40 Winks (1999). Play Free Online

Summary

40 Winks (also marketed as Ruff & Tumble) lets you guide siblings Ruff and Tumble through Dreamland as they hunt for scattered “winks” before the nightmare‑spreading Nitekap can turn them into hood‑winks. The duo collects DreamKeys to unlock each world’s boss, and scattered Jack‑in‑The‑Box crates let them morph into a prehistoric hunter, a nimble ninja, a jet‑packed robot or an invincible superhero, each granting a unique attack.

The game spans six realms—Nightmare castle, underwater Atlantis, alien space, prehistoric dinosaurs, pirate ships and a spooky pirate world—each with three levels and a flying race. Enemies range from skeletons and giant insects to robots, while mini‑games let you race dragons or strap on a rocket. The N64 version adds two‑player co‑op where friends boost each other’s moves, and the Expansion Pak offers medium or hi‑cal resolutions.

Originally planned for a 1999 N64 launch, the cartridge was cancelled despite Nintendo Power coverage; Piko Interactive rescued it via a 2018 Kickstarter that funded an official N64 and Windows release on Steam. The effort also brought the PlayStation version to Steam, letting fans finally play the quirky, costumed platformer as intended.

Storyline

40 Winks is an action‑platformer for N64 where brother Ruff and sister Tumble must rescue the dream‑protecting creatures called Winks. Their mother’s bedtime story explains that Winks keep nightmares at bay while their corrupted counterparts, the HoodWinks, bring bad dreams.

The mischievous dream thief NiteKap lives in a house on a hill and, unable to sleep, sends his bumbling sidekick Threadbear to steal all the Winks. The kidnapped Winks turn into HoodWinks, and only forty remain free, prompting Ruff and Tumble to embark on a quest.

Players travel through six massive nightmare worlds—from a pirate’s cove to a dinosaur‑populated moon and an alien‑filled galaxy—using platforming, swimming, and “butt‑bouncing” moves. Along the way they can morph into a stealthy ninja or a powerful action hero to overcome obstacles and finally stop NiteKap’s plan.

Edited by Maya Carter