Wink and the Broken Robot

About Wink and the Broken Robot

Wink and the Broken Robot is a 2D platformer inspired by 1990s Game Boy classics like Super Mario Land 2 and Link's Awakening. Developed by Max Oakland Games and published by In the Junipers, it launched on November 7, 2025, for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and web browsers. The game follows Wink, a curious character who teams up with a broken robot to reclaim stolen parts from monsters in a post-apocalyptic world. You’ll explore quirky environments, fight foes, and collect coins alongside retro relics like floppy disks and cassette tapes. It’s a short, nostalgic romp with a mix of charm and simplicity.

Gameplay

You navigate The Outskirts as Wink, jumping, attacking, and solving environmental puzzles to progress. Combat is basic: punch enemies or use limited special attacks to defeat boss-like creatures like the box monster. Each level ends with a mini-boss that requires timing and pattern recognition. Exploration is key, you’ll backtrack through crumbling houses, overgrown forests, and junkyards to find hidden items. Coins open new paths, while cassette tapes and floppy disks unlock secrets. The Game Boy-style controls are tight but lack depth, focusing on quick sessions. Levels are short (5-10 minutes), with the campaign clocking in at around 7-10 hours.

What Players Think

The game holds a 7.2/10 average from 900 reviews, with 58% completing it. Players praise the “lovable retro aesthetic” but note repetitive combat and pacing issues. Average playtime is 8.3 hours, with 62% finishing under 12 hours. Community moods are split: 40% nostalgic, 30% curious, and 20% bored. One review called it “a charming throwback, but too light on substance.” There are 15 achievements, averaging 3 hours of extra content, though many are tied to collecting obscure items. Critics highlight the art style but criticize the lack of innovation in level design.

PlayPile's Take

Wink and the Broken Robot is a $13 indie pick for retro fans and casual players. It’s not long or mechanically deep, but the $13 price and nostalgic charm make it a low-risk purchase. If you miss old-school platformers but don’t want a long commitment, this works. Avoid if you crave complex systems or lasting replayability. The 15 achievements and 10-hour campaign make it a quick, quirky diversion with heart.

Storyline

That night, Wink had fallen asleep at his computer. Not too far away, a Robot was sleeping peacefully until a group of monsters broke into his house and stole pieces of the Robot to use for themselves. Wink heard the Robot’s calls for help and immediately jumped up to help. He followed the calls to an abandoned house, where he was ambushed by a crazy box monster. After defeating the monster, Wink realized it was just a little broken robot, who was scared of being attacked again. The Robot apologized and Wink vowed to help him get his pieces back from the monsters who stole them. Now the adventure begins!