Kid GP

Munsie magic

This is the third Dave Munsie game to be featured on AtariCrypt, but it's one I've never heard of. The idea is to run around each screen, avoiding the baddies and collecting all of the diamonds. Originally aimed at the younger audience, but I have found it incredibly fun, so there's hope for all of us... Or I'm just simple?

Collecting diamonds may sound easy, but there are loads of wacky creatures zipping about the screens. Each one loves getting in your way, whilst others are looking to give a good chase. Bump into one and a life is lost!! So it's a good job we can use a hammer to smack these blighters and send 'em packing. Yeah!

The game rewards your hammer attacks with lots of bonus fruits - before respawning them. Magic mushroom power-ups are available for a range of cool effects that may boost or alter your visibility. A bonus timer is counting down, and if you manage to finish with time remaining, then you can build up points by grabbing the goodies. What this lacks in (ahem) originality is more than made up for in gameplay!

I think we need to see a colourful screenshot with cute critters with beady eyes...

Okay, it might look ...umm... rather familiar, but the gameplay is rock-solid awesomeness!!

Bubble... Rainbow... What?

Graphically, this is gorgeous with bold colours and the cutest sprites. Those big-eyed blue faces will always make me smile - especially after I've clubbed them! This is exactly how an arcade game should look. Sure, it might look familiar for any number of reasons, but who cares about originality when it looks this good?

Interestingly, you can flip between 50/60Hz and also three game speeds, at any time.

The audio is slightly less impressive because there are no chiptunes. I think it would have been nice, so I missed that. Thankfully, the sound effects are fantastic and very zesty for a game of this ilk.

Screenshot time, and how about some fruit? No? Well, here you go anyway...

Wow!! Look at all that gorgeous colour and beautiful fruit. Yum Yum, get it all eaten up!

The CryptO'pinion?

Kid GP is exhilarating!! Manically running around, collecting lots of diamonds and fruits, whilst avoiding the silly-looking nasties, is surprisingly entertaining. The controls are perfectly responsive, and I loved the ability to have two different jumping options, as the hammer only works horizontally. Which is my only gripe.

Dave Munsie might have originally designed this game for children (my seven-year-old certainly appreciates it), but there’s no denying its positive impact on this big kid (yes, me!!). I thoroughly enjoyed Kid GP!!

Stop whatever you're doing and

download this wonderful game right now.