Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams was an important game for the shoot-em-up genre, as it essentially codified what would become the cute em’ up subgenre. Cotton paved the way for countless other games that followed, but none could match what it had to offer. The title was a hit in the arcades and on the X6800 and is still looked upon fondly by fans.
Cotton Reboot! Is an update that modernizes the original game in multiple ways while still being true to what made it work. Our heroine, Cotton, is a young witch who is just interested in candy and ignores the fairy names Silk when she asks for Cotton’s help until a magnificent candy is promised to her. The irreverent tone of the game’s opening makes players realize that this title doesn’t take itself seriously, but there is more here than meets the eye.
Cotton Reboot! Has two main modes: the original X6800 game in all its retro glory and the arranged version which modernizes the game. The X6800 version is still a classic game and is emulated well here, with only small amounts of frame delay. This is a challenging game though, so do not go into it expecting it to be a simple kid’s game or you will find yourself dying often.
The controls in this port work fine, and the sound is perfect as well. It may be of interest to play before the arranged mode, but considering how difficult it is, it may be better to play afterwards. Be aware though, that this is a game from decades ago and has a very old-school feel.
The arranged version, aka the Reboot! Mode is the star of the show here and the changes are apparent right away. The game is significantly faster, and Cotton can now attack enemies behind her using her broom instead of having to maneuver around them. Attacks feel much more powerful here in general, and as such the game can feel a bit easier at times.
Scoring in the original game was affected by not only taking out enemies but also collecting gems that are dropped. Some of these gems would also give powerups in the forms of magical attacks that function as magic spell bombs and can be replenished throughout the levels. These gems could also be shot to power them up for better scores or more powerful spell bombs.
The gems have been reworked slightly in the Reboot! Mode, and do not fall off the screen and out of reach unless shot or obtained quickly. It becomes much easier to get spell bombs here, and there is a new black gem that gives a massive score boost when obtained. Having a higher score level is important because it will make your attacks stronger and give a wider spread, which is needed as the enemies are more numerous here.
Cotton Reboot! manages to take each of the original levels and make them look brand new, and even adds in changes here and there. The Reboot! Mode starts off easier than the original game, but soon shows its true hand with intense action and challenging bosses. Some levels and boss fights reach bullet hell level, which may come off as intimidating, but players can keep going thanks to infinite lives and continues.
Cotton Reboot! also has another mode in the form of Time Attack, where you take down enemies in 2–5-minute intervals and can be useful for training. The real bonus, however, is the extra characters. Appli-Ke Pumpkin and Needle from Cotton 2 can be unlocked, along with the option to play as the fairy Silk. This is great for replayability as each character has their own playstyle, making the game either easier or harder.
There is a lot of good adjustments in Cotton Reboot! but more modes would have been welcome. The addition of the original game and the Cotton 2 characters do add to the fun, but they lack their own story modes compared to Cotton. Still, the overall game is well designed and far more welcoming to newcomers than the original, while the inclusion of the original should satisfy purists.
Cute em’ ups may not be for everyone but Cotton Reboot! is a game that deserves attention. It is surprisingly addictive and provides enough changes to interest new and old fans alike. This is one that is highly recommended.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
Images were taken from Nintendo.com
Cotton Reboot! is available on Nintendo Switch and PS4