Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Top Banana delivers a straightforward yet addictive platforming experience rooted in early ’90s sensibilities. You take on the role of a lively heroine clad in rave attire, leaping across vibrant platforms while racing against a rising tide of water. The core objective—ascending each level swiftly—creates a constant sense of urgency reminiscent of titles like Rainbow Islands, but with its own unique twist.

Instead of conventional weapons, you defend yourself by hurling hearts at corporate-themed foes, symbolically spreading “love” to counteract the influence of big business. This mechanic feels charmingly subversive, aligning the gameplay with the game’s eco-friendly message. As you progress, the patterns of enemies and obstacles grow more intricate, challenging your timing and spatial awareness.

The controls are responsive, though the experimental graphics can sometimes make platform edges harder to gauge. Nevertheless, mastering the jump-and-throw rhythm is both satisfying and rewarding. The rising water mechanic ensures there’s little room for dawdling, pushing players to refine their route choices and take calculated risks.

Collectibles and hidden areas add replay value, encouraging return visits to earlier stages. While the level design remains fairly linear, secret nooks and high-score challenges keep completionists engaged. The simplicity of the concept—a girl, a rave, hearts, and rising water—belies a well-tuned difficulty curve.

Graphics

Top Banana’s visuals stand out as its most daring element. Developed with input from sampling pioneers Coldcut, the game aims to mimic the dynamic, fast-cut style of MTV videos. Backgrounds pulse with random collage imagery and acid-trip color schemes, giving each stage a frenetic, party-like atmosphere.

Tiles and sprites appear to have been inverted and reshuffled, resulting in surreal landscapes that feel both chaotic and cohesive. Platforms might be outlined in neon green one moment and splashed with psychedelic patterns the next. This deliberate randomness can be disorienting at first, but it quickly becomes part of the game’s charm.

Uncompressed samples and sprite data on the disks allow for crisp, unfiltered visuals without the blur typical of compressed assets. While this choice inflates the game’s size, it ensures that each graphic pops with maximum fidelity. Players interested in modding will appreciate the freedom to tinker with original art assets.

Animation is smooth, with the heroine’s dance-like idle poses and jump arcs conveying a sense of rhythmic motion. Even minor environmental details—like floating music notes or spinning logos—pulse in time with the soundtrack, reinforcing the game’s rave-inspired identity. Though not realistic by today’s standards, Top Banana’s aesthetic remains an eye-catching showcase of ’90s experimentation.

Story

Storytelling in Top Banana is minimal but thematically potent. The plot revolves around a young rave fanatic who takes it upon herself to “throw love” at the agents of corporate greed. The decision to represent enemies as business suits and factory icons ties neatly into the game’s environmental ethos.

Between levels, short text snippets and sampled audio clips hint at a broader narrative about sustainability and the power of individual action. Packaging the heroine’s mission within recycled paper boxes underscores the developers’ real-world commitment to eco-friendly practices—an unusual but welcome touch for its time.

The absence of elaborate cutscenes or dialogue keeps the focus on gameplay, yet the repeated imagery of hearts versus briefcases drives home the allegory. Though simple, the story framework adds emotional weight to each jump and heart toss, making every victory feel meaningful beyond mere point accumulation.

Fans of retro gaming lore will appreciate how Top Banana captures the era’s impulse to blend activism, club culture, and video games. The narrative may not rival today’s cinematic epics, but its sincerity and thematic consistency give it a distinct personality.

Overall Experience

Top Banana is a fascinating time capsule of early ’90s culture. Its blend of rave aesthetics, environmental messaging, and uncompressed multimedia sets it apart from other platformers of its day. While the gameplay is fundamentally simple, its presentation elevates the experience into something uniquely memorable.

Modern players may find the visuals jarring initially, and the basic mechanics might feel dated compared to contemporary platformers. However, those willing to embrace the game’s retro charm will discover a playful and often exhilarating ride. The constant race against the rising water keeps the pace brisk, ensuring few dull moments.

The production values—particularly the graphics and packaging—reflect genuine care and creativity. Fans of sampling culture and experimental art will find plenty to admire, and the uncompressed assets invite community-driven modifications and remixes. This openness aligns perfectly with the game’s “information wants to be free” ethos.

Ultimately, Top Banana offers a quirky, nostalgia-rich trip through a bygone era of gaming experimentation. It may not appeal to everyone, but for collectors, retro enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the fusion of rave culture and platform action, it remains a must-experience title that encapsulates the spirit of its time.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10