Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bad Boys: Miami Takedown drops you into the high-octane world of Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, giving you the freedom to switch between first- and third-person perspectives on the fly. You can choose to play as either character, each of whom brings unique personality quirks and slightly different combat specialties. Marcus might crack jokes under fire, while Mike’s smooth confidence is reflected in his quicker draw speed, letting you tailor the experience to your preferred play style.

The game unfolds over 15 distinct stages, each packed with multiple mission objectives that range from evidence collection and hostage rescue to full-blown drug lab raids. Your AI partner will follow you through every firefight, and at times you’ll need to protect them as they hack computers or secure checkpoints. The pacing is relentless: one moment you’re clearing out Colombian cartel strongholds, the next you’re dodging bullets in a warehouse shoot-out with Russian mobsters, or uncovering corruption among dirty cops in a back-alley ambush.

Cover mechanics are central to the action. You can duck behind walls, crates or destructible barriers to minimize incoming damage, then pop out to pick off targets with precision. The variety of weapons—ranging from pistols and shotguns to assault rifles and grenades—means you can approach each skirmish as a nimble marksman or a heavy-weapon bruiser. Every successful hit, every objective cleared, feeds into the “Bad Boy” rating system: stick strictly to the law and play by the book, or embrace your inner renegade and rack up bonuses for reckless carnage.

To further spice things up, the game features two distinct modes of engagement. In Action Mode, the focus is on fast, fluid combat with a quick-aim system that locks onto enemies automatically. Explore Mode, on the other hand, encourages you to slow down, scour the environment for hidden clues and intelligence files, and piece together story elements. This dual-mode design keeps the gameplay loop fresh, as you alternate between frenetic gunfights and methodical investigation.

Graphics

Visually, Bad Boys: Miami Takedown captures the neon-soaked flair of its cinematic source. The sun-baked streets of Miami shimmer with reflective wet pavement, while night scenes come alive with vibrant club lights and dynamic shadows. Environments feel suitably alive: palm trees sway in the breeze, cars react to nearby explosions, and debris flies realistically whenever you mow down a support pillar.

Character models for Mike and Marcus are recognizably inspired by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, complete with expressive facial animations during cutscenes. NPCs and enemy combatants show a good level of detail for the era, though you may spot the occasional texture pop-in or slightly stiff animation when extra bodies fill the frame. Still, everyone moves and reacts in believable ways, and the game’s signature slow-motion “Bad Boy” kills look especially slick when you land a headshot or stick an enemy with a well-placed grenade.

On the technical side, the frame rate remains mostly stable during intense firefights, with only rare dips when too many explosions occur at once. Destructible environments add an extra layer of immersion: walls crumble, glass shatters, and cover can literally be blown to bits if you’re not careful. Load times are reasonable between stages, letting you get right back into the action without long waits.

Lighting and particle effects help sell the over-the-top action, with muzzle flashes, smoke trails, and occasional sparks from ricocheting bullets. While textures aren’t cutting-edge by modern standards, the stylized art direction and vibrant color palette more than compensate, delivering a polished look that maintains the film’s bombastic tone.

Story

Drawing directly from the blockbuster energy of Bad Boys II, Miami Takedown weaves an original thin-but-serviceable narrative that pits you against drug lords, corrupt officials and international crime syndicates. Although the plot won’t win any storytelling awards, it serves as the perfect backdrop to justify the non-stop action, buddy-cop banter and outrageous firefights you’ll experience over 15 adrenaline-charged missions.

Dialogue is peppered with one-liners, quips and heated exchanges between Mike and Marcus that echo the dynamic chemistry of the film duo. While neither Will Smith nor Martin Lawrence reprise their roles, the voice actors capture enough of their spirit to sell the tough-talking, wise-cracking partnership. Cutscenes are brief but punchy, and mission briefings do a good job of explaining objectives without dragging you away from the gameplay.

The inclusion of the “Bad Boy” rating system adds a playful twist to the narrative. Do you want to keep a low profile, follow police protocol and accrue clean evidence for an “honorable discharge”? Or would you rather blow through enemies for maximum chaos, racking up a legendary “Bad Boy” status? Though these choices don’t branch the story dramatically, they do affect your unlocks and how certain cutscenes play out—inviting replay value for completionists.

By the final showdown, you’ll feel you’ve lived a mini-action movie, complete with betrayals, rooftop chases and massive shootouts. The story’s predictable beats are more an opportunity to indulge in spectacle than a source of genuine tension, but for fans of the franchise, that’s exactly what makes it fun.

Overall Experience

Bad Boys: Miami Takedown delivers a fast-and-fun action shooter that feels like an interactive extension of the blockbuster sequel it’s inspired by. The emphasis is on explosive set pieces, fluid cover-and-shoot mechanics, and the trademark buddy-cop camaraderie that underpins every mission. From Colombian drug compounds to Miami’s neon nightlife, each stage is designed to keep your adrenaline pumping.

Strengths include the dual combat modes that cater to run-and-gun players as well as those who prefer a more tactical pace, plus the variety of weapons and fully destructible scenery. The “Bad Boy” rating system adds depth without overcomplicating the experience, encouraging you to refine your play style for better rewards. Controls feel solid and responsive, whether you’re tagging enemies in third-person or lining up precise headshots in first-person.

On the downside, some objectives can feel a bit repetitive—fetching evidence or protecting Marcus/Mike crops up often—and the AI partner occasionally gets stuck behind cover or fails to follow you cleanly in tight spaces. Visually, the game shows its age in certain texture pop-ins and less-detailed background assets, though these are never enough to derail the momentum.

Overall, if you’re after a no-nonsense action title with a hefty dose of movie-style flair, Bad Boys: Miami Takedown is a satisfying ride. It won’t redefine the shooter genre, but it does capture the spirit of the film beautifully, delivering over a dozen missions of high-octane thrills that will appeal to both fans of Will Smith & Martin Lawrence and anyone craving an entertaining, cover-based shooter.

Retro Replay Score

4.6/10