Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together! is a puzzle video game developed by SFB Games and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game was released worldwide as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017. The game makes use of a snipping mechanic to allow players to cooperate and solve shape and physics-based puzzles. An expanded version, titled Snipperclips Plus, was released on November 10, 2017.
Gameplay
Snipperclips is a co-operative puzzle game for up to four players. In the main World mode for one or two players, players control two characters named Snip and Clip, who each possess shaped bodies that can be rotated in place. When the two characters overlap each other, one player can snip the overlapped portion out of the other player, altering the shape of their body. Using this mechanic, players must come up with creative ways to solve various puzzles, each with unique objectives. Objectives include fitting inside a shape template, carrying objects such as a basketball or pencil to a specific area, or cutting out a pointed end in order to pop balloons. Additionally, up to four players can play the game's Party and Blitz modes. Party mode features unique puzzles designed for extra players, while Blitz mode features various competitive games, such as basketball, hockey, and snipping deathmatches.
Development
The concept for Snipperclips was originally developed in Adobe Flash by British independent developer SFB Games under the name FriendShapes. The game, designed by brothers Adam and Tom Vian during a one-day game jam, was first showcased at EGX 2015 and was featured in the Game Developers Conference's 2015 European Innovative Games Showcase. SFB Games approached Nintendo about publishing the game and began development on the full game in 2016 using the Unity game engine. In January 2017, the game was announced as a new IP for the Nintendo Switch, under the new name of Snipperclips. The game was released as a launch title for the system via the Nintendo eShop on March 3, 2017.
''Snipperclips Plus''
An updated version of Snipperclips, titled Snipperclips Plus, was released on November 10, 2017. The updated version adds thirty new levels across two new worlds, a new multiplayer mode, and a new mode allowing players to attempt completed puzzles using randomly shaped bodies. The game was released as a standalone retail product, and was also made available as a downloadable content add-on for the original game.
Legacy
The game's protagonists, Clip and Snip, appear together as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. An arrangement of various music tracks from the game's first world, titled "Noisy Notebook", also appears as one of the many selectable music tracks for various stages.
Reception
Snipperclips received generally favorable reviews, according to review aggregatorMetacritic. IGN gave the game 8/10, praising the game's multiplayer experience and presentation. The Guardian described it as "addictive". Polygon stated that Snipperclips was "a tricky, tricky game of logic and cunning". The website later ranked it 48th on their list of the 50 best games of 2017. During their financial briefing in April 2017, Nintendo reported that over 350,000 digital copies of the game had been downloaded. The game also won IGN's award for best puzzle game of 2017, whereas its other nominations were for "Best Switch Game", "Most Innovative", and "Best Multiplayer". The game was also nominated for "Best Switch Game" at Destructoids Game of the Year Awards 2017, for "Nintendo Game of the Year" at the Golden Joystick Awards, and for "Best Family/Social Game" at the Titanium Awards. In Game Informers Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game took the lead for "Best Puzzle Game". It also won "Family Game of the Year" and "D.I.C.E. Sprite Award" at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and was nominated for "Game, Puzzle" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards. It received nominations for the British Academy Games Awards 2017 for Family Game and Game Innovation. At the 2019 Webby Awards, the game won the award for "Family & Kids Game", whereas its other nomination was for "Puzzle Game".
