Robo Dunk [Review]

Robo Dunk, developed and published by Jolly Punch Games, is a simplistic basketball party game that cleverly combines rogue-lite elements with impressive slam dunks. Reminiscent of late 1990s and early 2000s party games, Robo Dunk features simple controls and evokes nostalgia for classic consoles like the Nintendo Game Cube and Sega Dreamcast. Players can attack, defend, and dunk. The dunk mechanic allows players to hold down a button, launching their robot into the air and resulting in a spectacular dunk and a massive explosion on the net. Graphically, the game adopts a unique Nintendo-esque style, utilizing soft tones and stop-motion movement to create a nostalgic and comforting atmosphere.

Robo Dunk supports up to four players and offers a single-player/co-op campaign mode for up to two players. The rogue-lite elements are most prominent in the campaign, where each match features unique gimmicks, such as Mario Party-esc stage hazards, specials, and power-ups, ensuring dynamic and engaging gameplay. Players can customize their robot using a skill tree to suit their play style and preferences. In addition to its core gameplay, Robo Dunk features a lighthearted storyline that delves into the scriptures of the DUNK. My friends and I had a blast with this game, and I will definitely double-dip and pick this game up on the Nintendo Switch. In conclusion, RoboDunk undoubtedly deserves a perfect score. While the game's concept and content are simple, the extremely replayable gameplay could always benefit from additional features. RoboDunk's success lies in right amount of drive to keep players coming back. The addition of drop in/ drop out multiplayer brings the entire experience home. Many modern games either do too much or too little, constantly asking for more money, releasing broken, or being too complicated. RoboDunk stands out as mindless fun and a fantastic pick-up-and-play experience. RoboDunk is out now for all platforms for $14.99