Dino Shift Game Review

Dino Shift Game Background

Dino Shift is a retro platforming game where players play as a colorful color-changing dinosaur.

Andercodes released this game on January 16, 2024.

How to Play Dino Shift

Press the gray and salmon colored button in the lower center of the welcome screen to bring up the level select screen. Choose a level number to play it.

Move the dinosaur around the playing field using either the WASD keys or the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Press the Z key to turn the dinosaur blue, the X key to turn the dinosaur yellow, and the C key to turn the dinosaur red.

Basic Gameplay Advice

Avoid running into spearmen, spikes, large rolling stones, or cannon fire.

Change the dinosaur color as needed to collect all the coins (you must be the same color as the coin to collect it). After all the coins have been collected the exit door opens. Safely make it through the door to the next stage.

You only have a single jump on this game, but can jump higher by jumping on trampoline springs.

Some levels have giant green buttons you need to step on to open metal gates which block your access to the exit or coins needed to open the exit door.

This game features 20 stages which are unlocked sequentially.

Advanced Playing Tips & Strategy

On level 18 walking into the springs gives you a different jump profile than jumping onto them does, allowing you to avoid hitting your head. Similarly, on the final stage when you go to collect the coin in the lower left corner it helps to only slightly tap the jump button so that you do not hit your head on the platform above.

Players must have good control over the keyboard to be able to switch colors and outrun chasing enemies or rocks on chase stages, while being able to make jumps and avoid getting caught by chasing enemies. This makes using the arrow keys a better option than the WASD keys, as it enables changing colors with one hand and moving with the other hand.

Each time you replay a stage the coin colors can change in each location, so it is better to have good control over the keyboard rather than trying to memorize coin patterns that will ultimately change.

The spearman enemies can change directions rapidly if you are near, so try to keep some space between you and them. They also can jump to the next platform up over their normal walk path if you are standing in a close adjacent location. In most cases it makes sense to keep your distance, though in some cases you need to go close to an enemy and jump away at the last second to get them to fall off platform.

When you are on the stage with double cannons shooting and a series of spike jumps it helps to time jumping onto the first spring just as the cannon fire goes past overhead, and then land just beyond the next spring so that it does not throw you into the air again, risking getting hit by another round of cannon fire.

Educational Aspects

Players can improve their hand eye coordination playing this game.

Player Age Recommendations

This game is fun for players of all ages.