Nostalgia is a driving force in media. It has become quite the selling point. The massive growth in remasters, remakes, and everything in-between has created scenarios where not only is Dead Space getting a remake, but it also has a spiritual successor in The Callisto Protocol. Both attempt to recapture the unforgettable experience gamers once had.

One particular era ripe for nostalgia is the N64/PS1 console generation, chock-full of 3D platformers like Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie, and Donkey Kong 64. Developer Siactro has made their own rendition in recent years with Kiwi 64, Toree, and Macbat 64. With Super Kiwi 64 as the newest incarnation, is it still a joy to revisit this period?

As every platforming mascot has a gimmick, in Super Kiwi 64, the titular kiwi has the ability to stick to a wall after dashing. This mechanic makes climbing walls a breeze, reaching the highest point of each level a possibility. Our kiwi is tasked with collecting 48 gems across 8 levels, with 6 in each level. You can beat the game by collecting 40, but there’s a surprise waiting if you can find them all and take note of certain symbols within the levels.

The difficulty in Super Kiwi 64 is just about non-existent. There’s one type of enemy, but it moves as slow as molasses and doesn’t pose any fight. Puzzles across the 8 levels are as simple as can be, between pressing buttons or jumping at the right time. It’s nice to relax after a long day with an easy experience, but platformers back in the day had a decent level of challenge and there’s none to be found in this game. As such, it may be a great “first game” for kids, but adults can expect to fly through it in an hour.

Just because Super Kiwi 64 is easy doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Retreading the same steps you may have made as a kid with the aforementioned N64 games really does capture the nostalgia intended. However, here are skeletons and fetuses randomly interspersed in some levels, which really don’t fit the tone. This can be offputting with no dialogue, and it is unclear why these are here, but it doesn’t hamper the experience.

I should mention that the entirety of my Super Kiwi 64 playthrough was conducted on a Steam Deck. I figured a game as lenient as this could run with no issues on the platform, and for the most part, it did. The only nitpick I could place is that the resolution didn’t 100% fit the screen as some HUD elements were cut off, but the solid 60 frames-per-second and responsive controls made for a near-perfect experience.

Usually, the price point is the point of contention for the basis of my recommendations. Thankfully, Super Kiwi 64 is being offered for the minuscule price of $2.99. As I played the original Kiwi 64 and Macbat 64 for free on itch.io, the few bucks for this brief dive into your past is more than worth it. I had such a good time with Super Kiwi 64 that I’m finishing my Siactro collection by grabbing Toree and Toree 2 for $2. Definitely give Super Kiwi 64 a go if you’re even mildly interested.

A PC review copy for Super Kiwi 64 was provided by Siactro for this review.

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2.99

8.5

Score

8.5/10

Pros

• Supreme Nostalgia
• Tight Controls
• Runs on Anything

Cons

• Some Inconsistent Imagery
• 100% in an Hour
• No Difficulty