The game utilises well employed one touch/swipe controls as opposed to the on screen button mapping standard that is common with retro-styled platformers in the App Store. It’s as simple as swiping Duke in the direction you wish him to, well, dash. Thankfully these particular controls are very, very responsive. Sharp responsiveness is obviously the key thing any player wishes for when firing up any title on their touch device (or any other console, etc. for that matter). While I was personally hesitant at first, it’s quick to get the hang of and you’ll be dashing with the best in no time. Cannot commend Adventure Island enough for crafting something so simple yet versatile with said control scheme, clearly taking the Nichols Hunt route with playability being the order of the day. Nice one, chaps!

Just to note: the original Duke Dashington incarnation was a flash game as a result of a Ludum Dare entry, playable online. This version that is being reviewed is the expanded mobile port. There is 100 levels in the form of single screen areas/rooms over the course of 4 worlds, that all differ in terms of presentation and hazards. You only have 10 seconds in each room to dash to the exit which instantly puts you in a rather intense state for what you’d initially consider a casual game. It’s that kind of arcade throwback vibe to the gameplay that always gets me going, if honest and if you want something instantly comparable just look in the direction of either Jack N Jill, or more classically speaking, check out Nuts & Milk (as tried out by our very own Champion Gamer 5NATCH in a recent Let’s Try video *plug*).

There’s no time at all between levels, so you don’t have to be worrying about pesky loading times, all you’ll be worrying about is kicking your brain into gear quickly enough before you have a mini-stroke by hitting some spikes or any number of other traps set out to prevent Duke’s exit. It is that balance of frustration and fun that just makes any retro gem work, with the controls very rarely (if ever) being at fault, but at times with the timer being so small may get you to want to chuck your phone at the wall. Don’t do that though. Even if you have insurance it’d be an awkward convo with the folks in the phone shop! 

How the puzzle element factors in to this whole shebang, is the avoidance of traps and the key to selecting the correct lines to get Duke dashing through the room and to the exit in time. If you’re younger than your average retro gaming stereotype, you shouldn’t have too much problem kicking your muscle memory into gear when revisiting levels, but for first timers you may become stuck fairly early, yet it’s one of those ‘practice makes perfect’ situations, for realz. So stick with it and the payoff is immense gratification of your own mad skills. Which is all us old folk need, y’all.

Graphically (tying into the presentation) I absolutely adore. To pin it to a particular system is fairly easy, too. Why? It realistically looks like it could be running on a Super Nintendo during its 90’s height of popularity. Visual authenticity is always something to get the nostalgia engine burning and Duke Dashington does so with such grace it makes it look easy. The main sprite design of Duke himself is perfect for a mascot character, with his (aforementioned) Rick Dangerousness mixed with Wario (which easily ties into that love of gold) nature. From his monocle, to his red nose, Duke is immediately memorable and an absolutely lovable little rogue. The four main worlds that he inhabits are equally tremendous pixel work, instantly sending you back to the days of being sat in front of a CRT with controller in hand, mesmerised by the sprites on screen like a living breathing other world.  All round, Duke Dashington is absolutely top notch and I raise my glass to it for its visually stunning and SNES-like appeal.