Vitamin Connection
{{Infobox video game
| title = Vitamin Connection
| image = Vitamin_Connection_cover_art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = WayForward
| publisher = WayForward
| director = James Montagna
| producer = John Eric Hart
Joel Youkhanna
| designer = Alex Dupré
| artist = Lindsay Collins
Anna Angrick
David Nevers
| programmer = John Eric Hart
Jimmy Hart
James Guintu
| composer = Tommy Pedrini
Maddie Lim
Chiyoko Yamasato
Jake Kaufman
Julian Sanchez
Jesse Martin
| writer = James Montagna
Elliot Trinidad
Tomm Hulett
Tommy Pedrini
| engine = EngineBlack
| released = February 20, 2020
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
}}
Vitamin Connection is a 2020 action-adventure game developed and published by WayForward, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on February 20, 2020, to positive critical reception. Limited Run Games distributed limited physical versions of the title.
Gameplay
Players take control of one of two characters, Vita-Boy and Mina-Girl, who use the microscopic Capsule Ship to fight off viruses and other enemies hosted within the Sable family, which makes them ill.{{cite web| last=|first=|url = https://wayforward.com/vitamin-connection-everything-you-need-to-know/ | title = Vitamin Connection: Everything You Need to Know|work = Wayforward | date = January 29, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}} The ship itself is controlled with an individual Joy-Con and motion controls, which are used to control the ship and execute attacks. Main levels are navigated using the tilt controls of the Switch.{{cite web| last=Lane|first=Gavin|url = http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/02/feature_wayforward_on_vitamin_connections_switch_exclusivity_challenges_and_influences | title = Feature: WayForward On Vitamin Connection's Switch Exclusivity, Challenges And Influences|work = Nintendo Life | publisher = NLife Media | date = February 21, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}} Various "sub-games" are also present throughout the adventure.
Development
The game was announced on August 13, 2019 in a press release by WayForward.{{cite web |last = |first = |url = https://wayforward.com/wayforward-announces-vitamin-connection-for-switch/ |title = WayForward Announces Vitamin Connection for Switch |work = Wayforward |date = August 13, 2019 |accessdate = February 21, 2020 |archive-date = March 26, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230326160612/https://wayforward.com/wayforward-announces-vitamin-connection-for-switch/ |url-status = dead }} The title was always intended to be a Switch exclusive, with the team stating they were impressed by the system's hardware upon receiving a development kit and wanted to create a game tailored towards the console's unorthodox capabilities. Development officially started in 2017, but funding difficulties stalled progression on the title and for a period forced the team to work on other internal projects. The game was heavily inspired by Jet Set Radio and the Katamari series, specifically with respect to their focus on a creativity, a distinct artstyle and the emphasis the games place on their soundtracks.
Release
Vitamin Connection got its first trailer in January, 2020, and was announced to have a release date of February 20, 2020 as a downloadable title on the Nintendo eShop.{{cite web| last=Wong|first=Alistair|url = https://www.siliconera.com/vitamin-connection-shows-off-its-colorful-pop-aesthetic-co-op-gameplay-in-first-trailer/ | title = Vitamin Connection Shows Off Its Colorful Pop Aesthetic Co-op Gameplay in First Trailer|work = Siliconera | publisher = Enthusiast Gaming | date = January 11, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}} The game received a limited physical release by Limited Run Games alongside Mighty Switch Force! Collection, and Mystik Belle for a "WayForward Day."{{cite web| last=|first=|url = https://nintendowire.com/news/2020/01/10/vitamin-connection-mighty-switch-force-collection-getting-physical-releases-at-limited-run-games/ | title = Vitamin Connection, Mighty Switch Force! Collection getting physical releases at Limited Run Games|work = Nintendo Wire | date = January 10, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}} Standard editions went up for a two-week pre-order period beginning on January 17, while a collector's edition was limited to 2,000 copies.{{cite web| last=Lopez|first=Azario|url = https://noisypixel.net/vitamin-connection-switch-release-date-physical-edition/ | title = WayForward's 'Vitamin Connection' Gets Switch Release Date, New Trailer, and Physical Release From Limited Run Games|work = Noisy Pixel | date = January 10, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (NS) 80/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/vitamin-connection/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Vitamin Connection for Nintendo Switch Reviews - Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=April 19, 2020}}
}}
Vitamin Connection was generally well received by critics. Review aggregator website Metacritic gave the game 80/100, based on ten reviews.
Nintendo World Report gave the game a 9/10, praising its gameplay, content and style, though did offer some criticism towards the backtracking the game featured.{{cite web| last=Koopman|first=Dan|url = http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52923/vitamin-connection-switch-review | title = Vitamin Connection (Switch) Review|work = Nintendo World Report | date = February 20, 2020 | accessdate = February 21, 2020}} Jon Mundy of Nintendo Life gave the game an overall positive review, praising the visuals, co-op gameplay and the variety that the game offers. However, he mentioned some criticism regarding the controls and the game's frequent use of backtracking.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://wayforward.com/ Nintendo's listing for Vitamin Connection]
- [https://wayforward.com/ WayForward's website]
Category:Action-adventure games
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Nintendo Switch-only games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games featuring female protagonists