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) | – | 72 | 23 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 89% | 83 | 804 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 11, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 804 total reviews in window · weighted 165.2 up / 20.1 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (39)
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.
- 80
“A nostalgic toybox shooter with heart, polish, and some rough edges, HYPERCHARGE is what happens when devs say “what if we built a game around the coolest part of your childhood?” and actually follow through. It’s not perfect, but it’s pure fun.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Hypercharge: Unboxed is a fun and unique addition to the small library of shooters already on the Nintendo Switch. Digital Cybercherries' debut title on the platform offers fun and addictive wave-based shooter gameplay for all ages. With the game's cute art style and smooth performance, it is hard to go wrong with picking up a content-filled game like this. Especially one that has a lower than usual price-tag of $19.99.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Hypercharge: Unboxed is an exceptional shooter that has a lot to offer the gaming audience. The impressive gameplay can tie many a gamer to his or her seat, while the original artwork sets the title apart from other games of a similar nature. All of this is complemented by unorthodox designs, breathtakingly detailed maps and fun online matches. While I could find a few flaws, it doesn't change the fact that this is an enjoyable venture that is definitely worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you consider the fairly sparse selection of FPS titles on the Switch, Hypercharge: Unboxed is a genuinely tempting prospect, boasting solid gameplay that is an absolute blast with friends. There are a few issues with the gameplay that may need addressing with patches, and as a whole the game feels like a bit of a walk in the park for the most part, but otherwise it's an impressive, unique title that you'd do well to check out.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Hypercharged: Unboxed is an ambitious project from a small team with a strong vision that is mostly realized, albeit with some struggles along the way.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Hypercharge's fun conceit and impressive suite of content earns appreciation given Digital Cybercherries' modest means, but its mediocre mechanics make other toys more tempting to play.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“With its Small Soldiers vibe, setting a mix of tower defense-esque strategy and shooting at a toy-like scale, Unboxed seemed full of potential...”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Hypercharge Unboxed shooter Hypercharge starts with an interesting premise, that of toys come to life, and manages to build good levels around this concept, but it remains too anchored in old design quicksand, with a horde tower defense loop carried over equally from games of two generations ago, so much so that it very quickly becomes stale and uncomfortable. The shooting and movement mechanics do not live up to the genre and waste the potential put on the table by the level design, which is instead thoughtful and challenging in terms of explorability. The co-op component is completely unable to counter some of these stumbles, a flaw on which we must pile an insufficient bot companion AI and a PvP component that is probably dead in the bud. Hypercharge Unboxed is a big “Too bad!”, in short, but never too big a mistake not to allow the Brits at Digital Cybercherries to learn from their mistakes and deliver, why not, a 2.0 version that fixes some of the game's basic problems.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Actually, it is one I look forward to revisiting as time goes on. It is extremely promising, but it isn't quite there yet. However, if you have a group of friends you can reliably play with and you're willing to trudge through the rough spots, there is certainly plenty of content to enjoy here. It also happens to somehow be one of the most visually impressive games I've played on Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I know I have been critical of the developer in the past, and while I, myself didn’t really vibe with their marketing techniques; at the end of the day developer Digital Cybercherries’ freshman offering is a joy to play with others. It can be rather difficult alone due to having to defend multiple towers, but with others, online or split-screen I cannot deny this is a fun game. Its not going to set the world on fire, but for a group of buddies on a weekend; this one will definitely make you smile.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Hypercharge: Unboxed is an enjoyable experience that blends childhood nostalgia with innovation in gameplay. It offers multiple game modes with a distinctive and unique artistic direction, supported by generally stable technical performance, making it a competitive shooter suitable for players of all ages.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Hypercharge finally arrives on PlayStation, fully formed and ready to be added to your multiplayer lexicon. The PvE is smooth as silk and the grin you'll have on your face throughout is testament to how enjoyable the game is with friends. An indie gem.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Pure Nintendo
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
Seasoned Gaming
VGChartz
Nindie Spotlight
Gamesource Italia
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Just Play it
FingerGuns…and 27 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Major Update #13 - New Game Modes, Characters, Weapons, & Huge Improvements!Nov 11, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- What's on the Horizon for Hypercharge? A BIG Update and Upcoming Adjusted PriceSep 19, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #10 deployed!Jul 3, 2023
- Hotfix #9 - Fixed Server Issues & Much More!Apr 1, 2023
- Major Update #12 - Story Campaign, New Map, Boss, Objectives, & More!Mar 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #11 - Added huge new Playground Map, Enemies, Skins, & More!Jan 20, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #10 - Infection Mode and Improvements + Happy Halloween!Oct 24, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update Update #9 - PvP Overhaul and New Mothership Boss! + Midweek MadnessSep 26, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #8 - Added new Play & Lobby Menu System & Huge Improvements!Jul 8, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #7 – New Character Packaging System & Huge Improvements!Apr 29, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #6 - Many Bug Fixes!Jan 21, 2022
- Major Update #6 - Cyber T. Rex, Missile Truck, and Massive Improvements!Jan 15, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #5 - Stability FixesAug 20, 2021
- Major Update #5 - New Weapons, Enemies, Attachments, and many Improvements!Jul 23, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- One-Year Anniversary Update!Apr 27, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #4 - New Maps, Weapons, Enemies, Skins and Improvements!Mar 12, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #3 - Bots & Third-Person Mode. Now Live!Dec 12, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Dev Blog #1 - Survival Update & Community ConcernsAug 15, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #2 - Female Action Figures now added!May 27, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update #1 - Includes Huge Overhaul of Entire Networking System!May 15, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- HOT FIX 1 - Steam friend invite bug fixed.Apr 28, 2020
- Development Update - WIP Maps!Jan 28, 2018
- Early Access Update 02 - New Map & Enemies plus Major Changes!Aug 16, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Update 1Jun 24, 2017