After receiving word from studio Four Fats late last year that Blackmoor 2 would probably/definitely be coming to Apple TV, I promptly disregarded the probably part and locked it in as a definite. ATVG is optimistic like that.

In fact I was so confident I included it in ATVG’s Most Anticipated Apple TV Games of 2019 list.

The pressure’s on Four Fats. Don’t leave me hanging.

But while we wait patiently for the sequel to hit Apple TV, now is a great time to play catch-up. If you own an Apple TV, a compatible controller, and you haven’t yet discovered the games of Four Fats, then you’re in for a treat, as the studio has quite a presence on the platform.

Simon from Four Fats this week released an informative 10 minute video showcasing the team’s games from 2011 to 2018, and happy days, a bunch of them are available for your little black box.

For those who are already aware of the studio’s catalogue, it’s worth a viewing to learn some interesting tidbits you probably weren’t aware of. Girls v. Bears anyone?

It’s interesting to note the character design right back from the studio’s first game – Girls v. Bears – is still very recognisable in the latest release, Blackmoor 2.

Throughout its history Four Fats – previously known as Mooff Games – has been very successfully creating a recognisable brand across its titles, with several consistent features.

The studio reuses its characters throughout its games, gradually building its own version of a Marvel-style pool of characters to draw from. Simon the dog for example has had several outings, after having been introduced way back in Girls v. Bears.

Then there’s the use of classic gaming genres. Often it feels like Four Fats is on a mission to make at least one of every recognisable arcade genre from the ’80s to the mid-’90s. But that’s where it stops. Because that’s when – around the birth of the first PlayStation – “games became shit,” according to Kwok from Four Fats. (ATVG does not subscribe to this possibly tongue-in-cheek stab at the modern era).

Maximus pays homage to Golden Axe, while Smash Club does Double Dragon (read ATVG’s review), Toon Shooters does side-scrolling shooters and so on. Watch the video and you’ll see that even within each game there are multiple references to specific games  (I see you Donkey Kong). The references always feel as if they come from a place of genuine respect too; there’s no spoofing going on here.

Pop culture is the third consistent vein running through the mine of Four Fats’ games, with Star Wars always getting a nod.

Viewing Simon’s video makes me want to return to these games via Apple TV, which I believe is the best place to play them. While they’re all essentially released with mobile as the primary target, the era these games speak to makes them feel so much more right when played on a big TV with a proper game controller. The beautiful thing though is that Four Fats usually builds in cross-play compatibility between Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad, so players can pick up where they left off from big screen to small. It was actually Toon Shooters 2 that gave me my first Nintendo Switch moment on Apple TV.

But that’s enough of me writing about the video, go and watch it below.

And then go and download Dungeon Time, Toon Shooters 2, and Smash Club for your Apple TV, and relive some classic gaming genres with some sweet modern twists and a healthy sprinkling of pop culture.

Because that folks, is fun.

If you’re new to The Apple TV Gaming Blog (ATVG), or just new to Apple TV gaming in general, or both, then the best place to get acquainted is our Best Apple TV Games of 2019 article. You’ll find a great collection of games to play, and a bunch of useful links to our previous site content. Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.