Narita Boy is an 8-bit, pixel-based platform game created by Spanish game developer Studio Koba and released on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. In Narita Boy, players control a titular hero as he travels through a digital world and defeats enemies in classic platform style. The game’s retro look and feel, combined with its unique story, makes it stand out from other platformers.
For those who are a fan of Narita Boy, there are plenty of other games that offer similarly exciting platforming experiences. Here are 10 games like Narita Boy.
1. Cuphead
Cuphead is a classic run-and-gun, 2D platformer inspired by the cartoons of the 1930s, developed and published by StudioMDHR. Players control Cuphead and his pal Mugman as they battle their way through the Inkwell Isles. Like Narita Boy, Cuphead has a retro, old-school look and feel, with hand-drawn animation, jazzy soundtracks and difficult boss battles. The major difference between the two games is that Cuphead is a bit more traditional and linear in its design while Narita Boy offers more exploration and story-driven gameplay.
2. Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy is a 2D platformer published by Team Meat and released on PC and Nintendo Switch. The game follows the story of Meat Boy, a cube-shaped character who must make his way through difficult levels, dodging saw blades and jumping over spikes in order to save his love interest from the evil Dr. Fetus. Like Narita Boy, Super Meat Boy has an 8-bit retro look, but it’s more fast-paced and focused on precise platforming.
3. Celeste
Celeste is a 2D platformer published by Matt Makes Games and released on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. In Celeste, players control Madeline, a young woman who must climb a mountain and confront her inner demons in order to overcome personal struggles. Celeste’s art style is similar to Narita Boy’s in its pixel-based look and feel, but it is more vibrant and varied. The game’s story and characters are more fleshed out, too, and its challenging platforming is much more gratifying than Narita Boy’s.
4. Owlboy
Owlboy is an 8-bit pixel-based platformer published by D-Pad Studio and released on PC, Mac, Linux, and Nintendo Switch. In Owlboy, players control Otus, a shy but brave owl who must save his village from the sky-pirates. Like Narita Boy, Owlboy features a unique and detailed pixel-based visual style and a heartfelt story. However, it’s much less linear and instead encourages exploration and discovery as well as platforming. Additionally, Otus is able to fly and pick up objects to help him reach new places.
5. Super Dart Gun
Super Dart Gun is a 2D platformer by Brain&Brain and released on PC and Mac. The game follows the story of a hunter trying to save his town from an alien invasion. Like Narita Boy, Super Dart Gun has an 8-bit aesthetic, but its levels are more complex and the game is more focused on strategy and puzzle-solving rather than on platforming.
6. Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is a 2D platformer released by Yacht Club Games and released on PC and all major consoles. Players control the titular Shovel Knight as he travels through a medieval land and battles foes in classic platform style. Like Narita Boy, Shovel Knight is 8-bit and features an old-school look and feel. However, it’s much more focused on classic platforming and combat, with an emphasis on power-ups and special moves.
7. Rayman Legends
Rayman Legends is a 2D platformer released by Ubisoft and available for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. In this game, players control Rayman and his friends as they travel through a variety of vibrant and colorful worlds. Like Narita Boy, Rayman Legends features a pixel-based art style and lots of platforming. However, it’s much more action-packed and fast-paced, with incredible visuals and an infectious soundtrack.
8. Crypt of the Necrodancer
Crypt of the Necrodancer is a roguelike dungeon crawler released by Brace Yourself Games and available for all major consoles and PC. In this game, players must explore randomly generated dungeons and battle enemies in rhythm-based battles. Like Narita Boy, Crypt of the Necrodancer features 8-bit visuals and an old-school aesthetic. However, it’s much more focused on combat and dungeon-crawling than platforming, and the rhythm-based battles add an extra layer of complexity and challenge.
9. Axiom Verge
Axiom Verge is a sci-fi, action-adventure platformer released by Thomas Happ Games and available on PC, PS4 and Wii U. In this game, players control Trace, a scientist who finds himself stranded in a strange, alien world. Like Narita Boy, Axiom Verge has a pixel-based art style, but it is much more focused on exploration and combat than platforming. Its visuals are also more detailed and varied, and the game has a much darker and mysterious tone.
10. Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario Maker 2 is a platformer construction released by Nintendo and available for the Nintendo Switch. In this game, players can build and play their own Super Mario levels using an array of tools and objects. Like Narita Boy, Super Mario Maker 2 features 8-bit visuals and an old-school aesthetic. However, the game is much less focused on platforming and much more focused on creative level design. Players can share their creations with the world, giving the game a global competitive edge.
Conclusion
For those looking for games like Narita Boy, there’s no shortage of titles to choose from. From Cuphead to Super Mario Maker 2, these games offer similarly exciting platforming experiences, with their own unique twists. Whether you’re looking for a game with a classic, 8-bit look and feel, or one that’s more focused on exploration and puzzle-solving, there’s something out there for everyone. So get out there and explore the world of Narita Boy-inspired games!