Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Treasure Island invites players to scour a vibrant, gem-strewn board in search of glittering riches. At its core lies a clever twist on the classic match-three formula: your cursor carries a single item, which you must position over another to form a horizontal or vertical line of three or more identical symbols. Once you click, the carried item drops into place and you pick up the one that was there, creating a continuous chain of swaps that rewards foresight and planning.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Clearing the level requires more than basic matching. Brown tiles hide beneath the jewels, demanding a match be made on top of them to fade them out—darker brown tiles even require two hits before they vanish. Once every tile is cleared, a pirate’s treasure chest bursts open in a shower of gold coins, and skeletons dance across the board in celebration of your victory. It’s a charming payoff that turns each stage into a mini fireworks show of loot.

For players craving extra pressure, the timed mode ramps up the intensity. A lit fuse snakes along the bottom of the screen, inching inexorably toward a gunpowder barrel. Failing to finish the level before the fuse ignites the barrel means an explosive end to your run. Coupled with power-up bonuses—created by matching four or more items—to detonate surrounding tiles or wipe out every gem of a single type, Treasure Island strikes a satisfying balance between frantic urgency and methodical strategy.

Graphics

Visually, Treasure Island embraces a bright and cheery pirate theme. Gems glow in jewel-tone hues that contrast nicely with weathered wood planks and sandy backgrounds. Each symbol—from sparkling sapphires to gleaming doubloons—features crisp, glossy shading that makes the board pop, while subtle particle effects highlight successful matches.

The animations are a highlight. When you clear a stage, the treasure chest springs open with a satisfying creak, and coins rain down in a cascading shower. Skeletons wearing tattered pirate hats groove to jaunty shanties, adding a playful sense of personality. Even simple swaps are accompanied by small rotations and bounce-back motions that lend a delightful dynamism to every click.

The user interface remains uncluttered and intuitive. Level objectives sit in a clear sidebar, and your currently held item is always visible alongside a preview of the next potential match. Timers, fuses, and power-up icons fit neatly at the screen’s edge, ensuring you’re never left guessing what comes next. Overall, the presentation is polished, accessible, and bursting with colorful pirate flair.

Story

While Treasure Island doesn’t deliver a sprawling narrative, it weaves its lightweight story through thematic touches and level progression. You’re cast as a daring buccaneer exploring an uncharted isle, and each board represents a new section of sandy beaches, dense jungles, or ancient ruins. The goal is simple: unearth buried treasure and rack up enough loot to satisfy any hardened pirate’s greed.

Between stages, brief title cards and decorative map-style backgrounds allude to your journey across the island. You catch glimpses of palm trees swaying in the breeze, distant volcanoes, and creaky harbors. These small environmental details—paired with jaunty sea shanties and occasional skull-and-crossbones motifs—help build a playful, swashbuckling mood without bogging down the experience in exposition.

Skeleton dancers double as both celebratory mascots and tongue-in-cheek reminders of past treasure hunters who failed before you. Their comical jig each time you clear a board adds a lighthearted charm to what could otherwise be a purely mechanical puzzle affair. In the end, Treasure Island’s narrative is more about atmosphere and theme than epic storytelling, and it accomplishes its goal of making every match feel like a small victory on your grand pirate quest.

Overall Experience

Treasure Island stands out as an addictive and approachable match-three puzzle game, perfect for quick bursts of play or longer sessions. Its unique cursor-based swap mechanic encourages thoughtful moves and strategic chaining of matches. Casual players will appreciate the easy-to-learn controls, while puzzle enthusiasts will find depth in tile-clearing objectives and bonus creation.

The dual modes—relaxed and timed—offer flexibility for different play styles. Relaxed mode lets you savor the treasure reveals and dance animations at your own pace, while timed mode injects a thrilling race against the fuse. The learning curve is gentle, but achieving high scores and efficiently using explosive bonuses provides plenty of challenge for veterans of the genre.

Overall, Treasure Island delivers a polished, pirate-themed puzzle experience that’s as rewarding as it is colorful. Its strong presentation, charming animations, and strategic gameplay loops make it a delightful addition to any match-three fan’s library. Whether you’re in it for the loot, the dancing skeletons, or simply to while away an afternoon, this gem of a game promises hours of swashbuckling fun.

Retro Replay Score

null/10