Pokemon meets WarioWare in this Game Boy-inspired RPG: Petal Runner needs to be on your wishlist

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A heartfelt tribute to the days of the Game Boy Color, Petal Runner – the first game by Nano Park Studios – instantly captivated me a few months back with its intricately designed, retro-inspired pixel art. Incredibly, I recently had the opportunity to engage with the team behind this game (consisting of only two developers, a programmer, and an artist) during Summer Game Fest over the weekend, and delve into their endearing game about delivering HanaPets.

Petal Runner, a charming debut game by Nano Park Studios, with stunning retro-style pixel art, grabbed my attention months ago. Over the weekend at Summer Game Fest, I spoke with the small team (only two developers, one programmer, and an artist) about their game that’s all about delivering cute creatures called HanaPets.

Pokémon meets WarioWare in this gorgeous pixel art RPG, Petal Runner

Initially, let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the amazing pixel art found in the game, Petal Runner. This masterpiece is the creation of Brandon James Greer, one of the studio’s Creative Directors and a renowned pixel artist on YouTube. The game’s visual style is particularly notable due to its prevalent use of pinks, violets, and greens in its color scheme. Despite having only a few colors at its disposal, Petal Runner manages to achieve a retro aesthetic while still presenting a modern feel that I found surprising. For instance, when I first started riding the motorcycle, the main mode of transportation within the game, I was astonished by how seamless and responsive it felt.

In the retro-style games similar to Petal Runner, I assumed the movement would be limited to just four main directions, like stepping on an unseen grid. However, when I was navigating, I expected the bike ride to feel somewhat awkward, much like a bicycle in an older Pokémon game. But I was taken aback by how the vehicle handled; it turned effortlessly in any direction, and the sprite adjusted gradually as I rode, not instantly switching from one image to another. Greer shared that he had meticulously designed sixteen unique sprites for the motorcycle, which gave it a fluidity uncommon in pixel art games. He also noted that the front wheel and handlebar would slightly twist as I moved the joystick on the controller. This game is clearly a result of dedication and passion, and it certainly shows.

Over the weekend at Summer Game Fest, I showcased what was supposedly my last demo. Throughout the event, I kept hearing people buzz about a game called Petal Runner. In fact, numerous individuals compared it to both Pokémon and WarioWare, which is not far from the truth. Unlike traditional creature collector RPGs, Petal Runner doesn’t involve battles between creatures. Instead, your role is to transport HanaPets, a task that requires you to gather Leap Cells, which are advanced batteries powered by flowers and equipped with the latest HanaPet technology.

When you work on a Leap Cell project, you’re led into a sequence of quick, fun mini-games, which the Nano Park Studios team refers to as “micro-games.” These games are reminiscent of WarioWare in terms of gameplay. They are straightforward but seldom explained and usually come with a time limit. During my demo, I experienced various micro-games such as washing a puppy, timing a spoon to fit into a giraffe’s mouth, dodging asteroids while flying a UFO, and guiding someone to safely land using a parachute. The team shared that they intend to incorporate a wide array of micro-games, with certain pets being connected to specific games based on their appearance or character. This means there is some structure, allowing you to practice and enhance your skills if you find a particular pet challenging.

In my perspective as an enthusiast, it’s evident that Petal Runner aims for a warm and heartfelt ambiance. During the demonstration, when a glob of gunk emerges from a garbage pile, the main character doesn’t automatically spring into combat. Instead, they identify this gunk as a Leap Cell prisoner, helping to extract it, which restores the HanaPet to its original form. The subsequent mission was to transport a shark-like HanaPet to a family of surfers. The dialogue in this game was witty and brimming with cheesy humor, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the clever touches in the character designs. For instance, the surfer father had a white patch of sunscreen on his nose.

Although Petal Runner appears cheerful and inviting, there are ominous undercurrents beneath the surface. During my playthrough, a cut scene hinted at two scientists attempting to activate “security pets,” suggesting something suspicious is going on. The protagonist’s companion, a Generation 1 HanaPet, may also be in peril. The company behind the HanaPet craze is focused on advancement and has already launched Generation 2. This raises questions about the future of the decade-old classic pets.

I really want to spend more time with the game Petal Runner, but unlike other terrific indie titles I sampled at Summer Game Fest, there isn’t a free demo available yet. Moreover, they haven’t announced a 2025 release date either. Given that it’s just a two-person team working on this project, I understand their need for more time to ensure the game is polished and high-quality. So, while I’m eager to dive in, I can exercise some patience. If you’re interested too, you can add Petal Runner to your wishlist on Steam to show your support for these talented developers.

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2025-06-12 22:02