling arcade affair that sizzles with vibrant colour and plenty of on-court drama. It’s a quite old-school sequel, really, like games used to be: add to what’s already great, without breaking anything. Like NBA Jam and Street Fighter II, and more recently the Super Smash Bros. and Overcooked series, it’s a game that’s best suited to social play, to getting together with friends around the same telly. But even enjoyed solo, Windjammers 2 is a fine remedy indeed for banishing any lingering winter blues.

Windjammers is back and it's pure joy. Provided you only play in multiplayer.

Overall, Windjammers 2 is a massive success that fans of the franchise will surely enjoy and those new to the game will quickly understand why the fans of the original game love it. The lack of game modes with meaningfully different gameplay is unquestionably disappointing. Yet, the core gameplay is just so good and enjoyable that hours will pass in the blink of an eye.

An admirable refresh of a cult classic, with excellent presentation and thoughtfully implemented new mechanics, but it’s held back by its reluctance to modernise in other areas.

Windjammers 2 is far from a revolutionary new take on the original game, but it’s a great sequel and terrific arcade sports game in its own right, continuing to establish Dotemu as masters of the retro throwback scene. They know exactly what made the original so beloved and found a way to refine the mechanics even further and add their own eye-catching visual flair on top of things. The end result is an addictive blast from the past (or a blast that fits perfectly in the past as well) and a title that’s worth taking a spin.

Windjammers 2 brings out that superb, rowdy competitiveness that any game worth its salt needs, I cannot wait to see what DotEmu does next.

With Windjammers 2, Dotemu has taken the fiendishly addictive core formula of the Neo Geo classic and improved upon it in every way. The core gameplay here remains as immediately endearing as ever whilst being enhanced and given a real strategic kick by a bevvy of new moves and skills that add to the fun without detracting from or overcomplicating proceedings. Yes, there's not much in the way of modes, and we've yet to see how online fares here, but this is another banger from Dotemu, an all-time classic improved upon, an arcade classic refined for a new generation.

Windjammers 2 is a pretty simple game, but it's also a fun one. Once you climb that short, steep learning curve, every match is a blast. Even when you're getting creamed, it's something of a teachable moment. Plus, there's also some new technique or strategy you can employ next round. Everything looks and sounds extremely 90's, while the characters themselves all use distinct play styles. This was a huge boon for me, as I could just switch players whenever I hit a wall. Even if the game is quite straightforward, the well-rounded multiplayer will ensure you're never actually bored. If you're looking for an extreme, vibrant, 90's style sports game, you've come to the right place. Windjammers 2 is a neon-drenched, disc-flinging good time. ‎

Windjammers 2 feels less like a sequel and more like a remaster of the original. Despite the new graphic overhaul and increased roster characters, it’s still fundamentally the same game. That’s not a bad thing if you enjoyed the original, but in the end, we can’t help but feel this sequel could have been bolder and opened the game up to something more expansive.

Windjammers 2 will more than satisfy fans of the original who are looking to take on their friends. The gameplay is tight, wonderfully balanced, and manages to add additional depth without compromising the series’ intuitive feel. A bit of balance on the roster could still help, and I do wish we had additional single-player content to keep those who prefer to play solo coming back, but this one is still well worth your time.