A retro game for Playdate

Jumper – Playdate is a free action game from indie developer bkumanchik. As a retro game developed for the Playdate video game console, it features pixelated black and white graphics with a simple game premise. You move a platform that will save the jumpers from a chopper overhead. Miss the small falling men and they get eaten by sharks lurking in the water.

As a Playdate ROM, Jumper-Playdate works for the real handheld console. However, if you plan to play it on your computer, you’d have to use one of the emulators created for this system like Berzerk for Commodore 64.

Save the soldiers

In Jumper – Playdate, you play the role of a boatman or a rower in charge of a small canoe. You row across the screen trying to catch the titular jumpers from a chopper, which also moves across the screen. Every now and then, it drops a jumper which you then have to catch. If you fail to do so, as mentioned, sharks will be waiting to catch and eat them.

Also, the game features a full retro experience starting with its graphics. It has a static background and a few moving elements—all rendered in clear pixel arts of black dots against a white or brown background. Its audio also fits the game console, with its sound effects mostly made up of beeps. Still, these technical restrictions are to be expected, considering the console it was originally designed for.

However, like most games developed for an external game console, this game also requires an emulator to run on Windows. Additionally, it doesn’t have any form of change, progress, or progression. If you’re looking for something casual to spend your time on, then this game might work. However, it gets tiring after several minutes of play without any notable achievement or challenge.

A relaxing, repeating game

Essentially, Jumper – Playdate is an authentic Playdate gaming experience, down to the casual feel and the complete retro appeal. It has a simple premise, plain-looking graphics, and simple audio. If you’re looking for something simple to pass the time, this is a good game. However, if you’re after a challenging game with progression and a rewarding feeling, you might want to look elsewhere.