Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Flipside delivers a fast-paced twist on the classic 2D side-scrolling racer, giving you precise control over a futuristic vehicle that can cling to walls, launch into the air, and spin to gain extra momentum. At its core, the game challenges you to master the delicate balance between speed and timing—whether you’re hugging a vertical surface to avoid a series of rotating cogs or timing your jump just right to clear a set of bumpers. Each control feels responsive, making it satisfying when you pull off a wall-jump combo or thread the needle through a narrow gap at high speed.

The tracks themselves are a highlight of the gameplay experience. Across fifteen industrial-themed courses, you’ll encounter a variety of obstacles: laser grids that demand split-second reflexes, giant spiked balls that threaten to knock you off course, and tight curves that test your precision. Colliding with any of these hazards—or brushing too closely against opponents—results in a painful speed penalty, so every decision counts. The difficulty curve is well-paced, unlocking a new track only after you’ve beaten three AI competitors, which keeps the learning curve steep but never overwhelming.

For those who prefer multiplayer, Flipside’s two-player split-screen mode adds a fresh level of competition. With vertical splits dividing the screen, you and a friend race head-to-head on the same tracks, each vying for the best time and highest position. The head-to-head format amplifies the thrill of near-misses and strategic bump-offs, turning every match into a tense duel. Best of all, the game tracks your best times for each course and allows unlimited attempts, encouraging you to shave precious milliseconds off your runs and truly master every twist and turn.

Graphics

Visually, Flipside embraces a sleek, futuristic-industrial aesthetic that sets the tone for its high-octane races. The tracks are rendered in crisp 2D with detailed background art: steel girders, glowing circuitry, and rotating gears provide a sense of depth without ever distracting from the core action. Animations are smooth, whether your vehicle is zip-lining along a magnetic rail or flipping through the air, and the vibrant color palette keeps things visually engaging even on cluttered levels.

Obstacle design is another strong point of the game’s visuals. Moving parts—like spinning cogs and bouncing bumpers—are clearly animated, allowing skilled players to anticipate their movements and plan accordingly. Laser barriers pulse with a menacing red glow, while conveyor belts and mechanical arms add environmental variety that feels both thematic and functional. The contrast between the dark metallic background and the bright UI elements ensures you never lose sight of your speedometer, track map, or progress bar.

In split-screen multiplayer, the graphics hold up admirably. The vertical division never feels cramped, and each player’s viewport maintains a stable frame rate even when multiple hazards and opponents are on-screen. There’s no noticeable slowdown, which is crucial when races are decided by fractions of a second. Overall, the visual design supports the gameplay perfectly, marrying style and clarity in a way that’s both appealing to the eye and conducive to intense racing action.

Story

Flipside doesn’t hinge on a complex narrative, but it does offer a simple premise that fits its high-speed environment: you’re an up-and-coming driver in a futuristic racing circuit, navigating industrial complexes repurposed into challenging raceways. Each track feels like a test run in a massive engineering facility, where conveyor belts, pistons, and high-voltage lasers are as much part of the course as your own vehicle’s turbo boost.

Although there’s no character-driven plot or lengthy cutscenes, the world-building emerges through track design and visual cues. Flickering warning signs, industrial warning alarms, and the occasional glimpse of maintenance drones overhead evoke a living, breathing environment beyond the racetrack itself. It’s minimalistic storytelling, but it leaves enough to the imagination: you can almost sense the thrum of machinery and the distant roar of other vehicles waiting their turn on the starting line.

This stripped-down approach works in the game’s favor by keeping the focus squarely on the racing. You won’t be pausing to read logs or listen to NPC chatter—every second in Flipside is spent chasing the checkered flag, outmaneuvering opponents, and mastering each track’s unique hazards. If you’re looking for a narrative-driven experience, you may find the story elements light, but for players who crave pure, unadulterated racing, Flipside’s setting provides just enough context to make every course feel purposeful.

Overall Experience

Flipside is a breath of fresh air for fans of 2D racing, blending tight controls with inventive track hazards and a visually appealing industrial theme. The satisfaction of sticking to walls at breakneck speed or launching off a ramp into the stratosphere keeps the adrenaline pumping from start to finish. With fifteen progressively challenging courses, there’s a clear sense of progression that rewards skill development and track mastery.

The inclusion of a two-player split-screen mode is a big plus, transforming what could be a solitary time-trial slog into a heated head-to-head competition. Tournaments with friends or local gatherings become instantly more engaging when every overtake or collision carries double the stakes. And thanks to the unlimited retry system, frustration is kept to a minimum—mistakes become learning opportunities rather than dead ends.

While the lack of an in-depth story might disappoint those seeking narrative depth, Flipside excels at delivering addictive, fast-paced racing action. Its polished graphics, responsive controls, and thoughtfully designed tracks make it a worthwhile pick for anyone craving a retro-inspired yet modern racing challenge. Whether you’re a solo speedrunner aiming for the leaderboards or a buddy pair looking for furious split-screen showdowns, Flipside offers an overall experience that’s both exhilarating and rewarding.

Retro Replay Score

null/10