Making a transition from mobile to console, Kung Fu Rabbit shows how well a game can go from the palm of your hand to the big screen. It’s a quick bit of entertainment and one that’s not too terribly challenging for newcomers to the genre. There are some quirks, and obvious design choices more geared towards that of mobile platforms but that doesn’t keep Kung Fu Rabbit from being an all-around decent platformer. Most importantly, Kung Fu Rabbit is a perfect example of how a small, smart phone game can make it onto consoles and make it work for them
As far as gameplay goes, Kung Fu Rabbit is very similar to most challenge oriented platforms. The goal is to reach a fellow rabbit that has been trapped at the end of each level. You’ll be forced to maneuver your way across the various platforms making sure to not touch the slime covering most of the area while also dodging enemies. You only have one chance, any brush with the slime or baddies ends with death. The enemies do have a weak spot, however, allowing you to defeat them if you can reach it in time. The combat is not extensive, but it does and an interesting layer of gameplay. Each level is short and to the point, most likely stemming from its origins as a mobile game. The controls are a fine balance between floaty and tight. The speed is pretty bogged down at first leading to some real slow points, but through purchasing upgrades you’ll be able to swiftly move along.
In app purchases are a key aspect to progressing through levels. Brought over from the mobile game, the in-app purchases which were previously bought using real money are now acquired using in-game currency. The items you can buy range from costumes, to the single use items as well as permanent items. Carrot juice, which improves your overall speed, is an example of one permanent item. You can almost break the game with the later upgrades, such as the sword which allows you to defeat enemies from any vantage point. This removes the challenge of having to avoid or take down bad guys, meaning you only have to navigate through the traps. Single use items make the challenging levels much more manageable. You can buy items that stun certain enemies or even a portable check point so you don’t have to restart at the beginning of the level.
The look and feel of Kung Fu Rabbit has to be the most interesting about it. The presentation is very upbeat and cheerful, almost an anti-Super Meat Boy. The backgrounds are crisp and bright with a good sense of depth behind them. The aesthetic design is influenced entirely by the East you’ll be traveling through Asian dojos and jumping through cherry blossoms. The levels are lively and fun to play through with cute animations and smooth transitions. As far as visuals go, you really can’t tell this was once a mobile game, it looks amazing in HD.
The music is Asian themed as well, matching the visual feel. Though pleasant at first, the sound will ultimately get repetitive and grating pretty quickly. It’s incredibly frustrating on the final stages which involve many of the same spitting enemies in one small space making the same noise over and over. In short spurts, the soundtrack is catchy and easily gets stuck in your head. Only after long playthroughs will the short sound clips start wearing on your nerves.
Other than the nicely upgraded graphics, the Wii U version of Kung Fu Rabbit also supports off TV play. Unlike most games that feature off TV play, it sports touch controls which are convenient for navigating menus in between gameplay. More games should take from Kung Fu and support touch controls during off TV play, even if only as minimally as they are here.
Though it certainly doesn’t redefine the genre, Kung Fu Rabbit is a cheap, fun experience. It plays with a few concepts I’d like to see more of in platforms, like upgrades and usable items. The visuals are fun and interesting even if they can be over used from time to time. The platforming is still solid, and the fun is there to be had. This game may not blow anyone away, but it is well worth the price of entry. Kung Fu Rabbit is a great example of Nintendo’s indie strategy that proves there are a lot of promising titles to come to the Wii U eShop.
Positive:
Cheerful graphics.
Fair amount of fun.
Good off TV play.
Inexpensive.
Negative:
Repetitive sound.
Slow start.
Short levels.
7/10