Octodad is the latest indie darling to arrive in the Nintendo Switch. The game is widely known for its intentionally bad controls (as you have separate inputs for each of the main character’s invertebrate limbs), unique gameplay, and noticeable sense of humor and irony. While definitely not a game for everyone, given the controls, it was certainly memorable: controlling an octopus pretending to be a human and trying to do mundane human chores with the added difficulty of its own biology is something hilarious.

With that being said, is the Switch version of Octodad different from previous iterations? Well, not really.

Let me start by pointing out the only noticeable additions to this version: it’s portable and has local co-op. Up to four players can play as a limb each while the Switch is on tabletop mode, each one with a controller. That’s basically everything new in this version. The rest is what you’d already expect from a normal port of Octodad: Dadliest Catch.

The aforementioned controls are still the same. The analog sticks are used to control the “arms” while the triggers are used to control the “legs.” There isn’t an option for motion controls, and that’s probably for the best, not because the joycons feature poor motion sensors (they’re surprisingly good, all things considered), but because implementing this on a game that already features intentionally difficult controls would make the experience aggravating.

The graphics still feature the same cartoonish but minimalistic design, with simple polygonal models and extremely basic textures, visuals that certainly have a unique charm but are also very exhaustive due to their exaggerated simplicity. The sound department is, thankfully, still the same as well. The best aspect of the game, besides its concept, is the voice acting. Everybody does a tremendous job by delivering lines with an equal sense of sarcasm and naivety. The game’s excellent theme song is still here as well. All in all, there’s little to talk about here. It’s the same Octodad, now on a newer platform.

Very little has changed in the Switch version of Octodad. The visuals are the same, the controls are the same, the story is the same. With the only difference being the added bonus of having portable local co-op (as long as you have enough controllers to do so), this version is not recommended for anyone who has already played any other ports. If that’s not the case, then go for it. It’s a game filled with humor, and while the controls can be infuriating quite often, that’s actually part of the experience. With the right mindset (huge emphasis on this!), Octodad is a nice addition to your Switch library.

Reviewed on Switch.

Also available on: PS4, PS Vita, PC, Xbox One, Wii U.

Copy of Octodad: Dadliest Catch provided by publisher.