Windjammers 2
What to Know
Average Score
- January 20, 2022
- DotEmu
- Action, Fighting
Critics Consensus
- January 20, 2022
- Action, Fighting
Critics Consensus
# Reviews: 57
Windjammers 2 is a stylish, balanced Air Hockey-style game that has more in common with Street Fighter than other sports titles.
Rate and Review
Critic Reviews for Windjammers 2
Critic Reviews
Score Distribution
57
Reviews
Bronze
45% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
Ranges
Windjammers 2 is a tightly balanced, addictive game of combat air hockey that will have you screaming at your friends.
Dotemu delivers an exquisite extension of Data East’s 1994 masterpiece.
Windjammers 2 offers fast-paced and intensely fun online and offline versus play, but there’s little to keep your interest if you’re flying solo.
Travis Northup (IGN)
8/10 - (Read Review)
Windjammers 2 is a tightly balanced, addictive game of combat air hockey that will have you screaming at your friends.
Martin Robinson (Eurogamer)
Recommended - (Read Review)
Dotemu delivers an exquisite extension of Data East’s 1994 masterpiece.
Heidi Kemps (GameSpot)
7/10 - (Read Review)
Windjammers 2 offers fast-paced and intensely fun online and offline versus play, but there’s little to keep your interest if you’re flying solo.
Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
33bits | Rubén Rionegro | 85 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 brings back all the frenzy and nerves of steel of the original game in a delivery adapted to the new times. The gameplay is still excellent, simple and direct to spend tons of hours. On the other hand, it is sad that it has not dared to include new game modes or different mechanics, leaving very little content. | Read review |
Atomix | Sebastian Quiroz | 88 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a worthy sequel to one of the hidden gems of ’90s arcades. DotEmu has created a top-tier competitive game that may be one of the most exciting events of EVO. | Read review |
Checkpoint Gaming | Alex Beaty | 7 / 10 | 01-24-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a great update to a nostalgic arcade wonder that many will welcome with open arms, just like they would a frisbee. Definitely take this one for a spin if you love air hockey-style games but crave that bit of extra button mashing. The characters, arenas, and soundtrack all hit the mark brilliantly. It’s not an easy game to master, allowing dedicated fans to hone their skills and improve. There’s a missed opportunity for better tutorialisation and a lack of a structured tournament/career mode is disappointing, though the game overall still feels like a nostalgic romp. | Read review |
COGconnected | James Paley | 80 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a pretty simple game, but it’s also a fun one. Once you climb that short, steep learning curve, every match is a blast. Even when you’re getting creamed, it’s something of a teachable moment. Plus, there’s also some new technique or strategy you can employ next round. Everything looks and sounds extremely 90’s, while the characters themselves all use distinct play styles. This was a huge boon for me, as I could just switch players whenever I hit a wall. Even if the game is quite straightforward, the well-rounded multiplayer will ensure you’re never actually bored. If you’re looking for an extreme, vibrant, 90’s style sports game, you’ve come to the right place. Windjammers 2 is a neon-drenched, disc-flinging good time. | Read review |
Cultured Vultures | WB Mason | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | While there may not be much content on show, Windjammers 2 totally makes up for it with intense and unique gameplay that will have you asking “just one more match?”. | Read review |
Daily Mirror | Eugene Sowah | 4 / 5 stars | 01-21-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a great follow up to the original arcade classic and worth the wait. The major improvements to the overall aesthetic are fantastic and a testament to Dotemu’s stellar work. | Read review |
Destructoid | Zoey Handley | 7.5 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | For what it’s worth, I enjoyed my time with Windjammers 2. It sucked me in for hours as I slaved over a hot arcade stick. The single-player is very challenging, but it can only hold up the overall product for so long. It’s also not as transcendental as something like Streets of Rage 4 was in its revival of an old formula. It is as it says on the box: a sequel. It might as well have come out in 1996 for all it adds. | Read review |
Digital Chumps | Nathaniel Stevens | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2017 | If you enjoyed the original game, then you’re going to like what DotEmu delivers in the Windjammers 2. While I’m not a fan of taming the power-ups, I am a fan of competitive disc games that remind me how cool TRON was back in the 80s. Windjammers 2 is an easy-to-pick-up arcade experience that has far more positives than negatives. | Read review |
Eurogamer | Martin Robinson | Recommended | 01-21-2022 | Dotemu delivers an exquisite extension of Data East’s 1994 masterpiece. | Read review |
Everyeye.it | Marco Mottura | 9 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is one of those proverbial cases of “history in the making”: an instant classic that collects the heavy and prestigious legacy of the predecessor, even managing to relaunch on the gameplay side | Read review |
Game Informer | Marcus Stewart | 6.8 / 10 | 01-21-2022 | Windjammers 2 gives existing fans more of the wacky disc hockey they love but not much else. | Read review |
Gamer Escape | Aaron Botts | 7 / 10 | 01-21-2022 | The folks at DotEmu obviously cared about what they were doing here, and that by itself is worth consideration. They wanted to put out at least a worthy sequel, and I feel like they did that at bare minimum. This game is not a drastic evolution of its forebears, nor did it have to be. Those looking for a fun pick up and play game will find a lot to love here, and with good reason. Windjammers 2 is a worthy sequel, and a damned fun multiplayer experience. | Read review |
Gamers Heroes | Casey Scheld | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a worthy successor to the disc flying action of the Neo-Geo classic. While it is a bit light on modes, its core action has enough variety to be the next big competitive hit. | Read review |
GameSkinny | Jason D’Aprile | 7 / 10 | 01-19-2022 | Windjammers 2 recreates the arcade experience of the original SNK fighting-meets-Frisbee came with solid results. | Read review |
GameSpace | Tyler Hancock | 7 / 10 | 03-02-2022 | Windjammers 2 is the jeep full of beach-bound hardbodies to my chubby, brooding, long-sleeved wallflower. Its mechanics, while taught in the most obtuse and uninteractive way possible, are more robust than they initially appear. It doesn’t last, but it’s fun while it does. | Read review |
GameSpew | Richard Seagrave | 7 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Existing fans of the Windjammers series will absolutely love Windjammers 2 – no doubt about it. Newcomers willing to put the effort in to learn its mechanics will find a lot to enjoy, too. It’s just a shame that its single-player offerings are so slight, and the AI isn’t much fun to go up against. Multiplayer is the highlight here, and if you do plan on playing against friends, family and/or strangers, you’ll get way more than your money’s worth. | Read review |
GameSpot | Heidi Kemps | 7 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 offers fast-paced and intensely fun online and offline versus play, but there’s little to keep your interest if you’re flying solo. | Read review |
Gaming Nexus | Nathan Carter | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a fast and fun arcade style game that fans of the original and competitive vs games will enjoy. But the game is very light on single player content, so unless you want to play against others online or with friends, you probably won’t get much out of the light arcade mode. | Read review |
GamingTrend | Abdul Saad | 75 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a great-looking, highly challenging, and mostly functional game. While its difficulty curve can be intimidating to new players, it still provides an all-round enjoyable experience. | Read review |
Generación Xbox | Gabriel Fuentes | 7.8 / 10 | 01-28-2022 | Windjammers 2 is empirical proof that a game doesn’t have to be lavish and complicated to bring hundreds of hours of fun. An arcade experience with all the lyrics that perhaps relies a lot on its previous version and does not dare to innovate too much or add much, but that in any way more than fulfills the objective of having us trapped at the controls and being perfectly happy throwing an album from one side to the other. | Read review |
God is a Geek | Sean Smith | 9 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 brings out that superb, rowdy competitiveness that any game worth its salt needs, I cannot wait to see what DotEmu does next. | Read review |
GotGame | Brian Zuhl | 9 / 10 | 01-28-2022 | On top of the amazing gameplay and beautiful art style, Windjammers 2 really hits home with the classic arcade nostalgia. The second I started playing the game, I was excited to put it on the big screen and have a showdown with some friends. Even without people nearby, the online play and arcade mode is more than enough to grab your attention for hours on end. Windjammers 2 feels like one of those games that should come standard in any gamers library, even if it’s only to pull out when friends are over. | Read review |
Guardian | Nic Reuben | 4 / 5 stars | 02-03-2022 | With its special combos and metres, this frenetic and summery Air Hockey-style game has more in common with Street Fighter than with other sports games | Read review |
Hardcore Gamer | Kyle LeClair | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is far from a revolutionary new take on the original game, but it’s a great sequel and terrific arcade sports game in its own right, continuing to establish Dotemu as masters of the retro throwback scene. | Read review |
Hey Poor Player | Andrew Thornton | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 will more than satisfy fans of the original who are looking to take on their friends. The gameplay is tight, wonderfully balanced, and manages to add additional depth without compromising the series’ intuitive feel. A bit of balance on the roster could still help, and I do wish we had additional single-player content to keep those who prefer to play solo coming back, but this one is still well worth your time. | Read review |
Hobby Consolas | Daniel Quesada | 72 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | It has all the ingredients of the original game and updates them to present a more complete and spectacular experience. Still, we would have appreciated more content and a more balanced Arcade mode. The real fun is in the multiplayer. | Read review |
IGN | Travis Northup | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a tightly balanced, addictive game of combat air hockey that will have you screaming at your friends. | Read review |
IGN Italy | Davide Mancini | 7.8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers is back and Dotemu did a terrific job giving to this classic game a proper and stylish sequel. All the players who loved the original game will find a pure gameplay experience with a couple of interesting new twist. On the other hand, content wise the game will not please who is looking to a meaningful single player experience and the arcade leagcy of Windjammers will rely only on the multiplayer mode. | Read review |
LevelUp | Fernando Salinas | 7.4 / 10 | 01-25-2022 | DotEmu does it again with Windjammers 2, an arcade experience in his purest form. While the game is dynamic and works great online thanks to rollback netcode, the lack of content, modes to play or progression can discourage newer players that expect modern elements. | Read review |
Metro GameCentral | Adam Starkey | 7 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | An admirable refresh of a cult classic, with excellent presentation and thoughtfully implemented new mechanics, but it’s held back by its reluctance to modernise in other areas. | Read review |
MonsterVine | Diego Escala | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | It’s hard to believe that Windjammers 2 is finally here and delivers on all the hype. I only wish there were more of it to chew on. | Read review |
New Game Network | Yasmine Hubbard | 74 / 100 | 03-20-2022 | It may be several decades since the original was released, but the sportsmanship torch has been proudly passed onto Windjammers 2. It may lack a comprehensive offline arcade mode, but you can still get windswept into its addictive gameplay cycle and online competition. | Read review |
Niche Gamer | Jonathan White | 7.5 / 10 | 01-21-2022 | If you liked Windjammers, you’ll probably like Windjammers 2 even more – but there’s not really enough here to rope in new fans. Windjammers 2 is very much a more of the same type of sequel, but that’s alright by me. | Read review |
Nintendo Enthusiast | Miguel Moran | 7 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Ultimately, Windjammers 2 is an ultra-refined version of the original disc-throwing experience, but without any kind of unlockables, progression, or non-competitive reason to return to the game, it may not provide enough for anyone who isn’t already a hardcore series fan. | Read review |
Nintendo Life | PJ O’Reilly | 9 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | With Windjammers 2, Dotemu has taken the fiendishly addictive core formula of the Neo Geo classic and improved upon it in every way. The core gameplay here remains as immediately endearing as ever whilst being enhanced and given a real strategic kick by a bevvy of new moves and skills that add to the fun without detracting from or overcomplicating proceedings. Yes, there’s not much in the way of modes, and we’ve yet to see how online fares here, but this is another banger from Dotemu, an all-time classic improved upon, an arcade classic refined for a new generation. | Read review |
Operation Sports | Kevin Scott | Not Recommended | 01-28-2022 | In short, it’s a game that feels a bit stuck between worlds. The gameplay has been updated to fit into the modern times, but the way you play these sort of games together has not quite been updated to the same degree. | Read review |
PC Gamer | Sam Greer | 70 / 100 | 01-26-2022 | A stylish arcade throwback that delights while it lasts but has little to offer. | Read review |
PC Invasion | Andrew Farrell | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Deep, attractive, and highly playable, Windjammers 2 is still missing some of what it needs to really shine. Plus the online is currently on the fritz. | Read review |
PCMag | Jeffrey L. Wilson | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2, the sequel to the cult classic Neo Geo game, delivers the same joyous arcade-sports thrills as its predecessor, but adds new moves and smooth online play to the action-packed, strategic mix. | Read review |
PSX Brasil | Paulo Roberto Montanaro | 70 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is as simple as it is fun, offering a rare balance between nostalgia and modernity. In essence, it features a very sophisticated gameplay design, albeit with some inaccuracies, in addition to neat cartoonish visuals and a lot of competition spirit. But the lack of different modes and extra content can shorten its lifespan. | Read review |
Push Square | Sammy Barker | Recommended | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is an almost perfect revival of a classic 90s franchise. The sequel strikes an immaculate balance between new and old ideas, and presents the classic sports gameplay so vibrantly that it’s hard not to be captivated by it all. There could, admittedly, be more meat on its bones – but it’s online, with the gameplay’s high skill ceiling, where the longevity will be found. We still want to spend a little more time testing this component, but our early impressions of the rollback netcode are positive to say the least. | Read review |
Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Hirun Cryer | Recommended | 01-20-2022 | Whether you’re a newcomer or someone steeped in the history of the Neo Geo classic, Windjammers 2 is arcade action in simple and enthralling form, beckoning you in with a low skill barrier, dazzling art style, and an eclectic mix of characters. | Read review |
Saving Content | Evan Rowe | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a worthy successor to the original game that builds on its character and adds exciting new depth to its matches, all while paying respect to the source material without straying from its spirit and intent. There is a deep, challenging game here that is thrilling and exciting to play, and I think it’s got lots to offer for longtime fans and brand new ones alike. Windjammers 2 has a big legacy to live up to, and it does not disappoint in its delivery. Purists may disagree, but I think this is the best Windjammers has ever been, and in my book that’s reason enough to pick it up. | Read review |
Shacknews | TJ Denzer | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is here and it is fantastic. The game’s presentation is another highlight of Dotemu’s always incredible-looking catalogue of published titles and I love the blend of new and returning characters, courts, moves, and music. Mix this with a great online system and a versatile array of ways to play against humans or bots and it could end up being one of the most standout sports titles of the year. | Read review |
SpazioGames | Lorenzo Fazio | 6.5 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 feels more like a “more of the same” than it should. | Read review |
Sports Gamers Online | Jake Jacobson | Recommended | 01-27-2022 | Playing Windjammers 2 feels so sick. The different options open up so many different playstyles, which are further complimented by the differences in arenas. The game succeeds at making something that’s simple and easy to get into and also has high level depth. It’s great, which makes the lack of a modern online feature set stand out that much more. | Read review |
TechRaptor | Alex Santa Maria | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 captures the excitement of the arcade original and caters heavily to existing fans, but fails to translate that fun to players stepping onto the court for the first time. | Read review |
The Escapist | Will Cruz | Recommended | 01-20-2022 | Video Review | Read review |
The Games Machine | Danilo Dellafrana | 8.5 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is the triumph of Dotemu’s playability and dedication: the arcade spirit of the past lives again in a sequel that is philologically irreproachable and has a great personality. A very good result, that could be further improved with a greater emphasis on the single player aspect. | Read review |
The Outerhaven Productions | Matthew Paul | 4.5 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 brings back the best parts of the original arcade retro title in modern ways. The pixel art is fantastic with great animations. An addicting playstyle that just makes you want to get better and better. | Read review |
Twinfinite | Omar Banat | 4 / 5 stars | 01-20-2022 | Overall, Windjammers 2 is a massive success that fans of the franchise will surely enjoy and those new to the game will quickly understand why the fans of the original game love it. The lack of game modes with meaningfully different gameplay is unquestionably disappointing. Yet, the core gameplay is just so good and enjoyable that hours will pass in the blink of an eye. | Read review |
Use a Potion | Unknown | 8 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is super addictive, with its slick blend of frantic and strategic action ensuring no showdown ever feels boring. It looks the part too, with the stylish visuals and varied arenas making sure the game is packing plenty of punch when it comes to the looks department. It’s just a lot of fun to play, especially in multiplayer where the action can feel really frantic and non-stop. | Read review |
VGChartz | Evan Norris | 7 / 10 | 01-22-2022 | Windjammers 2 probably won’t take the video game world by storm, but it’s an entertaining sports action game nonetheless. | Read review |
WayTooManyGames | Leonardo Faria | 8.5 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | Windjammers 2 is, at its core, a Neo Geo sports title for the year 2022. Take this as the best kind of compliment possible. | Read review |
Wccftech | Ule Lopez | 7.5 / 10 | 01-20-2022 | The game is excellent in terms of gameplay mechanics, graphics, and music. Unfortunately, there isn’t much variety anywhere else to warrant a higher score. This game knows that it’s essentially here for versus matches and as such, will only be engaging for players who are going to play against each other locally or online | Read review |
Xbox Achievements | Richard Walker | 80 / 100 | 01-20-2022 | A cracking sequel to a cult arcade classic, Windjammers 2 ups the ante with sharp hand-drawn visuals and more than a modicum of pure arcade panache. The idea of Pong (with frisbees, mind you) turned up to 11 has never been so appealing. | Read review |
ZTGD | Drew Leachman | 8.5 / 10 | 03-15-2022 | Windjammers 2 is a really great game. There’s a nice community of players still going strong online and this game could be a great controller passing time for local play. Sure, the tutorial is a bit rough, but just playing and experimenting with the game allowed me to get better and have a fun time with it. Anyone who is into arcadey sports titles and to a lesser extent, fighting games should give this one a try. | Read review |
About Windjammers 2
Windjammers 2 will combine everything fans love about the classic title with entirely hand-drawn 2D animations to create the ultimate windjamming experience. The coming sequel will bring new stages and players, surprising and amazing new power moves and enhanced gameplay mechanics!
RELEASE DATES:
DEVELOPER(S):
- DotEmu
PUBLISHER(S):
- DotEmu
GENRES:
- Action, Fighting
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- Windjammers
GAME MODES:
- Multiplayer, Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- -
DLC:
- -
BUNDLED IN:
- -
DIRECTOR(S):
- -
PRODUCER(S):
- Christian Cortez, Alban Ligouzat
DESIGNER(S):
- Jordi Ascensio
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Kévin Delbrayelle
ARTIST(S):
- Simon Périn
WRITER(S):
- -
COMPOSER(S):
- Seiichi Hamada, Hiroaki Yoshida, Harumi Fujita, Sylvain Hellio
GAME MODES:
- Multiplayer, Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- n/a
DLC:
- n/a
BUNDLED IN:
- n/a
DIRECTOR(S):
- n/a
PRODUCER(S):
- Christian Cortez, Alban Ligouzat
DESIGNER(S):
- Jordi Ascensio
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Kévin Delbrayelle
ARTIST(S):
- Simon Périn
WRITER(S):
- n/a
COMPOSER(S):
- Seiichi Hamada, Hiroaki Yoshida, Harumi Fujita, Sylvain Hellio