Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Pippo delivers a tight, single-screen action-puzzler experience that’s easy to pick up but deceptively deep. Each of the 32 levels challenges you to step on every square the required number of times to change its colour, with the odd-numbered stages demanding one pass per tile and the even-numbered ones requiring two. This seemingly simple variation keeps you on your toes, especially once holes in the 6×4 grid force you to plan detours rather than charge straight through.

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The game’s infamous colour-change bug—where odd levels always act as if they need just one step and even levels always two—becomes part of the strategy rather than a frustration. Once you embrace the quirk, it almost feels like an intentional twist, encouraging you to count your moves and master the exact pattern for each room. Timing your steps matters more when patrolling nasties threaten to undo your progress or send you back to the last checkpoint.

Enemies bring the puzzle to life. Some foes kill Pippo on contact, demanding precise movement; others reset coloured tiles but can be dispatched if you’re brave enough to face them. And when you grab a Pac-Man–style power pill, your adversaries transform into harmless springs, giving you a window to clear squares unimpeded or even use them as mobile platforms. The result is a gameplay loop that balances risky manoeuvres with careful planning, making every level feel like a fresh brain-teaser.

Graphics

Visually, Pippo leans into a vibrant, retro aesthetic that evokes classic 8- and 16-bit arcade titles. The main grid is crisply outlined, with each square’s colour change popping against a dark background. Pippo himself is rendered as a delightfully animated creature with smooth walking frames that bring endearing personality to an otherwise minimalist design.

One of the game’s standout features is its use of the normally-blank border area. Through clever hardware tricks, the developers display full-screen numbers and dynamic effects around the playfield, showing level counters, score tallies, and visual flourishes without shrinking the action. This technical flourish not only showcases the platform’s capabilities but also adds an arcade-cabinet flair that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Despite the limited resolution, each enemy type has a distinct silhouette and colour palette, making it easy to gauge threats at a glance. The contrast between walkable tiles, holes, and coloured squares remains clear throughout, even when dozens of elements flash on screen. The frame rate stays rock-solid, ensuring that your split-second decisions aren’t compromised by slowdown.

Story

True to many action-puzzlers of its era, Pippo features a minimal narrative, using charm rather than exposition to draw players in. You take on the role of Pippo, a cute and determined creature on a mission to brighten each level by stepping on every square. The straightforward premise means you dive straight into the puzzles, letting the mechanics tell the story.

Occasional splash screens hint at a larger world—perhaps Pippo is rescuing a colourful realm from a creeping monochrome menace—but these touches are purely atmospheric. There’s no lengthy cutscene overhead or dialogue to wade through, so the story remains as lighthearted backdrop rather than the main attraction. If you’re looking for deep lore, you won’t find it here, but the game’s whimsical tone more than makes up for the brevity.

Each level change feels like a new chapter in Pippo’s journey, as the environment subtly shifts with different tile patterns, hole configurations, and enemy placements. The progression from easy starter puzzles to fiendishly complex rooms gives you a sense of accomplishment, as though you’re helping Pippo conquer an ever-more challenging realm. That sense of growth provides all the narrative momentum you need.

Overall Experience

Pippo stands out as a polished, addictive puzzler that balances charm with challenge. The core loop—transforming every square while dodging or dispatching enemies—never wears thin, and the hardware tricks sprinkled throughout show a developer’s love for maximizing the platform. Whether you’re a puzzle veteran or a newcomer to top-down action games, Pippo offers levels that scale gracefully in difficulty.

The quirky bug in the level-step counter could have been a deal-breaker, but it becomes a beloved quirk once you learn to anticipate it. Instead of interrupting the flow, it adds character to the design, giving players an “inside joke” to share. Coupled with responsive controls and concise level design, this game delivers a focused experience that’s ideal for both short sessions and marathon runs.

For those seeking a bite-sized puzzle fix with replay value, Pippo’s 32 levels provide plenty of mileage. Speedrunners will appreciate the consistency of the grid and eventual mastery of enemy patterns, while casual players can take their time exploring strategies. With its endearing protagonist, clever mechanics, and technical flair, Pippo is a standout title that deserves a place in any retro-style action-puzzler collection.

Retro Replay Score

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