Glover | Switch Review

The original Glover was released on N64 in 1998. Based on my next sentence, I’m guessing sales were not stellar. Fast forward to 2002. I’m working at Best Buy, and we have a lot of copies of Glover in our store that get marked down for clearance, $4.99. My son was just old enough to start enjoying video games, and Glover looked like a kid-friendly, Mario-esque platformer (you’ll hear more about that later). My son liked the game but found some of the platforming and enemy battles too difficult. He handed the controller off to me, and we enjoyed our time together. He would take the parts he could successfully finish, and I would take the more difficult sections. It was wonderful father-son time.

Needless to say, I have a big giant heart filled with nostalgia when it comes to this game. Fast forward to a week or so ago, and we get the announcement that a Glover remake from QUByte Interactive is coming out. I jumped at the opportunity to review the game and relive some of those moments. Even my son was excited when I showed him a screenshot of what I was playing. 

Magical Story

In the enchanting world of the Crystal Kingdom, a wizard’s magical gloves are accidentally separated. One glove, Glover, flies out the window to safety, while the other falls into a potion, transforming into an evil glove that seizes control of the kingdom. Now, it’s up to Glover to defeat the evil enemies and bosses and collect all of the lost crystals to save the day!

The game features six unique worlds, each containing three regular levels, a boss level, and a bonus level, totaling 30 levels. Players must complete the three regular levels to unlock the challenging boss level in each world.

Remember the Frustrating Mechanics of the 90s?

Glover‘s platforming mechanics are reminiscent of the beloved yet challenging gameplay of Super Mario 64. Players can jump, double jump, crawl, and bounce a ball, which can be transformed into different forms. These forms include a bowling ball, gem, metal ball, and back to the bouncy ball. This ball isn’t just a tool; it’s a crucial segment of the crystal needed to restore the kingdom, and players must skillfully carry it to the goal in each level.

The game employs a Lakitu-style camera that follows Glover around, and the player controls it when needed, much like Lakitu did for Mario. However, this camera system brings with it similar frustrations. The camera’s inability to pivot through solid objects often makes the point of view limited and/or dangerous, especially when cliffs or enemies are nearby. Players frequently find themselves moving blindly, unable to see hazards like cliffs or enemies, because the camera is stuck, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the game.

Remember How Super Mario 64 Looked and Sounded?

The environment in Glover feels like a nostalgic trip back to the days of Super Mario 64. It seems as though the developers recreated the Glover world using templates from Mario 64, resulting in a familiar blocky and polygonal aesthetic that fans of the N64 era will instantly recognize. While the colors are a bit crisper, there are no significant visual improvements beyond that.

The music in Glover also stays true to the classic N64 platforming style. It features the standard upbeat and whimsical tunes that shift appropriately in tone during enemy encounters and boss battles, enhancing the overall gaming experience with a touch of nostalgia.

Final Verdict

The nostalgia in Glover is undeniable; I couldn’t help but smile throughout my playthrough. The graphics and mechanics, while clearly showing their 27-year age, still manage to charm with their retro appeal. However, the platforming can become frustrating (due to the controls) and repetitive at times.

Despite these drawbacks, I still found the game enjoyable. It’s highly recommended for those seeking a nostalgic boost or fans of platformers looking to try a game they might have missed. For others, it might be best to pass.