Felix the Cat wasn’t exactly my favorite cartoon back when I was a kid (I wasn’t born in 1917, after all), but I did grow up back in a bizarre era when they were trying to revive the franchise to a modern audience. There was this bizarre animated series on Cartoon Network, which was basically an acid trip for kids. I also, somehow, had access to a copy of a Felix the Cat Game Boy game, originally made by Hudson Soft, back in my formative years. It was just one of those many cartridges inherited from my siblings, which also included Star Wars, Bomber Boy (known in the USA as Atomic Punk), and Godzilla.

Why the odd and unnecessary trip back to memory lane? Well, that one bizarre game from my childhood is actually back, all thanks to a collective effort from Konami (the owner of Hudson Soft’s IPs) and Limited Run Games, in a minuscule collection which also includes the NES and Famicom games, which were actually the basis for the aforementioned Game Boy game. Who asked for this? No idea, but I’m somewhat glad it exists. It’s not a meaty collection, far from it, but I was incredibly surprised with that NES title in particular. The problem lies in how much value it offers.

First of all, let me just dismiss the Game Boy game already, because, for all intents and purposes, it’s just a worsened version of this little NES gem. Yes, it’s the port I have a connection with, but rose-tinted glasses cannot help this game that much. It’s not terrible, but it tries to do way too much with such underwhelming hardware. Clunky visuals, massive framerate drops, the whole drill.

Alright, off to the main course, Felix the Cat for the Nintendo Entertainment System (as well as the Famicom, as two versions of the ROM are included in the collection). It was originally released in late 1992, way after the launch of the Super Nintendo itself. By that time, developers were accustomed to the NES and its capabilities. New chipsets and lower production costs allowed for studios, such as Hudson Soft, to come up with titles that were impossible to be replicated back in 1985. Felix the Cat is such an example. This 2D platformer isn’t exactly the best or most groundbreaking game in the NES catalogue, but I’d go as far as to say it’s a hidden gem. No, really.

This is an easy-going 2D platformer, with the simple main goal of reaching the end of each stage whilst collecting as many items and powerups along your way. The power-up system is the bizarre catch, as it takes advantage of Felix the Cat‘s utter surrealism to create some nonsensical crap onscreen. For instance, in the first world alone, if you collect enough Felix-shaped icons and the hearts that are generated because of said actions, you can turn into a magician with a spread attack, or upgrade that to being able to ride a small robot, or better yet, upgrading yourself once again to being able to ride a tank.

Yep, a tank. A freaking tank. From out of nowhere, this easy, harmless 2D platformer allows you to ride a vicious war tank in the middle of a colorful level full of cute creatures you can murder with ease. It’s a power trip kind of game: there’s not a lot of challenge, so you’re just here to enjoy the sights and the absurdity, as well as some pretty good music. The good music is actually one of the very few things the Game Boy actually does better than the NES original, as the GB could replicate stereo sound, something the NES couldn’t.

As good as this NES game is, there’s the issue with how little content this collection has to offer. No extras included: you have access to three games, with save states, filters, that’s basically it. They are more fun than the sheer amount of crap featured in Limited Run’s previous Jurassic Park collection, but it’s still not a lot for the pricetag. This is what makes this a tough recommendation. I was really impressed with how good Felix the Cat on NES is, and it’s now one of my favorite hidden gems on that system. It’s still a lot of money being asked for one excellent ROM, its Japanese counterpart, and a Game Boy port that’s basically a novelty item. I’d say that, if you have some cashback credits in your eShop account, Felix the Cat is really fun and worth your time. If not, maybe wait for a discount.

Graphics: 7.0 The NES game features one of the most adorable art styles I’ve ever seen in a game from that console. The Game Boy port looks rough, as it tries to emulate the level of detail from the NES original, without the horsepower to do so.	Gameplay: 7.0 Easy-going platformers with an emphasis on item-collecting, and just a minor emphasis on combat. They are easy to pick up and play, and aren’t unfair like most games of their era.
Sound: 7.5 The soundtrack is basically the same in both titles. Thankfully, that also means it’s good in both titles.	Fun Factor: 6.5 A collection of three games completely devoid of extras. In terms of value, it’s a tough recommendation. Thankfully, the NES original is actually really good. A hidden gem even, dare I say.
Final Verdict: 7.0

Felix the Cat is available now on PS4, PS5 and Switch. The original games are available on NES and Game Boy.

Reviewed on Switch.

A copy of Felix the Cat was provided by the publisher.