Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE is built from the ground up specifically for Nintendo Switch players, offering a reimagined take on the rhythm-action formula originally popularized in VR. Designed for both handheld and docked play, OVERDRIVE introduces new mechanics tailored to traditional controls, supports up to four-player local multiplayer (competitive versus and couch co-op), and features a hefty soundtrack of up to 64 tracks spanning synthwave, pop, and electronic hits.
With a full campaign mode—complete with an over-the-top boss fight—the game promises nonstop momentum and flashy rhythm-based action. But does Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE keep the beat pumping, or does it lose its rhythm along the way?
Gameplay & Story
At its core, Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE is a fairly standard rhythm game, but one that’s consistently fun to play. Rhythm games can sometimes struggle with repetition, especially when tracks start to blur together mechanically. Thankfully, OVERDRIVE avoids that pitfall thanks to an excellent and varied soundtrack.
The song selection is a huge highlight here. Tracks from artists like Lady Gaga, Gorillaz, and Toto give the game a lot of personality (yes, Africa is my favorite song to play). Each track feels distinct enough to keep you engaged, which goes a long way in a genre that lives and dies by its music.
That said, it’s very clear that Synth Riders started life as a VR experience. The Switch adaptation works well overall—especially in handheld mode, where quick pick-up-and-play sessions shine—but things can get a little chaotic on higher difficulties. On smaller screens, tracking incoming shapes and rails becomes more challenging, and precision can suffer as a result.
The story itself is simple but effective. You step into the role of a Synth Rider, thrown into an adrenaline-fueled musical battleground where every beat matters. Your goal is to stop the ruthless Xander from taking control of the metropolis, all while smashing shapes, riding rails, and pulling off flashy hoverboard air stunts in time with the music. It’s not deep, but it doesn’t need to be—the narrative does just enough to give context to the action without getting in the way.
Graphics & Design
Visually, Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE absolutely nails its aesthetic. The world is vibrant, colorful, and stylish, with character and environment designs that feel like a modern take on old-school music visualizers. Everything pulses and flows with the soundtrack, reinforcing that hypnotic rhythm-game trance the genre does best.
A big shoutout is deserved for the inclusion of a colorblind mode, which makes the game far more accessible without sacrificing its visual flair. Whether you’re docked or playing handheld, the presentation remains clean, readable, and bursting with neon energy.
Feedback
My biggest gripe with Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE is its difficulty scaling. The jump from Easy to Medium—and especially from Medium to Hard—can feel abrupt on certain songs. Meanwhile, the easiest difficulty is too slow, which may turn off experienced rhythm game fans looking for a stronger challenge right out of the gate.
More granular difficulty options or an additional in-between setting would go a long way toward smoothing out the learning curve and keeping players engaged longer.
Final Verdict
Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE is a stylish, energetic rhythm game that translates surprisingly well to the Nintendo Switch, even if its VR roots are still visible. The soundtrack is excellent, the presentation is eye-catching, and the gameplay is satisfying enough to keep you coming back for “just one more song.”
While the difficulty curve could use some refinement, OVERDRIVE succeeds where it matters most: making rhythm gameplay feel fun, flashy, and worth revisiting. If you’re a fan of rhythm games—or just looking for something colorful and music-driven to play on the go—Synth Riders: OVERDRIVE is well worth checking out.
Craving something a little darker? Head over to our I Hate This Place review for a closer look at its unsettling world and comic-book presentation.
