Joe & Mac Retro Collection's reviews make a useful distinction: preserving an old game well doesn't mean every player will enjoy playing it again. Seven verified overall scores put the collection at an NGC Rating of 75, with enthusiasm for its presentation sitting alongside reservations about the games themselves.
The buying question is whether you want a convenient way to revisit these particular platformers, or a collection that explains their history and expands their appeal. Those aren't the same purchase. This roundup compares published criticism; we haven't tested the game ourselves.
| Critic / platform | Original score | Score /100 | Normalized bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGMagazine (Switch 2) | 9/10 | 90 | |
| MyGamer (Switch) | 8/10 | 80 | |
| gameland (Switch 2) | 7.5/10 | 75 | |
| WayTooManyGames (Switch 2) | 7.5/10 | 75 | |
| Press Play Media (PS5) | 7.5/10 | 75 | |
| Games Asylum (Not specified) | 7/10 | 70 | |
| Creative Bloq (Switch edition on Switch 2) | 3/5 | 60 |
The unweighted mean is 75/100 across seven reviews. Each outlet counts once, and only its overall score enters the calculation. Scores and review text were verified on October 31, 2026, between 10:51:32 and 10:54:27 a.m. PT.
This is a mixed-platform sample, not a technical ranking. Three reviewers identify Switch 2, one identifies Switch, and Press Play reviewed PS5. Creative Bloq specifically says it played the Switch edition on Switch 2; Games Asylum doesn't identify its review platform. These reviews don't establish a handheld-versus-docked performance comparison, and there's no verified Xbox or PC review in this sample.
The presentation earns its praise
There's a straightforward reason the positive reviews find the package appealing. CGMagazine and MyGamer both appreciate the care around the games: the menus, music and virtual packaging give the collection an identity beyond a list of titles. CGMagazine is the most enthusiastic reviewer in our sample, while MyGamer also sees value in how the material has been assembled.
The underlying feature list is supported by the publisher's Nintendo listing and PlayStation listing: rewind, save states, display options and a Boss Rush mode accompany the three games. Think of those as ways to manage your time and frustration, rather than evidence that the original controls or level design have been remade.
That distinction matters when you're choosing something for short sessions. Being able to save a stopping point can make an older game easier to fit into your week. Being able to undo a mistake doesn't necessarily make the jump that caused it feel better. Press Play and WayTooManyGames both identify awkward movement or unforgiving collisions among the compromises of returning to these games.
Critics disagree about which game carries the collection
Don't assume everyone is recommending the same part of the package. WayTooManyGames finds Lost in the Tropics the strongest entry and is much less convinced by Congo's Caper. Creative Bloq instead regards the sequels as the main attraction, finding their additional exploration and ideas more engaging than the original.
Press Play favors Caveman Ninja's simpler action, while acknowledging the different ambitions of the other two games. Read that disagreement as useful information about taste, not as a puzzle the average can solve. If you remember one specific game fondly, check what critics say about that entry instead of treating a positive collection score as an endorsement of all three.
The extras also divide expectations. Games Asylum enjoys the presentation and sees the boss challenges as a welcome addition. Gameland finds the archival material worthwhile but limited; Creative Bloq wanted developer interviews and more historical explanation. A virtual manual can be enjoyable to browse without providing the context you'd expect from a documentary-style collection.
Decide what you want to revisit
For a returning fan, the strongest argument here is convenience: familiar games, reversible mistakes and presentation that takes their old packaging seriously. For someone without that attachment, the more important reviews are the ones describing how the games feel, not simply how carefully they've been preserved.
Before buying, choose the entry you'd actually play first and read both a favorable account and a more reserved one from the table. Then decide whether the archival extras are something you'll explore or merely admire once. If you want a fuller historical account or fundamentally modernized platforming, don't let the collection's affection for its source material stand in for those features.