News and tests about board games, games and entertainmentNews and tests about board games, games and entertainmentNews and tests about board games, games and entertainment
  • Home
  • board Games
    • News
    • Board game reviews
    • Crowdfunding
    • top list
    • Inside
    • Buy games
      • Top 50: board games
      • Offers
      • Popular board games
      • Games Dealer
      • Games: tests and reviews
  • video Games
    • News
    • games scene
    • Gaming tests
    • Game tips
    • Gaming accessories
    • Hardware tests
  • top issuesTrends
    • Grand Theft AutoTop
    • Star Wars
    • Disney Lorcan
    • Lord of the Rings
    • World of Warcraft
    • Marvel
    • Cyberpunk 2077
    • WWE
    • Nintendo SwitchTop
    • Blizzard
    • Playstation
  • films and series
    • News
    • Movie review
  • Books
    • News
    • Book review
  • Amusement
  • EventsTrade Shows
    • News
    • GAME in Essen
    • Play!
    • Toy fair in Nuremberg
    • Gamescom in Cologne
    • CCXP Cologne
  • warcraft rumble
  • Disney Lorcan
  • Star Wars
  • Star Wars Unlimited
  • Asmodee
  • Ravensburger
  • Kosmos
  • Pegasus Spiele
  • Contact
  • The game editors
  • Media-Kit.
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contest Rules
  • We're looking for you
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font resizerAa
Font resizerAa
News and tests about board games, games and entertainmentNews and tests about board games, games and entertainment
  • Home
  • board Games
  • video Games
  • top issuesTrends
  • films and series
  • Books
  • Amusement
  • EventsTrade Shows
  • Home
  • board Games
    • News
    • Board game reviews
    • Crowdfunding
    • top list
    • Inside
    • Buy games
  • video Games
    • News
    • games scene
    • Gaming tests
    • Game tips
    • Gaming accessories
    • Hardware tests
  • top issuesTrends
    • Grand Theft AutoTop
    • Star Wars
    • Disney Lorcan
    • Lord of the Rings
    • World of Warcraft
    • Marvel
    • Cyberpunk 2077
    • WWE
    • Nintendo SwitchTop
    • Blizzard
    • Playstation
  • films and series
    • News
    • Movie review
  • Books
    • News
    • Book review
  • Amusement
  • EventsTrade Shows
    • News
    • GAME in Essen
    • Play!
    • Toy fair in Nuremberg
    • Gamescom in Cologne
    • CCXP Cologne
Have an existing account? Sign In
follow US
© 2023 - Spielpunkt - Games and Entertainment
News and tests about board games, games and entertainment > Articles > video Games > Gaming tests > Game test for JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch
Gaming tests

Game test for JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch

Editors Spielpunkt
Last updated: January 11, 2019 11:58 p.m
Editors Spielpunkt
8 MinRead
Share
8 MinRead
JCB Pioneer: Mars – Nintendo Switch
JCB Pioneer: Mars – Nintendo Switch
SHARE

With the survival game on the red planet, the developer Atomicom wanted to show a possible future home for people. Because that is exactly our mission, we should build up on Mars so far that it can be colonized. Of course, it is primarily about the basic construction, but other aspects also play a major role in the sandbox survival game. In this article I will try to explain to you whether the developer succeeded in this plan.


The future of humanity is in our hands

We arrived in the year 2067 and have volunteered to go on a mission to Mars. At least that's what the tutorial says, which you should definitely go through before playing for free. Of course, not everything went as expected. In the beginning we are all alone on the long ground and first have to find our way around on our own. Of course, our protective suit helps us first, at least in some environmental conditions. Because it quickly becomes clear that Mars is not the most life-friendly environment and lava sources, which also like to bring some lava to the surface, are not uncommon. So it is first of all to avoid the lava and to find a safe and faster means of transport as quickly as possible. Fortunately, we quickly found a Mars rover and can make our way to the small base, which is already available as a basis for us. But the way to the base with the Mars rover is also difficult, because sandstorms and storms also cause problems for the vehicle, no matter how adapted it is.

Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
The start turns out to be bumpy, but a vehicle is already ready.

When we arrive at the base, we first see various terminals which are equipped with different functions. For example, we can control the basic expansion via one and access the crafting menu via another. The first missions already show the harsh environmental conditions on the red planet, right at the beginning some parts of the base have to be repaired. A repair tool was made available to us right from the start. With this it is then possible for us to fill small holes, for this we always need new magazines for the weapon, but these are numerous at the beginning. But our survival must also be ensured, with the help of oxygen, drink and food, remedial measures can then be found quickly. You also have enough of these resources at the beginning and can stuff your pockets with them. But be careful, there must be space for other things in the pockets.

Exploration and "farming" are not missing

As with every survival game, collecting new resources is of course important in addition to basic building and survival. Even if we are very well equipped at the beginning, after a short time you need more materials to get further. The tutorial with missions helps us at the beginning, so you can explore caves with huge lava lakes or find scrap on the surface to take away. The developer even promises in the further course of the game that you will uncover various information and secrets and thus expand your knowledge. If you then want to mine resources yourself, you naturally need the right vehicle for it.

- Advertisement -
The cave with the lava lakes looks very impressive. But beware of the dangers involved.
The cave with the lava lakes looks very impressive. But beware of the dangers involved.

Our initial Mars rover doesn't get us quite that far. So it's about collecting resources in order to then construct new vehicles and thus also get hard-to-reach resources. Another big point is exploration, because without research it becomes difficult to build anything or incorporate new technology. Because technologies are an important part of the game, so we have a scanner in our suit at the beginning and in a somewhat more advanced form in the vehicle. This shows us important points on the map, whether they are interesting places or resources to mine.

Realistic vehicles and conditions

As mentioned in the title, Atomicon worked with JCB to develop the game, and for a very special reason. Real JCB engineers designed the vehicles. This means that they are realistic and can really be used on Mars in reality.

With the vehicle, the path can at least be overcome in a shorter time. Even if it doesn't protect you from all environmental conditions. "

A realistic representation of Mars and its environment was apparently important to the developer, because it is stated that everything has been scientifically proven and the player really gets a realistic representation of Mars. So there is also a learning effect. Whether that is the surface or the landscape or the rugged weather conditions.

The problem with the graphics

Of course, you shouldn't expect a graphic masterpiece even with the Nintendo Switch version of JCB Pioneer: Mars. As with the article on the switch version of ARK, this is sometimes due to the hardware. If you are a graphics fanatic after all, you would also have the opportunity to play the game on your PC. But if you need a survival game for a portable device, you can't go wrong with JCB Pioneer: Mars. In contrast to ARK, I see a significantly better price-performance ratio at JCB Pioneer: Mars. But more on that in the conclusion.

Graphically not a masterpiece, but that's also due to the hardware.

Media on JCB Pioneer Mars

  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
    Test of JCB Pioneer: Mars – Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version
  • Review of JCB Pioneer: Mars - Nintendo Switch Version

Infobox

Number of players: 1 (online)
Age: USK from 0 years
Playing time: 100+ hours
Difficulty: easy to medium
Long-term motivation: medium to high

- Advertisement -

Publisher: GamesCo
Developer: Atomicom
Year of publication: 2018 
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Language: multilingual
Cost: 22,19 Euro

Conclusion

JCB Pioneer: Mars is a good survival game for the portable device. You just have everything you need. A realistic representation of the world and the vehicles, aspects of survival and the classic basic construction. Then there is the exploration and the gathering of resources. All in all, with JCB Pioneer: Mars, we have a good sandbox survival game.

To get started, however, it is really advisable to play the tutorial first, otherwise you will quickly be overwhelmed by the abundance of options and not know exactly where to start. I have already said everything about the graphics, as I mentioned earlier for a portable game, I find this completely sufficient. The sound is also okay and mixed well. Since the game can also be played in multiplayer, it is also fun to play with friends, even if the additional service from Nintendo has to be booked for this. Now for the price-performance ratio, in contrast to ARK, the game is very cheap at 22,19 euros, I think the price is much more appropriate for the game than the Switch version of ARK for 54,99 euros. Finally, I would like to praise the scientific aspect and the cooperation with JCB the developer, because you also achieve a certain learning effect.


Nintendo Switch 2 on sale: Rocket start backed by numbers
Nintendo Switch 2: Back to the beginning
Nintendo Switch 2: High prices are met with criticism
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order now available: It's available in stores!
Nintendo Switch 2 with plenty of power: Top games run
Tagged:Nintendo SwitchGame testvideo Games
How do you like the article?
Love0
Happy 0
Sad0
Angry0
Cry0
Surprise0
Previous Article Game test for ARK: Survival Evolved for Nintendo Switch Game test for ARK: Survival Evolved for Nintendo Switch
Next Article Played Medieval Kingdom Wars review Medieval Kingdom Wars game test
No comments No comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your e-mail address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * marked

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
videos fromSubscribe

Latest News

Glintland
Glintland: Factory Building Simulator demo released
News video Games
Fans can try out World of Warcraft's housing system for themselves for the first time. Image: Blizzard
World of Warcraft: Housing testing possible for the first time
News Top video Games
Eternitium Cover Time Travel Ornament Games Board Game Deckbuilder
Board game review of Eternitium Next-Gen: The small expansion for the small deck builder
Board and card games News Reviews
Legends of the Force is the title of the fifth Star Wars Unlimited card set. Photo: Volkmann
Star Wars Unlimited: The Force Awakens
Board and card games Hot Topics News
Last year's SPIEL was already packed—this time even more fans could make it into the arenas. Photo: Volkmann
SPIEL 2025 in Essen: Important ticket changes could lead to record
Board and card games News GAME in Essen Top

Board Games: Top 5

On Halloween, the horror can find its way onto the board game table. Cover: Noris
Halloween: Five board game insider tips
Board and card games News top list
The best board games about dreams.
In your head: 5 good board games about dreams
Board and card games News top list
best board games time travel
Flux capacitor on: 5 good time travel board games
Board and card games News top list
best horror board games
Halloween Horror: 13 good board games to scare you
Board and card games News top list

Already read?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is already available in the Amazon store. Image: Nintendo
NewsTopvideo Games

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2: Console already available at Amazon

Andre Volkman
Andre Volkman
2 April 2025
The virtual software cards could be quite profitable for the Nintendo Switch 2. Image: Nintendo
NewsTopvideo Games

Nintendo Switch 2: Inconspicuous feature could be a real hit

Andre Volkman
Andre Volkman
March 28, 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 could soon be available for pre-order. Image: Nintendo/Youtube
NewsTopvideo Games

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2: Is there a big surprise coming?

Andre Volkman
Andre Volkman
March 27, 2025
The era of the first Switch may be over. Image: Nintendo
NewsTopvideo Games

Nintendo surprises with Direct show: The end of an era?

Andre Volkman
Andre Volkman
March 26, 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 success
NewsTopvideo Games

Nintendo Switch 2: Backward compatibility as a release problem?

Andre Volkman
Andre Volkman
March 23, 2025
Show More
follow US
Spielpunkt 2025. Content protected by copyright.
  • Contact
  • The game editors
  • Media-Kit.
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contest Rules
  • We're looking for you
Welcome back!

Login

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?