[Nintendo Switch] Maki: Power of the Paw – A Review

RedDeerGames and Bacord have teamed up to bring us Maki: Paw of Fury, a beat ‘em up that takes us back to the golden era of arcade gaming, all while introducing a fresh, furry twist. In this game, the adrenaline-fueled action unfolds in the intriguing realm of Pangea. The adventure kicks off as Maki, our main character, leaps into the fray after a friend is unexpectedly kidnapped. With combat skills honed to perfection and the mystical power of the Tsume no Ken at his disposal, Maki sets out to defeat the forces of evil. The twist in this tale? Maki’s supposed ally, Mapu, has turned traitor by capturing Kami—talk about a plot twist!

You won’t embark on this heroic mission alone. Joining Maki are Tincho, a tough capybara, and Maka, a swift otter. Each character boasts unique attacks, specials, and wide-ranging area moves, so it’s well worth experimenting with all three to decide who best matches your style of play.

You’ll master your chosen warrior using the left analog stick to navigate, while the Y button unleashes standard attacks, and the B button triggers special moves. Getting into the groove with these buttons will unlock powerful combos. The A button lets you perform jumps, and combining it with Y or B will let you deliver airborne strikes. Uniting the Y and B buttons also summons an area attack, and don’t forget the X button, which unleashes a formidable Breaker attack using a portion of your Mana reserve.

While Maki: Paw of Fury effectively channels the spirit of classic 90s arcade games, there are some elements that feel like missed opportunities. For instance, adding multiplayer co-op on the Switch would have been a perfect fit, yet it’s absent here. Additionally, there’s no HD rumble, and character movement options are limited to the left analog stick, which feels like a quirky choice.

Priced at $10.99, Maki: Paw of Fury is now available on Nintendo Switch. While it has its quirks, fans of nostalgic beat ’em ups might find a lot to love in this furry adventure.

This review of Maki: Paw of Fury is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by RedDeerGames.