"Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?" is a 3D platformer game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by D3Publisher for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS in 2012. The game is based on the popular Cartoon Network animated series "Adventure Time." The game's story follows the antics of the Ice King, who has stolen various items from the Land of Ooo, including garbage from the Tree Fort belonging to Finn and Jake. As Finn and Jake, players must navigate through various levels and environments, collecting the stolen items and battling against the Ice King's minions. One unique aspect of the game is its use of the 3DS and DS's dual-screen functionality. The top screen displays the main gameplay action, while the bottom screen serves as a map and inventory screen. Players can also use the touch screen to interact with certain objects and puzzles. The game features a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat mechanics. Players can use Finn's sword and Jake's stretchy powers to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The game also incorporates elements of exploration, as players can uncover hidden areas and collectibles throughout the levels. "Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?" features a distinctive art style that faithfully captures the quirky and whimsical aesthetic of the "Adventure Time" show. The game's levels are based on various locations from the series, such as the Candy Kingdom, the Ice Kingdom, and the Land of the Dead. While the game received generally positive reviews for its faithful adaptation of the source material and its charming visual style, some critiques noted that the gameplay mechanics could be repetitive at times and that the overall experience was relatively short. Overall, "Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?" is a solid tie-in game that captures the essence of the beloved animated series, offering fans a chance to experience the Land of Ooo in an interactive and engaging way.

Shantae, released in 2002 for the Game Boy Color, is a action-platformer game developed by WayForward Technologies. While it follows the conventions of the genre, it stands out with its distinct art style, characterized by vibrant colors, detailed sprites, and anime-inspired character designs. The game's narrative revolves around Shantae, a half-genie protagonist who must navigate the fictional world of Sequin Land, exploring various themed environments and confronting a diverse array of enemies and bosses. The storytelling incorporates humor and lighthearted elements, often playing with tropes and clichés in a self-aware manner. One of the game's standout features is Shantae's ability to transform into various animal forms, each with unique abilities that allow her to traverse different obstacles and access hidden areas. This transformation mechanic adds depth to the platforming gameplay and encourages exploration. The level design in Shantae is noteworthy for its intricate layouts and clever use of secret passages and shortcuts, rewarding observant players and encouraging multiple playthroughs. The game also features a day-night cycle that affects enemy behavior and environmental hazards, adding an extra layer of complexity to the gameplay. While the game's graphics and audio showcase the limitations of the Game Boy Color hardware, they are expertly crafted, with charming character sprites, catchy music tracks, and atmospheric sound effects that contribute to the overall whimsical tone of the game. Shantae was well-received upon its release, praised for its unique setting, engaging gameplay, and attention to detail. It has since garnered a cult following and spawned several sequels and spin-offs, cementing its place as a beloved and influential title in the action-platformer genre.

Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a critically acclaimed side-scrolling platformer and sequel to the original Shantae game for the Game Boy Color. Developed by WayForward Technologies, it was released in 2010 for the Nintendo DSi's DSiWare service. One of the standout features of Risky's Revenge is its intricate and non-linear level design. While following a traditional overworld-to-level structure, the game encourages exploration by hiding numerous secrets, power-ups, and optional areas within its interconnected worlds. This design philosophy rewards players who take the time to thoroughly investigate their surroundings, leading to a sense of discovery and satisfaction. The game's combat system is also noteworthy, combining Shantae's hair-whipping attacks with a diverse array of magical transformations. These transformations, such as turning into an elephant, monkey, or harpy, not only provide unique abilities for navigating the levels but also offer distinct offensive and defensive strategies in combat encounters. Additionally, Risky's Revenge features high-quality sprite work and animation, capturing the charming and vibrant visual style that the Shantae series is known for. The game's soundtrack, composed by Jake Kaufman, is also widely praised for its catchy melodies and its ability to set the tone for each area. While retaining the core gameplay mechanics of the original, Risky's Revenge introduces several quality-of-life improvements, such as a more streamlined interface, checkpoints within levels, and the ability to save progress at any time. These enhancements help to mitigate some of the frustrations associated with classic platformers, making the game more accessible to modern audiences. Overall, Shantae: Risky's Revenge is regarded as a standout entry in the Shantae series, showcasing WayForward's expertise in crafting engaging and challenging 2D platformers while also delivering a polished and visually appealing experience.

The Mummy Demastered is a metroidvania-style action platformer developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Universal Games and Digital Platforms. It is based on the 2017 film The Mummy and serves as a tie-in to the Dark Universe franchise. The game's story follows an agent tasked with investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding the excavation of an ancient tomb in the Middle East. As the agent delves deeper into the mission, they encounter the sinister force of the mummified Princess Ahmanet, who seeks to regain her power and unleash chaos upon the world. Regarding its gameplay mechanics, The Mummy Demastered follows the classic metroidvania formula, where players explore interconnected levels, acquire new abilities to access previously inaccessible areas, and battle formidable enemies and bosses. The game features a diverse array of weapons and power-ups inspired by the source material, allowing players to customize their playstyle. One notable aspect of The Mummy Demastered is its pixel art-style graphics, which pay homage to classic 16-bit era games while incorporating modern visual effects and animations. The game's soundtrack, composed by Jake Kaufman, is celebrated for its atmospheric and pulse-pounding tracks that complement the action on screen. The game received praise for its tight controls, challenging gameplay, and faithful representation of the Mummy franchise's tone and themes. However, some critics noted that its level design could be somewhat repetitive at times, and the overall experience was relatively short compared to other metroidvania titles. Overall, The Mummy Demastered is a solid entry in the metroidvania genre, offering an engaging and challenging experience for fans of action-platformers and the Mummy franchise alike.

Aliens Infestation (2011) is a side-scrolling action game developed by Gearbox Software and published by Sega. It serves as a direct sequel to the events of the 1986 film Aliens, taking place shortly after the events of the film. The game features a unique art style that pays homage to the 8-bit era of gaming, with pixelated graphics and a retro-inspired color palette. However, the gameplay mechanics are more modern and challenging, offering a refreshing blend of nostalgia and contemporary design. One of the standout features of Aliens Infestation is its emphasis on strategic gameplay. Players must carefully manage their resources, including ammunition, health packs, and equipment, as they navigate through the infested environments. The game encourages players to approach situations tactically, utilizing stealth and cover mechanics to gain the upper hand against the relentless Xenomorph threat. The game features a diverse cast of playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and strengths. Players can switch between characters on the fly, allowing for dynamic gameplay strategies and the ability to adapt to various situations. Aliens Infestation also boasts an impressive level of authenticity to the Aliens universe. The game features faithful recreations of iconic locations from the film, such as the Sulaco and Hadley's Hope, as well as a diverse array of Xenomorph types, including facehuggers, chestbursters, and the dreaded Xenomorph Queen. Despite its retro aesthetic, Aliens Infestation offers a challenging and immersive experience for fans of the Aliens franchise and action-platformer games alike. It strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modern gameplay mechanics, delivering an experience that is both familiar and refreshingly unique.

Creepy Castle (2016) is a retro-inspired platformer that pays homage to classic 8-bit and 16-bit games, particularly those from the NES and SNES eras. While the game's premise and mechanics might seem familiar to genre veterans, it distinguishes itself with its distinctive visual style and challenging gameplay. The game's pixel art graphics are characterized by a striking color palette that blends warm and cool tones, creating a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic. The level design is intricate, with meticulously crafted environments that seamlessly blend gothic architecture with twisted, otherworldly elements. One of the standout features of Creepy Castle is its emphasis on precise platforming. The game demands exceptional timing and reflexes from players, as they navigate treacherous obstacles, avoid deadly traps, and engage in intense boss battles. The level of difficulty is unforgiving, particularly in later stages, catering to players seeking a true test of skill and perseverance. The game's soundtrack, composed by a renowned chiptune artist, perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere, with haunting melodies and retro-inspired sound effects that evoke a sense of nostalgia while maintaining a distinctly modern flair. Creepy Castle also incorporates elements of exploration and light puzzles, encouraging players to scour every nook and cranny for hidden secrets and power-ups. The game rewards thorough exploration with additional challenges and unlockable content, adding to its replayability. Overall, Creepy Castle is a meticulously crafted love letter to classic platformers, offering a fresh and visually stunning take on the genre while retaining the challenging gameplay that defined the era it pays homage to.