Dan the Man is a retro-feeling platformer now in the Play Store

You might remember the developer Halfbrick for their previous success with Jetpack Joyride. Now the stylish game designers have delivered a new game they boasts retro style graphics and gameplay. Dan the Man is a love letter to an increasingly forgotten genre, and it’s now available for free on Android.

Fans of the likes of Kid Niki: Radical Ninja or Metal Slug are sure to see echoes of their old favorites in this brightly colored mobile masher. You’ll battle your way through hordes of diverse opponents in a side-scrolling platform adventure, collecting new weapons and abilities as you go.

Unlike the beat-em-ups of old, you’ll actually gradually upgrade your character, making him more of a beast on the battlefield. The different modes of play include a surprisingly engaging story mode, an endless survival mode, and weekly events that give you a chance to win prizes.

The game is free to play, but there are – of course – in app purchases. However, these extras don’t seem to be as offensive as they are for many games. Practically all of them can be attained through just upgrading your character normally through the story mode or by participating in the weekly events, and there’s no nonsense about limiting your playtime until you’re ready to fork over cash or watch an ad.

Click the button below to give Dan the Man a spin. Let us know what your take on it is in the comments below!