KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat Delivers Classic Platforming and Outrageous Humor on Nintendo Switch

Entry information

Published on: May 15, 2025

Description

KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat is a fresh addition to the Nintendo Switch platformer lineup, offering players a distinctive mix of classic 2D gameplay and unrestrained, quirky humor.

Developed with a tongue-in-cheek approach, KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat stands out for its infectious silliness and genuinely fun mechanics, making it a notable entry in the eShop library of platforming games. The game immediately establishes its comedic tone, ushering players in with a flamboyant, cinematic trailer that sets the stage for the over-the-top adventure ahead.

This spirited introduction paves the way for the hilarious chaos players will encounter throughout their journey. Players take on the role of KinnikuNeko, the titular cat hero who can magically transform into an ultra-muscular bodybuilder thanks to the power of enchanted underwear.

Against a backdrop of a planet under siege by bizarre alien invaders, KinnikuNeko and his young companions are constantly pursued by these extraterrestrials intent on capturing them.

The gameplay revolves around switching between KinnikuNeko’s agile feline form—capable of wall climbing and dashing—and his powerful bodybuilder persona, which excels at dispatching aliens and smashing through barriers. The level design in KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat is varied, guiding players through urban landscapes, chaotic school corridors, and sunlit beaches.

While the primary platforming mechanics stick to the genre’s conventions, such as running, jumping, and battling foes, hidden areas and collectible secrets encourage replayability.

Some obstacles, like massive stone blocks, only become accessible once KinnikuNeko’s strength has reached a necessary threshold, rewarding exploration and character progression. Boss battles serve as memorable set pieces, pitting players against distinct alien leaders.

Each of these encounters follows familiar platformer logic, requiring players to learn boss patterns and manage their health rather than depleting visible health bars.

This traditional approach keeps the action straightforward yet engaging. Beyond its comedic veneer, KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat integrates a story of camaraderie in the face of adversity.

The narrative is delivered through substantial cutscenes that highlight the bond between characters as they navigate both the alien threat and more mundane challenges like schoolyard bullies.

This tonal shift between urgent action and heartfelt drama reinforces the game’s deliberately whimsical and unpredictable atmosphere. Visual flair is a hallmark of KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat, with both the protagonist's exaggerated muscular transformations and the outlandish design of alien invaders rendered with meticulous, tongue-in-cheek detail.

Notably, special moves and transformation sequences receive close-up animations that only add to the game’s self-aware, sometimes juvenile, charm. While some of the humor might border on crude, the concise length and tight pacing ensure it remains a lighthearted romp rather than overstaying its welcome.

Balancing its absurd premise with polished platforming, KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat manages to appeal to fans of both comedy and classic Nintendo Switch platformers alike. For those seeking a new platformer on the Nintendo Switch eShop, KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of 2D platforming, elevated with a bold comedic twist.

Interested players can experience the fun firsthand by downloading the game via the Nintendo Switch’s digital storefront.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch KinnikuNeko Super Muscle Cat eShop Nintendo Direct

Review: KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat (Nintendo Switch)