When The MIX Games, Wallride, and Limited Run Games announced Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland it quickly became a highly anticipated game of the year for us. A lot of that has to do with the nostalgia it brings not only because it’s the Rugrats, but because of the style of game that it is.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a baby-fresh take on retro gameplay that mixes elements from the NES era with modern design sensibilities. We were able to play an extended preview of the game on PC (Steam) and it’s safe to say as a ’90s kid it brings back tons of great memories of watching the classic Nickelodeon cartoon right from the first mission’s intro “Babies In Gameland”.

At the start, you’ll be given the option to choose between four of the playable babies: Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil every Rugrat has a better ability than the other like Chuckie has a better Jump than Tommy, but Tommy has a better Lift ability. Three of the items you will want to collect are Bottles, Cookies, and Reptar Coins.

Reptar Coins are important as they will let you gain access to what’s behind the Reptar Door. Bottles are significantly important as they will give you additional health or if you’re in a bad spot it will heal you up.

What’s neat about Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is that you can toggle between 8-bit and HD art. The gameplay is just like any 2D retro action-adventure title of the NES era and to defeat most of your enemies you’ll need to jump on top of them or for a boss fight you’ll need to throw objects in order to become victorious.

After just a short time playing, we’re already excited for the full release. It’s a much-needed nostalgia trip in today’s world. Speaking of nostalgia, Limited Run Games revealed the VHS Edition for Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland that comes with the orange VHS tape we all remember.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland will release sometime this year for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.