3DS Critic Reviews

Chicken Wiggle is an intuitively-designed, tightly-controlled 2D platformer that has the potential for an unlimited amount of content. 3DS owners that pick this game up are getting a great value, despite a few minor issues that I had with the game. Atooi has once again crafted a fine, challenging platformer that is easy to recommend to any fan of the genre.

Chicken Wiggle is a charming platformer that blends simplicity with sophistication into a cohesive whole. There may not be much in the way of originality outside of a slightly unique control scheme, but the "Best of" platforming feeling that the levels give off act as a reminder of not only the great platformers of yore, but how their mechanics have been refined since. Player-created stages add a much needed longevity to the short playtime and ensure that there will always be more chickens to rescue. For a game so ingrained in playing around with pre-existing design philosophies, Chicken Wiggle has a strong sense of self that other platformers should be envious of.

It's not perfect, but Chicken Wiggle tickles the creative part of my brain that loves drumming up platformer levels when I should be doing actual work. The campaign can be better, a lot better, but the hours I'll spend with this game will not be going back over those levels. I'll be spending them making my own little masterpieces and that's the part this game mostly gets right.

The game's simple charm matched with a deep level creation toolset makes Chicken Wiggle a pretty enjoyable package! [Issue #30 – November/December 2017, p. 24]

Chicken Wiggle is a game that delights in so many ways, even if it also manages to disappoint in some. While the main campaign isn’t much to write home about, it works well as a varied tutorial that teaches you the ins and outs so you can design levels of your own. The user-generated content is the real star of the show here, and there will no doubt be plenty to look forward to in the coming months and years. We would give Chicken Wiggle a recommendation to anyone who really appreciated Super Mario Maker; there’s lots of creativity to explore here, and it’s a game that’ll keep on giving.

Chicken Wiggle is a retro-styled 2D platformer, which is not the most original of concepts but it has a value of its own, especially when considering its online component and level editor, which do a very competent work at making this game a memorable experience. Despite the game's shortcomings, it still has a lot going for it, including its audiovisual component and a simple, intuitive gameplay.

At the very least it’s very easy to share a level, and being able to do so extends the replay value of the game by quite a bit. It’s possible to go on and snag new creations from fellow fans as well as Atooi itself. That’s a great bonus, especially for someone like me who’s much more prone to play a game than make one. Overall Chicken Wiggle is a wonderful inaugural release for the folks at Atooi. Sales have been low on this one, but with millions of 3DS and 2DS handhelds on the market there’s no excuse for that; go support the game and give it a download!

It has charm but lacks key elements to keep players engaged and invested in its main characters. Where the game really shines is in its presentation and as a game maker thanks to its excellent “design and share” level editor. If you want to play around with your game design skills I’d recommend this title but if you’re looking for a fun and challenging 2D platformer there are just too many better ones to recommend on the 3DS.

Younger players will get the most out of what Chicken Wiggle offers; a cute, colourful and vibrant platformer to run amok in, with the added bonus of being able to create their own levels. Had the game been brave enough to innovate beyond well-known staples of the genre, it may well have been great for adults too.