The much-awaited mobile version of Rocket League
Rocket League Sideswipe is a free sports game developed by Psyonix LLC for mobile devices. It is the official mobile version of the highly popular car and soccer hybrid title, Rocket League, which was first released for PCs and consoles starting in 2015.
Rocket League Sideswipe takes the fun and fast-paced gameplay of the original Rocket League, and transforms it into an experience more suited to mobile, with quick 2-minute matches that are perfect for pick-up and play, as well as responsive and intuitive controls that are optimized for touch input.
How does it compare to the original?
Rocket League Sideswipe is Rocket League’s big transition into the mobile space, and as such, it was crucial to get the touch input right. Thankfully, it manages to do just that, offering 3 control schemes for you to choose from. There’s a decent amount of customization that you can do, including button placement, adjusting opacity, and scaling to fit better on your screen and make them easier to tap.
Rocket League Sideswipe doesn’t disappoint when it comes to graphics and looks great on mobile screens. Gameplay is where things get interesting, though, with you having the choice between 1v1 or 2v2 in matches that last for about two minutes at a time. It might not seem like much, but it’s actually “just right” and lends itself well to the notion of the pick-up and play while on the go.
Plenty of the customization options available in the original have made their way to this version, as well. You’ll get to pimp out your ride with paint, tires, skins. You can even set custom explosion animations and effects whenever you make a goal. One thing that didn’t make the cut, though, is a replay function. Hopefully, it gets added in future updates.
A new mode and fresh shop items
Two years after its original release, Rocket League Sideswipe remains a strong title for the sports game genre. Players can now unlock new Player Banners based on the highest ranks they have achieved. It also features new skins and scoring effects, both of which are compatible with the Rocket Ball-inspired avatars. New designs for the customization options are available as well.
What’s more, the game brings new challenges that will make gameplay even more exciting. It features refreshed Weekly, Monthly, and Seasonal Challenges that allow players to collect huge amounts of experience points. This title also introduces a new mode, Ranked Heatseeker, in which the slightest tap of the ball will send it flying across the Arena. This mode can be sweaty and chaotic, but it also requires strategic thinking to ensure winning gameplay.
There are also fresh collectibles available in the game shop, including three newly painted cars: the JDM-inspired Titanium White Nemesis for tuner enthusiasts, the boxy Orange Merc, and the Pink Maverick. Players can also get a Neon Mantis Player Banner or Cyber Egg Avatar from the shop. At the end of the season, they can earn the Season 10 Player Banners as proof that they’ve ranked up this season.
Taking it to-go
All in all, Rocket League Sideswipe is a great mobile port and one that retains much of the things that made the original so much fun to play. The graphics look good, the controls are responsive, and there is still plenty of ways to customize your ride available to you. The wait was worth it and it will make a lot of fans happy. Highly recommended.
