From the moment the trailer dropped for KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT, a wave of delightful bewilderment washed over me. This wasn’t just another game; it was a vibrant explosion of bizarre creativity, a title practically screaming to be explored. Developed and published by Kamotachi, KinnikuNeko plunges you headfirst into a playable anime straight out of the glorious, over-the-top era of the 1990s, and at its heart is a truly unique protagonist: the Muscle Cat.
Anime-style intro screen for KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT featuring the main characters.
The game throws you right into the action with an animated intro sequence, complete with a theme song so catchy it could be ripped straight from your favorite 90s anime opening. The sheer personality on display makes you wonder why KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT isn’t already a cartoon series. The concept is ripe for animation: fun, quirky characters and a story that embraces the ridiculous. And who can resist a show starring an adorable, albeit incredibly buff, kitty?
The Mother Queen, leader of the Mysterious Aliens in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
The narrative kicks off with an alien invasion. These aren’t your typical world-conquering extraterrestrials, though. These “Misterious Aliens” (yes, spelled just like that!) are selectively abducting species they deem “useful.” Their true objective is shrouded in mystery initially, but it becomes clear they’re on a mission for their leader, the imposing Mother Queen, who is definitely pulling the strings.
Keita, a cautious friend of the muscle cat, in a scene from KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
Enter our trio of protagonists: Lemon, the cheerful but somewhat air-headed blonde; Keita, the cautious friend convinced alien abduction is imminent; and the star of the show, KinnikuNeko himself. This muscle cat is a sight to behold: a hulking bodybuilder physique topped with an undeniably cute blue cat head. It’s an absurd combination, yet strangely endearing. KinnikuNeko isn’t much of a talker, preferring adorable meows that somehow convey a surprising amount of personality.
Introduction scene showcasing KinnikuNeko, the muscle cat protagonist of the game.
Gameplay in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT is designed for accessibility, offering both keyboard and gamepad controls. Playing on Steam, an Xbox controller or Steam Deck feels perfectly natural. Controlling KinnikuNeko is intuitive: move with the D-pad or thumbstick, jump with the bottom face button, attack with punches and swipes using the left face button, and unleash the crucial “meow” with the right face button.
Lemon offering a form switch option to the muscle cat in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
Throughout the levels, you’ll encounter Lemon, who serves a dual purpose: replenishing your health and initiating form changes. This is where the muscle cat concept truly shines. KinnikuNeko can switch between his human bodybuilder form and an agile blue cat form. Each form offers distinct advantages. As the cat, you gain enhanced mobility – scaling walls, sprinting, and executing impressive leaps. However, the feline form is defenseless, requiring you to evade enemies, though cleverly, aliens can harm each other with friendly fire.
The cat form of KinnikuNeko wall climbing in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
The bodybuilder form, on the other hand, is all about brute strength. KinnikuNeko can unleash powerful punches and flying knee attacks to dispatch enemies. He can also break through obstacles and even hit the gym to boost his strength. Hilariously, the cat form is too weak to lift weights, emphasizing the need to transform. Gym workouts involve button-mashing bench presses in a numbered sequence, with increasing weight and button-mashing intensity as you progress.
KinnikuNeko in his muscle form working out at the gym in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
The game’s bizarre premise is cemented by the explanation for KinnikuNeko’s transformations: magical alien underwear. Yes, you read that right. While the thought of dressing a cat in underwear is inherently comical, it perfectly encapsulates the game’s overall wacky and lighthearted tone.
Transformation sequence for KinnikuNeko in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT, highlighting the magical underwear.
KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT is visually vibrant and bursting with personality. The art style seems playfully inspired by Akira Toriyama, and the game even features nods to his iconic creations. A cosplay contest within the game showcases aliens dressed as Dragon Ball characters, alongside costumes from One Piece and Lum from Urusei Yatsura, adding another layer of anime appreciation.
Aliens participating in a cosplay contest, dressed as characters from Dragon Ball and other anime, within KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
The soundtrack is consistently upbeat and energetic, perfectly complementing the fast-paced, quirky action. The anime intro theme is a standout, with lyrics that are delightfully silly and perfectly set the stage for the game’s absurdity. Voice acting is present, with fully voiced aliens and short, reactive voice lines from the main human characters. KinnikuNeko’s meows are particularly noteworthy, matching the “nyan” text that appears alongside them.
Flying saucers and alien enemies in a level of KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
This 2D platformer spans multiple stages, each with unique environments, providing a good sense of variety. Previously cleared stages can be revisited to access gyms for stat boosting or to collect hidden stars. Stage completion screens display a “WANTED” poster, tracking defeated enemies, strength level, and collected stars.
Level finish screen in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT, displaying stats on a WANTED poster.
Level design goes beyond standard platforming fare. KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT incorporates rhythm game sections, word-based arm wrestling matches, and challenging forced scrolling levels. These scrolling levels, appearing later in the game, can be surprisingly difficult, sometimes lacking checkpoints.
A rhythm game sequence in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT featuring falling cat faces.
KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT is a genuinely enjoyable and surprisingly deep experience. Beneath the surface of its humor, crazy characters, and ridiculous story lies a solid and entertaining platformer. Even the sight of the muscle cat performing feline grooming habits with his bodybuilder physique adds to the game’s unique charm. Don’t be deceived by the cute aesthetic; the game can be genuinely challenging, making overcoming obstacles all the more rewarding. If you’re a fan of 90s anime, quirky humor, cats, or 2D platformers, KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT is a bizarre and wonderful title that deserves your attention.
KinnikuNeko, the muscle cat, performing a cat-like cleaning action in KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT.
