Goodboy Galaxy
{{Short description|2023 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Game Boy Advance Goodboy Galaxy cover art.webp
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Rik Nicol, Jeremy Clarke{{cite web |title=Goodboy Galaxy: Credits |url=https://www.goodboygalaxy.com |website=goodboygalaxy.com |access-date=23 June 2024}}
| publisher =
| director =
| producer =
| designer =
| programmer = Jeremy Clarke, Benjamin Johnson, Kris Ralph, Rik Nicol
| artist = Rik Nicol, Jesse Zhang, Andreas Polyviou, Emi Monserrate, Vicente Nitti, Theodore Sterchi
| writer =
| composer = Vincent Verger aka Tuï, Rik Nicol, Jeremy Clarke, Theodore Sterchi, Mioune, Mona Roselianne, Liliia Kysil, Sonic / Jasper Byrne
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch, PC, Evercade{{cite web |title=Goodboy Galaxy |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/goodboy-galaxy/ |website=Metacritic |access-date=24 June 2024}}
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player
| title = Goodboy Galaxy
| released = 23 November 2023 (digital version)
}}
Goodboy Galaxy is a 2023 action-adventure game developed for the Game Boy Advance in celebration of its 20th anniversary by Rik Nicol and Jeremy Clarke.{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Ollie |title=Game Boy Advance Metroidvania 'Goodbye Galaxy' is Delayed Into 2023 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/game-boy-advance-metroidvania-goodboy-galaxy-is-delayed-into-2023 |website=Nintendo Life |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=23 June 2024}} It is the first full commercial Game Boy Advance release in over 13 years.{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title="First commercial GBA game in 13 years" smashes Kickstarter target in less than a day Goodboy, Galaxy. |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/first-commercial-gba-game-in-13-years-smashes-kickstarter-target-in-less-than-a-day |website=Euro Gamer |date=28 August 2021 |access-date=23 June 2024}}{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=The Game Boy Advance Is Getting Its First Commercial Release In 13 Years, Goodboy Galaxy |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/the_game_boy_advance_is_getting_its_first_commercial_release_in_13_years_goodboy_galaxy |website=Nintendo Life |date=27 August 2021 |access-date=23 June 2024}} The game was also released on the Nintendo Switch, Evercade and PC.
Gameplay
The game has been described by its developers as an "exploration platformer", which has been inspired by Metroid and Cave Story.{{cite web |last1=Plant |first1=Logan |title=First New Game Boy Advance Game in 13 Years Smashes Kickstarter Campaign |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-game-boy-advance-game-goodboy-galaxy-kickstarter |website=IGN |date=30 August 2021 |access-date=24 June 2024}} It involves navigating through the twisting multi-route levels to befriend various NPCs and to attain unique abilities (with the player's jet pack and blaster), which will allow players to solve various puzzles. There are over fifty unique characters to befriend and several secret areas to find.
Plot
Development
The lead developers Rik Nicol and Jeremy Clarke first met when they both worked for a mobile game studio in the Netherlands. They first developed a basic prototype of Goodboy Galaxy known as "Goodboy Advance" at the Ludum Dare game jam.{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Gavin |title=Feature: Why Make A New GBA Game In 2021? 'Goodboy Galaxy' Dev Talks Sonic, Spelunky, And Yoshi's Island |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/feature_why_make_a_new_gba_game_in_2021_goodboy_galaxy_dev_talks_sonic_spelunky_and_yoshis_island |website=Nintendo Life |date=3 September 2021 |access-date=23 June 2024}} The game had several comedic character based platformer inspirations such as Crowtel Renovations, Pikuniku, and Spelunky. Mini quests were put in the game as the developers had greatly enjoyed them in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Being a big fan of Yoshi's Island, Jeremy insisted that the game have a similar cave level with waterfalls. Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Advance 3 also inspired the developers to pull off similar background tricks. The game was subsequently developed after £203,929 was received through crowdfunding.{{cite web |last1=Craddock |first1=Ryan |title=Goodboy Galaxy Smashes Kickstarter Goal, Physical Game Boy Advance And Switch Editions Confirmed |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/goodboy_galaxy_smashes_kickstarter_goal_physical_game_boy_advance_and_switch_editions_confirmed |website=Nintendo Life |date=28 September 2021 |access-date=23 June 2024}}
Release
A pre release demo known as Goodboy Galaxy: Chapter Zero was made available in 2021, which had content not present in the final release to avoid spoilers.{{cite web |last1=Grimshaw |first1=Jack |title='Goodboy Galaxy' GBA game beats Kickstarter goal in less than a day |url=https://www.nme.com/news/goodboy-galaxy-gba-game-beats-kickstarter-goal-in-less-than-a-day-3031887 |website=NME |date=29 August 2021 |publisher=NME Networks |access-date=24 June 2024}} The final full game was digitally released in Europe and North America on 23 November 2023.{{cite web |title=Goodboy Galaxy |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/gba/goodboy_galaxy |website=Nintendo Life |date=30 November 2023 |access-date=23 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Goodboy Galaxy - Buy Now! |url=https://www.goodboygalaxy.com/ |website=Goodboy Galaxy |access-date=27 July 2024}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|rev1 = Time Extension
|rev2 = Way Too Many Games
}}
Damian McFerran of Time Extension praised the game's "gorgeous visuals and brilliantly animated cutscenes", suggesting that if it had been released during the lifespan of the GBA, it would have been hailed in the same manner as Metroid Fusion and Drill Dozer. He further described it as being akin to a Nintendo developed game with "excellent level design, likeable characters and gameplay mechanics which both befuddle and entertain". Oliver Shielding of Way Too Many Games awarded the game a 9/10 and felt that the game was as "fresh and innovative as Golden Sun, Minish Cap, or Metroid Fusion".
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official site|https://www.goodboygalaxy.com}}
Category:Game Boy Advance games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games about dogs