Mutant Mudds Deluxe: The Journey From DS To Wii U

Mutant Mudds has helped Renegade Kid become a force in the downloadable game market. Renegade Kid’s previous efforts, like Dementium: The Ward, were great games, but they failed to garner the attention of a large market. They were cult hits in every sense of the term. However, Mutant Mudds was destined to change the game. Back in January of this year, Renegade Kid took a stab at the Nintendo eShop, and created an instant classic that is now making its way to as many platforms as it possibly can.

First and foremost, it is important to note that this was a long-fought battle for Renegade Kid. Mutant Mudds originally appeared as an in-development title for the Nintendo DS called Maximilian and The Rise of the Mutant Mudds. It was a 3D platformer that put the player in control of Maximilian, featuring gameplay that was often likened to Super Mario Sunshine. After its reveal, Renegade Kid struggled to find a publisher, and eventually set the title to the side. A year later, Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham attempted to revive the game as a DSiWare title by trying to generate interest on his personal blog. Even with the help of some major gaming websites, the blog failed to generate enough interest to re-open development. Maximilian was once again pushed aside.

Footage of Original Game, Jool’s Case for Support

Mr. Watsham was very passionate about bringing Maximilian to life, so he never gave up hope. In our interview with him earlier this year, he mentioned that it had been his dream for over 20 years to make an original, 2D platformer. What happens when you put those two passions together? Enter the Mutant Mudds we know and love today, born of his two long-term goals. Maximilian underwent a transformation, moving from 3D to 2D space and taking on “retro” aesthetics. But at the same time, it felt like he was the same Maximilian that we had been waiting for all these years. He was finally here.

Immediately upon release in January of this year, Mutant Mudds was met with extremely favorable reception from the critics and players alike. We gave the game a perfect score, and continue to sing its praises today. Thanks to its impeccable design, a big push from Nintendo in the eShop storefront, and simply being in the right place at the right time, the game took off. Not to be content with their conquest of the Nintendo eShop, Renegade Kid began seeking out opportunities to get the game published on other platforms.

The obvious target was Steam- one of the biggest digital distribution platforms available, and one rife with a community that loves extremely difficult, 2D platformers. For whatever reason, Valve was not interested. I don’t want to get on a soapbox or anything, but this was completely baffling to me, when comparing Mutant Mudds to some of the garbage I have gotten from Steam over the years. This also came in the wake of the announcement of “non-game software” coming to Steam, just to rub salt in the wound.

Not to be discouraged, Renegade Kid eventually found a home for Mutant Mudds on PC’s everywhere though GOG.com, Desura, and Gamersgate. Renegade Kid even set up their own store to sell it themselves! Along with the PC release came some expanded content, including online leaderboards and an additional 20 levels. It was recently announced that these new levels would also be coming to the 3DS version of the game for free by way of DLC. Not long after, Steam began their project Greenlight. Mutant Mudds is currently up on Greenlight, but has yet to receive enough upvotes to be sold on Steam.

Footage of New Level for Mutant Mudds PC

Looking forward, there is still more Mutant Mudds to come. Mutant Mudds 2 is inevitable- the first game was big for not only Renegade Kid, but for Nintendo’s eShop as well. The eShop could still use more great content like Mutant Mudds. But first things first- Mutant Mudds is coming to Wii U! To coincide with the reveal of the Wii U’s launch information, Jools posted a teaser image to his blog. The image features the game on the Wii U Game Pad, along with the branding Mutant Mudds Deluxe.

Mutant Mudds is the realization of a game that almost did not make it to market. We are certainly glad that it did- but the story is not over yet. We will have more details on the upcoming Wii U game, Mutant Mudds Deluxe, as they become available. And we also highly encourage you to upvote the game on Steam Greenlight, so that Maximilian can reach a larger audience. We cannot wait to see what else Renegade Kid, Maximilian, and the Mudds have in store for us!