Ruffy and the Riverside Delivers Retro 3D Platformer Excellence on Nintendo Switch

Ruffy and the Riverside Delivers Retro 3D Platformer Excellence on Nintendo Switch For fans of classic 3D platformers, Ruffy and the Riverside stands out as a love letter to the late 1990s era of gaming.

Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, this vibrant adventure channels the charm and visual style of Nintendo 64-era classics while introducing novel gameplay twists that set it apart from the crowded field of platforming games. In Ruffy and the Riverside, players guide Ruffy, a courageous bear, on an epic journey to save his homeland from the sinister threat posed by Groll, a mysterious entity intent on bringing darkness to the world.

The game is replete with a wide cast of eccentric personalities, each adding depth to Ruffy’s quest with spirited and often witty dialogue.

The narrative quickly sets up an engaging premise, as Ruffy pursues Groll across a variety of imaginative environments, determined to restore peace to his world. The visual presentation is unapologetically retro, with art direction that pays direct homage to the polygonal proportions and color palettes of the N64 era.

This nostalgic aesthetic is a rarity among modern releases and offers a visually distinctive trip down memory lane for seasoned players.

Where Ruffy and the Riverside adds its own creative touch, however, is in its protagonist design: Ruffy himself is rendered in 2D, contrasting with his 3D surroundings.

The result is a visual blend reminiscent of Paper Mario crossing paths with Super Mario 64, and it works to both highlight character expressiveness and evoke retro gaming roots. Speaking with the developers, it’s clear their intention was to merge playful nostalgia with fresh ideas.

The team explained their goal was to create a game that "celebrates the visual hallmarks of retro 3D gaming, while empowering players with innovative mechanics." To that end, Ruffy’s signature ability allows him to absorb the texture of objects in the environment and apply them elsewhere—a copy-and-paste gameplay system that reshapes not just the landscape but how puzzles are solved.

This unique mechanic enables creative problem-solving, such as transforming waterfalls into climbable vines or converting metal surfaces into wood, significantly expanding the game’s interactive possibilities. As is fundamental to every platformer, Ruffy and the Riverside is built around collectibles, exploration, and dynamic character interactions.

While enemy design lands somewhat on the modest side, the supporting cast is full of quirky, memorable personalities that keep the adventure engaging.

Gameplay flows smoothly, though some areas on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms experience minor framerate dips and momentary sluggishness.

These performance issues, however, do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

The developer has acknowledged the optimization challenges and has committed to ongoing improvements. Ultimately, Ruffy and the Riverside is a compelling blend of old-school authenticity and new-school creativity.

It may not resonate with every gamer, but its inventive mechanics, engaging storyline, and vibrant personality make it a standout addition to the Switch’s robust library of platformers.

For retro enthusiasts and platforming fans alike, Ruffy and the Riverside is a journey worth taking.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Ruffy and the Riverside Groll