Two years ago I reviewed a music music rhythm game called SUPERBEAT XONiC for the Vita. It was a vast improvement of Techinka Tune with a better interface, a blazing 45+ in game songs with DLC songs added in later, and most important of all having a high replay value. I gave game the game a 9 (which you can see the review for it here). Now it seems that the Nintendo Switch wants to drop some sick beats so PM Studios and Acttil have decided to bring XONiC to the Switch as SUPERBEAT XONiC EX. Let’s see how well the Switch version of the game can spit fire.
Drop tha’ bass
Bigger screen- While the Switch’s HD LCD screen isn’t as good as the original Vita’s OLED screen, the Switch has a bigger screen and by having the bigger screen I’m able to see even more of what’s going on in the game. I may sound like an old man, but after playing both versions of the game back to back, I kind of prefer the Switch version due to I can see what’s going on. Not to mention that playing XONiC using the touch screen on the Switch is much better too, as I don’t have to scrunch my fingers like I do on the Vita.
DLC from Vita version added in- One of the best things of game ports is that any DLC content that may have released during the original game’s release, gets added into to the port. In XONiC EX not only are the original 45 plus song are in the game, all of DLC that was release during the Vita’s original release are also in the game as well.
Many ways to play- As I mentioned earlier, you’re able to use the Switch’s touch screen to play the game. But if you are one of those gamers that are very protective of the Switch screen, then you have others way to play. XONiC EX is compatible in all of the Switch’s modes of play: handheld, table-top, and docked.
Blown out speakers
No multiplayer- One of the main selling points of the Nintendo Switch is that depending on the game, you can hand the controller to a friend and play co-op or versus. Another selling point of the Switch is linking more than one Switch and being able to play multiplayer. XONiC EX missed out on adding in some type of multiplayer mode, be it a co-op or a versus mode. I mean technically you can hand one of the Joy-Cons to a friend and have them control the other half of the screen, but that’s not really the same.
SUPERBEAT XONiC EX in general is just an updated version of the Vita version. However with a bigger screen, the ability to play using the Switch’s different control modes, and having all the released Vita DLC tracks already added in to the main game, give it more reason to pick it up again or for the first time. The only thing holding it back is that there is no multiplayer mode of any sorts. I think by having some time of DJ battle mode or some type of co-op would have made it a great party game. Either way, if you are looking to fill your Switch library with more music games, XONiC EX is always ready to drop the bass.
