Reception

Reception

Review scores

Publication Score

EGM 5/10[12]

5/10[12]

4/10[12]

8/10[12]

Famitsu26/40[18][19]

Nintendo Magazine System 91/100[20]

Nintendomagasinet 6/10[21]

PlayStation Magazine (JP) 18.5/30[22]

Gimmick! initially garnered lackluster interest and mixed reviews from publications like Famitsu,
Electronic Gaming Monthly, and Nintendomagasinet.[3][12][21] This lack of popularity was blamed
on casual players being unable to handle the difficulty, and the industry's transition to newer 16-bit
consoles like the Super NES and Mega Drive. When Gimmick! was exhibited at places like the Tokyo
Toy Show, Sakai recalled that he was hoping a dealer would see Gimmick! as a next-generation title
developed for the original Nintendo and distribute it, only for them to lose interest once they
learned it was an NES game. In retrospect, he joked that the game took 10 years for people to
appreciate.[3]

Critics from Swedish magazine Nintendomagasinet found Gimmick! to be reminiscent of Sunsoft's

own Ufouria: The Saga. They felt it was ultimately an average platformer, and noted the game's cute
design would be appealing to children.[21] Three reviewers from Electronic Gaming Monthly shared
these sentiments regarding the game's average quality and cute design. A fourth reviewer gave a
more rave review, calling the game a sleeper hit and stating the game becomes very challenging at
the later levels and requires great technique to master.[12] The most favorable review at the time
came from Nintendo Magazine System, where the critics called it one of the best NES games they
had played in a while. The reviewers highly praised the visuals, sound and difficulty of the game,
with one reviewer saying that the desire to complete the game trumps over any such problems it
has.[20]

In a retrospective analysis, GameSpot's Jonathan Toyad highlighted Gimmick! as an underrated

platform title from the 1990s. He praised the physics and unique level design. Regarding the
graphics, he stated them to be the "prettiest and most detailed" from the NES era. Toyad's only
negative comment was regarding the extreme difficulty in reaching the final stage and good ending.
He concluded that Gimmick! was a "labor of love" from developers, and found it a shame it was not
released in North America.[23] IGN listed it among their top ten NES games of all time, praising the
game's physics engine and writing that its platforming excellence stands out among the console's
best.[24]