Dadish is in for a root awakening: He’s been kidnapped by the evil Homeowners’ Association! In the retro-inspired Dadish 4, help heroic son DJ (Dadish Junior) navigate dozens of harrowing platforming levels to pluck pops from the hands of his captors. Dodge fast-food foes, swing on vines to avoid buzz saws, and hop across explosive crates to reach higher ground. Whatever it takes to rescue his old man!

What we love: The mix of pinpoint platforming and absurd humor. We laughed out loud battling bosses like Axalotaspice (a hot pepper riding a fire-breathing axolotl) and evading the candle-shaped homing missiles of Bertha the birthday cake. Now that’s a party!

Quick tip: Snag all 43 stars to unlock Dadish himself as a playable character. Some of these collectibles are tucked away in hard-to-reach spots, like behind your sibling at the end of the level. Always take a look around before greeting your brothers and sisters.

Meet the creator: New Zealand–based solo developer Thomas Young sees Dadish 4 as the start of a new trilogy starring Dadish Junior. A father himself, Young did most of his work on the game over an intense one-month period when his partner and kids were away.