Apidya’ Special brings the 1992 Amiga insect-themed shoot ’em up to Nintendo Switch with refreshed presentation, co-op, and options to soften its harsh original-style death rules. Nintendo Insider reviewer Shaun Musgrave scored the Switch version 8/10, praising its visuals and music while warning that the challenge can become punishing. ININ Games supplied the review copy, as disclosed in the Nintendo Insider review.
What is Apidya’ Special?
Apidya began as a 1992 Amiga game published by Blue Byte and developed by Kaiko. It is a horizontally scrolling shoot ’em up set in an insect world, rather than the more familiar space-shooter setting. Musgrave compares its genre design to touchstones such as Gradius and R-Type.
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In the review, Musgrave describes enemies dropping power-ups that the player selects from an upgrade bar, alongside a charged beam. Those details are part of the reviewer’s account, not a separate independent test.
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Musgrave’s verdict is 8/10. The review praises the game’s visuals and soundtrack, and values the ability to switch between an original-style presentation and newer options. It also cautions that the game gets very difficult, with some stretches that may feel unfair. The score reflects that balance: a distinctive, attractive retro shooter, but not a consistently forgiving one.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
The reviewer’s assessment is specific to the Nintendo Switch version and should be read as criticism, not a guarantee that every player will find the same balance of challenge and enjoyment.
How hard is Apidya’ Special?
The default rules preserve a demanding arcade-style penalty. When the player dies, they return to a checkpoint and lose upgrades. Because later sections can be much harder without those upgrades, one mistake may make recovery difficult.
Rank #2
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- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Special’s options let players adjust checkpoint behavior and whether death causes power-downs, as well as increase the number of lives and credits. These settings give players room to choose a more forgiving run, but they do not erase the game’s underlying challenge or establish that it becomes easy.
What’s new in the Special release?
The release pairs the original-style game with presentation and play options. Nintendo’s product listing describes five themed worlds—Meadow, Pond, Sewers, Cyber, and Lair—with up to five levels in each, 20 unique bosses, hidden special stages, randomized events including Night Mode, local co-op, and modernized difficulty options. These are features stated in Nintendo’s listing, rather than claims independently tested by the reviewer.
Rank #3
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
- Presentation: Choose the original-style 4:3 view or optional widescreen visuals; CRT effects are also listed by Nintendo.
- Music: The release includes arranged music. Nintendo’s German listing describes remixed music and new studio soundtrack versions by Chris Hülsbeck.
- Difficulty: Adjust lives, credits, checkpoint behavior, and power-down rules to suit your tolerance for the original’s penalties.
- Co-op: Play locally with one or two players on one system, according to Nintendo’s US listing.
Nintendo’s German listing describes the release as based on an abandoned 1990s console port, combining original assets with new pixel art and added authentic sound effects. Details and wording may differ between regional listings.
Is Apidya’ Special worth playing on Switch?
If you enjoy horizontal shooters and are curious about an insect-world alternative to space settings, the review gives a favorable recommendation: Musgrave scored it 8/10 and highlights its presentation and soundtrack. The difficulty options are useful if the original-style loss of upgrades sounds too severe, while purists can retain harsher rules. If you want a gentle shooter or dislike runs that can become punishing after a death, the reviewer’s warning about difficulty is worth taking seriously.
Rank #4
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- Solve evocative challenges that reward wit and observation.
- Enter an engrossing atmosphere with a memorable soundtrack inspired by 1980s horror films and John Carpenter.
Switch release details and co-op controllers
Nintendo of America lists Apidya’ Special as a digital Nintendo Switch game with an August 25, 2026 release date. The US listing names ININ Games as publisher and Team Apidya as developer, supports TV, tabletop, and handheld play, and lists English and German. Price and availability can vary by region.
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For local co-op, Nintendo’s Italian listing says each player needs a compatible controller; additional controllers may be sold separately. Nintendo’s US page lists the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as compatible. This is an optional accessory for multiplayer, not a requirement for solo play.
Best Value
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Sources: Nintendo Insider review; Nintendo of America product listing; Nintendo Germany listing; Nintendo Italy listing.
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