Switchblade II (USA, Europe)

Switchblade II is a side-scrolling platformer released for the Atari Lynx in 1992. It was published by Atari Corporation and developed by Core Design, the team behind many classic action games of the era. The game landed in North America and Europe, offering a portable dose of fast-paced platforming at a time when the Lynx was competing with Nintendo's Game Boy.

The player controls a character named Hiro, who must fight through a series of levels using a bladed weapon and collected power-ups. The core loop involves running, jumping, and slashing enemies while avoiding hazards. Scattered throughout the stages are keys and items to progress, and the game employs a simple combo system for attacks. Lives and health are managed through pickups, and checkpoints help break up the challenge.

Today, Switchblade II stands as a solid example of early handheld platforming. It doesn't reinvent the genre, but its tight controls and colorful Lynx graphics make it enjoyable for fans of 16-bit style action. If you've played the original Switchblade or similar titles like Rolling Thunder, this follow-up delivers more of the same dependable gameplay. It's a worthwhile pick for Lynx collectors and retro enthusiasts.