Review: SuperMash (Nintendo Switch)

SuperMash is a unique game in its own right, as it aims to “mash together’ genres that are usually not paired together. It is a game that makes games. Is this a unique idea that works well, or does it mash itself short?

Jume is the owner of a failing GameSt…, I mean game store. Her brother Tomo is trying to help her save the store by finding a new game. They purchase an old prototype of a console that can load two games together, creating a new game. To move along the story, players are assigned different types of mashes, such as an easy JRPG mash. As the game goes on more mashes are needed to continue. Talking to a customer will give you a side-quest mash. Completing it will provide you with some in-game currency. If you are lucky, you may also get a dev card. 

Dev cards are used to customize game mashups. The customization ranges from playable characters, enemies, weapons, levels, glitches, and music. The cards are unlocked by completing mashes or purchasing packs of dev cards in Jume’s store with in-game currency. 

Several types of genres can be mashed together. The genres consist of platformer, stealth, shoot ‘em up, JRPG, “metrovania’, and action-adventure. Players can even mash together two of the same type. Once genres have been selected, players can choose the length and difficulty of the mash. Then a randomized game will start, each with its own story and a brief description of your goal. A random playable character will be chosen too. Each character has its own set of abilities. Some mashes will even have a glitch that is active, such as constant money spawn which can be beneficial or a glitch that works against you such as enemy attack up. Most mashes give you a goal to complete within a ten-minute time frame. Usually, within the mash, you can find a little clock to add more time. In some instances, the objectives can be completed in seconds, while others may take almost the full amount of time.  

While many of the genres together just felt strange, such as shoot ‘em up and action-adventure, they can still be fun to play after a bit of getting used to. I think my favorite mashup was stealth and action-adventure, which played like Metal Gear mixed with The Legend of Zelda. If you find a mash you really like, you can save it and share it with mash codes. Mash codes can be shared with a friend, stirring up a little competition to see who can get the highest score or complete it the fastest. 

My time with SuperMash was interesting, to say the least. Some mashups were extremely fun, while others were just boring. I have to say it is a game that is going to give you a different experience almost every time you play, and while story mode isn’t too intriguing, I can’t say fully it is a bad game. That said, I couldn’t say that it is an amazing game either. The concept was a valid attempt of an idea, however many times; the mashes felt bland.  As it sits even with the promise of DLC, I’m not sure it is worth the asking price of $19.99.