Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails

 Wii U
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 40
  3. Negative: 6 out of 40

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  1. hobnob_
    May 15, 2014
    10
    This game is exactly what I want in an arcade video game. It is fresh, it is novel, it is aesthetically pleasing, it has simple controls, it has simple mechanics, it is easy to pick up, it is impossible to master, it is fun, it is frustrating, it is satisfying when you complete a level, it has a high skill ceiling. This is gaming as I remember from my childhood.

    The game itself features    This game is exactly what I want in an arcade video game. It is fresh, it is novel, it is aesthetically pleasing, it has simple controls, it has simple mechanics, it is easy to pick up, it is impossible to master, it is fun, it is frustrating, it is satisfying when you complete a level, it has a high skill ceiling. This is gaming as I remember from my childhood.

    The game itself features a cat that rolls around on rails. The levels are almost like sandbox 2D; you can go anywhere in the level, the purpose being to find the missing cats. One is near the exit already, one has to be chased around the level making an interesting obstacle course each time, one only appears after you collect all the 'coins', and the last one only appears after you kill the boss, and that only appears after you kill all the other enemies in the level. Each level is completely packed with stuff to do, and each level will require skill to finish to completion. The movement is novel, making it all the more enjoyable. Combat is reminiscent of old arcade blasters like R-Type.

    The game is fully recommended. The best indie title I've played in a long time. Easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bastion and Mark Of The Ninja, even if they do all fill different niches.    … Expand
  2. korncheto
    May 21, 2014
    9
    Excelente juego de disparos, gran originalidad e innovación en el control... toma un par de horas manejarlo adecuadamente y un sin fin de horas dominarlo, es un juego retador con dificultad NES
  3. ricklongo
    Oct 6, 2014
    5
    This amusingly-named e-Shop exclusive has a lot going for it, from the eye-poppingly bright visuals to the potential addictiveness of the arcade shooter genre. Sadly, questionable design decisions bring the whole experience considerably down.

    You play as a human riding a kind of space pod, trying to rescue your pet kitty (and a bunch of other cats) from evil space mice. Each stage    This amusingly-named e-Shop exclusive has a lot going for it, from the eye-poppingly bright visuals to the potential addictiveness of the arcade shooter genre. Sadly, questionable design decisions bring the whole experience considerably down.

    You play as a human riding a kind of space pod, trying to rescue your pet kitty (and a bunch of other cats) from evil space mice. Each stage features walls covered with rails; your vehicle attaches to those rails, letting you transverse the space station setting while blasting off enemies in a very satisfying manner… that is, until the absolutely atrocious jumping controls get in the way. Trying to jump between platforms with any kind of precision is frustratingly hard, and this is a game that requires perfect timing and aiming in many sections.

    In each stage, you're tasked with finding a number of kittens. One of them is always at the exit, while getting the others requires you to complete tasks like collecting pellets, defeating a sub-boss, or even finding secret rooms; those challenges can range from okay to very fun. One of them, however, is a huge flop: there's always a "runaway" kitten, who will fly to a different segment of the stage whenever you touch it. You'll then get a small amount of time to find it and touch it again, causing it to fly to a different place, rinse and repeat. If you fail to touch it in the allotted time, it's back to square one. It can be an exercise in frustration even in simpler stages; when you add the requirement of unintuitive precision jumping to the mix, it gets flat-out infuriating.

    The heartbreaking thing is that, from screenshots and trailers, Scram Kitty is a game that makes you want to love it. It seems like a great transition of arcade concepts from the eighties to modern times, boasting straightforward action and a great sense of style. It ends up being an entirely different animal once you actually grab the reins. If you love arcade shooters and don't mind the added challenge of the controls, there should be a lot to like here, especially since the game's presentation is really great. Myself, I couldn't really overcome the frustration brought along by the unfortunate gameplay quirks.

    Rating: 5.5    … Expand
  4. dkxcalibur
    Nov 5, 2014
    4
    I had so much hope for Scram Kitty before it was released. However, after downloading the game, I can honestly say that I'm disappointed. It's very unique and I'll give credit where credit is due. The graphics are fine. The characters are really cool. The idea of the game play is awesome. Where I run into problems is the controls. It's almost like the developer made the controlsI had so much hope for Scram Kitty before it was released. However, after downloading the game, I can honestly say that I'm disappointed. It's very unique and I'll give credit where credit is due. The graphics are fine. The characters are really cool. The idea of the game play is awesome. Where I run into problems is the controls. It's almost like the developer made the controls clunky on purpose to add to the difficulty but all I get out of it is frustration. In fact, I get so frustrated at the controls that I don't want to play it anymore despite it's good qualities. Maybe they'll do a sequel and fix the controls and game play.… Expand
  5. headspacej
    Nov 13, 2014
    6
    Very difficult to learn, and not at all forgiving in terms of the number of lives you get. It's cool and innovative, with pretty slick mechanics, which makes me want to like it more than I actually do. Maybe I just suck at it, but I've found it more frustrating than fun.
  6. Pejelo
    Jul 21, 2016
    9
    Realmente entretenido y retador en determinadas situaciones del nivel, cumpliendo un formato entre la TV y el GamePad, lo cual lo hace bueno... AUNQUE también un poco frustrante por la jugabilidad en el intento de saltos y movilidad para alcanzar el maldito gatito.
  7. LemonSlice
    Nov 8, 2016
    10
    This is one of the coolest games you can pick up for the WiiU. There isn't any sort of an engrossing story, just lots of very well designed levels with gameplay that is founded on some very strong and innovative mechanics. You'll have lots of fun, but be prepared for a tough road to the end. Despite the controls feeling very intuitive, they are difficult to grasp, and the game keepsThis is one of the coolest games you can pick up for the WiiU. There isn't any sort of an engrossing story, just lots of very well designed levels with gameplay that is founded on some very strong and innovative mechanics. You'll have lots of fun, but be prepared for a tough road to the end. Despite the controls feeling very intuitive, they are difficult to grasp, and the game keeps throwing more and more challenges at your Gamepad making you question your mastery of them again and again.

    But when you're done, you're nothing less than a pro. You haven't cheated against the bosses, you haven't used cheap tricks to pass difficult obstacles, you haven't used cheap tactics, you didn't play on easy and "enjoyed the game for the story". In this game you can't do those things. You have to play like a buddy. :)

    P.S. Always a good thing to read the e-manual!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Wii U Game of 2014
19
#19 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2014
24
#24 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. DarkStation
    Jul 25, 2014
    80
    It’s smartly designed, and while I wish there were more modes, what’s there is definitely worth experiencing.
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  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 18, 2014
    70
    If you love cats and difficulty in gaming, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails could be your next killer app for Wii U. In case you don't, you should not hold your breath for the new Dakko Dakko's title.
    Read full review
  3. Worth Playing
    Jul 1, 2014
    80
    Those who frustrate easily should avoid this title unless they really want to risk damaging their GamePads, but for those who love a good challenge, this title is worth checking out.
    Read full review
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