Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

The story mode of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 receives praise for its engaging structure and nostalgic appeal, with many critics highlighting its roguelike mechanics and character-driven narrative. Critics like GameGrin and New Game Network commend the campaign for adding substantial content and fostering interactions between Nickelodeon icons, while SpazioGames and TechRadar Gaming note the inclusion of roguelite elements that allow players to retain power-ups across runs. ComicBook and Comicbook.com emphasize the campaign’s role in teaching mechanics through randomized matches, and But Why Tho? applauds the fully voice-acted story that weaves in lore from various Nickelodeon shows. The narrative’s focus on Vlad Plasmius as a unifying antagonist, as mentioned by Destructoid and GamingTrend, also provides a cohesive framework for players to explore the game’s world, blending humor and charm with its chaotic gameplay. However, several critics point to the story’s lack of depth and repetitive mechanics as significant drawbacks. Game Informer criticizes the narrative as “nonsensical and frustrating,” arguing that it undermines achievements and introduces unnecessary complications. Gaming Nexus and Destructoid highlight the shallow goal of simply knocking opponents off the screen, with the latter noting that boss battles feel predictable and unsatisfying. GamingTrend and Shacknews acknowledge the voice acting and character unlocks but fail to address the story’s reliance on mind-control tropes and minimal plot progression. These critiques suggest that while the campaign is accessible and fun, its narrative fails to deliver a compelling or original experience, leaving players with a sense of missed potential. Overall, the critical reception of the story mode is mixed but leans toward appreciation for its charm and gameplay innovation. While GameGrin, New Game Network, and SpazioGames celebrate its nostalgic appeal and roguelike elements, Game Informer and Gaming Nexus emphasize its shortcomings in depth and originality. The consensus appears to be that the story serves as a functional, if unremarkable, backdrop for the game’s core combat, with its strengths lying in its accessibility and character interactions rather than a groundbreaking narrative. Despite the criticisms, the campaign’s ability to blend Nickelodeon’s iconic characters with procedural challenges ensures it remains a memorable, if imperfect, component of the game.

The gameplay of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 has been widely praised for its significant improvements over the original, with critics highlighting its enhanced mechanics and depth. Multiple reviewers, including Game Informer and Game Rant, commended the core combat system for its quick and precise movement, satisfying attacks, and the introduction of the Slime Meter, which adds strategic layering through charged attacks and super moves. ComicBook and Comicbook.com noted the expanded variety of attacks and improved movement options, while SpazioGames and TechRadar Gaming emphasized the "satisfying and layered" experience, comparing it favorably to Super Smash Bros. for its verticality and combo potential. GameGrin and Push Square also appreciated the balance between approachability and complexity, with GameSpew and TRG pointing to new features like dodging, shielding, and unique character abilities as fresh additions that elevate the brawler formula. The game’s diverse roster and stages were frequently cited as strengths, with PlayStation Universe praising the "expanded and diverse roster" and Gaming Nexus noting the engaging campaign mode with unlockable content and progression systems. Despite these positives, several critics pointed out flaws that detract from the experience. Destructoid criticized the gameplay for feeling "awkward" with "floaty jumps" and "muted impacts," while But Why Tho? highlighted imprecise controls and a high difficulty curve that could frustrate players. PC Invasion and Screen Rant expressed concerns about repetitive modes and a lack of unique features, with PC Invasion specifically calling out the gameplay for "lacking variety and depth." Noisy Pixel mentioned "unstable gameplay" and challenges in timing finishers, and Shacknews noted that while combat tweaks were made, the movement still felt "too floaty." Additionally, GamingTrend acknowledged the game’s accessibility but suggested that the Slime mechanic, while innovative, required careful balancing to avoid overcomplication. These critiques often focused on technical polish and design choices that, while not deal-breakers, left some players feeling the game could have been more refined. Overall, the consensus among critics leans positive, with most agreeing that Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 represents a meaningful evolution of the franchise. While Destructoid, But Why Tho?, and PC Invasion raised valid concerns about polish and repetition, the majority of reviews—such as those from Game Informer, Game Rant, and TheGamer—celebrated its refined mechanics, strategic depth, and nostalgic appeal. The Slime Meter, in particular, was a standout feature, praised for adding style and customization to combat. Push Square and SpazioGames emphasized the game’s "weightier" and "well-balanced" feel, while PlayStation Universe highlighted its "familiar, fresh, and approachable" nature. Though not without flaws, the gameplay’s improvements and accessibility make it a compelling entry for fans of the genre, with many critics acknowledging its potential as a competitive and enjoyable experience despite minor shortcomings.

The majority of critics praise the visual upgrades in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, highlighting significant improvements in character animations, stage design, and overall art direction. Reviewers like GameGrin and GameSpew note that character animations are vastly improved compared to the first game, with GameGrin emphasizing that battle stages are more faithful to the source material and "feel more alive." New Game Network and TechRadar Gaming commend the "dramatic overhaul" of graphics, praising smoother character models, expressive animations, and detailed stages that reflect the Nickelodeon universe. Push Square and TRG also highlight the game’s "superb visuals" and "cartoon-like animations," while ComicBook and Comicbook.com appreciate the referential move sets and animations that pay homage to the characters’ original series. These positives suggest a strong effort to elevate the game’s aesthetic appeal while maintaining its nostalgic charm. However, several critics point out notable flaws in the game’s visual design. Destructoid criticizes the "rushed" and lower-quality "Final Smash" animations, which detract from the otherwise polished presentation. But Why Tho? and PC Invasion highlight issues with depth perception, character scale, and a lack of authenticity to the Nickelodeon vibe, with But Why Tho? noting characters appear "too small" and stages lack "depth." Digital Trends and TheGamer point to graphical bugs, subpar textures, and a "PS2 bargain bin" aesthetic, respectively. SpazioGames also mentions the game’s medium-budget production quality, with technical stability on PS5 but issues on the Nintendo Switch. These critiques reveal inconsistencies in execution, particularly in animation polish and technical performance across platforms. Despite these shortcomings, the overall consensus among critics leans positive, with most acknowledging the game’s visual improvements as a significant step forward. While Destructoid and But Why Tho? raise valid concerns about animation quality and depth, the majority of reviews—such as those from GameGrin, TechRadar Gaming, and New Game Network—emphasize the game’s vibrant art direction and faithful recreation of Nickelodeon’s iconic worlds. The criticisms, though persistent, are often framed as minor drawbacks in an otherwise visually appealing title. The game’s broad appeal and nostalgic value seem to outweigh its technical imperfections, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise, even if it falls short of pushing visual boundaries.

The sound design and music of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 received mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its strengths in voice acting and original audio elements. Destructoid and IGN both commended the game’s voice acting, noting that original actors reprised their roles effectively and that the campaign mode featured "iconic voice actors" and "fun interactions," enhancing the nostalgic appeal for fans. GameGrin and PlayStation Universe emphasized the abundance of voice work, with the main campaign fully voiced and new dialogue adding to the experience. GamingTrend and New Game Network appreciated the "jammin' music and sound effects" and "recognizable sounds from the shows," respectively, suggesting that the audio cues contributed to the game’s lighthearted and humorous tone. Additionally, IGN and GamingTrend acknowledged the presence of original tracks that complemented the gameplay, while PC Invasion praised the "excellent" soundtrack, indicating some positive reception of the musical direction. However, the music and sound design faced significant criticism, particularly regarding the absence of licensed content and technical shortcomings. GameGrin and Gaming Nexus explicitly stated there was "no licensed music," a notable gap for a game centered on Nickelodeon franchises, while Shacknews and Destructoid criticized the soundtrack as "lackluster" or "not good," with the latter noting a lack of replacement for iconic Nickelodeon tunes. Screen Rant was the most scathing, calling the sound design "extremely disappointing" due to "soundless ultimate animations" and "awkwardly quiet gameplay," which detracted from the experience. Gaming Age and GameSpot also raised concerns, with the former implying sound design wasn’t a strong point and the latter pointing out "dialogue skipping" issues. New Game Network’s mention of framerate drops during ultimate moves further underscored technical flaws that may have impacted the audio-visual synergy, even if not directly addressed in their review. The overall consensus among critics leans toward a balanced but divided assessment. While voice acting and original sound effects were widely praised for their quality and nostalgic value, the lack of licensed music and the generally unimpressive soundtrack were recurring complaints. Reviews like those from Destructoid, Gaming Nexus, and Screen Rant highlighted the music as a major letdown, whereas GamingTrend and PC Invasion offered more positive takes on original tracks. Sound design received less direct critique, but issues like framerate drops and quiet gameplay were noted by some. Despite these flaws, the game’s audio elements were seen as a solid foundation for its charm, with many acknowledging that the voice work and original compositions, while not groundbreaking, were sufficient to support its playful, fan-service-oriented approach. The absence of iconic themes, however, left some critics feeling the game missed an opportunity to fully capture the spirit of its source material.

The voice acting in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is widely praised for its dedication to fan service and authenticity, with many critics highlighting the inclusion of full or mostly full vocal performances. Reviewers like Destructoid and GameGrin note that the game features original actors returning for their roles, delivering "excellent performances" and "great job" as stand-ins, respectively. Game Rant and SpazioGames emphasize that the banter between characters and the presence of original cast members add "authenticity" and "charm," while GameSpot and IGN commend the effort to have "most characters" voiced by their original actors, enhancing the nostalgic appeal. TechRadar Gaming and TRG specifically praise the campaign mode for its immersive and enjoyable voice acting, and But Why Tho? and Digital Trends frame it as a "noteworthy addition" and a positive feature that enriches the experience. These reviews collectively underscore the game’s commitment to leveraging its IP’s legacy through vocal work, which resonates strongly with fans of the original series. However, some critics point to minor shortcomings, particularly in consistency and quality. Gaming Age is the only reviewer to explicitly criticize the voice acting as "poor in quality," though they offer no further details, leaving the issue somewhat ambiguous. Noisy Pixel notes that "not all voices perfectly match the characters they portray," suggesting occasional misalignments in performance, while Press Start Australia describes the voice acting as "fairly accurate," implying it falls short of ideal. Additionally, Gaming Nexus mentions that the voices of Ren and Stimpy are absent, which could disappoint fans of those specific characters. These critiques, while less frequent, highlight that the voice acting, while generally strong, is not without its flaws, particularly in cases where original actors are not present or where the quality of some performances is questioned. Despite these isolated criticisms, the overall consensus among reviewers is overwhelmingly positive, with the voice acting being a standout feature that elevates the game’s appeal. Most critics, including ComicBook, GameGrin, and GamingTrend, celebrate the return of original voice actors and the effort to maintain character authenticity, which they view as essential for the game’s fan service. While a few note imperfections or omissions, the majority agree that the vocal work contributes to a "more alive" and "immersive" experience, as noted by Shacknews and PC Invasion. The game’s voice acting is seen as a key element in bridging the gap between the source material and the gameplay, with New Game Network and GameSpew acknowledging its role in adding "authenticity" and "enjoyment." This balance of praise and minor critiques suggests that while not flawless, the voice acting is a significant strength that aligns with the expectations of its target audience.

The technical performance of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 received mixed but generally positive feedback across platforms, with notable strengths on the PS5 and PC. On the PS5, critics like GameSpew and SpazioGames praised the game’s stable 60fps performance and overall smoothness, while IGN and GamingTrend highlighted the seamless online play, particularly noting rollback netcode that enhanced multiplayer experiences. For PC, IGN and GamingTrend acknowledged the game’s online stability, and Press Start Australia noted significant improvements in load times when using an SSD, which addressed some of the initial frustrations. GameGrin also pointed out that updates helped resolve early performance issues, suggesting the game’s technical foundation was solidifying over time. These positives indicate that the game’s core systems were well-optimized, especially on higher-end hardware. However, technical shortcomings were prevalent across platforms, particularly on the PS5 and PC. On the PS5, Destructoid criticized hitbox inconsistencies and victory screen glitches, while TechRadar Gaming and TRG highlighted frequent performance hiccups and framerate dips that disrupted gameplay. Push Square reported crashes and visual glitches, though they acknowledged these were likely to be patched. For PC, Gaming Nexus and Noisy Pixel pointed to clunky movement, control issues, and AI flaws, while Digital Trends and Screen Rant noted graphical bugs and long load times, especially on HDDs. SpazioGames specifically called out the Nintendo Switch version as having “significant problems,” though this wasn’t tested by other critics. These issues suggest that while the game’s technical framework was promising, execution and optimization remained inconsistent, particularly on less powerful hardware. Overall, critics agreed that Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 showed improvement over its predecessor but still faced technical hurdles. The PS5 version, while praised for its stability by GameSpew and SpazioGames, struggled with glitches and performance hiccups, as noted by TechRadar Gaming and Destructoid. The PC version, though lauded for smooth online play by IGN and GamingTrend, faced criticism for graphical bugs and control issues, as highlighted by Gaming Nexus and Noisy Pixel. The Switch’s performance was less discussed but clearly problematic, per SpazioGames. Despite these flaws, the game’s technical foundation was seen as a step forward, with updates and patches expected to address many of the issues. Critics like GameGrin and Press Start Australia emphasized that the game’s potential was evident, even if its technical execution required refinement.

The majority of critics highlight the strong replay value of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 due to its diverse array of modes and mechanics. Multiple reviewers, including GameGrin, Game Informer, and GameSpew, emphasize the game’s inclusion of a campaign mode with roguelite elements, which encourages players to revisit the story with new characters, upgrades, and randomized challenges. ComicBook and Comicbook.com note that the campaign’s structure, combined with arcade, local, and online multiplayer options, creates a compelling reason to return. Game Rant and SpazioGames praise the roguelite mechanics for adding depth, while Noisy Pixel highlights the rewards system, such as cosmetics and trophies, which incentivize multiple playthroughs. The game’s variety of modes—ranging from boss rushes to training modes—also contributes to its longevity, as seen in GameGrin’s and New Game Network’s positive remarks. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks to the game’s replay value, particularly in its single-player campaign. Game Rant and Gaming Nexus criticize the campaign for being tedious, with Gaming Nexus specifically noting that progress is lost upon completion, reducing motivation to replay. PC Invasion and Shacknews describe the single-player as monotonous, with Shacknews pointing out that non-combat stages feel repetitive. Digital Trends and Push Square also mention that some modes, like the campaign, can become stale over time, despite the presence of unlockable content. GamingTrend acknowledges that while the game offers replay value, it hinges on personal preference, suggesting that the campaign’s grind may not appeal to all players. These criticisms contrast with the more enthusiastic takes on multiplayer and arcade modes. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward a positive assessment of the game’s replay value, with the multiplayer and variety of modes often outweighing the campaign’s shortcomings. While Game Rant and Gaming Nexus express disappointment in the single-player experience, many others, such as GameGrin, Game Informer, and IGN, praise the roguelite elements and diverse gameplay options. New Game Network and TechRadar Gaming emphasize that the game’s appeal lies in its accessibility and content depth, particularly for fans of the Nickelodeon franchise. Despite the criticisms, the game’s ability to offer multiple playstyles—ranging from competitive online battles to randomized campaign runs—creates a balanced experience that keeps players engaged, even if the campaign itself is not universally praised.