We’re diving into a review of "Which Way Up: Galaxy Games," and I caught up with the team at Turtle Flip Studio to learn more about the game and its journey. Let’s delve in!
PS4Blog: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. Could you kick things off by introducing yourself to our readers and giving us some insight into your work?
Nick Cellini: Hello! I’m Nick Cellini, the director of Turtle Flip Studio, a new game development company based in Australia. Thanks to a grant from Screen Australia, we got the boost we needed to bring our debut title to life. That game is "Which Way Up: Galaxy Games," a hectic, gravity-bending party game launching on March 27! My background involves over 15 years in programming and game design, mainly focusing on interactive media. Starting my own studio and seeing a game through from concept to console release has been an incredible journey, with plenty of twists and turns—literally, given our game’s play-with-gravity theme!
PS4B: Speaking of which, your game is coming to the Nintendo Switch soon. How would you describe it to newcomers?
Nick: "Which Way Up" is a local multiplayer party game that takes a cue from the quirky gravity concepts seen in "Super Mario Galaxy." We’ve transformed that into a competitive couch experience where players run, bounce, and compete in various mini-games and arenas. It’s fast-paced and easy to jump into, with plenty of laughs along the way. Players can race away from a black hole, collect comets in goal areas, or play hot potato with a bomb while chasing each other around planets. It’s perfect for game nights, sibling showdowns, or just some chaotic fun with friends while navigating the upside-down world of space!
PS4B: How has the game evolved from the demo available during the Kickstarter campaign to the version launching on March 27?
Nick: The demo—still available because we want everyone to give it a try before diving in—features 6 of the 12 Galaxy Games and 5 of the 7 playable characters. It also offers a taste of the single-player missions, highlighting some character dialogue and light platforming, as well as the universe’s personality. The complete version includes all 12 Galaxy Games, introducing six new mini-games not present in the demo. For instance, in "Hole In One," you’ll shoot golf balls across moving gravity fields, while in "Puff Panic," you dodge fireballs thrown during a baby dragon’s tantrum. And then there’s "Bumper Stars," where you and your friends orbit around, trying to bounce each other toward a furnace-star’s pull.
PS4B: What’s next for the studio now that the game is complete? Are you planning to take a break, or is there a new project on the horizon?
Nick: We’re definitely looking forward to a brief break and a chance to catch our breath—launching a game is quite an endeavor, especially for a small team like ours. Nonetheless, we’re eager and a bit anxious to see how players embrace the quirky, chaotic world we’ve invested so much into. Watching people laugh, compete, and interact in space through Comet Push is our ultimate dream. As for future plans, we have a few ideas simmering. We’re quite attached to our Celestial characters and would love to further explore their universe. We’re considering a new project set in the same world but branching out into a different genre—potentially a single-player adventure centered around mining and building. For now, though, we’ll enjoy the launch festivities, witness some party game chaos, and probably get some much-needed rest.
PS4B: Are there any plans for updates like new characters, mini-games, or character customizations post-launch?
Nick: We would love to bring new characters, mini-games, or aesthetic options into the game. We plan to wait and gather feedback post-launch, and we’re eager to keep updating the game if the opportunity arises.
PS4B: Does "Which Way Up" offer bots for multiplayer sessions?
Nick: The decision to include bots was a significant one. Launching with 12 Galaxy Games, each would require a unique bot setup, which involves considerable work. We chose to focus our resources on delivering the core experience—a nostalgic local multiplayer party game for friends and family.
PS4B: That’s all the time we have today. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Nick: Thanks for having me!
[Images illustrating "Which Way Up: Galaxy Games" from various stages of development and gameplay were shown during the interview.]
