In a gaming landscape dominated by open worlds, live services, and immersive cinematic experiences, there’s something comforting about returning to a classic artillery-style game like Worms Armageddon. Released in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its 1999 PC debut, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition promises to rekindle nostalgia with a direct, faithful port. But does it fully deliver on that promise?
Same Old Worms
For those unfamiliar, Worms Armageddon pits teams of cartoonish worms against each other in hilarious, turn-based warfare. You manoeuvre your worms strategically around destructible randomly generated 2D terrains, unleashing everything from straightforward bazookas and grenades to outlandish weapons like exploding sheep and poisonous skunks. Mastering the wind direction and precise weapon usage defines the satisfying challenge. It’s timelessly fun, if you can get the controls down.
Testing this edition on Nintendo Switch, I immediately found that the controls are tricky to master compared to the PC original. Countless times, I positioned my worm on the perfect vantage point, delicately aiming, only to accidentally nudge the joystick and send my unfortunate worm tumbling hilariously —and frustratingly —into the ocean. Even after hours, I continued to struggle, albeit slightly less disastrously, but it’s clear that Worms Armageddon remains most at home with a mouse and keyboard.
War Stories
Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition offers a faithful port of the 1999 original. Instead of leaving it at that, this new version adds some extra shine with the inclusion of “War Stories,” an interactive documentary series and museum feature that chronicles Worms’ fascinating development journey. From humble beginnings on a calculator prototype to the inspired idea of switching from tanks to lemmings (and eventually to worms), this behind-the-scenes treasure trove adds genuine value for longtime fans.
Some Unnecessary Fodder
Less impressive are the included extra ports: the Game Boy Advance (GBA) Worms World Party, and the newly added SNES, MegaDrive/Genesis, and Game Boy Color versions. Frankly, these feel like unnecessary padding. Only the GBA title offers any semblance of playability—and even then, it’s a stretch. The SNES and Genesis ports particularly stand out, and not positively, with indecipherable visuals and yet another awkward control scheme to learn. It’s nostalgia overload done wrong; even the most die-hard fans will struggle to find lasting enjoyment here.
Cartoonishly accurate
Graphically and audibly, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition perfectly mirrors the 1999 original. From the silly voice samples to cartoonish explosions, it’s exactly as I remembered. This authentic presentation greatly enhances the nostalgic appeal, ensuring players feel genuinely transported back to the simpler gaming times of the late ’90s.
Bring your own friends
Multiplayer remains one of the core draws, both locally and online. Couch battles with friends still deliver plenty of laughter and entertainment, but the online lobby felt eerily quiet during my play sessions. Players hoping for quick matchmaking against strangers might be disappointed, though organising private matches with friends online can still salvage the multiplayer experience
Conclusion
Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition successfully delivers on its promise of nostalgia, bringing the classic artillery warfare back to life for modern platforms. While the “War Stories” documentary is a delightful addition, unnecessary retro ports and clunky console controls hold it back from broader appeal. This port caters explicitly to those who fondly remember the original—and within that niche, it succeeds, though it’s unlikely to attract new players in 2025.
6,5/10
Tested on Nintendo Switch
