Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Monster in My Pocket delivers straightforward platforming action that harks back to the golden age of side-scrollers. You control either The Vampire or The Monster, each with identical movesets but a slightly different character sprite to keep things fresh. Your only combat option is an all-purpose attack, which feels intuitive and responsive—pressing the button at the right moment can send foes flying or interrupt fast-moving enemies before they close in.

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Double jumps are central to navigating many of the game’s levels, from the gritty back alleys of Los Angeles to the tranquil paths of a Japanese garden. Mastering the timing of your second leap is crucial not only for reaching high ledges but also for dodging projectiles hurled by Warlock’s henchmonsters. This adds a modest but satisfying layer of challenge as you progress through increasingly complex platforming sections.

One of Monster in My Pocket’s standout features is the ability to pick up small environmental objects—trash cans, traffic cones, even decorative rocks—and hurl them at groups of enemies. This mechanic gives you a brief sense of tactical control, encouraging you to scout each screen for throwable items and decide whether to conserve them or unleash them in a flurry of chaotic damage.

For those who prefer shared adventures, two-player cooperative mode lets a friend drop in at any time, doubling the fun and sometimes the chaos. Coordinating double jumps, sharing thrown objects, or simply watching each other’s back elevates the experience beyond standard solo platforming. However, collisions between players can get messy, so a bit of friendly strategy goes a long way towards avoiding accidental knockbacks.

Graphics

The visual style of Monster in My Pocket faithfully mirrors the toy franchise’s colorful, cartoonish aesthetic. Character sprites are chunky and vibrant, with fluid animations that bring each monster to life. The Vampire’s fluttering cape and The Monster’s lumbering stride both feel distinctive, even though their move sets overlap in gameplay terms.

Level backgrounds are surprisingly detailed for a game of this era—graffiti-covered walls in the city stage, dripping pipes in the sewers, partially built girders on the construction site, and serene stone lanterns in the Japanese garden. These varied environments keep the eye engaged and lend a sense of progression as you shrink-wander your way through Los Angeles.

Enemy designs are equally engaging, drawing on a wide range of mythological and horror-inspired creatures. From roving skeletons to gelatinous slimes, each foe has a clear silhouette and a unique color palette, making it easy to distinguish threats even in hectic moments. Visual feedback—such as flashing red on damaged enemies—remains crystal clear, ensuring that you always know when your attacks land.

While the game doesn’t break new ground in graphical fidelity, its strength lies in solid art direction and consistent performance. There are no noticeable frame drops, even when multiple enemies and projectiles appear on-screen, which maintains a smooth and responsive feel throughout the adventure.

Story

At its heart, Monster in My Pocket follows a classic ‘shrunken heroes’ storyline. Warlock’s misplaced spell has scattered the monstrous inhabitants of his realm across various Los Angeles locales, and it’s up to The Vampire and The Monster to track him down. This setup is simple but effective, giving context to each stage and justifying the odd pairing of creatures in otherwise familiar cityscapes.

Though the narrative is conveyed almost entirely through brief on-screen text and a handful of static images, it strikes a playful tone that fits the toy tie-in. Warlock’s megalomania, The Vampire’s dry wit, and The Monster’s gruff determination come across in small bursts of character portrait dialogue between levels. It won’t win any awards for depth, but it keeps the momentum moving and rewards completionists who read every snippet.

Environmental storytelling also plays a role, as you discover little set pieces—like miniature subway signs or toppled streetlights—that hint at Los Angeles in miniature form. This level of detail encourages exploration, since revisiting earlier stages with new abilities might reveal hidden paths or secret caches of health-restoring collectibles.

Ultimately, the story serves its purpose as a light framing device for the platforming action. You won’t be left wondering about plot holes or lost character arcs, because the game’s emphasis is clearly on jump-and-attack fun rather than deep narrative immersion.

Overall Experience

Monster in My Pocket is a solid throwback platformer with just enough charm to stand out from its contemporaries. Its simple but effective combat, reliable double-jump mechanics, and cooperative mode make it ideal for both solo and shared play sessions. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it polishes familiar mechanics to a satisfying shine.

The game’s presentation is consistently strong, with vibrant sprites, detailed backdrops, and smooth frame rates that never waver—even when the screen is crowded with enemies or flying projectiles. Its nods to L.A. landmarks and the whimsical inclusion of a Japanese garden level diversify the visual palette and keep you curious about what comes next.

Though the narrative is light, the premise of miniature monsters battling across a giant cityscape offers a fun twist on the standard rescue mission plot. The snatches of dialogue and cleverly designed stages maintain a playful atmosphere, making each new area feel fresh without bogging down the action.

For fans of retro platformers or collectors of the Monster in My Pocket franchise, this title delivers an entertaining and approachable experience. Casual players will appreciate its user-friendly learning curve, while cooperative-minded gamers will find plenty of reasons to revisit its stages with a friend in tow. Ultimately, Monster in My Pocket proves that, even in a crowded genre, well-executed fundamentals and a dash of creativity can still result in a memorable adventure.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10