Hypercharge: Unboxed

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}{{Infobox video game

| title = Hypercharge: Unboxed

| image = This_is_the_cover_art_for_Hypercharge,_Unboxed._The_cover_art_copyright_is_believed_to_belong_to_Digital_Cybercherries.jpg

| developer = Digital Cybercherries

| publisher = Digital Cybercherries

| designer = {{ubl|Dec Doyle|Ulrich Gollick|

Joe Henson|Josh Lennen|Nick Watkinson|Andrew Hielscher}}

| engine = Unreal Engine 4

| platforms = {{ubl|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Windows|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S}}

| genre = {{ubl|First-person shooter|Third-person shooter}}

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| released = {{ubl|Nintendo Switch|31 January 2020|Windows|27 April 2020|Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S|31 May 2024|PS4, PS5|30 May 2025{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/hypercharge-unboxed-coming-to-ps5-ps4-in-2025|title=HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed coming to PS5, PS4 in 2025|first=Sal|last=Romano|website=Gematsu|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=April 8, 2025}}}}

}}

Hypercharge: Unboxed is a 2020 shooter game developed and published by Digital Cybercherries. The game is set in various domestic and retail environments, including bedrooms, garages, bathrooms, gardens, and toy stores, where players assume the role of an action figure.

The primary objective is to defend a central object, referred to as the Hypercore, from successive waves of hostile, animated toys. The main adversary in the game is a character named Major Evil, who leads the attacks against the Hypercore. The narrative suggests that failure to defend the Hypercore would result in humans forgetting about their childhood action figures. The game introduces a character, Sgt. Max Ammo, who plays a significant role in the storyline as the leader of the defense efforts.{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/hypercharge-interview-story-campaign-90s-movies-battle-royale-mode/|title=Hypercharge Dev Talks Story Campaign, 90s Movies, and Battle Royale|publisher=Game Rant|last=Trama|first=Andrea|date=July 16, 2022|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716212005/https://gamerant.com/hypercharge-interview-story-campaign-90s-movies-battle-royale-mode/|url-status=live}}

Hypercharge: Unboxed was originally released for Windows on Steam Early Access in 2017, with a full release released on Nintendo Switch in January 2020, Windows in April 2020, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in May 2024, and PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in May 2025.{{cite web |last=Orr |first=Ed |date=January 28, 2020 |title=HYPERCHARGE: UNBOXED DEPLOYS ON NINTENDO SWITCH THIS FRIDAY |url=https://www.gamespace.com/all-articles/news/hypercharge-unboxed-deploys-on-nintendo-switch-this-friday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920101127/https://www.gamespace.com/all-articles/news/hypercharge-unboxed-deploys-on-nintendo-switch-this-friday/ |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |accessdate=February 13, 2024 |publisher=Game Space}}{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2024-05-01 |title=Toy-Shooter 'Hypercharge Unboxed' Is Finally Coming To Xbox This Month |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/05/toy-shooter-hypercharge-unboxed-is-finally-coming-to-xbox-this-month |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}} The game has been met with generally favorable reviews.

Gameplay

Hypercharge: Unboxed is designed to support cooperative gameplay, allowing for 1-4 players in online and local co-op modes, with difficulty scaling to accommodate the number of players. It also supports offline play with player bots, full split-screen for online/local co-op, and features both a wave-based shooter mode with a story campaign

{{cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/hypercharge-unboxed-story-campaign-update-live/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed Update Adds Action Figure Story Campaign with ’90s-Inspired Cutscenes|publisher=The Escapist|last=Cripe|first=Michael|date=March 27, 2023|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111132045/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/hypercharge-unboxed-story-campaign-update-live/|url-status=live}} and classic player versus player modes accommodating up to eight players.

In Hypercharge: Unboxed, the primary objective is to complete a story-driven campaign, focusing on defending the Hypercore against successive enemy waves{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/hypercharge-unboxed-waves-tips-tricks-strategies-guide/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed - Waves Guide (Tips, Tricks, & Strategies)|publisher=Screen Rant|last=Beard|first=Kelli|date=July 16, 2022|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811084241/https://screenrant.com/hypercharge-unboxed-waves-tips-tricks-strategies-guide/|url-status=live}} and accomplishing various tasks. Throughout the game, players engage in exploration to discover weapons, resources, and hidden items essential for surviving the attacks led by the antagonist, Major Evil. This gameplay combines strategic defense elements with exploration and resource management, encouraging players to strategically prepare for each challenge the game presents.

Distinctly, Hypercharge: Unboxed aims to provide a gaming experience that combines nostalgia with modern gameplay mechanics, explicitly avoiding pay-to-progress models. Instead, it focuses on player skill and teamwork. The game also features character customization, allowing players to unlock new action figures by achieving specific gameplay milestones, thereby promoting a philosophy against pay-to-win practices.{{cite web|url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/06/hypercharge-unboxed-dev-confirms-no-pay-to-win-mechanics-on-xbox/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed Dev Confirms 'No Pay-To-Win' Mechanics On Xbox|publisher=Pure Xbox|last=Kerry|first=Ben|date=June 28, 2022|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326090928/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/06/hypercharge-unboxed-dev-confirms-no-pay-to-win-mechanics-on-xbox|url-status=live}} philosophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/92841/hypercharge-an-exclusive-look-at-the-action-figure-shooter/|title=Hypercharge: An Exclusive Look at the Action Figure Shooter|publisher=Shack News|author=Steve Watts|date=20 January 2016|accessdate=June 23, 2018|archive-date=18 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018090253/http://www.shacknews.com/article/92841/hypercharge-an-exclusive-look-at-the-action-figure-shooter|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/discover-how-hypercharge-is-using-unreal-engine-4-to-fulfill-your-childhood-action-figure-fantasies/|title=Discover How Hypercharge is Using Unreal Engine 4 to Fulfill Your Childhood Action Figure Fantasies| publisher=Unreal Engine | author=Daniel Kayser| accessdate=June 23, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-12-newretroarcade-developer-announces-hypercharge|title=NewRetroArcaded developer announces Hypercharge|publisher=Eurogamer|author=Ian Higton|date=12 January 2016|accessdate=June 22, 2018|archive-date=2018-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623222238/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-12-newretroarcade-developer-announces-hypercharge|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/hypercharge-unboxed/3030-60232/|title=HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed|publisher=Giant Bomb|accessdate=June 22, 2018|archive-date=May 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506132845/https://www.giantbomb.com/hypercharge-unboxed/3030-60232/|url-status=live}}

Development and release

Digital Cybercherries were awarded an Unreal Dev Grant which helped to further fund Hypercharge: Unboxed. It is built in the Unreal Engine 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/epic-games-awards-150000-in-unreal-dev-grants/|title=Epic Games Awards $150,000 in Unreal Dev Grants|publisher=Unreal Engine|author=Dana Cowley|accessdate=June 22, 2018|archive-date=March 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315185444/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/epic-games-awards-150000-in-unreal-dev-grants|url-status=live}}

The game was released on the Nintendo eShop on 31 January 2020{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/356573/Hypercharge_Unboxed__Now_available_for_prepurchase_on_the_Nintendo_Switch.php|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed - Now available for pre-purchase on the Nintendo Switch|website=Gamasutra|language=en|access-date=June 20, 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621133549/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/356573/Hypercharge_Unboxed__Now_available_for_prepurchase_on_the_Nintendo_Switch.php|url-status=dead}} and on Steam on 27 April.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/361874/Hypercharge_Unboxed_leaves_Steam_Early_Access.php|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed leaves Steam Early Access|website=Gamasutra|language=en|access-date=June 20, 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621121432/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/361874/Hypercharge_Unboxed_leaves_Steam_Early_Access.php|url-status=dead}}

The development of Hypercharge: Unboxed for Xbox was officially announced on 16 July 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/06/hypercharge-unboxed-dev-confirms-xbox-release-on-the-way/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed Dev Confirms Xbox Release On The Way| publisher=Pure Xbox | last=Gilbert |first=Fraser|date=June 16, 2022 | accessdate=February 9, 2024}} with the developers also confirming future support for PlayStation.{{cite web|url=https://www.psu.com/news/hypercharge-unboxed-is-getting-a-new-pve-campaign-mode/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed Is Getting A New PvE Campaign Mode|publisher=PSU|last=Carcasole|first=David|date=August 27, 2021|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707144732/https://www.psu.com/news/hypercharge-unboxed-is-getting-a-new-pve-campaign-mode/|url-status=live}}

On 1 May 2024, Digital CyberCherries announced that Hypercharge: Unboxed will be released for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X on 31 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/hypercharge-unboxed-official-xbox-release-date-trailer |title=Hypercharge: Unboxed - Official Xbox Release Date Trailer |date=2024-05-01 |access-date=2024-05-04}}

Reception

Hypercharge: Unboxed received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for the Xbox Series X version, while the Nintendo Switch version received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hypercharge-unboxed/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}

Kotaku commended the game for its mechanics, noting, "what is here is solid. Guns feel good, enemies react when you shoot them, and movement is fast and snappy."{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/fight-off-waves-of-beyblades-and-bogglins-inside-a-toy-1843325372/|title=Fight Off Waves Of Beyblades and Bogglins Inside A Toy 'R' Us In Hypercharged: Unboxed|publisher=Kotaku|last=Swiezen|first=Zack|date=May 9, 2024|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513070621/https://kotaku.com/fight-off-waves-of-beyblades-and-bogglins-inside-a-toy-1843325372|url-status=live}} Similarly, Nintendo Life highlighted its multiplayer appeal, stating, "Great fun if you can muster together enough friends."{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/hypercharge_unboxed/|title=HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed Review|publisher=Nintendo Life|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=January 19, 2020|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004131251/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/hypercharge_unboxed|url-status=live}}

It was awarded first place in IndieDB's Players Choice Indie of the Year 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.indiedb.com/groups/2020-indie-of-the-year-awards/features/players-choice-indie-of-the-year-2020/|title=2020 Indie of the Year Awards|publisher=IndieDb|date=December 28, 2020|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113165950/https://www.indiedb.com/groups/2020-indie-of-the-year-awards/features/players-choice-indie-of-the-year-2020|url-status=live}} and also received IndieDB's Editor's Choice Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiedb.com/games/hyperchargeunboxed/features/editors-choice-indie-of-the-year-2020/|title=Editors Choice - Indie of the Year 2020|publisher=IndieDb|date=December 23, 2020|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705232311/https://www.indiedb.com/games/hyperchargeunboxed/features/editors-choice-indie-of-the-year-2020|url-status=live}} The game garnered further recognition by winning the Best Multiplayer award at both the Brazil's Independent Games Festival{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespress.com/pl/Hypercharge-Unboxed-Genesis-Noir-and-Other-Indies-Win-Big-During-BIG-F/|title=Hypercharge: Unboxed, Genesis Noir and Other Indies Win Big During BIG Festival — Latin America’s Largest Indie Games Festival| publisher=Games Press| date=May 7, 2021 | accessdate=February 9, 2024}} and the GWB Game Awards organized by Tencent.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespress.com/it/The-Tencent-GWB-Game-Awards-2020-28950/|title=The Tencent GWB Game Awards 2020| publisher=Games Press| date=May 17, 2020 | accessdate=February 9, 2024}} Additionally, Hypercharge: Unboxed was a finalist in the Best Casual Game category at the TIGA Games Industry Awards in 2022{{cite web|url=https://tiga.org/news/the-finalists-of-the-tiga-games-industry-awards-2022-are-announced/|title=THE FINALISTS OF THE TIGA GAMES INDUSTRY AWARDS 2022 ARE ANNOUNCED|publisher=Steam|date=September 21, 2022|accessdate=February 9, 2024|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605123714/https://tiga.org/news/the-finalists-of-the-tiga-games-industry-awards-2022-are-announced|url-status=live}} and was highlighted by Steam in its "Best of 2020" under the Top New Releases of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/2904223825295910214/|title=The Best of 2020|publisher=Steam|date=December 26, 2020|accessdate=February 9, 2024}}

Two years post-launch, in 2022, Hypercharge: Unboxed experienced a surge in popularity.{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/hypercharge-viral-craze-popularity-success-explained/|title=Hypercharge's Viral Craze Explained|publisher=Kotaku|last=Simelane|first=Smangaliso|date=July 6, 2022|accessdate=February 8, 2024|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717072958/https://gamerant.com/hypercharge-viral-craze-popularity-success-explained/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/hypercharge-xbox-release-date-switch-steam-pc-1849143675/|title=Why Everyone’s Suddenly Obsessed With A Two-Year-Old Game About Action Figures|publisher=Kotaku|last=Notis|first=Ari|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=February 8, 2024|archive-date=December 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201175016/https://kotaku.com/hypercharge-xbox-release-date-switch-steam-pc-1849143675|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2022/7/hypercharge-unboxed-goes-viral-action-figure-toy-story-release-info/|title=Play as an Action Figure in 'Hypercharge: Unboxed'|publisher=HYPEBEAST|last=Chow|first=Aaron|date=July 6, 2022|accessdate=February 11, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614102358/https://hypebeast.com/2022/7/hypercharge-unboxed-goes-viral-action-figure-toy-story-release-info|url-status=live}} The game received another surge in popularity in May 2025 when the developers responded to a player's complaint about its low online playerbase.{{cite news |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |title=Toy Story-Like Shooter Hypercharge: Unboxed Hits PS5 And Rockets Up The Charts |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/toy-story-like-shooter-hypercharge-unboxed-hits-ps5-and-rockets-up-the-charts/1100-6531997/ |access-date=June 4, 2025 |work=GameSpot |date=June 3, 2025}}