Mr. Nutz: Hoppin' Mad

Developeur: Neon	Graphics:
Publisher: Ocean	Sound:
Year: 1994	Difficulty:
Genre: Plateform	Replay value:
Number of players: 1	My overall rating:	8/10

The table above relates to the Amiga version, of course. But this page serves as an excuse for me to talk about console games. Yes way!

I will begin by talking about the original version developed for Supernes (by French guys), released in 1993 and brought on Sega Genesis and Gameboy.
From my humble point of view of player (bored), it corresponds to my definition of a pure commercial game: all in the eye, no inspiration, let's take a squirrel because it is cute, pick some bits of Sonic, some of Mario, shake a little and you get a "good product" that will sell well.

Not that the game is sloppy, far from it. I just do not find it amusing.
First, we look for enemies to kill. They are ugly, poorly animated and it quickly becomes repetitive to throw acorns at their face. Then, we look for secret passageways (they are numerous). Trouble is, we get no pleasure from it because bonuses are too few: coins (which are useless), lives and acorns, that's it. We finally get tired and strive to find the exit as quickly as possible, to reach the end-level boss. Unfortunately, even bosses are boring. If there was a hit parade for the most pathetic bosses, the clown at level 5 would be among the top.

I met with Mr. Nutz on Gameboy many years ago and I can not help myself but compare it with another platform game with which I played at the time: Kirby's Dream Land. Not so great in term of level-design, okay, but damn creative and fun! Of course, different budget, and made in Japan but . . . what the heck! a good game begins with good ideas!
In my next Amiga game review, I'll talk about Kirby. . . .

The following year, a German studio offers a second chance to the Ocean mascot. The game has nothing to do with its original version. Right from the presentation screen, our little furry friend gives us a sly smile, a sign that the title no longer pulls the string of cute squirrel gathering acorns in the woods and leans more towards Sonic with a cartoon style and dynamic gameplay.

Immediately, the feeling is different because of the soundtrack: there is an atmosphere. The music tune is also very present and I liked the fact that it decreases in volume when we are underwater!

There are also some funny ideas like hitpoints jumping around the play area whenever we get hit. You can catch them up if you are quick.
The flowers react when we pass in front of them, releasing bonuses. The ability to hover/fly is interesting and will require some skill. It's also fun to watch chicken jump over each other and throw eggs.

Like Super Mario World, level entrances are found in a world map where you can in some basic ways interact with the environment (open boxes, blow up walls, talk to local inhabitants). It also means that you can return to already cleared levels!

To summarize, you have on the one hand, on consoles, a beautiful but empty shell and on the other, on the Amiga, a creative and effective game. I made my choice.

Places to download:
Amiga Island
Planet Emulation
The Game Archives
The Old Computer

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