As someone who grew up on Banjo-Kazooie, I had high hopes when I heard Hop ‘n’ Marty was making the jump from PC to Nintendo Switch. Developed by Evilkookey Games, this indie 3D platformer wears its nostalgia proudly, from its quirky characters to its retro visuals. In Hop ‘n’ Marty review, I’m focusing on the Switch version specifically—how well the low-poly graphics, controls, and performance translate to Nintendo’s hybrid console—and whether it’s worth your time if you’ve been craving a return to that golden age of platforming.
Sights and Sounds: Retro Charm Reimagined
Hop ‘n’ Marty looks and sounds like it jumped straight out of the Nintendo 64 era, and that’s exactly what makes it so charming.
It is a clear love letter to classic 3D platformers, especially Banjo-Kazooie. From the moment you start playing, the game leans heavily into nostalgia with charming nods to Rare’s iconic series. For instance, Banjo-Kazooie used puzzle pieces as a transition effect in and out of scenes, while Hop ‘n’ Marty swaps that out for bananas, one of its core collectibles. Even the Pygmies’ quirky sound effects echo the playful charm of Banjo-Kazooie’s Jiggies, instantly transporting players back to the Nintendo 64 era.
Visually, the game embraces that same retro spirit. Hop ‘n’ Marty looks like it could have released during the late ’90s, with blocky textures, bold colors, and simple character models that feel pulled straight out of the N64’s heyday. While the graphics aren’t groundbreaking by modern standards, the intentionally low-poly design gives the game an authentic, old-school aesthetic that fits its theme perfectly. It may not impress players looking for cutting-edge visuals, but for fans of Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64, the style feels like coming home.
The audio design pushes the nostalgia even further. Characters speak through playful, gibberish-like voices, somewhere between Banjo-Kazooie’s goofy banter and Animal Crossing’s charming chatter. It’s endearing and funny, keeping the tone light while reinforcing the game’s personality. The soundtrack is equally effective, filled with bouncy, adventurous tunes that capture the unmistakable energy of late-’90s platformers. Even the smaller details, like enemy noises and the chime when you collect items, help Hop and Marty establish their own unique identity while still honoring the classics.
Not everything in the presentation hits perfectly, though. On Nintendo Switch, the game doesn’t run at full native resolution, leaving black bars on either side of the screen in both handheld and docked mode. While this doesn’t break the experience, it does detract from the otherwise strong presentation, especially if you’re recording gameplay or grabbing screenshots.
Story and Characters: A Lighthearted Adventure
Hop ‘n’ Marty’s story doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but this Hop ‘n’ Marty review shows why it gives you just enough reason to jump into the action and rescue Pygmies along the way.
The game opens with a lighthearted cutscene that sets the stage for its quirky adventure. The main villain, Hookbeak, and his right-hand henchman, Infernus, lose their pirate crew after refusing to pay them fairly. To solve this, Hookbeak decides to capture Pygmies and use them as free labor. With Infernus at his side, he sets out on a kidnapping spree.
Marty witnesses this and convinces Hop to intervene. The two meet Clawdia, who explains that some Pygmies have been locked in cages while others were taken aboard Hookbeak’s ship. She asks Hop and Marty to rescue them so her lab can stay powered. This lab doubles as the hub world, letting players access new levels by collecting Pygmies and bananas.
The setup isn’t groundbreaking, but it does a good job of giving purpose to your platforming and puzzle-solving. It also captures the playful, slightly absurd storytelling style that fans of N64 platformers will recognize.
Character Mechanics: Classic Platforming Returns
Hop and Marty play differently enough to keep things fresh, though the camera and combat quirks sometimes get in the way.
Hop relies on his powerful single jump and his tongue, which lets him latch onto flying insects to cross wide gaps. Marty, on the other hand, has a double jump and a reliable tail whip attack, making him the more versatile fighter. His ranged projectile ability, however, is frustrating. Aiming locks your movement, which often leaves you vulnerable to enemy attacks. This feels especially punishing when dealing with enemies like missile-firing helicopters, where mobility is key.
The biggest issue comes from the camera. It’s overly sensitive, and even after adjusting the settings, it often gets stuck behind objects or shifts suddenly during transitions. These quirks can lead to cheap deaths and moments of frustration. To the game’s credit, the platforming difficulty ramps up nicely, and once you adapt to the camera’s quirks, it becomes less of a hindrance. Still, it’s a blemish on otherwise solid character mechanics.
Level Design and Platforming: Nostalgia Meets Creativity
The Levels in Hop ‘n’ Marty are packed with variety, offering fun puzzles and platforming challenges that keep exploration rewarding.
You unlock new levels by collecting a specific number of Pygmies and bananas, each offering its own theme and challenges. From the toy-themed Playtime Kingdom (complete with board games, poker, and Dungeons & Dragons references) to more traditional platforming locales, the variety keeps things fresh.
Puzzles are integrated seamlessly into the level design, often tied to platforming in creative ways. For example, in Playtime Kingdom, you’ll hit switches to pull out Jenga blocks from a massive tower, creating a climbable path to a caged Pygmy. These puzzles strike a nice balance: engaging enough to make you think, but never so difficult that they halt the pacing.
This combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming feels very much like the golden age of collect-a-thon platformers, with just enough modern polish to avoid feeling dated.
Final Take – Is Hop ‘n’ Marty Worth Playing on Switch?
If you’ve been searching for a new 3D platformer that captures the Banjo-Kazooie magic, this Hop ‘n’ Marty review showed why it delivers plenty of charm despite a few rough edges.
Hop ‘n’ Marty isn’t perfect, but it nails what it sets out to do: deliver a modern indie platformer that feels like a lost Nintendo 64 classic. The camera can be frustrating, the projectile combat feels clunky, and the Switch’s resolution issue is noticeable, but none of these flaws ever ruined my enjoyment. Instead, they reminded me of the quirks that defined the very games this one is inspired by.
For me, the real joy comes from the creative levels, charming characters, and that undeniable retro energy that brought me right back to my childhood. If you’ve been itching for a new 3D platformer that captures the spirit of Banjo-Kazooie while carving out its own identity, Hop ‘n’ Marty is absolutely worth playing on Switch. It’s a heartfelt throwback that fans of the genre shouldn’t miss.
Looking for more games to play? Check out our Altheia Review to learn more.
