Runbow
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{short description|2015 platform racing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Runbow
| image = Runbow.jpg
| developer = 13AM Games
| publisher = 13AM Games{{efn|3DS physical version published by Nighthawk Interactive.{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=2017-05-31 |title=Exclusive: Runbow Pocket Gets New 3DS Release Date as 13AM Games Teases Switch Project |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/05/exclusive_runbow_pocket_gets_new_3ds_release_date_as_13am_games_teases_switch_project |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}
Digital and physical versions for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 were published by Headup Games and Merge Games, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Madnani |first=Mikhail |date=2018-07-17 |title=Runbow Deluxe Edition is a retail release of Runbow including all DLC and some bonuses on PS4 and Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.godisageek.com/2018/07/runbow-deluxe-edition-retail-release-runbow-including-dlc-bonuses-ps4-nintendo-switch/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=God is a Geek|language=en-US}}}}
| engine = Unity
| platforms = {{cslist|Wii U|Windows|New Nintendo 3DS|Switch|Xbox One|PlayStation 4}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|27 August 2015}}|Wii U{{Video game release|NA|27 August 2015|EU|3 September 2015|AU|23 October 2015}}Windows{{Video game release|WW|18 November 2016}}New Nintendo 3DS{{Video game release|NA/EU|20 June 2017}}Xbox One{{Video game release|WW|16 July 2017|}}Nintendo Switch, PS4{{Video game release|WW|3 July 2018}}}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| director = Alex Rushdy
| producer = Dave Proctor
| designer = Thomas McCall
Justin Fernandes
| programmer = Marty Kugler
Unai Cabezón
Michael Nicoletti
Elsio Perazzini
| artist = Takashi
Aaron Kwapisinski
Shawn Fraser
| writer =
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Dan Rodrigues|Dave Proctor}}
}}
Runbow is a platform racing video game made for the Wii U and later ported to Microsoft Windows, New Nintendo 3DS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Runbow was developed by Canadian independent video game developer 13AM Games as their debut title, releasing it on 27 August 2015 in North America,{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/40925/runbow-release-date-announced |title=Runbow Release Date Announced - News |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date= |access-date=2016-06-22 |archive-date=13 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813214405/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/40925/runbow-release-date-announced |url-status=live }} 3 September 2015 in Europe, and 23 October 2015 in Australasia. The game was released in Japan on 25 November 2015.
Gameplay
File:Runbow_Gameplay_Screenshot.png
Runbow is a multiplayer-focused platformer in which players aim to be the first to reach a trophy at the end of each level. Players can perform a double jump as well as perform attacks to defeat enemies or gain extra reach whilst jumping. The background of each level constantly shifts between a cycle of colors, causing platforms and obstacles of the same color as the background, such as blockades and spikes, to disappear. By using the Wii Remote's connectivity to utitlise the Wii Nunchuk or Wii Classic Controllers in addition to itself, the game is capable of supporting up to nine players.{{cite web|url=http://www.13amgames.com/readytorunbow/|title=Get Ready to Runbow!|publisher=13AM Games|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402234320/http://www.13amgames.com/readytorunbow/|url-status=live}} The game supports features such as achievements, time trials, a special mode called "Master the Bowhemoth", and many more. There is character customization, as well as other modes that are not racing-focused, such as "King of the Hill" and "Arena".{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/showcase_exploring_runbow_the_depths_of_13am_gamesr_9_player_platformer|title=Showcase: Exploring Runbow - The Depths of 13AM Games' 9-Player Platformer|first=Alex|last=Olney|date=1 November 2014|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106231657/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/showcase_exploring_runbow_the_depths_of_13am_gamesr_9_player_platformer|url-status=live}}
Development
The concept of the game was created in the 2014 Global Game Jam. The game was announced on 24 October 2014. 13AM Games confirmed that the game "is sorta like Mario Kart".{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/runbow_developers_picked_wii_u_for_its_massive_local_multiplayer_capability|title=Runbow Developers Picked Wii U for its Massive Local Multiplayer Capability|first=Tim|last=Latshaw|work=NintendoLife|date=30 October 2014|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=9 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309074021/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/runbow_developers_picked_wii_u_for_its_massive_local_multiplayer_capability|url-status=live}} The game was shown at the 2015 Game Developer's Conference, revealing the names of the game's characters, Hue and Val.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/videos/2015/03/04/runbow-introducing-val-trailer|title=Runbow GDC 2015 Trailer - Introducing Val|work=IGN|date=4 March 2015|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413195630/http://www.ign.com/videos/2015/03/04/runbow-introducing-val-trailer|url-status=live}}
On 13 April 2015, 13AM Games revealed several independent game characters that would guest-star in the Runbow roster: Shovel Knight from the eponymous Shovel Knight, Rusty from SteamWorld Dig, Juan and Tostada from Guacamelee!, Swift Thornebrooke from Sportsball, Scram Kitty from Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails, along with CommanderVideo and CommandgirlVideo from the Bit.Trip series.{{cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/shovel-knight-rusty-and-more-join-runbow/|title=Shovel Knight, Rusty, and more join Runbow|work=Nintendo Everything|date=13 April 2015|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415223113/https://nintendoeverything.com/shovel-knight-rusty-and-more-join-runbow/|url-status=live}} More characters were announced on 11 August 2015: Gunvolt from Azure Striker Gunvolt, Teslamancer from Teslagrad, a Clone from Stealth Inc., A.R.I.D. from The Fall, the Xeodrifter from the eponymous Xeodrifter, the Princess from Chariot, Max from Mutant Mudds, the Drifter from Hyper Light Drifter, and Unity Japan's mascot Unity-chan.{{cite web |last=Olney |first=Alex |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/exclusive_check_out_runbows_complete_cast_of_colourful_crossover_characters |title=Exclusive: Check Out Runbow's Complete Cast of Colourful Crossover Characters |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=10 August 2015 |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731025358/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/exclusive_check_out_runbows_complete_cast_of_colourful_crossover_characters |url-status=live }} From 15 June 2015 to 23 June 2015, a beta preview of Runbow was released on the Nintendo eShop along with 8 other "Nindie" titles.
On 11 April 2016, 13AM Games revealed via Nintendo Life additional downloadable content released on 14 April, which includes themed packs that come with costumes and music, a complimentary addition of guest playable character Lilac from Freedom Planet, and a 48-level story expansion called Satura's Space Adventure.{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Olney |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/04/video_grab_a_rundown_of_all_of_runbows_new_and_delicious_dlc |title=Video: Grab a Rundown of all of Runbow's New and Delicious DLC |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=11 April 2016 |access-date=15 April 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414021241/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/04/video_grab_a_rundown_of_all_of_runbows_new_and_delicious_dlc |url-status=live }}
During E3 2016, 13AM Games revealed a trailer announcing a port of the game to the New Nintendo 3DS, titled Runbow Pocket, which compiles the main story, as well as all existing DLC, into a portable game. This marks the second full title exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS, the first being Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. Runbow Pocket was planned to be released in Fall 2016. However, in October 2016, 13AM Games revealed that, in addition of a release date for the retail version of Runbow, Runbow Pocket was delayed to the first quarter of 2017 because the company ran into some issues along development.{{cite web|last1=Theriault|first1=Donald|title=Runbow Pocket, Antipole DX Delayed.|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/43536/runbow-pocket-antipole-dx-delayed|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=10 October 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011161201/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/43536/runbow-pocket-antipole-dx-delayed|url-status=live}} As part of the final DLC pack for Runbow, 13AM Games revealed that another playable character was coming to Runbow. Shantae was released on 25 October 2016 along with the final update for the game. Along with the release of the update, the company was initially going to release the physical version of the game on the same day as the update, but the physical version was instead released on 1 November 2016.{{cite web|title=Shantae Joins The Cast Of Runbow|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/10/24/shantae-joins-cast-runbow/|website=Siliconera|date=24 October 2016|publisher=Jenni|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=26 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026232921/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/10/24/shantae-joins-cast-runbow/|url-status=live}} However, along with more bugs provided in the game, the developers wanted more time to work on the game, and the game's release date was pushed back to 20 June 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/05/exclusive_runbow_pocket_gets_new_3ds_release_date_as_13am_games_teases_switch_project|title=Exclusive: Runbow Pocket Gets New 3DS Release Date as 13AM Games Teases Switch Project|website=Nintendo Life|date=31 May 2017|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531193223/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/05/exclusive_runbow_pocket_gets_new_3ds_release_date_as_13am_games_teases_switch_project|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Expand section|date=February 2016}}
{{Video game reviews
| 3DS = true
| NS = true
| PC = false
| PS4 = true
| WIIU = true
| na = true
| MC_3DS = 66/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/runbow/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|title=Runbow Pocket for 3DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002232954/https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/runbow-pocket|url-status=live}}
| MC_NS = 79/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/runbow/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Runbow for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021082756/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/runbow|url-status=live}}
| MC_PS4 = 71/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/runbow/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Runbow for PlayStation 4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065214/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/runbow|url-status=live}}
| MC_WIIU = 82/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/runbow/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Runbow for Wii U Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 22, 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922180159/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/runbow|url-status=live}}
| OPMUK_PS4 = 7/10{{cite magazine|date=July 2018 |title=Runbow|pages=90 |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK |issue=152 |publisher=Future plc}}
}}
Runbow received mostly positive reviews. It has a score of 82 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on 34 critics.
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Notes
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.13amgames.com/readytorunbow/}}
- [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/X3mgp3eEcTNzYBfc6bsxvyyLF0GEuuA2 Nintendo Page]
- [http://globalgamejam.org/2014/games/runbow Global Game Jam page]
Category:New Nintendo 3DS games
Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games
Category:Nintendo Network games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Video games developed in Canada