Double Switch (1993 Video Game) User Reviews

Guilty pleasure

[iandaemon · 8/10 · 19 April 2007]

Ah, "Double Switch". I've wasted so much time on this game (SegaCD version). Sure the video quality wasn't great and some of the acting was bad, but that's the case with almost ALL 'full motion video' games.

It was just fun to see Deborah Harry, Corey Haim, and R. Lee Ermey (before I knew who he was) in these roles. The plot was simplistic and almost always a stretch, but this was the new revolutionary technology of its day. The graphics were awesome compared to "Dragon's Lair" (Arcade), "Super Mario World" (SNES), and "Tempest 2000" (Jaguar).

The company that pioneered these "U-Direct Movies", Digital Pictures, made some of the most memorable fan controlled entertainment available in its day. Digital Pictures, I miss you.

Fun? Yes. Quality? No. Perfect? Absolutely not. Memorable? You better believe it.

underrated

[lowdownshifty · 28 May 1999]

One of the most underrated video games for the most underrated video game system ever, the sega cd. This game is a true gem that makes you feel like you are in the game and one of the few to use the full motion video notion correctly. Interactivity at its best and if only more people had played this game than its "lets censor videogaming" cousin, night trap, people may have respected the industry alot more.

All around great game

[expresso83 · 10/10 · 8 March 2000]

Double Switch is a game that came before its time. The game is a movie but you are the director. You determine what will happen to each, well, if you do the right things. Double Switch has a great story line along with it being a FMV (full motion video). That game has a rather low VGA view, which, with today's technology, it would be better. Double Switch was out with the Sega CD, which was a under-rated machine. This game is truly my all-time favourite.

Double Switch is great

[LNaeem · 10/10 · 27 June 2002]

I played this game as a child. Sega Cd had many games like this. I like this game so much I bought a Sega saturn so I could play it with a bigger screen. I can capture 120 people. If you like this game you can email me.

Sincerely, Lewis Naeem

My Favorite of All Time!

[sponey · 10/10 · 15 March 2002]

I love this game! The acting is superb. R. Lee Ermey gives a stellar performance while Deborah Harry struts with true diva grace. Digital Pictures has created a masterpiece with Corey Haim giving his most engaging performance since "License To Drive." A++

Real Easy

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 4/10 · 2 March 2001]

This was a very easy game to finish but it was still fun for a while. Even if you are a novice gamer you can still finish this one in about 2 weeks. But there was a major problem with it. There was so much footage that we never got see that involved the relationships between the characters. The plot always took over just when the voyeuristic appeal was setting in. There was never any way around this so the game almost followed the same path every single time. The 'revelation' at the end was pretty disappointing and the climax was all over too quickly. And Corey Haim must have been totally desperate for work for appearing in this.

The Sega CD version has really crappy lo-res video too.

Great FMV Game

[TERMINATOR180 · 10/10 · 24 February 2002]

As a fan of Corey Haim, I really loved this game. It has alot of replayability and even a nice musical score.

The story is original, the acting is nice, the controls are easy to figure out, it's a great game altogether.

My Rating: ***** out of ***** Stars (Based on Comparison to other Videogames of the Genre)

What is the plot? Well you will never know if you want to win.

[Aaron1375 · 4/10 · 1 October 2008]

Yes, as with all Sega CD movie games featuring actors this game has a fatal flaw that is common theme with about all of them. This one seems to have better actors than most and it has rather interesting gameplay though rather simplistic. You basically use security cameras to monitor rooms, you have mob type dudes and ninjas are something and when they step on certain points on the screen you push a button and trigger a trap and they get bonked or fall in a hole or something. It is somewhat fun watching them fall in these traps and seeing the different types of traps, but it does get old. As for the fatal flaw you ask? Well you have scenes going on while you are monitoring the rooms, explaining motivations for some of the characters and such. Well if you take the time to listen to these scenes you lose the game as to many of the intruders will break in. What is the point of filming these scenes with this actors and actresses if you can not watch them? So you end up just catching random people without really knowing what the heck is going on, however the ending is kind of funny as you put Eddie (Corey Haim's character) through some real hell.

A Gem of Nostalgia and Thrills

[GilsonIV · 4 September 2023]

Double Switch.....what a delightful blast from the past. As a fan of retro gaming, revisiting this Sega CD gem was an absolute treat. Developed by Digital Pictures and released in 1993, Double Switch offers a unique and engaging gaming experience that combines live-action cutscenes with point-and-click gameplay.

One of the standout features of Double Switch is its captivating storyline. Set in a mysterious and old Egyptian-themed apartment building located in a dangerous neighborhood known as the Edward Arms, players take on the role of a friend to a young man named Eddie (played by actor Corey Haim), who must protect his tenants from burglars. The narrative unfolds through a series of live-action sequences, adding an immersive layer of intrigue and suspense. The 1990s charm is undeniable, creating an endearing atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout the game.

Corey Haim's performance as Eddie was a standout element that added depth and charisma to the game. Despite the limitations of the technology at the time, Haim managed to bring his undeniable charm and energy to the character, creating a memorable and engaging experience for players.

The gameplay mechanics in Double Switch are simple yet addictive. Players navigate the various floors of the Edward Arms through a series of security cameras, switching between them to monitor the residents and thwart burglar's advances. The goal is to activate traps and solve puzzles in real time to catch the intruders while ensuring the safety of the tenants. It's a race against the clock and requires quick thinking and reflexes, adding an element of tension and excitement to the gameplay.

The visuals are impressive. The live-action sequences are well-shot and convey the building's eerie atmosphere effectively. The set design, props, and costumes capture the '90s aesthetic perfectly, immersing players in a time capsule of nostalgia. The gameplay graphics are charming and serve their purpose well.

The soundtrack of Double Switch is a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience. Composed by Thomas Dolby, the music perfectly complements the game's suspenseful atmosphere. The catchy tunes add to the tension and provide an immersive auditory backdrop.

The game's enjoyment lies in the journey and the satisfaction of catching burglars while exploring the eccentricities of the Edward Arms. It's a game that warrants revisiting for the sheer nostalgia it brings.

In conclusion, Double Switch is a gem of the Sega CD library that deserves recognition. Its unique blend of live-action storytelling, point-and-click gameplay, and '90s charm make for an enjoyable and memorable gaming experience. If you're a fan of retro gaming or simply seeking a delightful trip down memory lane, give "Double Switch" a try.

I don't know what that last reviewer was smoking but I want some!

[UnCritic · 1 June 2002]

I worked at SEGA when those god-awful SegaCD games came out. They were just dreadful. You switch around from room to room while washed up actors reluctantly read their bad lines. And the premise is always the same. you can't watch the scenes you have to memorize the sequence of going from room to room and pressing a button to release a booby trap at just the right time. Christ almighty I need prozac after just thinking about those horrid Digital Pictures games.