Not Not 2 – A Brain Challenge is a puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch. While I (not so) patiently awaited the release of the Switch 2 recently, what better way was there to pass the time than with some brain-teasing puzzles?
When mobile games are ported to the humble Switch, it can result in eye rolls. Sure, the Switch has its fair share of titles that don’t necessarily translate well between devices. Not Not 2, thankfully, is an example of a port done well. It’s also a fun game to boot.
In Not Not 2, your task is simple. You control an avatar standing on a cube who can move in one of four directions: up, down, left, or right. The goal is to proceed in the correct direction depending on the current instruction written on the front of the cube. Move correctly, and the cube rotates, providing the next instruction. The overall goal is to move through 30 such phases to complete each level.
These commands are initially simple, using obvious words like “up” or “down”. There’s a time limit to keep you moving, but things begin to get tricky when the directions become harder to decipher quickly. You’ll see “not left”, “not not right”, or even “nothing” (in which you just stand still for a few seconds). Eventually, colors and multiple instructions are added to the mix. With the timer constantly counting down, and the commands ever-changing, the brain is readily tickled.
Of course, rotating cubes could still get old quickly. Not Not 2 provides several incentives for replay. There are various modes to test you: Classic, Challenge, Versus, and Daily Challenges. There’s also DLC and collectibles aplenty.
Classic mode features a whopping 99 levels of increasingly difficult cubes to conquer. This in itself will take some time to work through, especially if you’re a completionist. If you are, you’ll definitely want to earn three stars in each level. To do this, simply finish all 30 instructions without running out of continues. So far, so good. But then there’s the golden cube. Yup, if you complete a level without using any continues, you’ll earn a golden cube. What a status symbol!
Challenge mode progressively unlocks as you work through Classic mode. These extra-hard levels are specially designed to make your palms sweat. They’re super tricky. Think of them like bonus levels, akin to those difficult Star Road courses in Mario’s adventures.
Versus mode is another welcome addition, allowing up to four players to compete in custom games. It takes the fast and furious concept of the game and pits you against each other in a speed-based challenge. You can even set the rules, including difficulty, time, and number of wins required.
Daily (and weekly) challenges are also present and accounted for. These give you a single level to complete within the timeframe, with your score listed on a leaderboard for all to see and admire. This is a fantastic inclusion that begs regular checking to try your hand at something new, pitting yourself against the world.
There’s DLC for added skins and backgrounds. While some are earned by completing levels, others are locked behind a DLC paywall. It’s balanced quite well, with most items available to players for free. I ended up downloading a pack using Gold Points. It’s only a couple of dollars for a pack of six, which is decent value, especially considering the game is only $5 to start with.
On top of all this, your achievements are listed in a neat section of the menu. Here, you can scroll through and admire your results, including top score, death count, play time, and longest streak … it’s all here. It’s one of the most robust logs I’ve seen in any game. It will help completionists monitor their progress, making it a strong incentive to 100% everything.
The music and visuals are neat. It presents a soothing atmosphere by using colors that aren’t too bright or in your face. This is perfect for your brain to comfortably settle into the gameplay itself rather than being distracted by flashy surroundings. I also love the customizable shapes that float across the background.
Overall, Not Not 2 – A Brain Challenge is exactly what it says on the box. It tickles the brain in a fun, interesting, and challenging way. With over 100 levels to master, daily and weekly challenges, and unlockables, this is a fun title with plenty of longevity.
