Prinny 1+2: Exploded and Reloaded

Equipped with bat wings, peg legs, and an annoying penchant for saying "Dood," Prinnies aren't the most obvious candidates to star in their own series of platform games. Still, the adorable demons in Prinny 1+2: Exploded and Reloaded pack an undeniable charm, one that earned Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? and Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! a cult following when they were released in 2009 and 2011, respectively. The cute creatures' unorthodox appeal endures in this remaster, which again invites players to run, jump, slash, and detonate through clever, fantasy-inspired side-scrolling stages. Further complemented by cheeky humor, imaginative enemy encounters, and a few fresh features -- like the freedom to tackle levels in any order you choose -- Exploded and Reloaded has all the makings of a fun platforming romp.

While the package brings back the originals' best qualities -- as well as a slightly enhanced visual presentation -- it also retains its flaws. Most notably, the games' unforgiving jumping mechanics return, making the platforming challenges scarier than any of the netherworld's demonic denizens. Levels frequently call on you to land precise jumps, which is at odds with the rigid controls. And that's before you fill the screen with distracting obstacles, hazards, and enemies. A variety of difficulty settings and frequent checkpoints soften the blow some, but still provide little comfort when the same, tedious stretch steals 15 or so of your lives. Boss battles are similarly uneven; a handful of these level-capping encounters showcase the games at their absolute best, but just as many will try your patience over the course of repeated, untimely deaths. Prinny 1+2's charmingly bizarre personality and dark fairytale-inspired presentation is engaging, but don't expect your descent into the netherworld to be all sunshine, lollipops, and exploding characters, as the game's unfair difficulty is often its most formidable foe.