Sir Noggin Review

Taking you back to the past, Sinclair Strange and Scarlet Moon Games are channeling the much-beloved 8-bit SEGA Master System with their platformer Sir Noggin.

Does this platformer have a good head on its shoulders? Find out in our review…

Sir Noggin Review

Not one for idyllic paradises, the Evil Wizard Derek decides to rile things up at Gigan Island with a healthy dose of evil critters.

Enter the titular hero Sir Noggin, here to save the land….and possibly get a high score in the process.

A high-action platformer game, Sir Noggin channels the platforming greats we so adore. Packing a double jump and a giant sword, Sir Noggin’s responsive controls allow for one’s old-school skills to truly shine.

Just watch out for those birds – they’ll make a beeline for you!

If anything, that’s part of the joy of Sir Noggin – learning the ins, outs, and everything in-between to become an absolute master.

Studying enemy attack patterns, knowing where spikes are (the floor and the ceiling for those in the know…), and defeating larger-than-life bosses reminded us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place.

Sir Noggin also pulls from the book of Belmont with its Castlevania-style Sub-Weapon system. At the cost of MP, players can use a throwing Knife, a high-damage Bomb, a Firewand with a spread pattern, and a trusty Boomerang that returns to sender.

Knowing which Sub-Weapon is best for the situation in Sir Noggin could very well mean the difference between a high score and a “Restart” screen.

Sir Noggin features a number of unique elements across its six main areas. From Fungi Valley’s bouncing mushrooms to the windswept Sky Ruins, each of its six main stages keeps things lively, all without overstaying its welcome.

Like Master System homie Sonic the Hedgehog, each of Sir Noggin’s two Zones each, along with a Boss Zone for each main area. Not too long and not too short, everything is tightly paced and just right.

Sir Noggin also does a masterful job capturing the Master System era with its presentation, with a clean look full of life and charm. Composer coda’s work on the soundtrack is also stellar, feeling nostalgic yet fresh at the same time.  

There’s a reason Sir Noggin features a Sound Test option upon completion!

While not the longest title (also true to the era), Sir Noggin also features a Boss Rush mode upon completion. A number of achievements tied to no-death and no-weapon runs also bring the challenge.

Masterfully capturing the Master System era we so adore, Sir Noggin has a good head on its shoulders with its high-action platforming.

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