A new free to play, retro 2D platformer called Super Bernie World takes players on an adventure through 11 states and the District of Columbia. The goal is to defeat four Republican bosses in their castle lairs to transform the United States into Bernie’s vision of a utopia. It’s like the elections, if things were settled with less talking and more jumping.
Developed by Gamedevs for Bernie and published by Kitsune Games on Steam, the nostalgic platformer is supposed to help players learn more about his campaign and his goals.
“We feel his policies are the best way forward for not just us, but our communities including LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. Accessible health care, living wages, less student debt and fighting climate change are critical to increased quality of life for us all,” said Emma Maassen, President of Kitsune Games, in a press release.
In the game, Bernie Sanders isn’t even worried about the primaries - he’s already taking on Republican bad guys: two notable senators, a congressman and even the current President of the United States. The power-up used to, erm, “embiggen” him (as the team itself says) is also a pretty obvious choice for the senator: cheddar cheese from Vermont, his home state. Meanwhile, his famous “Not Me, Us” raised fist grants him invincibility, and red roses are used for tossing.
At the start of each world, cutscenes teach players about Bernie’s campaign, while the game’s main menu lets them find out how to support him, either with money or through other means. The team is hoping that by helping Bernie win this fictional adventure, people will be more likely to help him win first the Democratic nomination, then the general election in November 2020.
Regardless of whether or not you’d vote for Bernie, you’ve got to admit that this is a pretty original way of drawing attention to your candidate. Plus, who says you have to vote for him if you play the game? Even if you’re not from the United States, you can enjoy this Super Mario nostalgia for the low, low price of free.
