Antonblast

Play it on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Windows (Steam Deck YMMV)
Current goal: Reach the Mad Mall

The first time I saw Antonblast I thought it was Pizza Tower. The second time I saw Antonblast I thought it was Pizza Tower. And the third time I saw Antonblast I thought it was Pizza Tower, too. I have now played Antonblast and can confirm that while it shares similar Wario Land vibes and ‘90s DNA with last year’s crowd-pleasing, lightning-quick 2D platformer, Antonblast is definitely its own thing. It’s more challenging, even faster, and shares some familiar tropes from the slippy-slidy obstacle course racing of Crash Bandicoot, including stampeding through boxes, hitting a cache of explosives, and dying. The idea is to breeze through levels as quickly as possible, smashing through all kinds of colorful junk littering each stage, and survive the gauntlet of hazards and boss fights placed in your path. It’s loud, chunky, and occasionally gives me a headache with all of the screenshake. It’s also a firehose of satisfying arcade action and chaotic animations. I keep going back for more. — Ethan Gach