Nitrome have, in many ways, taken the helm from legendary iPhone developers Donut Games, in that they consistently release enjoyable retro experiences on the App Store that, while not necessarily the deepest of titles, hark back to a nostalgic and reductionist era, where video games focused on only a couple of interesting features, but did them really, really well. Whether it's the extremely compulsive Leap Day [Free] that has become a daily ritual for many, or something more immersive and traditional like Gunbrick [$2.99], Nitrome have rarely put a foot wrong. Magic Mansion [Free] appears to follow in these footsteps, as obvious inspiration from older Game Boy titles has resulted in a challenging yet charming retro platformer that, for the low, low price of absolutely nothing, is certainly worth a try for Nitrome fans or anyone looking for another arcade experience on the App Store.
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While the monochromatic graphical style may suggest otherwise, the comparisons between Magic Mansion and Leap Day are extremely evident, however the former title takes a more bare bones route in its platforming chaos. You control a variety of unlockable characters, from a witch to a cat or a rabbit, and must ascend the eponymous Magic Mansion while collecting coins and avoiding enemies on the go. Your avatar automatically runs across the screen, and so the game is all about timing jumps to avoid obstacles and get as high as you can go in the d...