This under-the-radar title could be easily overlooked, but for fans of classic 2D platformers (especially in the vein of Donkey Kong Country) that would be a mistake. This is a charming and approachable platform adventure that can be played either solo or with a partner, in which you happily bounce and swing through jungle (and other) environments, collecting pick-ups, uncovering secrets, and mastering a surprisingly nuanced control scheme. While the game starts out very approachable, the levels gradually ramp up to offer significant challenge, demanding you master the three marsupilami characters’ distinct movesets as you switch between them on the fly.
Catchy music, vibrant visuals, and finely tuned gameplay all help this game hit some impressive notes. There’s also a fun unlockable “Salsa Mode” that uses the in-game music to ramp you up into a combo of pick-ups before your meter vanishes, leading to a fun and replayable twist on the already-played levels. There’s barely any real story here in the game, so don’t worry that the “2” in the title is going to leave you confused. The game is an outgrowth of a long-running Belgian comic book character, but rest assured, the taut and enjoyable gameplay of this particular project requires no special French connection to enjoy. Find the game on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, or PC.
