Rad Rodgers
Rad is a rambunctious but spirited young boy who maybe plays too many video games. After dozing off at the tail end of a long night of gaming, Rad awakens to find his dusty old console has turned itself back on. Suddenly a vortex emerges and he's sucked into his TV, where he finds himself the star in his very own video game adventure. The game brings back the 90's-era platformer with a game inspired by classics like Commander Keen, Conker, Ruff'n'Tumble & Jazz Jackrabbit. Features Weapons: Dusty arms Rad with seven radical weapons. Sounds & Music: Andrew Hulshult has created an amazing and authentic soundtrack for the game complete with MIDI-inspired music… And synthesizers! The Pixelverse: While Rad and Dusty are a great team, only Dusty can enter the electrified Pixelverse — a dangerous spacetime-breaking region that exists beyond the game world. Classic Easter Eggs: The game features hard-to-find collectibles in sometimes even harder-to-find classic secret rooms.
Game Discussion
Steam User 1
Developed by Slipgate Ironworks and published by HandyGames in collaboration with 3D Realms, Rad Rodgers: Radical Edition is a fast-paced action platformer that celebrates the golden age of 1990s gaming while refining its mechanics for a modern audience. Rather than simply imitating the classics that inspired it, the game blends old-school level design with polished visuals, smoother controls, and new gameplay features that make this edition the definitive version of Rad's adventure. From its colorful environments to its emphasis on exploration and hidden collectibles, the game immediately appeals to players who appreciate traditional side-scrolling platformers with a contemporary presentation.
The adventure follows Rad, an energetic young gamer who unexpectedly finds himself transported into the world of his favorite video game. Accompanying him is Dusty, a sarcastic and highly capable sentient game console whose personality provides much of the game's humor. Together they set out to restore order to a world infected by corruption, battling bizarre enemies and overcoming dangerous obstacles along the way. The chemistry between the two protagonists is one of the game's strongest qualities, with entertaining dialogue and playful banter adding personality throughout the journey without overshadowing the action.
At its core, Rad Rodgers: Radical Edition delivers responsive platforming combined with satisfying run-and-gun combat. Every stage is packed with enemies, environmental hazards, hidden pathways, and collectible items that reward players who take the time to thoroughly explore. Precision jumping remains an important part of progression, while an expanding arsenal of creative weapons keeps combat engaging from beginning to end. The game strikes a nice balance between accessibility and challenge, allowing newcomers to enjoy the adventure while still providing enough secrets and optional content for experienced platforming fans to pursue.
One of the game's most distinctive mechanics is the Pixelverse, a digital dimension that Dusty can enter to repair glitches affecting the surrounding levels. These sections introduce puzzle-solving and environmental manipulation that differ from the main platforming gameplay, preventing the experience from becoming repetitive. Instead of relying solely on combat and jumping, the Pixelverse adds variety by requiring players to think strategically as they eliminate corruption and restore broken sections of the game world. This clever feature reinforces the game's self-aware theme of existing inside a malfunctioning video game while offering a refreshing change of pace.
The Radical Edition significantly expands the original release with a generous amount of new content. Local cooperative play allows two players to experience the campaign together, while competitive Battle Mode introduces multiplayer matches for those seeking a more confrontational experience. Additional levels, fresh abilities, expanded environments, playable characters, hidden collectibles, and extra minigames provide meaningful reasons for returning players to revisit the adventure. These additions transform Radical Edition from a simple update into a comprehensive package that offers considerably more value than the original release.
Presentation is another area where the game performs well. Its bright, cartoon-inspired visuals successfully modernize the classic platforming aesthetic without abandoning its retro influences. Every environment feels vibrant and distinct, with detailed backgrounds, lively animations, and expressive character designs contributing to an energetic atmosphere. The soundtrack complements the visuals with upbeat compositions that capture the spirit of classic PC platformers while maintaining enough variety to keep the adventure engaging throughout its campaign. Together, the audio and visual design reinforce the game's nostalgic identity without feeling outdated.
The game is not entirely without flaws. Some levels feature occasional spikes in difficulty that may interrupt the otherwise steady pacing, and a handful of technical issues can occasionally affect the overall experience. While the humor generally succeeds thanks to the interactions between Rad and Dusty, certain jokes may not appeal to every player. The campaign is also relatively concise compared to some modern platformers, although the abundance of secrets, collectibles, and multiplayer content helps extend its replay value beyond a single playthrough.
Overall, Rad Rodgers: Radical Edition is a successful modernization of a classic platforming formula that respects its inspirations while introducing enough original ideas to stand on its own. The combination of fluid gameplay, inventive Pixelverse mechanics, memorable characters, colorful presentation, and generous additional content makes it an enjoyable experience for both retro gaming enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Although a few technical shortcomings and occasional balance issues prevent it from reaching the very top tier of the genre, it remains a polished and entertaining platformer that effectively captures the excitement and creativity of old-school gaming.
Rating: 6/10
Steam User 0
I have two versions of this game for some reason. I played this version a few years ago. I guess I should go try out the year one version to see what the difference is.
Steam User 0
Decent overall, good controls, and funny. The different NPC's talking to you in the game reminds me of Conker's Bad Fur Day. Grab this game when it's on sale. It'll make you chuckle.