Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening Review: A Retro Anime Classic Comes to Nintendo Switch

Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening Review: A Retro Anime Classic Comes to Nintendo Switch The world of gaming in 2025 welcomes Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening, a fresh adaptation of the cult-favorite 1982 anime that originally brought Buichi Terasawa's manga to animated life.

Developed with a passion for the era's distinctive flair, this new title for the Nintendo Switch marries the beloved visuals and music of early '80s Japanese animation with the kinetic demands of modern action-platformers, offering gamers both nostalgia and a robust gameplay challenge. Space Adventure Cobra first debuted as a manga series in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978, conceived by Buichi Terasawa.

Its influence only grew when it became an anime in 1982, captivating audiences with its unique blend of sci-fi adventure, flamboyant characters, and iconic style.

The new Switch game, Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening, pays direct homage by incorporating original cutscenes from the anime, allowing players to experience key story beats with authentic visuals and soundscapes that evoke the mood of classic television broadcasts. At the core of the narrative is Cobra, a notorious space pirate pursued by the relentless Space Pirate Guild.

In an effort to escape capture, Cobra changes his appearance and erases his own memory, only to eventually recover his identity and find himself once again locked in conflict with his former enemies.

This intergalactic odyssey is enhanced by the addition of a memorable supporting cast, including the curvaceous android Lady Armaroid and Cobra’s signature gadget-laden cigars.

Perhaps most notably, action fans will appreciate Cobra’s left arm, which transforms into the formidable Psychogun, enabling unique gameplay mechanics in both combat and platforming. Gameplay unfolds as a linear action-platformer, tasking players with running, leaping, shooting, swimming, and grappling through a gauntlet of enemy-infested stages.

The inclusion of Joy-Con controlled mechanics presents a learning curve, with players expected to adapt to various moves and strategies.

Three different difficulty levels offer some accessibility, though environmental hazards like bottomless pits and complex platforming segments demand precision regardless of setting.

As the adventure unfolds, players will find themselves grappling with multi-phase boss encounters and waves of tenacious enemies, all while switching between regular weaponry, melee attacks, and strategic use of the Psychogun.

Unlike conventional shooters, aiming and character movement are mapped to the same stick, with a lock-in-place feature that adds an additional tactical layer.

This setup, while challenging, encourages mastery and rewards perseverance. The developers’ dedication to the source material is evident throughout.

The anime cutscenes remain untouched by modern remastering, purposefully retaining the grainy quality reminiscent of a vintage 19-inch CRT TV.

Such authenticity extends to the musical score and voiceovers, with both English and Japanese audio options delivering performances that suit the original tone.

Subtitles are available for multiple languages, although their small size makes the English dub preferable in handheld mode. Visually, Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening achieves a balanced aesthetic, blending retro-inspired graphics with select modern effects.

The transitions between anime cutscenes and in-game environments feel cohesive, helping maintain the spirit of the 1980s original while delivering an up-to-date gameplay experience for Nintendo Switch players.

The narrative remains engaging and brisk, delivering high-energy encounters and a story that appeals to longtime fans and newcomers alike. Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening stands out as an accomplished adaptation through its faithful presentation and narrative style, even if the challenging action-platforming will not suit all tastes.

The game’s success lies in its ability to bring the atmosphere of Buichi Terasawa’s universe to a new generation via the Nintendo eShop, making it an essential purchase for fans of retro anime and classic action games.

Those willing to master its complexities will find a title as bold and flamboyant as its irrepressible protagonist.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Awakening platformer anime Adventure Space Adventure Cobra Cobra Space Adventure Cobra Awakening Buichi Terasawa Weekly Shonen Jump Lady Armaroid eShop Space Pirate Guild