Review: There’s No Dinosaurs 2 (Nintendo Switch)

There’s No Dinosaurs 2 is a hidden-object game for the Nintendo Switch. While the task of finding dinosaurs within pictures is simple, this cute title offers several touches that add longevity and personality to the proceedings.

If you’ve ever read one of the long-running Where’s Waldo series of books, you’ll know what you’re in for when it comes to hidden-object puzzles. In a nutshell, seek out the required objects within a picture until you’ve checked them all off your list. 

In the case of There’s No Dinosaurs 2, your goal is to find 20 tiny dinosaurs across 9 unique pictures. Each picture is themed differently, from a library and a junkyard to a theater and a classroom. They’re unlocked one by one, meaning you need to complete each picture to move on to the next. 

There’s No Dinosaurs 2 adds a couple of features that enhance this digital hidden-object experience. How many times have you played a game on the Switch that begs for touchscreen controls that are sadly lacking? It can feel like a lost opportunity, and thankfully that isn’t the case here. There’s no Dinosaurs 2 plays well in handheld mode. Touching on dinosaurs highlights them (meaning you’ve found them), while holding your finger on the picture allows you to scroll around. 

Another feature I enjoy is the addition of a hint system. This works via a quick tap of the Y button (or touching the relevant area of the screen in handheld mode). A black arrow points you in the direction of one of the remaining dinosaurs. A countdown also appears, forcing you to wait 30 seconds before you can request another hint. It’s a balanced way to find that final, elusive dinosaur before tearing your hair out without tempting you to hint your way through the entire game.

Aesthetically, things are kept clean and simple with a black-and-white look. Only the dinos are colorful, popping up in pastel ink once discovered. It’s a neat touch that might not translate via screenshots alone, but works well in practice. The menu screen and user interface stick to this tone, keeping things consistent while maintaining a crisp look that comes across as charming.

Most of the charm is thanks to the design. The drawings are depicted as fun cartoons, while the dinos themselves are cute little critters. They hide behind other objects, popping out to appear among people, animals, books, and many other items crammed into each picture. The music is also neat, providing an equally cute, poppy soundtrack that helps keep you motivated while you play. The dinos even emit an adorable squeak when you find them.

It’s also worth mentioning a couple of features that add to the game’s replayability. Firstly, the dinosaurs are randomly placed each time you begin a level. So, once you’ve finished all nine levels, you can replay with a fresh lineup to find. There’s also a timer within each level to monitor your fastest completion, giving players a chance to top their best score. These little things add to an experience that’s deeper than it could have been. Not deep, mind you, but deeper. And I appreciate that.

Overall, There’s No Dinosaurs 2 offers a cute hidden-object outing with enough extras to keep players engaged despite its simplicity.