Gamefings logoimg

Review of Arcade Archives: City Connection on Nintendo Switch

by Jay Aborro Jay Aborro photo Jan 2018
Cover image of Arcade Archives: City Connection on Switch
Gamefings Score: 6
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 01 Jan 2018
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Hamster Corporation
Publisher: Jaleco

Introduction

In a time when arcade games ruled the land, along came a quirky little gem known as 'City Connection.' Released in 1985 (seriously, that's before people knew what a Wi-Fi was), it now makes its way to the Nintendo Switch via the Arcade Archives collection. Get ready for a retro ride that makes you question if you really want to paint the town red- or in this case, green- or yellow- and absolutely nothing is what it seems on the city roads.

Gameplay

City Connection centers around Clarice, a blue-haired speedster who drives around iconic global locations in her spiffy Honda City hatchback. Players must maneuver her through twelve levels, painting highways and dodging overzealous police cars eager for a game of bumper cars. And what's that? Cats! Yes, cats that wave flags in your way, turning each gameplay session into a bizarre cat-and-mouse game- probably one that takes place in a surreal world where cats run the city. The idea is simple yet maddening: paint all the road sections while somehow keeping your car intact. You can stun the police using oil cans (yep, that's a valid strategy), but tread carefully; if you dawdle, spikes will pop from the road, making you question your life choices.

Graphics

Let's talk visuals, shall we? The graphics are a kaleidoscopic blast from the past! Charmingly simple yet oddly colorful, it feels like you've stepped into an 8-bit fever dream. Each level is moderately detailed and serves as a perfect homage to the beloved arcade era, reminding us why we take poorly drawn cats with flags so seriously. Sure, it won't win any awards in the graphics department today, but it's got that nostalgic charm that can make you smile and roll your eyes at the same time. Picture this: giant iconic landmarks and Clarice's cute little car juxtaposed against plain backgrounds, all paying homage to ridiculous platformers past.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Arcade Archives: City Connection' is the retro lovechild of cuteness and chaos, wrapped in vibrant 8-bit nostalgia- and it's just as frustrating as you'd expect. While the controls can feel more like a gentle recommendation than a firm direction, it certainly appeals to die-hard fans of classic arcade games and has enough charm to make younger players curious about the origins of gaming. If you're in the mood for some classic chaos, a good giggle at the bizarre premise, or just looking to relive the dubious joy of dodging felines while keeping the fuzz at bay, then hop in your Honda City and go paint the town! Just remember: it's not about winning; it's about how many oil cans you can throw before hitting spikes. Score? A respectable 6 out of 10- because sometimes you just need to embrace your inner retro without fully understanding why.

See Latest Prices for Arcade Archives: City Connection on Switch on Amazon

See Prices for Arcade Archives: City Connection on Switch on Ebay

Related
Latest
image for news article 'Sophie Turner Is Lara Croft — How Tomb Raider's Brutal Skill Ceiling Will Shape Amazon's TV Take'
Hemal Harris - 04 Sep 2025
Sophie Turner will play Lara Croft in Amazon's Tomb Raider series. Here's how the show can capture the games' brutal challenge loo...
image for news article 'Gamescom 2025: From Hornet's Revenge to Gunfights in the Future — The Biggest Reveals, Ranked by Hype (and Probability of Screaming)'
Gemma Looksby - 27 Aug 2025
Gamescom 2025 unleashed release dates, surprises, and enough nostalgia to power a retro arcade. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally la...
image for news article 'From Sidekick to Symptom: An In-Depth Look at How Game Characters Grow (and Break) Over Time'
Tanya Krane - 22 Aug 2025
A witty, in-depth analysis of how video game characters evolve - from antiheroes and companions to tragic villains - and how gamep...
image for news article 'Helldivers 2: The Ultimate Skill Test — How to Survive When Friendly Fire Is A Feature'
Hemal Harris - 22 Aug 2025
Helldivers 2 turns cooperative shooters into a terrifying teamwork exam. From friendly-fire fiascos to stratagem juggling and glob...
image for news article 'PlayStation Plus August Drop: Mortal Kombat 1, Spider-Man, Sword of the Sea and Two Resident Evils — Sony’s Buffet of Beatdowns and Beachside Introspection'
Chucky - 22 Aug 2025
Sony's August PlayStation Plus drop mixes Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man with day-one indie Sword of the Sea, EDF6 co-op ...
image for news article 'Tariff Drama and Console Character Arcs: How the PS5 Price Hike Recasts PlayStation's Story'
Tanya Krane - 21 Aug 2025
Sony just raised PS5 prices in the US - but this is more than a number. We break down the cast, the catalyst (hello, tariffs), and...
image for news article 'The Nintendo Switch 2: An Overhyped Second Date That Actually Went Well'
Chucky - 14 Jun 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the market, and it's selling like hotcakes! Here's what you need to know about this slightly improved se...