Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam delivers a straightforward yet satisfying 2D beat ’em up experience that harkens back to the arcade classics of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Players can choose among three distinct fighters—two hulking brawlers and a nimble female combatant—each offering slightly different movement speeds, hitboxes, and attack animations. This character variety encourages experimentation, and the ability to switch characters at certain checkpoints adds an extra layer of tactical choice throughout the side-scrolling adventure.

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Combat is built around a simple punch-and-kick system, supplemented by occasional weapon pickups dropped by defeated mutants. From crude clubs to makeshift pipes, these weapons inject brief moments of tactical depth, as players must decide whether to hold onto a powerful tool or risk dropping it in the chaos of battle. The control scheme is responsive enough on the CD-i controller, though veterans of modern beat ’em ups may find the input precision a touch limited compared to contemporary standards.

Enemy variety keeps encounters fresh, with bizarre mutants such as flatulent brutes, spitting cavemen, and even headless warriors who stagger relentlessly toward you. These foes differ in attack patterns and resilience, requiring players to learn timing windows and crowd-control tactics. Boss fights cap off each level, often featuring exaggerated attacks—think giant breast-swipe barrages or area-of-effect fart clouds—that force you to adapt on the fly.

Level design follows a linear path, punctuated by occasional branching routes that hide extra health pickups or weapon stashes. While the environments—ranging from ruined city streets to toxic swamps—don’t dramatically alter core mechanics, they do offer visual variety and occasional platforming flourishes. For fans of pick-up-and-play beat ’em ups, Mutant Rampage strikes a comfortable balance between accessibility and old-school challenge.

Graphics

Graphically, Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam embraces the CD-i’s modest hardware with colorful, cartoon-inspired pixel art. Character sprites are generously sized, allowing for expressive animations during punches, kicks, and those more outrageous mutant attacks. While the frame rate occasionally dips when the screen is crowded, the overall presentation remains coherent and readable, ensuring you’re never left guessing where to land your next blow.

Backgrounds are richly detailed, depicting a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by mutants. Ruined skyscrapers, abandoned vehicles, and pools of radioactive sludge all serve as atmospheric backdrops to the brawls. Parallax scrolling is used sparingly but effectively, lending depth to certain stages without overwhelming the CD-i’s graphical pipeline.

Enemy design showcases a delightfully twisted sense of humor, from the grotesque headless mutants to the absurd breast-swooping femme foe. Each enemy type is visually distinct, making it easy to identify threats at a glance. Special effects—such as flying debris or weapon sparks—add punch to heavy hits, though they can contribute to occasional slowdown in hectic moments.

While the CD-i’s palette is limited compared to modern consoles, the art direction maximizes every pixel. Mutant Rampage’s color schemes shift from muted browns in urban stages to garish greens and purples in toxic zones, reflecting the game’s oppressive mutant invasion narrative. Though dated by today’s standards, the graphics possess a retro charm that fans of vintage beat ’em ups will appreciate.

Story

Set in the year 2068, Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam throws players into a world where mutants have seized control of Earth’s surface. The premise is delightfully over-the-top: it’s humanity’s last stand against bizarre creatures that defy both biology and common sense. The backstory is conveyed through brief opening text and occasional on-screen captions, keeping exposition to a minimum so the focus stays squarely on punching mutants.

Character motivation is minimal but effective: you’re here to reclaim the planet by beating up as many mutants as physically possible. Each hero brings a bit of personality—one burly bruiser relishes brawl after brawl, while the female fighter relies on agility and acrobatics. Though the narrative doesn’t evolve far beyond the basic “clear the path, defeat the boss” trope, it fits the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone and overblown mutant designs.

Boss encounters punctuate the progression, each accompanied by a snappy one-line introduction that leans into campy sci-fi thrills. These mutants come equipped with unique gimmicks, like projectile attacks or area-wide shockwaves, which tie neatly into their absurd visual themes. The lack of cutscenes or in-depth character arcs keeps the story lean and focused, for better or worse.

In the grand scheme of beat ’em ups, the story serves as a serviceable backdrop rather than the main attraction. Fans seeking a cinematic saga may find the narrative light, but those in it for fast-paced mutant thrashing will appreciate the straightforward setup. The unapologetically cheesy premise and four-color comic vibe inject a playful energy that sets the tone from start to finish.

Overall Experience

Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam manages to capture the messy, adrenaline-fueled essence of classic side-scroll beat ’em ups while injecting its own brand of mutant-themed absurdity. Though the CD-i platform imposes certain technical constraints—most notably occasional slowdown during intense combat—the game’s core mechanics remain enjoyable, especially for players who cherish old-school arcade sensibilities.

The combination of quirky enemy designs, weapon pickups, and three playable characters offers enough variety to keep the brawls engaging across multiple playthroughs. While modern gamers may find the control scheme a tad rudimentary, the pick-up-and-play nature makes it an accessible entry point for newcomers to the genre.

Replay value hinges on mastering each character’s strengths and uncovering hidden weapon caches in branching paths. Completing the game with all three fighters provides a sense of completion, and the occasional two-player swap (via hot-seat) adds a social element to your mutant-bashing marathon. For CD-i collectors and beat ’em up enthusiasts, Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam offers a nostalgic trip back to the pixel-smashing heyday.

Overall, if you’re looking for a no-frills, action-packed romp through a mutant-infested future, Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam delivers. Its blend of campy humor, straightforward combat, and colorful visuals makes it a standout title on the CD-i, and a hidden gem for anyone curious about lesser-known entries in the beat ’em up genre.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10