Octodad: Dadliest Catch is still charming as ever on the Switch

Dadly Premonition

Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a wonderful little game that kept me grinning throughout its duration. Darren pretty much nailed it during his initial review back in 2014, so, if you’re curious about the overall quality of the title, he’s got you covered.

It’s a goofy story that follows an octopus that’s pretending to be human. Even his wife and children have no idea about his underwater origins. You’ll control the writhing cephalopod protagonist as he carries out mundane tasks like mowing the lawn and going to the grocery store, while avoiding the wrath of a rogue sushi chef who wants to expose him for what he truly is. The game revels in its stupidity, and it pays off with tons of asinine, smile-inducing moments.

The Nintendo Switch port is every bit as solid as on any other platform and even includes the two extra “shorts” that were released afterwards as updates. They’re both only about 30 minutes each, but they offer some genuinely precious moments. One of these shorts, where you’re out on a date with your soon-to-be wife, has some framerate issues, but it doesn’t detract too much from the experience. Other than that, you’re looking at what essentially amounts to a “perfect port.” 

I tested it out in both portable and docked mode without any issues whatsoever. Whether using the Pro Controller or the Joy-Con, everything is handled identically.

Assuming you already own the game, there isn’t anything here that justifies purchasing it again. However, for newcomers, this is a really solid, fun time. It probably won’t blow your mind, but it does offer a great sense of humor, with a unique gameplay hook, that you won’t find anywhere else. If you still haven’t gotten around to checking out Octodad, you’re in for a real treat. There are far worse ways to spend $15.