GamingEntertainmentGames ReviewCassette Boy forces you to see its world in a whole new wayThe game is inspired by the classics, but it has a perspective-shifting twist.The game is inspired by the classics, but it has a perspective-shifting twist.by Jay PetersJan 31, 2026, 2:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Image: Pocketpair PublishingPart OfThe best indie games were playing right nowsee all updates Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.Its no secret that Cassette Boy is inspired by the classics. Its a top-down adventure game in the vein of a retro Legend of Zelda, while your home base is a small town like in an older Pokémon game, complete with a mom who is constantly wishing you well. The games blocky 3D graphics evoke Minecraft, and you save at campfires that reset the world, like a FromSoft game. Everything in Cassette Boy even has a green tint that reminds me of playing games on my original Game Boy. But despite all of the clear influences, it still feels unique: underneath that charming exterior, Cassette Boy is a game filled with clever puzzles that forced me to use my head in ways I havent before.The games main mechanic revolves around an idea inspired by quantum mechanics: if you cant see something in the game, it ceases to exist and remains in an essentially frozen state from the moment
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