Nikoderiko is pure nostalgia and an ode to OG platformers

We all have that one video game that holds a special place in our hearts.

When my sister and I were about 8 and 9 years old, we used to grab an entire package of our favorite cookies and lie down on our bunk beds playing Donkey Kong Country 3 on our SNES from 6am until my parents eventually got up on the weekends. I remember loving the soundtrack - music that I still to this day have a dedicated YouTube playlist of saved on my phone - all the different instruments together, and enjoying how well the music paired with the levels. I remember it so well that, if I close my eyes really tightly, I can still feel like I'm there.

I never thought I'd find a game that would recreate that same exact feeling 24 years later, but Nikoderiko: The Magical World does just that.

A map in Nikoderiko

Nikoderiko: Nostalgia with pretty graphics

As soon as the first stage began, I immediately began noticing significant similarities between Nikoderiko and beloved platformer games such as Donkey Kong Country, Sonic the Hedgehog, Rayman, and Super Mario Bros., while at the same time noticing amazing nods and changes that felt a lot more like Crash Bandicoot and even Sonic Adventures at times. The collecting of items in a rapid-fire fashion, chasing after letters that spell out N-I-K-O, and jumping though barrels hidden behind waterfalls or secret entrances just to "find the key" or "collect all coins" screamed Donkey Kong days. But what really drove it home was the music.

Turns out there's a huge reason why the little jingles in the minigames and the chords and the peppy style ever so present in the music is so familiar - David Wise, one of the composers for the music of the Donkey Kong Country series, is also the music composer for Nikoderiko. It all comes full circle, doesn't it?

The initial release of Nikoderiko was back on October 15th, 2024, but the Director's Cut being released tomorrow, 4/15, includes expanded levels, improved mechanics (the swimming mechanics in this game are unreal), and a lot of fun secrets to discover in each level.

Fans of platformers should absolutely treat themselves with the upgraded version of a truly fun game that will keep you entertained (and elbows-deep in nostalgia) for a few hours.

Official Pixigonal Rating: A

Pixigonal was given a free copy of Nikoderiko: The Magical World - Director's Cut in exchange for an honest review.