Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 3 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 77 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 87% | 81 | 94 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 15, 2024) · 94 reviews sampled · 85 total reviews in window · weighted 45 up / 6.8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (15)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Taken on its own merits, though, free from comparison to the earlier versions, it's hard to see Retro City Rampage DX as anything less than a deranged masterpiece.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“At the end of the day this is a throwback 8-bit version of games with more modern sensibilities and it is well-executed. The controls are relatively simple and sensible, the action is varied enough (though usually centered on doing something illegal or insane), the silly references are abundant, and the amount of content means if you enjoy the game you’ll have something to play for quite a while if you want to do it all. If you’ve played it in one of its previous incarnations there’s nothing new here, it’s just on the Switch and probably in the most refined and versatile form it has ever been in. If you’re not into destruction and pop culture call-outs the game also isn’t likely for you. But if you’re in search of something light, fun, and packed with mischief it is a good time, even while showing its age.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Retro City Rampage: DX is the best open world game to hit a portable system since GTA: Chinatown Wars on the DS.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“An absolutely delightful and action-packed gem, loaded with references to 1980s pop culture and made even more playable on a handheld, Retro City Rampage: DX brings all that to the 3DS. Players who already have the other versions should reconsider this purchase, though, as it adds little to those.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Retro City Rampage DX is a loud, exciting and mindless open world experience that hurriedly takes you from one insane situation to another. While its humour and story might rely a little too heavily on parodies and past references, the fun had from simply causing chaos in the city of Theftropolis is enough to carry you through to the end. For those looking for their Grand Theft Auto fix on Switch this is certainly worth a look.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite such a late release RCRDX, the game still feels and plays at the proper level, the passing game for the Nintendo Switch was my fourth walkthrough of this game, replay value, references to all sorts of subculture, atmosphere and spirit is my favorite era for 80 years, all it just is not in RCRDX, all of this in her over the edge, I could advise to go through this game at least once? No doubt.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Retro City Rampage DX takes the over the top vintage from the original versions of the game, adds an awful amount of enhancements and becomes a very good open world portable game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Parody is hard. Too often, bad jokes are followed by a pause for laughter that doesn’t come. Retro City Rampage DX on Switch doesn’t care.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“It's cruelly authentic in places, but the bombastic immediacy, improved balance and reverence for the source material are a great fit for 3DS. [Apr 2014, p.90]”
- 80
“Retro City Rampage DX finds another home, perhaps its best, finest, and last on the Nintendo Switch. The game is so clearly a labor of love and it shows, even if it’s a bit manic at times. The humor always lands, and the gameplay feels great. The seemingly endless video options lets you give the game a new look each time you play. Retro City Rampage DX‘s release is rather timely, making a great primer for Vblank Entertainment’s next game, Shakedown: Hawaii which changes locations and enters the 16-bit era. Switch owners are in for a real treat, as Retro City Rampage DX is nostalgia redefined.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Gameplay wise, you’ll be hard-pressed to run out of things to do in RCR. Not only is there a free roam mode right off the bat, but the New Game+ is crazy and off the wall too. We’re talking dozens of hours of gaming here, and if you’ve never played RCR before, probably even more. I don’t hesitate when I say that Retro City Rampage is a must play for any retro-gaming fan, open world fan, or Nintendo gamer. It’s iconic, and worth the investment. And yes, RCR DX on the Switch is probably the best version out there.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While the game makes great use of the 3DS overall, the one area that is worth mentioning is that it lacks any 3D at all, which and it did surprise me, but the game still looks great and the dual screens work very well having the persistent map at the bottom.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
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NintendoWorldReport
FNintendo
Nintendo Insider
ZEFGame.ru
IGN
Nintendo Now
Saving Content
GameSpace
Digitally Downloaded…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Retro City Rampage DX - Update v2.10Nov 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 'DX' update and Mac OS version, AVAILABLE NOW!Nov 11, 2014
- 'DX' update and Mac OS version, AVAILABLE NOW!Nov 11, 2014
- Retro City Rampage v1.16 ReleasedJan 24, 2014
- Retro City Rampage v1.16 ReleasedJan 24, 2014
- Retro City Rampage v1.15 ReleasedDec 14, 2013
- Retro City Rampage v1.15 ReleasedDec 14, 2013