Review and Longplay: Mr. Gimmick 2 NES ROM Hack by pacnsacdave

When you talk about hidden treasures on the Nintendo Entertainment System, few games are as respected and mysterious as Mr. Gimmick. Released in 1992 by Sunsoft, this platformer was known for its stunning physics, demanding level design, and a soundtrack that pushed the NES sound chip to its limits. While it never reached wide audiences outside Japan and Scandinavia, it has become a cult favorite among retro enthusiasts. Fans have been asking for decades what a sequel could look like. In 2020, ROM hacker pacnsacdave answered that call with the ambitious Mr. Gimmick 2, a full-length hack that expands the story, introduces seven new levels, and gives players a fresh reason to revisit the toy dimension.

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This project is not just a simple reskin. It is a complete overhaul of Sunsoft’s prototype ROM, carefully built to provide new challenges while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original. For long-time fans of Gimmick! this is nothing less than a love letter to one of the NES library’s most underrated titles. The only issue, it is not complete yet. Still, this is the one and only ROM hack of Mr. Gimmick in existence, and for that, it is worth praise beyond measure.

A Story That Honors the Original

The first Mr. Gimmick told a surprisingly heartfelt story. A young girl receives a stuffed toy named Gimmick, only to have her playthings whisk her away into a surreal alternate dimension. The player, controlling Gimmick, journeys through six treacherous stages to rescue her. What made this simple plot memorable was the emotional weight tied to its multiple endings. To truly save the girl, players needed to master hidden items and play at an elite level.

Mr. Gimmick 2 picks up years later. The once-young girl has grown into adulthood and now has a daughter of her own, Maddie. She gifts Gimmick to her child, passing down the same toy that once saved her. But peace is short-lived. Shadow, the villain from the original game, returns to kidnap Maddie and drag her back to the toy dimension. Once again, Gimmick is tasked with becoming an unlikely hero.

It is a simple continuation, but one that ties neatly into the nostalgia fans feel for the first game. It keeps the emotional thread alive, suggesting that Gimmick is not just a forgotten relic but a guardian spirit of childhood innocence.

Gameplay: Classic Roots with Fresh Twists

The heart of any Gimmick! experience lies in its mechanics. The original stood out because of its unique star-throwing ability, momentum-based physics, and clever enemy AI. Pacnsacdave wisely keeps these core elements intact in Mr. Gimmick 2, ensuring that veteran players feel right at home from the opening stage.

The new adventure spans seven levels, each featuring new enemies and bosses. These are not lazy palette swaps but carefully designed challenges that build on the original’s principles. Some bosses require precise timing with the bouncing star attack, while others push players to experiment with stage hazards. Optional battles appear as well, rewarding persistence with hidden items and branching outcomes.

Difficulty remains faithful to the original’s reputation. Just as Mr. Gimmick was known as one of the toughest NES games ever made, this hack does not hold your hand. It demands mastery of mechanics, tight platforming, and an understanding of physics that is unusual for 8-bit titles. Casual fans may find it brutal, but hardcore players will appreciate its refusal to compromise.

Visual Design and Graphics

Sunsoft’s original work was praised for looking far better than most late-era NES titles. The use of color, parallax scrolling, and detailed sprite work made it a standout. Mr. Gimmick 2 cannot exactly replicate Sunsoft’s wizardry, but it captures enough of the essence to feel authentic.

The new stages show creative variety. From toy castles and surreal dreamscapes to darker, more menacing lairs, the environments feel like logical extensions of the toy dimension. Enemies have fresh designs that distinguish them from their 1992 counterparts, and bosses in particular display imaginative flair. Gimmick himself retains his iconic look, ensuring that nostalgia remains intact even as new ideas come to life.

Considering this is a ROM hack and not a commercial release, the effort put into graphical polish is remarkable. There are occasional moments where tile design feels uneven, but these are minor compared to the creativity on display overall.

Soundtrack and Atmosphere

One of the most defining features of Mr. Gimmick was its soundtrack, composed by Masashi Kageyama. The music pushed the NES’s five-channel sound system to its limits, creating lush and unforgettable melodies. It is unfair to expect a fan-made hack to reach those heights, but Mr. Gimmick 2 delivers respectable audio design.

The hack reuses and remixes several of the original tracks while introducing new compositions. These do not carry the same polish as Sunsoft’s legendary work, yet they fit the atmosphere of the levels and maintain a sense of continuity. Sound effects remain sharp and functional, ensuring that combat and platforming feel satisfying.

If anything, the music highlights how impossible it is to surpass the original game’s soundtrack. Still, it earns points for effort and for staying true to the emotional tone of Gimmick’s world.

Comparing to Other Pacnsacdave Projects

For those who follow the ROM hacking scene, the name pacnsacdave carries weight. He has released dozens of complete hacks that breathe new life into NES classics. From Pac-Man Gold to Zelda 2 Redux, his work often combines fresh level design with respect for the original mechanics.

Mr. Gimmick 2 may be his most ambitious effort yet. Unlike some of his other projects, which remix familiar games, this one functions almost like an unofficial sequel. It is clear that he poured extra care into honoring Sunsoft’s masterpiece while adding his own creative flair. The result is one of the strongest “fan sequels” the NES hacking scene has produced.

Replay Value and Legacy

The replayability of Mr. Gimmick 2 mirrors the philosophy of the original. Completionists will want to hunt for hidden secrets, defeat optional bosses, and attempt to unlock the best possible ending. Speedrunners may find joy in experimenting with the physics to shave seconds off their times. For casual players, simply surviving the seven stages can feel like a victory.

What truly makes this hack special is its contribution to gaming preservation. Mr. Gimmick was a title that never received the sequel it deserved. By creating Mr. Gimmick 2, pacnsacdave has filled a void that fans have felt for decades. While it is unofficial, it serves as both a continuation and a celebration of one of the most unique NES games ever made.

Final Verdict

Mr. Gimmick 2 is not a flawless creation, but it is an inspiring one. It proves what passionate fans can accomplish with the right tools and vision. By continuing the story of Gimmick, introducing seven challenging stages, and providing new bosses and secrets, it breathes new life into a forgotten classic. The difficulty may be punishing, and the soundtrack cannot quite match Sunsoft’s legendary standard, but these are minor issues in the face of such a creative project.

For retro fans, especially those who admire the original Mr. Gimmick, this hack is essential. It is both a tribute and a bold new adventure, showing that the NES homebrew and hacking community remains as strong as ever.

Score: 8.5 out of 10
A tough but rewarding fan sequel that captures the magic of Sunsoft’s hidden gem while forging its own identity.

Where to Play

The patch for Mr. Gimmick 2 is available at ROMhacking.net. You will need the original Mr. Gimmick (USA Prototype) ROM to apply the patch. Instructions and tools are available directly on the hack’s page. As always, make sure you own the original game before creating backups and applying patches.