Survival Kids Shows Nintendo Switch 2 is More than Just a Mario Kart Game | Games

tOne intriguing aspect of the console launch is the element of surprise in the first batch of games. Who could have guessed that the standout title for PlayStation would be Fireworks Simulation (Fantavision), or that the most entertaining offering in the inaugural GameCube lineup would involve racing with gigantic, transparent gloves (Super Monkey Balls)?

The most recent addition to this mix is Konami’s Survival Kids, the sole new third-party title in the Switch 2 Opening Wave. This latest entry in the cult series of Tropical Island Survival Sims by the publisher originates from Game Boy Color and was revised for the Nintendo DS under a new moniker, despite not achieving widespread international success. Players, in groups of up to four, find themselves marooned on a mystical archipelago, requiring them to gather resources, craft tools, locate food, and explore vibrant cartoon landscapes. While four players can join online, the game also supports game sharing on Switch 2, allowing one owner to connect wirelessly with others and play together.

Andrew Dennison, the head of game developer Unity, considers this feature to be one of the key highlights of Switch 2. “With Splitscreen, a single console renders two different game views,” he explains. “With GameShare, one view can be compressed and streamed. It renders everything three times and transmits it to the other consoles. As long as you understand the specifications of the technology, the advantages of GameShare are enjoyable. You don’t have to own the game to play.”

In contrast to survival games like Don’t Starve or Project Zomboid (or even Lost in Blue), Survival Kids does not impose lethal consequences. Although a shortage of food will slow your progress, you won’t actually starve to death. If you perish, you simply respawn nearby. “We wanted to ensure the game is enjoyable for players of all skill levels,” Dennison adds. “It’s a balancing act. I don’t want to bore experienced gamers, but I aim to streamline challenges without oversimplifying them to the point of being irrelevant.” Due to a strict NDA surrounding Switch 2 hardware, developers had limited access to external testers, resulting in Dennison testing the game within his niece and finance department.

Crafting tools plays a vital role. By combining vines and sticks, players can create a fishing rod for useful items. Building an umbrella allows navigation across wide canyons. There’s no cumbersome item management; players can simply retrieve what they need from a magical spit bucket. All tools are organized in Basecamp rather than menus, allowing easy access to essentials.

Much like Overcooked, Survival Kids emphasizes streamlined cooperation and well-split tasks. It’s quicker for two individuals to chop wood and break rocks, thus establishing a labor team. Meanwhile, a culinary expert is essential for gathering plants and preparing food, which fuels the energy required for climbing cliffs and transporting heavy items. “We’ve put a lot of effort into enhancing our customer experience,” remarks Richard Jones, creative director at Konami Digital Entertainment. “This is how Basecamp functions as a communal spot. It’s essentially a shared kitchen.”

Unlike many contemporary survival sims, Survival Kids is not entirely open-ended. The objective is to explore multiple islands, providing a sense of an escape room. Players can also revisit levels for extra attempts. Despite its family-friendly appearance, the game features intriguing, challenging physics-based puzzles with various solutions. Additionally, it maintains a playful tone and humor. This is likely due to the fact that many developers at Dennison and Unity’s Stratford-Upon-Avon office previously came from Codemasters and Rare.

Will Konami bring more classic titles to Switch 2? “I know there are other Konami teams that are keen on this platform, and we can support them,” says Jones. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for at least two more projects from Konami.” For now, Survival Kids appears to be an excellent pilot for family game sharing on the new console.