The platfoming genre is filled to the brim with options. With so many options available to you, it becomes difficult to stick out in the landscape. Once of the newest options is Bloo Kid 2, which came out on the Nintendo 3DS eShop a week ago. In the grand scheme of things, it is a by the numbers platforming game, but that doesn't mean that it can't entertain.

Bloo Kid 2 has five worlds on offer and each have nine stages to tackle. The chapters in themselves aren't anything special as you are presented with the most common themes possible. You will be jumping and running over grassy hills, icey slopes and even through a hazardous desert environment. What doesn't help matters is that the inspiration in the stages comes from other titles. I had either the choice to roll with it or bid Bloo Kid 2 a quick farewell, and after I decided to keep going I found the game to be really enjoyable.

The game plays really great, though you can only use the D-Pad for movement. That won't be everyone's preferred choice, but it fits the 2D mold so very well. Bloo Kid does not have as many abilities as its competitors, but his trusty double jump makes for some smart environmental puzzles. His jumps will also be handy for a variety of enemies and new ones get constantly introduced.

The level progression is reasonably well done, even it took some inspiration in that regard. Every stage is harder than the last and you will truly need to bring your A game at the end of it. What stops things from being depressingly difficult is the health system, which allows you to take four hits before losing a life. Even if you play quite badly, you will be able to find hearts soon enough to stay alive.

Next to completing a level the regular way, you have various goals to shoot for in Bloo Kid 2. You can collect all the stars, destroy all of the enemies and clear the stage a certain time limit. They add additional hours of playtime to the game and rethink your strategies sometimes. It is hardly a requirement to beat Bloo Kid 2, but there is possibility to return it and have even more stuff to enjoy.

The game features a cute pixelated art style that is both colorful and crisp. While the environments weren't amazing, Bloo Kid 2 was simply fun to look at. What was also fun is the soundtrack, which really brings the goods. The cheery and catchy chiptune music quite brought me into the mood and it totally deserves a standalone release.

Bloo Kid 2 is barely an original platforming game, but it makes up for it in quite a few ways. The title features a lovely style, solid gameplay and a good amount of content to go through. Special praise must be given to the music and the many collectibles which make you want to keep playing. While it needed the help of others to get there, Bloo Kid 2 is worthy of its place in the upper echelon of eShop platformers.