An 8-bit NES action game
KUBO 3 is a free 8-bit action-adventure game that lets you play as a heroic cowboy turtle that explores an overworld filled with dungeons and treasures. The game is reminiscent of old NES classics like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Super Mario Bros, so prepare for a wave of nostalgia.
It’s created by Dale Coop, a developer of NES homebrew games, and is the third installment of the KUBO game series, with predecessors KUBO and KUBO 2. The series is a dungeon-type game, but KUBO 3 expands to more worlds, with layouts and hazards unique to the area’s theme.
Save Kubo’s friends
KUBO 3 is a story where Kubo, the main character of the KUBO series, sets out on a quest to save his friends and neighbors from the Evil Mole who demands four hidden crystals: ruby, sapphire, amethyst, and peridot. He must venture to kingdoms in the earth, sea, sky, and below the ground to find these crystals, where he will face enemies and obstacles with nothing but his pistol.
In this game, you have the freedom to choose which world and levels to venture off to first. The dungeons are also quite challenging, but not impossible to accomplish. Aside from his pistol, Kubo can also use his surroundings to fight bosses and other enemies, so you have to pay attention to the environment. However, while the game is expansive compared to its predecessors, it’s still very short.
It should also be noted that while the game is a simple, classic 8-bit, some of its details are quite clever. Kubo’s swimming animation, the surprising traps in the dungeons, and the ball of fire jumping out of a pool of lava all remind you of old Mario games. Meanwhile, the soundtrack is like modern electronic music combined with classic 8-bit elements, all of which fit the stages nicely.
Short but very nostalgic
Overall, the whole concept and gameplay of KUBO 3 take you back to the good old classic days of gaming. If you’re looking for something similar to Mario with a little hint of Zelda, this game will surely excite you. However, that fun doesn’t last long as the game is very short, albeit expansive compared to its predecessors. Still, the game is packed with exciting challenges paired with open-world exploration.
