Summary
- Cuphead's art style and challenging gameplay captures the essence of 1930s cartoons.
- Fire Emblem Engage offers a visually stunning world inspired by early 2000s cartoons with humorous subplots.
- Crash Bandicoot 4's vibrant levels and story emulate a cartoon, calling for a show centered on its characters.
Some days you just wish that you could take a quick trip back to a day in your childhood and relive those wonderful memories of times when things were better. Waking up at 8am on a Saturday was the best of all because of those classic cartoons we used to watch.
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PostsLuckily, you aren't the only one reminiscing about your glory days. Many game developers have used their favorite childhood shows to inspire their projects. No matter what generation you are from, these games are sure to take you back to the days when you had nothing better to do than eat unhealthy candy and laze around all Saturday morning.
9 Cuphead
A Hand-Drawn Blast From The 1930s
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Platformer Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 91% Released September 29, 2017 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco Developer(s) Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. Publisher(s) Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. Engine Unity Multiplayer Local Co-OpWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALCuphead is not only a masterfully crafted piece of art, but is also a top-notch platformer. By running and gunning through stages inspired by Disney's original cartoons, you will make your way to tough bosses that will test your skills. This game is well known for its gorgeous hand drawn art style and brutal fights that require good reaction time, skill and patience.
Cuphead feels like it has been taken straight from the 1930s with its light-hearted style yet slightly dark story being reminiscent of the more relaxed early years of cartoons. If Cuphead was released before the age of digital media, you would for sure see the Netflix show as a Saturday morning cartoon itself.
8 Fire Emblem Engage
Engaging Yet Wacky Characters
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Like Follow FollowedFire Emblem Engage
Tactical JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 83% Released January 20, 2023 ESRB T for Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Intelligent Systems Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Unity Franchise Fire EmblemWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALFire Emblem is Nintendo's biggest strategy RPG series, beloved for its characters and refined gameplay. In Fire Emblem Engage, the series took a new turn visually into a cel-shaded bright world that is inspired by early 2000s cartoons.
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PostsWhile Engage has a plot that goes down the predictable Fire Emblem route, it has the roots of an overly dramatic cartoon that is trying too hard to be serious and have a proper plot. The best parts of these kinds of stories are the humorous side plots and, oh boy, does Engage have those in spades with its Support Conversations. These are where you can episode like moments of the cast interacting in various, often-times ridiculous ways.
7 Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
A Classic Mascot Returning To The Spotlight
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Platformer Systems 4.0/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 93% Released October 2, 2020 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Alcohol Reference, Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Language Developer(s) Toys for Bob Publisher(s) Activision Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe beloved PlayStation icon, Crash Bandicoot, had quite a rocky road returning to his spinning glory in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. We never forgot the legendary Bandicoot who helped pioneer 3D platformers into what they are now. With this 4th mainline title, Crash shows how challenging platforming is always king of the genre, no matter the generation.
It's About Time's art style begs to be turned into a cartoon. With stylized character models and beautifully vibrant levels, surrounded by a comedic story and jokes that always punch you right in your Wumpa fruit shaped gut. Crash and Cortex especially have a stupidly great hero and villain relationship, and we need a show focused on them.
6 Earthworm Jim
Made To Feel Like A Cartoon
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Platformer Systems Released June 9, 2010 ESRB E For Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor Developer(s) Gameloft Publisher(s) Gameloft Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Number of Players 1-4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThere are many classics from the '90s that we wish would come back today, but one that always has our heart is Earthworm Jim. It is a goofy planet hiking adventure with plenty of silly antics involving you running and gunning your way to defeating the evil Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. There are plenty more characters like that, each having out of this world designs that reach for the stars in creativity.
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PostsEarthworm Jim himself exudes the energy of a cartoon protagonist through his absurd design and exaggerated animations that feels like he was designed to star in a cartoon from his inception. Earthworm Jim did actually get a cartoon that you may have forgotten about. If you remember the show fondly or want to know what a '90s kid felt like, grab a Sega Genesis and get groovy with one of the most memorable platformers of that generation.
5 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
A Harmonic Masterpiece With Studio Ghibli Roots
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LikeNi No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 86/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released September 20, 2019 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling Developer(s) Level-5 Publisher(s) Namco Bandai Engine Havok Franchise Ni no KuniWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFor those who used to always watch more anime-like cartoon shows like Pokemon, Dragon Ball or Inuyasha, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch delivers what you need. Ni No Kuni is a wonderfully crafted RPG that puts you straight into a fantasy world filled to the brim with charm.
The beautiful Studio Ghibli style helps the game to be something you won't forget. Combine this with the beautifully crafted world and the pleasant atmosphere of the quirky cast to create a game that will stand up as a masterpiece. Inspired by what you adore most, this game is a blissfully fun adventure reminiscent of your childhood.
4 Psychonauts 2
Keeping Your Mind Full Of Imagination
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Platformer Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released August 25, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Double Fine Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONPsychonauts 2 is a lovingly crafted title that really throws you into the world of vivid imagination you used to have. You will have your mind blown away by the beautiful creative levels that involve entering the minds of other characters. Platform and fight using your psychokinetic powers to make your way around.
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PostsThe comedic tone makes every cutscene, as well as every little piece of dialogue, worth seeking out. Alongside the weirdly abstract worlds and heartfelt story, every moment in this game feels just like you have just entered your young dreams and opened a box of lost imagination.
3 Battletoads (2020)
A Retro Re-booting In The Butt
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Beat 'Em Up Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 60% Released August 20, 2020 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor, Mild Language Developer(s) Dlala Studios, Rare Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unity Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFor those who want to relive the days of watching any action-focused classics like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Batman: The Animated Series, look no further than the Battletoads reboot. Battletoads is a polished beat 'em up that involves a group of three amphibians fighting across the universe in over-the-top action to bring themselves back into relevancy.
The self-critical humor doesn't stop there, many hilarious jokes are found in every inch of the game. There's even a minigame where the Battletoads have to work boring office jobs, which feels too real. Just opening the game on an early morning after a long day of working the night before will give you the same serotonin that you had every Saturday as an innocent-minded child.
2 A Hat In Time
A Trip Back In Time With A Dozen Hats
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3D Platformer Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 78/100 Critics Rec: 74% Released October 5, 2017 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Gears for Breakfast Publisher(s) Humble Bundle Engine Unreal Engine 3 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThis color-filled indie platformer oozes with creativity and cartoon charm. A Hat In Time is one of the greatest sandbox platformers out there, being heavily inspired by Super Mario 64. You jump and dive across various worlds on a distant planet, meeting a wide range of wacky characters, such as a girl with a mustache, a DJ penguin, a mafia mob boss and a cat yakuza group.
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PostsThe characters and story are really where the cartoon energy cannot be avoided. There are so many moments that make you chuckle and snicker throughout. The protagonist, Hat Kid, is a bundle of joy that, despite being mostly mute, provides more than enough charm in her animations to be an expressive, beloved character who feels like a dream to control through each pleasantly bright environment.
1 Sam & Max
A Point-And-Click TellTale Classic
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Like Follow FollowedSam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered
Adventure Point-and-click Puzzle Systems Released August 14, 2024 ESRB Teen // Blood, Language, Violence Developer(s) Skunkape Games Publisher(s) Skunkape Games Engine Telltale Tool Franchise Sam & Max Steam Deck Compatibility UnknownWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe cartoons tend to have absolute carnage, wacky plots and nonsensical characters that we all cherish. Many games try to tell a serious cinematic story, but what about those looking for a strange, weird comedic adventure? The classic comic series Sam & Max gives us exactly that with its wonderful point-and-click adventure games by TellTale Games.
The two anthropomorphic animals, Sam and Max, are great detective buddies who go around New York City to solve many zany crimes and problems that each feel like a short interactive cartoon episode. These can range from pretty mundane crimes to stopping a giant demon Max from destroying the city. Sometimes, the less sense something makes, the better it is; cartoons and this series know that all too well.
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