PC Games Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
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PC Games

Pipistrello Cursed Yoyo: What Real Players Actually Think

Apr 2026

Last Analyzed

9/10

Overall Rating

40

Positive Reviews

9

Negative Reviews

Summary

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a Brazilian-developed top-down action-adventure that blends GBA-era Zelda structure with metroidvania ability gating around a yoyo combat system — a genre the devs themselves call 'yoyovania'. Reddit reception is overwhelmingly positive, with multiple threads earning 100+ upvotes and users consistently calling it one of their top games of 2025. It holds an OpenCritic score of 88 with 95% of critics recommending it. The game appeals most to fans of classic top-down Zelda, GBA aesthetics, and tight puzzle-platformer design, and a free demo is available on all platforms for those on the fence.

Pros

  • Yoyo mechanics are genuinely novel — bouncing shots off walls at angles, pinball-style flippers, and trick-shot puzzles create rooms that feel consistently fresh rather than repetitive
  • 20+ hours of content with dense collectathon design: every screen has rose containers, badge holder fragments, or bonus cash to chase, and a map completion percentage shown post-credits keeps completionists engaged
  • Highly customizable difficulty with sliders for player/enemy damage, game speed, healing drop rates, and badge slots — the devs clearly wanted everyone to be able to finish it
  • Unique 'debt' upgrade system — buying skills puts you into a debt that imposes active handicaps (less health, no pickups, fewer badge slots) until you pay it off through play, adding a light challenge-mode layer to progression
  • Runs well across platforms with full DualSense adaptive trigger support on PC; feels especially authentic on handhelds like Steam Deck or Switch given the GBA visual style
  • OpenCritic score of 88 with 95% recommended across 20 critic reviews; 100% positive Steam reviews at launch

Cons

  • Switch performance has a known framerate dip in sewer areas with animated ooze backgrounds, dropping to roughly 10-15 FPS — turning off the LCD grid effect reportedly helps but the issue persists on original Switch hardware
  • Later dungeons draw complaints about pacing — some players find the back half repetitive as room-puzzle density becomes a slog rather than a delight, with one reviewer describing it as 'button memorization'
  • Very sparse online guides and no interactive map at the time of writing; the game has X/Y coordinates but community coverage is thin compared to more prominent indie titles
  • Pixel art style is divisive — the hyper-colorful GBA aesthetic with a small, hard-to-read protagonist reads as 'an assault on the eyes' to some players even if others find it charming
  • Ability gating is lighter than a traditional metroidvania — only four upgrades open world areas, which may disappoint players expecting dense backtracking mechanics
  • Combat system is considered the weakest element by some: basic and not deep enough to carry the late game when puzzle variety starts to feel worn out

The Demo Converts Skeptics

Multiple Reddit users reported going from 'not sure' to 'buying immediately' after the free demo available on all platforms. The demo is broadly seen as an accurate representation of the full game's quality and is the most-recommended way to gauge whether the GBA aesthetic and yoyo mechanics click for you.

Punching Above Its Weight Class

Reddit comparisons range from Shovel Knight to the Oracle-era Game Boy Zelda games to Hollow Knight's charm system. For a small Brazilian studio's first action-adventure game, the level of mechanical polish and world density surprised even players who went in with tempered expectations.

Brazilian DNA Runs Deep

Brazilian players note that the localization isn't just a functional translation — the game is stuffed with local slang, cultural references, and humor that feels written in Portuguese first. The soundtrack mixes retro bossa nova and funk, which players in São Paulo called a genuine 'feels like home' moment.

User Reviews (49 of 246 analyzed)

44
0
aZombieDictatorr/metroidvania20d agopositive

I was telling everyone to play this last year and constantly mentioned it was one of my favorites. Still never met anyone who's actually played other than on here.

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33
0
OptometristCharizardr/Games20d agopositive

I absolutely adore both of Pocket Trap's previous games (Ninjin: Clash of Carrots and Dodgeball Academia) so I'm super excited to dig into this one. I also love that people are making truly quality indie 2D-Zelda-Likes.

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22
0
HitBySmoothReticulumr/metroidvania20d agopositive

I really love it. The GBA zelda style is awesome. I hope it sells well, because it deserves a sequel or, at least, a DLC.

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22
0
Citrusmeetliquorr/metroidvania20d agopositive

It's a crazy good game. I knew about it but wasn't super excited for it… but Jesus. It's like shovel knight quality but for Zelda-likes

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19
0
Eukherior/metroidvania20d agopositive

It's a great game, but some of the later dungeons can be a bit too long and repetitive. The moveset is really innovative, and I liked the tone of the story and the setting. I would like to see more zeldalikes without the mandatory fantasy world.

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15
0
andythefisher777r/metroidvania20d agopositive

I tried the demo a few weeks ago on a whim, and I was like WHAT IS THIS GAME AND WHY HAVE I NOT HEARD OF IT? I was very excited for the release this week, it's a very fun game.

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14
0
entresred6r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Bought it this morning, and now I'm 4 hours or so in. It's pretty damned good. So damn well polished with all the mechanics so well thought out. Great game so far

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12
0
bluedetroitbluesr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Great game. Unique abilities, amazing movement mechanics, always kept it fresh. Really enjoyed it.

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11
0
Kamigoyer/metroidvania20d agonegative

i hear so many good things about this game but i feel like its a complete assault on the eyes and no one ever seems to comment on that. I grew up with the NES too, so i have no problem with a retro style...maybe its just a me thing.

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11
0
VictorVitorior/metroidvania20d agopositive

Among the best games this year.

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10
0
AssidicPoor/Games20d agopositive

Was keeping my eye on this and the great reviews just tempted me to snag this right away. Im loving the GBA nostalgia these days.

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9
0
action_lawyer_comicsr/metroidvania20d agopositive

I really liked this one. One of the best things about Pippistrello was that it had a ton of bonus secrets to find. Every couple of screens there is a rose container or a badge holder fragment or bonus cash. There is always something extra around the corner to grab.

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8
0
AleroRatkingr/metroidvania20d agonegative

I feel like it gets really repetitive in the back half. My other concern is (correct me if im wrong) that there is only four upgrades that open up areas in the entire game.

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8
0
Titansfan9200r/metroidvania20d agopositive

I'm playing on switch and absolutely in love. Hadn't heard of this prior to yesterday but I'm hooked.

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8
0
Bluestorm83r/metroidvania20d agopositive

WOW. I just finished the demo and bought the full version. I did not hit a single thing in that demo that I did not love. Everything was total quality. Everything.

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8
0
wiinesr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Ironically, it's my current game before Silksong drops! It's pretty good! Cute aesthetic, goofy story, and clever mechanics.

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7
0
giulianosser/metroidvania20d agopositive

I'm playing through it right now and I'm constantly amazed at just how fun it is. I usually struggle when games are too long so imagine my surprise when I realized I was playing Pipistrello for 12 hours already. Level design is great, gameplay is smooth and the collectathon mechanics are addictive to the point I'm naturally 100%-ing it.

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7
0
duckyduckster2r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Yeah I second this recommendation. Great little game, although i would call it more of a zelda-like as some people feel MVs have to be sidescrollers. But i recommend it nonetheless to those people. Between this and Mina the Hollower, the gba look and feel is back big this year.

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6
0
Fair-Victory-3531r/metroidvania20d agopositive

It is the best top down Zelda like I've ever played, and as someone who's been playing the Zelda series since the NES I think it's better than any of the actual 2D Zelda games besides Link's Awakening and Link to the Past.

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6
0
SirLagunaLoirer/metroidvania20d agopositive

I'm a "purist" so I don't consider a game a metroidvania if its not a sidescroller, but Pipistrello is Indeed an amazing Game. It's one of My favorites of 2025 and all of You should play it.

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6
0
1waffle1r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Such a fun title, and its so accessible too, hardly frustrating moments. you will 100% it for sure because it's that addictive to explore the world and finally unlock that chest you've been eyeing on for your whole playthrough.

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6
0
PurplMasterr/metroidvania20d agopositive

If not for Silksong, this would be my GOTY, what a wonderful game

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5
0
Adam2181r/metroidvania20d agonegative

I enjoyed most aspects of the game but I hated the "penalty for upgrades" system. Most of the game I played handicapped just to unlock (sometimes incremental) upgrades. The fact that it took so much coin and multiple debuffs to unlock a single upgrade (and you can only do one at a time) really killed a lot of the fun for me. Cool idea, horrible execution. It should've just cost money.

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5
0
aanzeijarr/metroidvania20d agopositive

It was good. Biggest plus is how unapologetically mechanics oriented the level design is. Every screen has some way to use your abilities, and there are tons of collectibles that can be gotten in fun and interesting ways. I also really liked how the game is not afraid of the player breaking it in late game with the cheater batches.

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5
0
anthbenor/metroidvania20d agopositive

Tied with Silksong for best game of 2025 for me.

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4
0
NeonDoubleJump07r/metroidvania20d agonegative

it was so-so not a bad game at all. i wouldn't say it was mind blowing. the only dungeon i really enjoyed was the subway station. i thought the combat was frustrating and i felt they could of did more with it.

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4
0
Alarmed_Usual_425r/metroidvania20d agopositive

One of the Best game i did play in a decade! A masterpiece. If you like capcom Zelda's, you will love every second of it

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4
0
entresred6r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Loved it. The abilities were unique as fuck too. The artstyle was great and not-your-typical-metroidvania-dark-fantasy. For me, it makes my top 5 of the year.

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4
0
tomcruise_momshoesr/metroidvania20d agopositive

This game has one of my favorite gaming elements: variation. There are so many fun mini games, secrets, upgrades, NPC's, puzzles, side activities… each screen has a new possibility. Amazing game so far, maybe my fav of 2025.

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4
0
urdogthinksurcuter/metroidvania20d agonegative

I have played a couple hours and find it dull and kind of annoying.

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4
0
drp2222r/metroidvania20d agopositive

I 100% it too a couple months ago. Fantastic fun! Easy to recommend.

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4
0
blamblegam1r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Glad to find a fellow enjoyer! Feel like this one went under everyone's radar. I'm sitting at around 75% just sort of messing around before actually finishing the game. I was not prepared for how massive this game's world would be.

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3
0
pilgermannr/metroidvania20d agopositive

It's really half Zelda half Celeste. For me the most challenging sections were the platforming (most optional and fun). The platforming does have a strong puzzle component though, meaning once you understand what to do, the movement isn't insane, just precise.

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3
0
Citrusmeetliquorr/metroidvania20d agonegative

Good game. The game mechanics felt really worn out to me personally in the late game dungeons, but still an impressive Zelda-like.

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2
0
homer_3r/metroidvania20d agopositive

It was my GOTY until I played Spindle. Both are incredible. Hard to pick between the two.

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2
0
blanketedgayr/Games20d agopositive

This was one of the only demos in the February Next Fest that caught my attention. Despite this sort of game being a dime a dozen these days, it managed to stand out in the genre because it was really fucking polished. It has that one-of-a-kind balance that the Zelda games of being having simple but still engaging puzzle design. The GBA artstyle also looks really clean & vividly on Deck.

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2
0
PotentNeurotoxinr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Been playing on my Steam Deck & it's been a brilliant experience! I've had the game at the top of my wishlist since its reveal so I've had my eyes on it for a long while and it's absolutely been worth the wait. It absolutely feels like playing a niche & severely underrated GBA gem.

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2
0
Organic_Honeydew4090r/metroidvania20d agonegative

I'm pretty disappointed with it myself. It's polished and it has its charms, but when people say it's like Zelda they're wrong. It's almost more like super meat boy with Zelda trappings. It looks like Zelda but it plays nothing like it. Here almost every screen is a challenge of some kind, you're rarely just wandering the areas and going on adventures finding secrets.

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2
0
AndPlagueFlowersr/metroidvania20d agonegative

I was enjoying it but some of the traversal bits you gotta do are really annoying.

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2
0
TheGingerBeardMan-_-r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Love it. Its full of wonderful puzzles and really satisfying challenges, and absolutely lovely accessibility and difficulty stuff. Really well made and they wanted everyone that wanted a chance to play it to be able to.

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2
0
Rezzoner/metroidvania20d agopositive

I am about to finish this game and past the first two dungeons became extremely addictive. The room and dungeon designs are impeccable and the sheer size and density of challenges in the overworld and sewers is astonishing. What a fabulous (not so) little game!

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2
0
Tangurlr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Just a heads-up, this game has full Dualsense support on PC. I was shocked that there is Adaptive Trigger in this kind of indie game.

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2
0
Chemical-Poetry5946r/metroidvania20d agopositive

i love this game because it's so satisfying to go through areas and beat up enemies with all your yoyo tricks at your disposal, some of the puzzles were so mind-boggling that i had to look up a guide for them, and i really found myself getting attached to the characters and the silly little world they lived in to the point of drawing fanart and making up headcanons for them.

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2
0
Fluffy_Milk_7853r/metroidvania20d agopositive

Late to this thread just to echo that this game is incredible. Perfect difficulty level, surprisingly funny (I find nearly all indie games attempt at humour really cringe), good toolkit of mechanics and great puzzle design.

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2
0
HatsOnLampsr/metroidvania20d agopositive

It's amazing. Some games I rush through the first time, doing side-quests occasionally, but I've realized two bosses into this one that I want to start the whole thing over, and really take my time exploring. Crazy levels of personality, fun movement upgrades, good writing, and a Warioland-esque grungy pixel art style. A real gem.

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2
0
Moriasonr/metroidvania20d agonegative

Excellent game, but I was pretty worn out on literally every single room being a sort of puzzle by the end of it. They just begin to feel like a button memorization slog as opposed to fun.

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1
0
begselwalchr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Just checking in to say that this game is really underrated! It might not be as difficult as some other beloved metroidvanias but it has a fair amount of challenge. If you like puzzle-platforming gameplay this is a really good purchase. I had a lot of fun with my first playthrough and will definitely try NG+.

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1
0
Fennopolisr/metroidvania20d agopositive

Just finished it, absolutely fantastic game! Would recommend to fans of Zelda or search action games.

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1
0
lizardbishr/metroidvania20d agopositive

I started playing this last night and suddenly 4 hours disappeared. I'm having an absolute blast with it.

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