Matthewmatosis, the YouTube creator known for his exhaustive and thoughtful video game analysis, just released his debut game Logic Bombs on Nintendo Switch on December 24, 2025. But here’s what makes it special: this isn’t just another indie puzzle game trying to capture retro vibes with pixel art. Matthewmatosis actually developed Logic Bombs to run on original Game Boy hardware from 1989, then brought that authentic experience to modern platforms. After launching on Steam back in July 2025 to positive reception, the Switch version arrives with updates that make it the definitive way to experience what might be 2025’s most deliberately designed puzzle game.
Who Is Matthewmatosis
Before we dive into the game itself, understanding who made it matters. Matthewmatosis built his YouTube reputation over the past decade through incredibly detailed game critiques that often run 30 minutes to over an hour. His breakdowns of the Zelda series, Dark Souls games, and various Nintendo franchises earned him a devoted following that appreciates his methodical, no-nonsense approach to game design analysis. He’s the kind of creator who will spend 45 minutes explaining why certain camera angles in Resident Evil 4 enhance specific encounters.
Unlike many gaming YouTubers who prioritize entertainment value over substance, Matthewmatosis treats games as systems to be understood and dissected. His videos feel like university lectures from the world’s most passionate adjunct professor. So when he announced he was making a game, expectations were high that it would reflect the same thoughtful design philosophy he champions in his criticism. After years of support from Patreon backers and viewers wondering if it would ever materialize, Logic Bombs proves he could back up his analytical skills with actual game design.
What Is Logic Bombs
Logic Bombs is a pure logic puzzle game featuring 160 challenges built around a simple but deep ruleset. Each puzzle presents bombs and creatures arranged on a grid. Your job is to deduce where walls must be placed by analyzing how bombs and targets interact according to specific rules. The most fundamental rule: when a bomb explodes, it destroys the exact number of targets listed on that bomb. By working through these constraints logically, you prove not just that your solution works, but that it’s the only possible solution.
The game draws inspiration from Zachtronics puzzle games, particularly Dungeons and Diagrams from Last Call BBS. Matthewmatosis publicly discussed during his streams how the project actually started as an attempt to port Dungeons and Diagrams before evolving into its own distinct puzzle system. Like Zachtronics games, Logic Bombs focuses on teaching through play rather than text-heavy tutorials, gradually introducing rules through carefully sequenced puzzles that build your understanding organically.
The Tutorial Philosophy
Logic Bombs features what Matthewmatosis calls a mellow introduction where tutorial puzzles introduce rules one by one. You learn by playing, not by reading. However, the game eventually reaches what he describes as a merciless conclusion where complexity emerges naturally from those simple rules. Players who completed the game report spending around 60 hours working through all 160 puzzles, with later challenges becoming genuinely difficult without ever feeling unfair or requiring guessing.
Why Make It for Game Boy
The decision to develop Logic Bombs for 1989 Game Boy hardware wasn’t aesthetic nostalgia or marketing gimmick. It was a deliberate design constraint that shaped the entire project. By targeting hardware with 8KB of RAM and a 160×144 pixel display, Matthewmatosis forced himself to focus purely on mechanics and puzzle design without relying on flashy presentation or complex UI systems.
The Steam version includes both a Game Boy ROM file and a PC version with optional smooth high-resolution graphics. Players who own original Game Boy hardware, flashcarts, or prefer emulators can literally play Logic Bombs on a 36-year-old handheld console. Those who want a cleaner visual experience on modern displays can use the PC skin. This flexibility means the game truly works on everything from authentic vintage hardware to Steam Deck to Nintendo Switch.
The Switch Version Updates
The December 24, 2025 Nintendo Switch release isn’t just a straight port of the July Steam launch. Matthewmatosis included several updates based on player feedback from the past five months. Most notably, the game now highlights simple mistakes more clearly, making it easier for players to catch errors and get back on track without having to completely restart puzzles. This addresses one of the few criticisms from early players who occasionally struggled to identify where their logic went wrong.
A new completion effect plays when you finish a stage, making the moment of solving feel more satisfying. The bombs actually explode and eliminate targets in a visual sequence that validates your solution. Additionally, the Switch version debuts a new red color theme that Matthewmatosis felt was appropriate for the occasion. These polish updates demonstrate his commitment to refining the experience even after the initial release.
Design Philosophy
The Steam store page perfectly captures Logic Bombs’ no-nonsense approach with bullet points like: “There are no secrets, meta puzzles or other distractions. Focus on what’s logical.” Every puzzle has its own save slot so you can skip around and tackle what appeals to you when you’re ready. There’s no artificial progression gates or unnecessary story wrapper. It’s pure puzzle design for people who appreciate elegant systems.
Matthewmatosis designed the game based on his own tastes rather than trying to appeal to the widest possible audience. In streams and Patreon updates, he acknowledged Logic Bombs wouldn’t be for everyone but hoped it would become a favorite for players who share his preferences. That confidence to make something specific rather than something generic shows throughout the final product.
Player Reception
The gaming community’s response to Logic Bombs has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from players who appreciate thoughtfully designed puzzle games. One Reddit user described it as ideal for a casual morning or evening session with tea, gradually working through challenges that build on basic principles. Another player who spent 60 hours completing all 160 puzzles praised how the game maintains novelty throughout, with each new puzzle set introducing fresh wrinkles that keep you engaged.
Fans of similar games like Picross, Dungeons and Diagrams, or Zachtronics puzzlers have found Logic Bombs scratches the same itch while offering its own distinct flavor. The game effectively demonstrates puzzle mechanics and gradually increases difficulty in manageable increments. Some players noted the final puzzle sets become genuinely challenging, but that’s precisely what hardcore puzzle fans want from this type of experience.
Pricing and Availability
Logic Bombs launched on Steam at just $5 USD, making it one of the best value propositions in puzzle gaming. The Nintendo Switch version maintains that same pricing philosophy. For the cost of a fancy coffee, you get 160 handcrafted puzzles that can provide dozens of hours of brain-teasing entertainment. The game supports both British and American English on Switch, though given its minimal text requirements, language isn’t really a barrier.
The affordability combined with the authentic Game Boy compatibility and refined puzzle design makes Logic Bombs an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys logic puzzles. Whether you’re playing on a 36-year-old handheld, a modern gaming PC, or a Switch during your commute, the experience remains engaging and satisfying.
FAQs
What is Logic Bombs?
Logic Bombs is a logic puzzle game created by YouTube game critic Matthewmatosis. It features 160 puzzles where players deduce the placement of walls by analyzing how bombs and creatures interact according to specific logical rules. Each puzzle has exactly one solution that you prove through deductive reasoning.
When did Logic Bombs release on Nintendo Switch?
Logic Bombs launched on Nintendo Switch on December 24, 2025. It originally released on Steam on July 21, 2025, and the Switch version includes all updates and improvements made since the initial launch.
Can you really play Logic Bombs on original Game Boy hardware?
Yes. Matthewmatosis developed Logic Bombs to actually run on 1989 Game Boy hardware. The Steam version includes a Game Boy ROM file that works with flashcarts or emulators. The game was designed within the technical constraints of the original Game Boy’s 8KB of RAM and 160×144 pixel display.
How much does Logic Bombs cost?
Logic Bombs is priced at $5 USD on both Steam and Nintendo Switch. This makes it one of the most affordable puzzle games available while still offering dozens of hours of content through its 160 puzzles.
Who is Matthewmatosis?
Matthewmatosis is a YouTube content creator known for detailed, thoughtful video game analysis and critiques. His videos often run 30 minutes to over an hour, dissecting game design with a methodical, academic approach. He built a devoted following over the past decade through breakdowns of franchises like Zelda, Dark Souls, and various Nintendo titles.
How long does it take to beat Logic Bombs?
Players who completed all 160 puzzles report spending approximately 60 hours with the game. The difficulty gradually increases, with later puzzle sets becoming genuinely challenging. However, each puzzle has its own save slot, so you can skip around and tackle them in whatever order feels comfortable.
Is Logic Bombs like Picross?
Logic Bombs shares some DNA with Picross in that both are grid-based logic puzzles, but the ruleset is completely different. Logic Bombs focuses on deducing wall placements based on how bombs interact with targets, while Picross involves filling in squares based on number clues. Players who enjoy one will likely appreciate the other, but the solving experience feels distinct.
What updates are in the Switch version?
The Nintendo Switch version includes updates made since the July 2025 Steam launch. Most notably, the game now highlights simple mistakes more clearly, making it easier to identify errors. There’s a new completion effect when you finish puzzles, and a new red color theme was added specifically for the Switch release.
Conclusion
Logic Bombs represents something increasingly rare in modern gaming: a creator with strong opinions about game design putting their money where their mouth is. After years of analyzing what makes games work or fail in his YouTube videos, Matthewmatosis crafted a puzzle game that embodies the principles he champions in his criticism. No unnecessary features, no meta progression hooks, no story padding. Just 160 elegantly designed logic puzzles that respect player intelligence and reward careful thinking. The decision to develop for authentic Game Boy hardware demonstrates the kind of commitment to constraint-based design that separates memorable games from forgettable ones. By limiting himself to 1989 technology, Matthewmatosis eliminated every potential crutch and focused purely on creating an airtight logical system that provides satisfaction through pure mechanical clarity. The positive reception from both longtime fans and puzzle game enthusiasts validates this approach. At just $5 on Nintendo Switch, Logic Bombs offers incredible value for anyone who appreciates thoughtful puzzle design. Whether you’re a Matthewmatosis subscriber curious to see if he can practice what he preaches, a Zachtronics fan looking for similar brain-teasers, or simply someone who enjoys a good logic puzzle, this is an easy recommendation. The fact that you can literally play it on a Game Boy from 1989 or enjoy it with modern conveniences on Switch just adds to its charm. Sometimes the best games come from creators who care more about doing one thing exceptionally well than trying to be everything to everyone.