Title: Boardwalk Builders
Developer: Studio Primitive
Publisher: Flynn’s Arcade
Available On: September 24th, 2026
Platforms: Steam and Nintendo Switch 1 & 2
Reviewed On: Switch 2

Introduction

Boardwalk Builders is a top-down pixelated cozy type of simulation game.

Synopsis

You will use your creativity and imagination to build, maintain, and grow an oceanside boardwalk for fun.

Analysis

Use your creative mind to procure a seaside boardwalk that is fun and lucrative. Set up spaces for various food and retail shops to attach people to come purchase what you offer. The unique twist is you can merge two different shops into a new experience. How will you design the boardwalk?

The gameplay

Boardwalk Builders has a traditional simulation game like a Roller Coaster Tycoon game, you are given a set amount of space and given a tutorial in which you learn how to place shops, set pricing, and expand your entrepreneurship. Attracting the eye of the customer for the right amount of money will be the key to your success.

You can start out with a few different shops such as the sunglasses shop, corn dog stand, or the driftwood arts stand. You can set the pricing and other managerial decisions for the different shops. By doing so you attract customers and ones that will pay for the goods and services your boardwalk provides. To expand you need to increase fame levels.

As fame starts to increase so do your options of shops you can build. What is fun and unique about this is if you place two shops together, they can be merged or combined to transform into something new. For example, if you take corn dog and driftwood art stands you can combine them into a glass exhibit stand. This will bring in new and possibly more customers, creating ultimately further opportunities.

As your fame and cash flow increase you will be given new opportunities to increase your boardwalk. You can unlock different forms of entertainment like theaters and rides, and eventually when you are peaking for fame you can build museums and spas, making it more luxurious. You will become more of a tourist destination than a spot to shop.

While playing you will encounter weather-based conditions such as rain as well as smog related pollution. To combat slow sales for outdoor based shopping, you will transition to more of an indoor venue allowing people to avoid the sickly smog and the precipitation. By adjusting prices, you can maintain a healthy synergy.

Final Score

Boardwalk Builders provides a fun twist to its gameplay mechanics. Much like a tropical mixed drink, two interesting bodies merge to make something appealing and new, providing both curiosity of the shop that can come from it and the possibilities of expansion. The music is also a great part of the experience and keeps a cozy vibe going.

With any game you can have some issues with certain mechanics or bug issues, this game is no exception. You can tell this game has pc roots based on the setup. Because of this it felt somewhat clunky when playing in handheld and docked mode. It is still fun, but if you get the chance you can switch to the mouse controls with the Joy-cons to see if you like that method better. The second thing I noticed is that it has some lack in description of how to play. The basics are present, but I found myself looking up how to do something once and awhile. Also, sometimes when something pops up to guide you or notify you it would seem the mouse and other objects were a bit sluggish. Most of the issues I assume will be fixed in time.

For a fun boardwalk experience this game does have much to offer when it comes to designing and managing how you want to run it. The ability to combine shops into new shops is one of my favorite aspects it brings and if you get past a few performance issues, I still think it is worth a try if you are into simulation and money management type games. So, build a boardwalk and enjoy the view.

Image Source: Taken by Author

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Shane Kelley is a Senior writer for Boss Rush Network, as well as a writer for Another Zelda Podcast. His favorite game is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You can find him on X or Bluesky to talk video games, Marvel, cribbage, and axe throwing. Also at his website, Stillsaneshane.com