Crash Bandicoot spiritual successor arrives in upcoming 2024 platformer

Fans of Crash Bandicoot are going to want to keep an eye on Nikoderiko: The Magical World, an upcoming platformer from VEA Games.

Alongside FPS Starship Troopers Extermination and action RPG Mandragora, Nikoderiko: The Magical World will be one of the first games to be published under MY.GAMES’ new premium label Knights Peak.

With gameplay switching between Mario-inspired side-scrolling action and Crash Bandicoot-esque chase sequences, Nikoderiko looks set to offer a unique blend of platforming styles.

What’s particularly exciting is that you can take on the game alone or team-up with a friend via both couch and online co-op.

“Join Niko and Luna on their quest in Nikoderiko, a vibrant platform adventure available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. When the duo discovers an ancient relic on a magical island, the villainous Grimbald of the Cobring Gems Company snatches it away,” teases the synopsis.

“To save the island and its tribes, they must navigate seven unique worlds with the help of their animal friends and defeat the Cobring army.”

Knights Peak will also publish Starship Troopers: Extermination on console and PC.

Even those who go it solo won’t be truly alone.

Nikoderiko features a variety of animal friends, and you’ll be able to ride atop these travelling companions imbuing Niko and Luna with unique powers in the process.

It isn’t just via its art style and gameplay that Nikoderiko: The Magical World harkens back to stellar platformers of yesteryear,

Donkey Kong Country composer David Wise is on board handling the game’s soundtrack.

Another fun feature is that you’ll actually be able to assume control of several of the game’s villains too but in order to do so, you’ll be tasked with hunting down special coins.

If Nikoderiko: The Magical World has piqued your interest, it’ll be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch later this year.

I know it’s a game that I'll be keeping an eye on.