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.
| Vitamin Connection | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | WayForward |
| Publisher(s) | WayForward |
| Director(s) | James Montagna |
| Producer(s) | John Eric Hart Joel Youkhanna |
| Designer(s) | Alex Dupré |
| Programmer(s) | John Eric Hart Jimmy Hart James Guintu |
| Artist(s) | Lindsay Collins Anna Angrick David Nevers |
| Writer(s) | James Montagna Elliot Trinidad Tomm Hulett Tommy Pedrini |
| Composer(s) | Tommy Pedrini Maddie Lim Chiyoko Yamasato Jake Kaufman Julian Sanchez Jesse Martin |
| Engine | EngineBlack |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
| Release | February 20, 2020 |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editPlayers 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 hosting within the Sable family, which makes them ill.[1] The ship itself is controlled with an individual Joy-Con and motion controls, which are used to control and ship and execute attacks. Main levels are navigated using the tilt controls of the Switch.[2] Various "sub-games" are also present throughout the adventure.
Development
editThe game was announced on August 13, 2019 in a press release by WayForward.[3] 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.[2][1] 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.[2] 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.[2]
Release
editVitamin 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.[4] The game received a limited physical release by Limited Run Games alongside Mighty Switch Force! Collection, and Mystik Belle for a "WayForward Day."[5] 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.[5][6]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (NS) 80/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Life |   [8] |
| Nintendo World Report | 9/10[9] |
Vitamin Connection was generally well received by critics. Review aggregator website Metacritic gave the game 80/100, based on ten reviews.[7]
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.[9] 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.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Vitamin Connection: Everything You Need to Know". Wayforward. January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Lane, Gavin (February 21, 2020). "Feature: WayForward On Vitamin Connection's Switch Exclusivity, Challenges And Influences". Nintendo Life. NLife Media. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ "WayForward Announces Vitamin Connection for Switch". Wayforward. August 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Wong, Alistair (January 11, 2020). "Vitamin Connection Shows Off Its Colorful Pop Aesthetic Co-op Gameplay in First Trailer". Siliconera. Enthusiast Gaming. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Vitamin Connection, Mighty Switch Force! Collection getting physical releases at Limited Run Games". Nintendo Wire. January 10, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Lopez, Azario (January 10, 2020). "WayForward's 'Vitamin Connection' Gets Switch Release Date, New Trailer, and Physical Release From Limited Run Games". Noisy Pixel. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Vitamin Connection for Nintendo Switch Reviews - Metacritic". CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Mundy, Jon (February 22, 2020). "Vitamin Connection Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Koopman, Dan (February 20, 2020). "Vitamin Connection (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved February 21, 2020.