Chubby Cherub

Chubby Cherub is an unusual NES platform game from 1986, starring a small, round angel with wings and a distinctly cheerful appearance. Rather than following the usual run-and-jump formula, it places the player in colorful outdoor scenes filled with houses, trees, platforms, and hazards. The goal is to guide Chubby through each area while collecting useful items and avoiding the enemies that patrol the routes.

Movement has a light, floaty quality that suits the character. Chubby can take to the air, giving the game a different rhythm from more conventional platformers, but flying does not make the stages effortless. Enemies and obstacles are positioned to test timing, and careless movement can quickly cost a life. The screen layout also encourages players to look around rather than simply charging forward, with objects to gather and routes to navigate across each stage.

The game’s gentle visual style contrasts with its occasionally demanding action. Chubby’s expressive animation, bright backgrounds, and whimsical theme give it a playful personality, while the limited number of attempts and hazardous creatures add some old-school pressure. A two-player option is included, making it possible to share the challenge through alternating turns.

Developed by TOSE Software and published by Bandai, Chubby Cherub is a curious example of the NES library’s more eccentric platform games. It may not have the polish or familiarity of the system’s biggest hits, but its angelic hero, floating movement, and distinctly offbeat presentation make it memorable. Players interested in overlooked 1980s releases can play online on your browser through RetroCloud and experience