Aero the Acro-Bat | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Iguana [lower-alpha 1] |
Publisher(s) |
|
Director(s) | Nigel Cook |
Producer(s) | David Siller Jeff Spangenberg Jay Moon |
Designer(s) | David Siller Nigel Cook Team Aero |
Programmer(s) | Richard Cowie Carl Wade Jeff Spangenberg Darrin Stubbington David Brevik David Crummack |
Composer(s) | Rick Fox (as Fox Productions) |
Platform(s) | Genesis, Super NES, Game Boy Advance |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Aero the Acro-Bat is a 1993 video game developed by Iguana Entertainment [6] and published by Sunsoft. It was released for both the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. Aero the Acro-Bat, a red anthropomorphic bat, was created by David Siller. [7] In 2002, Metro 3D released a version of the game for the Game Boy Advance, with a battery back-up (which the original versions lacked). [6] The GBA version was titled Aero The Acro-Bat - Rascal Rival Revenge in Europe and Acrobat Kid [lower-alpha 2] in Japan. The Super NES version of the game was released on the Wii's Virtual Console in the PAL region on July 23 and in North America on July 26, 2010.
A sequel, Aero the Acro-Bat 2 , was released in 1994, followed by the spin-off Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel .
A spoiled, rich kid named Edgar Ektor was a regular attendant at The World of Amusement Circus and Funpark, but was banned after a failed prank almost killed a lion. 20 years later, Edgar became a powerful and evil industrialist. Aided by Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel and his Psycho Circus gang, Edgar sabotages the funpark and kidnaps all the circus performers. Aero the Acro-Bat is the circus' greatest star and the only hope for rescuing the performers (including his girlfriend Aeriel) and putting a stop to Edgar's evil schemes.
The levels are played in typical 2D platforming style. In order to clear them, the player must accomplish certain tasks so that the exit warp can be revealed. Those tasks include passing through hoops, stepping on platforms until they disappear, riding roller coasters, etc. There are four worlds with five levels in each one, and the levels are large, many of them containing awkwardly positioned spikes that kill instantly. [6]
Aero can attack enemies by shooting limited stars or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack at his target when he is in the air. [6]
If enough points are collected at the end of a level, a bonus level can be played, in which Aero has to dive into a pool. The bonus level is a vertical platform level in the Genesis version. When Sunsoft converted the game for the Super NES they changed the bonus level to utilise Mode 7 as a straightforward level to maneuver above an overworld map. [8]
For many years David Siller had ideas for the game's character in his head. [7] He first sketched the concept of Aero in 1992. Although Aero's early designs resemble a human acrobat, Siller always intended him to be a bat.[ citation needed ] The gameplay mechanics were partly based on Namco's Mappy series. [9] By this time, Siller had agreed to join Sunsoft of America. [10]
The final concept was designed by David's son Justin Siller, who was inspired by mixed themes from the 70s and 80s. [11] Some of the enemies, items and in-levels that Siller proposed never made it in the finished game. The concept included a mission objective feature, which was not added in the original release. However it was implemented and modified in the Game Boy Advance version. [12] Originally Aero was going to be released for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, but by this time 16-bit consoles were on the market, so the NES version was cancelled. [13] Much of the game's work took place at Orange County, California. [14] Both the Super NES and Genesis versions were being worked on simultaneously, but the Genesis version was released earlier as the Super NES version reached its final stages of development. [15]
Plans were made by Sunsoft to port the game to Atari Jaguar sometime in 1994, but this version was never released. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]
After the success of the sequels, Siller left Sunsoft and joined Universal Interactive. Universal bought the rights of Siller's character and were intent on making Aero their mascot. He had intended to start up a sequel to the second game titled "Aero the Acrobat 3D" to be released on PlayStation to complete the series as a trilogy, but this concept never reached development, as Universal turned their attention to Crash Bandicoot . [24] Following the success of that game, Crash was their official mascot instead of Aero. With no success in starting a new Acro-Bat game, Siller bought back Aero as he left Universal. [25] While Siller worked at Capcom, the USA Bill Gardner wanted to make use of Aero, but the Japanese HQ denied that request in accordance to Siller's contract. [13]
By summer 2002, Siller had to relocate to Texas. He did not have the funds to form his own studio, but was able to hire Atomic Planet to port his original game to the Game Boy Advance. Metro 3D found the game very promising for marketing [26] and Siller directed the port during its development. [27] In addition Siller wanted to port the two sequels Aero the Acro-Bat 2 and Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel on Game Boy Advance in near future [28] and compile them in a collection called "A-Z Force", but he cancelled those plans in favor of designing original games. [29]
Promotional artwork of the game was shown at 1993 Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Nevada [30] as well as the prototype version at the 1993 Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, [31] where it stood out well above other exhibits. [32] Aero the Acro-Bat was made Sunsoft's new mascot. [15] By late 1993, Sunsoft was giving away free copies of the Super NES or Genesis version of the game to the first 100 people that sent them a 3x5 postcard to their address. [33]
Aggregator | Score | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
GBA | Sega Genesis | SNES | Wii | |
GameRankings | 67.08% [34] | 58.75% [35] | 72.00% [36] | N/A |
Metacritic | 71% [37] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Publication | Score | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
GBA | Sega Genesis | SNES | Wii | |
AllGame | N/A | [38] | N/A | N/A |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | N/A | 7.6/10 [39] | 8.3/10 [40] | N/A |
GamePro | 3.75/5 [41] | 4.25/5 [42] | 4.13 [8] | N/A |
IGN | 7.9/10 [43] | N/A | N/A | 7.5/10 [44] |
Nintendo Life | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6/10 [45] |
Publication | Award |
---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 1993 Best New Character [26] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super NES version an 8.3 out of 10 [40] and the Genesis version a 7.6 out of 10. They criticized the absence of the exceptionally good music of the Super NES version but held it to still be an excellent game with its large, challenging levels. [39] They also awarded Aero the Acro-Bat Best New Character of 1993. [46] NintendoLife gave the Virtual Console release of the Super NES version a 6 out of 10. [45]
Four reviewers in GameFan gave the Genesis version 93, 97, 87, and 90 [47] Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine gave both the Genesis and SNES versions 8 out of 10. [48]
Conversely, Digital Press gave the game only 3 out of 10. [49]
Earthworm Jim is a 1994 run and gun platform game developed by Shiny Entertainment, featuring an earthworm named Jim, who wears a robotic suit and battles the forces of evil. The game was released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, before being subsequently ported to a number of other video game consoles.
Aero the Acro-Bat 2 is a platform game developed by Iguana Entertainment, and published by Sunsoft as the sequel of Aero the Acro-Bat. It was released for the Sega Genesis in April 1994 then for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in November. The game is dedicated to Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna, who died in a crash during a Grand Prix.
Flashback, released as Flashback: The Quest for Identity in the United States, is a 1992 science fiction cinematic platform game developed by Delphine Software of France and published by U.S. Gold in the United States and Europe, and Sunsoft in Japan.
Krusty's Fun House is a puzzle video game based on the animated sitcom The Simpsons.
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a side-scrolling action-platform video game developed by Activision in conjunction with Kroyer Films and originally published in North America and Europe in 1994. The fourth installment in the Pitfall! franchise, players assume the role of Pitfall Harry Junior as he embarks on a journey through the Mayan jungles of Central America in an attempt to rescue Pitfall Harry, his father and the protagonist of previous entries in the series, from the evil Mayan warrior spirit named Zakelua. Its gameplay mainly consists of action and platforming mixed with stage-based exploration using a main six-button configuration.
Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse is a 1994 platform video game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Sony Imagesoft for the Super NES, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD. In the game, the player controls Mickey Mouse, who must navigate through various side-scrolling levels, each designed and based on classical Mickey Mouse cartoons. The game was later released on the PlayStation in 1996 as Mickey's Wild Adventure in PAL regions by Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Imagesoft's successor. A second game, Mickey Mania 2, was intended to be released but was cancelled due to Traveller's Tales focusing on other games.
Sun Corporation, operating under the name Sunsoft, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher.
Joe & Mac, also known as Caveman Ninja and Caveman Ninja: Joe & Mac, is a run and gun platform game released as an arcade video game by Data East in 1991. It was adapted for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga, Zeebo, Nintendo Switch, and IBM PC compatibles.
RoboCop 3 is a video game based on the 1993 film of the same name. Amiga, Atari ST and DOS versions were developed by Digital Image Design beginning in September 1990, and published by Ocean Software in December 1991. The Digital Image Design version includes multiple gameplay styles. During 1992 and 1993, other versions consisting of side-scrolling platform gameplay were released for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, NES, Super NES, Game Gear, Master System, and Sega Genesis.
Disney's Magical Quest is a Disney platform game trilogy released by Capcom. The games star Mickey Mouse and either Minnie Mouse or Donald Duck, who must defeat Pete. The gameplay is similar amongst all games in the series: the player must move as in a typical platform game, defeating enemies either by jumping on them or by grabbing and throwing blocks at them.
Barkley Shut Up and Jam! is a basketball video game originally developed and published by Accolade for the Sega Genesis on North America in 1993 and later in Europe in April 1994. The game is the first entry in the Barkley Shut Up and Jam series, featuring former NBA MVP Charles Barkley prominently and as one of the playable characters.
Alien 3 is a run and gun game based on the 1992 film of the same name. It was released for the Genesis and Amiga in 1992, then for the Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Master System.
Jeffery Spangenberg is a retired video game producer and entrepreneur who founded video game developers Punk Development, Iguana Entertainment, Retro Studios, and Topheavy Studios.
Troy Aikman NFL Football is an american football video game originally developed by Leland Interactive Media and published by Tradewest for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System first in North America on August 1994. Officially licensed from the National Football League, it prominently features former NFL player Troy Aikman, who became the first member of the 1993 Dallas Cowboys to have his namesake in a game, followed by his teammate Emmitt Smith in Emmitt Smith Football.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a fighting video game developed and originally published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in Europe for the Sega Genesis in June 1994. It is based on the 1993 film of the same name, which is a semi-fictionalized account of the life of Hong Kong-American actor and martial artist Bruce Lee. Following the events of the movie, players take control of Bruce Lee across several stages that takes places in different time periods of his life and fight against some of his adversaries.
Brett Hull Hockey is an ice hockey video game developed by Radical Entertainment and originally published by Accolade for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America in January 1994. It prominently features former Canadian-American NHL player Brett Hull and is officially licensed from the NHL Players' Association.
Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel is a video game developed by Iguana Entertainment, and published by Sunsoft in 1994. It is a spin-off/sequel of the Aero the Acro-Bat series. The game was released for the Sega Genesis in October 1994 and for the Super NES in November 1994, along with the release of Aero the Acro-Bat 2.
The Shadow is a video game based on the 1994 Universal film of the same name. It was planned for release in 1994 on the Super NES, alongside other systems, but was canceled.
Disney's Aladdin is a 1993 platform game developed and published by Capcom for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, based on the 1992 animated Disney film of the same name. Disney's Aladdin is a 2D side-scrolling video game in which the player controls Aladdin and his monkey Abu. It was designed by Shinji Mikami.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(help)One of the very best 16-bit platformers has made its way to the GBA
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(help)