Ikachan

 3DS
  • Publisher: Nicalis
  • Release Date: Jan 31, 2013
Ikachan Image
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: You wake up in an underwater cave. Near the bottom of an enormous abyss, there's only one way out. Swim in a dark world under attack by frequent earthquakes and famine. This vast undersea kingdom is filled with both dangerous and hamless denizens. Its fearful inhabitants are led by aYou wake up in an underwater cave. Near the bottom of an enormous abyss, there's only one way out. Swim in a dark world under attack by frequent earthquakes and famine. This vast undersea kingdom is filled with both dangerous and hamless denizens. Its fearful inhabitants are led by a reluctant fish who has no answer to the impending disasters. Take to the sea and help your new friends flee their home and find a new one. Their fate rests with you, Ikachan. You must help them find a way out before it's too late. Use whatever tools you can and try to escape. Swim, Ikachan, swim!… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Game Revolution
    Jan 31, 2013
    90
    The game has been previously available in a free PC build, but the 3DS version has the benefit of a professional translation and optimization for the 3DS, where the GamePad and buttons feel very much like the old-school NES controller as one plays.
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Jan 30, 2013
    75
    Ikachan is not a masterpiece, but it's a simple and enjoyable experience which deserves another chance.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Feb 1, 2013
    75
    Ikachan left me wanting more, and not entirely in a good way. However, it is a curiosity worth discovering for ardent Cave Story fans who have a distaste for the PC platform. If you are set on playing it, the 3DS is the absolute best platform on which to experience it.
  4. IGN
    Feb 6, 2013
    73
    Ikachan is disturbingly short, but the winning game design and charm might make the $4.99 download worth your time, especially if you’re a fan of Cave Story or Nicalis’ other work.
  5. Cubed3
    Feb 18, 2013
    70
    Ikachan is a wonderfully crafted game and a fitting homage to the NES era of gaming and to Metroid-esque game design. The art and sound design are wonderful. The gameplay is responsive and fun. The only question is whether one hour of gameplay is enough to justify the asking price. For many the answer will be yes.
  6. Destructoid
    Jan 31, 2013
    65
    Ikachan is a marvelous introduction to a much larger, more ambitious game. But that's all it is: an introduction. If you are willing to accept that, you'll happily enjoy the short time you spend in its watery world.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Jan 27, 2013
    60
    Ikachan is not a bad game, but there's very little to recommend it apart from its pedigree and connection to Cave Story. There's not much to explore, no real challenge, and no reason whatsoever to come back. It introduces concepts that depart almost immediately, and does not provide optional objectives, and its lone boss fight is criminally easy. It may be worth taking a dip, but don't expect much depth.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Ullianov
    Feb 7, 2013
    5
    I was hoping for a metroidvania experience (albeit in a short form), but I was displeased by the RPG-esque aspects (dialogs, fetch quests),I was hoping for a metroidvania experience (albeit in a short form), but I was displeased by the RPG-esque aspects (dialogs, fetch quests), even in a greater extent than when I was playing Cave Story (still wanted more Cave and less Story in that; maybe I should just stop buying Nicalis' stuff). But if you loved Cave Story and don't mind playing an underwater platformer, you should be fine.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best 3DS Game of 2013
58
#58 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2013
36
#36 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2013