Super Bat Puncher Demo is a free action-adventure video game wherein you must save the world from the tyranny of alien bats. Developed by Morphcat Games, this 2D pixelated indie game is an 8-bit retro platformer that’s designed to run on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Famicom consoles and emulators.

Similar to old-school platformer games like the Mario series, Super Bat Puncher Demo features classic action-platforming gameplay mechanics, as well as nostalgic-looking graphics. It also offers local multiplayer for up to two players. However, take note that this is only a demo version.

The final mission

In Super Bat Puncher Demo, Earth is being plagued by hordes of extraterrestrial bats that have seemingly come from nowhere. Humanity has now moved underground for safety but the terror continues—until scientists have finally discovered the origin of the pests. You play as a member of the Bat Excommunication and Eradication Force (BEEF), who must journey to end this threat once and for all.

In this game, you can enable Player 2, which unlocks a small bird character alongside the BEEF agent. Each of the two characters has its own special abilities to help traverse the maps and defeat enemies. Take note, however, that this can only be played on NES—specifically on an emulator such as Nestopia and Mesen. Meanwhile, to play on the Famicom, you’ll need to avail the physical cartridge version.

The controls are easy enough but take note that they’re set to game controller inputs rather than your keyboard, so you’ll have to set up your keybindings on your preferred emulator. The directional pad is for moving, A is for jumping, and B is for punching. For the Player 2 bird character, A is for flying while B is for pooping—which hilariously damages enemies.  

For wholesome nostalgia

All in all, Super Bat Puncher Demo is a great indie platformer for fans of the NES and Famicom consoles. While it’s only a short demo with a few levels, the solid platforming mechanics and local multiplayer make it a highly engaging game. It’s also pretty easy to set up and run on an emulator and you can purchase the cartridge version online if you still have a Famicom.