Exploring the Sky for Medallions: A Look at Poi Explorer Edition for Nintendo Switch

3D platformers are very popular right now, just look at Unbox Newbie’s Adventure, Yookai-Layee (on its way to Switch), and of course Super Mario Odyssey. Another platformer just came out recently and you may have missed it. Poi Explorer Edition for Nintendo Switch is from Alliance Digital Media and developer PolyKid. Alliance Digital Media provided GamesReviews.com for a review code for the game. I have been playing it and while my review isn’t ready yet, I wanted to provide our readers with some thoughts on the game. So how is Poi Explorer Edition so far?

Poi Explorer Edition is a 3D platformer for the Nintendo Switch. Unlike the recent Nintendo game Super Mario Odyssey, Poi is a complete throwback to the Nintendo 64. Graphics wise, it is a little bit better than a 64 game, with some details here and there you would not have seen on that system. Gameplay wise, it feels like it would have been right at home on that system.

Much like Mario 64, Poi has a “hub world” and a set other worlds that you can visit. Instead of jumping through a painting though, you use your airship to pick which new area you want to visit.

The airship is located in the “hub world” of Poi Explorer Edition. I think this “hub world” is pretty cool. The “world” is the open sky and you’ll be able to travel around by jumping off your airship and gliding around it via a parachute of sorts. It does take some time to get use to this form of travel but once you get the hang of it, its pretty fun. There are a few places to visit and more opens up as you beat the regular levels of Poi.

The basic goal of Poi is to visit different areas and collect Medallions. There are a lot of Medallions to find. Think of them as stars from Mario 64 or Power Moons from Super Mario Odyssey, you need to collect just enough of them so that you can move onto the next area. Some of the challenges to find these Medallions are pretty easy -and other challenges are a bit harder.

Poi isn’t a game that’ll change the way you look at platformers. We’ve seen a lot of the things that Poi does before. And yet, Poi is a fun game and pretty charming sometimes. I will continue to play Poi and I hope to have a full review of the game next week! Please stay tuned for more on Poi and other 3D platformers coming to the Nintendo Switch.