The goal was to create a nostalgic, NES-inspired side-scrolling mobile game with simple yet addictive mechanics. The core premise—guiding a skateboarder as far as possible while jumping (ollieing) over cats—played into both the internet’s love for feline chaos and the retro gaming aesthetic. However, designing a game that felt both accessible to casual players and engaging for experienced skateboarders presented several challenges.

Since the gameplay was intentionally single-note, maintaining long-term engagement required thoughtful design choices. To elevate the experience, we introduced a unique control system that allowed players to execute skateboard tricks through multi-touch swipe gestures, adding depth for a more dedicated skateboarding audience. This mechanic needed to feel intuitive yet skill-based, rewarding players who mastered timing and trick execution while keeping the simplicity that made the game instantly playable.

Balancing difficulty progression was another key challenge. The game’s restart-from-the-beginning loop had to feel fair and motivating rather than frustrating, encouraging players to refine their skills with each attempt. Striking this balance between casual appeal and skill-based gameplay helped the game resonate with nostalgic gamers and skateboarding enthusiasts alike, making it a standout entry in a well-trodden genre.

Discovery & Research to Prototyping & Design

• NES Scroller “platformer” mobile game analysis (e.g., Flappy Bird, T&C Surf, Paperboy) to identify distinct qualities.

• Define self imposed limitations to maintain ease of concept anchored in “nostalgia”.

• Wireframe interactive elements (e.g., character interactions, touchscreen gesture maps, settings menus).

• Character, game environment and UI element design.

Testing & Iteration to Launch

• Conduct testing with mobile gamers to ensure “fun” vs “sticky” quality.

• Gather feedback on ease of use, performance, and engagement.

• Iterate based on insights, refining gameplay and tactile response for launch.

The game quickly gained traction, with nearly 5,000 initial installs leading to a featured spot in the Apple App Store’s Games section. Over the course of its first year, Ollie Cats was downloaded nearly 80,000 times—an impressive achievement for an indie effort. This recognition validated the game’s nostalgic appeal and innovative trick-based mechanics, resonating with both skateboarding enthusiasts and casual players alike. More than just a release, the project served as a successful proof of concept—demonstrating the potential of a streamlined, two-person development team. As sole contributors, I partnered with front-end developer David Harrison to bring the game to life, showcasing our ability to execute a compelling, high-quality mobile experience with minimal resources.