N2O (video game)

Last updated

N2O
N20nitrousoxide.jpg
Developer(s) Gremlin Interactive [a]
Publisher(s)
Designer(s) Antony Crowther
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release
  • NA: 16 June 1998 [1]
  • EU: September 1998
Genre(s) Tube shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

N2O, subtitled as Nitrous Oxide in North America, is a 1998 tube shooter video game developed and published by Gremlin Interactive for the PlayStation. Fox Interactive released the game in North America. featuring a soundtrack composed by the American electronic music duo The Crystal Method. [2] The soundtrack was heavily used to promote the game, and the music is stored in Red Book format meaning the game disc can be played as a music CD on an ordinary CD player. [3]

Contents

Plot

In the deep future, the Galaxy is at war. On planet Neptune, forces of evil in a tubular shaped circuit known as "The Torus" are creating gigantic mutated insects with the intent to invade and destroy Earth. Nitrous Oxide is a by-product of the insects incubation, and also serves as a high-octane fuel for the player's Tunnel Runner ship. The Tunnel Runner must eradicate the rapidly mutating insects before they become strong enough to invade Earth.

Gameplay

N2O is a tube shooter in which the player shoots insects while collecting "E" coins, mushroom shields, and other psychedelically-themed weapon power-ups. As more insects are shot, the game increases speed. [4] Players can collect more points by killing enemies in certain ways (such as shooting centipedes in the head) and by shooting the coins which appear when an enemy is killed to increase its value. [5] Coins can be used to purchase shields, firewall powerups, and points at the end of each level. [5] Besides the single player mode, N2O features a cooperative multiplayer mode with a shared screen or a split screen.

Development

Producer Peter Dalton said that "We set out to create a game where the gameplay was simple on one level but completely absorbing and addictive on another." [5]

The soundtrack was not added until the end of development, since publisher Fox Interactive wanted to sign a high profile techno band for the game's music. [5]

Reception

The game received average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [6] Next Generation said, "shooter fans who thrive on the ability to top their last high score time and time again won't be disappointed by this high energy blast-a-thon." [15] The New York Times praised N2O for its aesthetics and smoothly seamless but fast-paced gameplay. They said that the game is similar in presentation to a Crystal Method concert and that the game is best played at high volume and in total darkness to maximize the audiovisual experience, and further remarked that the superior audio capacities of televisions (especially those attached to home theater systems) over typical computer systems is one of the advantages to restricting the game to the console market and not releasing it as a PC game. [17] GamePro said, "In the end, N20[ sic ] is definitely worth the price of admission, and is a great shooter for your library." [18] [c]

The game shipped more than 100,000 units worldwide. [19]

Ports and re-releases

In October 2003, Zoo Digital Publishing purchased the rights to the game alongside other Gremlin Interactive titles from Atari and reissued the game in PAL regions under their "Zoo Classics" budget label at the end of the year. [20] The company then released the title on the PlayStation Network in PAL regions on 10 January 2008, [21] in North America on 1 June 2010; [22] and Latin America on 13 August 2013.

Console Classics released the game under license of Urbanscan for Microsoft Windows via Steam on 29 June 2015, [23] emulated through PCSXR. [24] It was re-added to the platform via Pixel Games UK on 6 December 2022. [25]

Notes

  1. ↑ (PlayStation Network ports for Portable, 3 and Vita developed by Urbanscan)
  2. ↑ In GameFan 's viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 96, 84, and 89.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 5/5 for sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

Related Research Articles

<i>O.D.T.</i> (video game) 1998 video game

O.D.T. is a 1998 action-adventure video game developed by FDI and published by Psygnosis for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

<i>G-Darius</i> 1997 video game

G-Darius is a horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game released by Taito in 1997. It is the fourth arcade installment of the Darius series and the first with three-dimensional polygonal graphics. A port to the PlayStation was published as G Darius.

<i>Shadow Man</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Shadow Man is an action-adventure video game developed by Acclaim Studios Teesside and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It is based on the Shadow Man comic book series published by Valiant Comics. The game was announced in 1997 and was originally slated for a late 1998 release on Nintendo 64 and an early 1999 release for Microsoft Windows, but was delayed to August 31, 1999. A PlayStation version was also released on the same day. A Dreamcast version was released three months later on December 1.

<i>NHL 99</i> 1998 video game

NHL 99 is an ice hockey video game developed by Electronic Arts Canada. It was released in September 1998 and was the successor to NHL 98.

<i>MLB Slugfest 2003</i> 2002 video game

MLB Slugfest 2003 is a baseball video game published by Midway Sports in 2002. It is the first game in the MLB Slugfest series. Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers is the cover athlete.

<i>Centipede</i> (1998 video game) 1998 video game

Centipede is a 1998 action game developed by Leaping Lizard Software, and a remake of Atari's 1981 arcade game of the same name. It was published by Hasbro Interactive, their first under the Atari label after purchasing the brand and former assets.

<i>Batman & Robin</i> (video game) 1998 video game

Batman & Robin is an action-adventure video game for the PlayStation based on DC Comics character Batman, and the 1997 film Batman & Robin. It was developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It is a sequel to Batman Forever, which was based on the 1995 film Batman Forever.

<i>Rollcage Stage II</i> 2000 video game

Rollcage Stage II, also released as Death Track Racing, is a 2000 racing video game developed by Attention to Detail for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to Rollcage. In addition to basic racing, the game also utilizes combat elements. The game's playable vehicles are equipped with weapons, which are collected along the track as bonus items and can be used against competing cars. The vehicles themselves have wheels that are larger than their bodies, allowing them to still be rendered drivable while flipped upside down.

<i>WarGames: Defcon 1</i> 1998 video game

WarGames: Defcon 1 is a video game for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows developed by Interactive Studios and co-published by MGM Interactive and Electronic Arts. Although both versions possess the same missions and content, the PlayStation version is a tactical vehicle-shooting game while the PC version is a real-time strategy game. The game is loosely based on the movie WarGames; the story was scripted by John Badham, director of the original film.

<i>NanoTek Warrior</i> 1997 video game

NanoTek Warrior is a tube shooter game developed by American studio Tetragon Inc. and released by Virgin Interactive in 1997.

<i>NFL GameDay 98</i> 1997 video game

NFL GameDay 98 is a 1997 American football video game developed by Sony Interactive Studios America and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It is the third installment of the NFL GameDay series and was only released in North America. Jerome Bettis is featured on the cover. It was the first football video game to feature 3D polygonal graphics.

<i>NBA ShootOut 97</i> 1997 video game

NBA ShootOut '97 is a 1997 basketball video game developed by SCE Studios Soho and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It is the second installment of the NBA ShootOut series. The cover features Eddie Jones of the Los Angeles Lakers. It is the final game in the series to be developed by SCE Studios Soho, with Sony Interactive Studios America replacing them for later installments.

<i>Tiger Woods 99 PGA Tour Golf</i> 1998 golf video game

Tiger Woods 99: PGA Tour Golf is a sports video game developed by Adrenalin Entertainment and published by EA Sports for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation in 1998.

<i>Judge Dredd</i> (1997 video game) 1997 video game

Judge Dredd is a 1997 light gun shooter video game developed by Gremlin Interactive. Though it came out just a couple years after the Judge Dredd film, the game is actually based on the comic book of the same name. It was published by Acclaim Entertainment for the arcades, and for the PlayStation by Gremlin Interactive in Europe and Activision in North America, respectively. The PlayStation emulated version was re-released by Urbanscan for the PlayStation Network on 24 January 2008. The game met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, with criticism directly at its unintelligent and unfairly difficult design and its unreliable targeting cursor.

<i>X Games Pro Boarder</i> 1998 video game

ESPN X-Games Pro Boarder, also known as X Games Pro Boarder, is a video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for the PlayStation and Windows in 1998.

<i>MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald</i> 2000 video game

MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald is a sports video game developed by Darkblack and published by THQ for Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Dreamcast. It features skateboarder Andy Macdonald on the cover.

<i>NBA ShootOut 2001</i> 2000 video game

NBA ShootOut 2001 is a 2000 basketball video game developed by Killer Game and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. A port developed by 989 Sports for the PlayStation 2 was released in 2001.

<i>Pool Hustler</i> 1998 video game

Pool Hustler, known in Japan as Dōkyū: Billiard Master, and in Europe as Pool Palace, is a video game developed by Ornith and published by ASK and Activision for PlayStation in 1998. A sequel to the game, entitled Q-Ball: Billiards Master, was released for PlayStation 2 in 2000.

References

  1. ↑ "Fox Ships Two Titles". PSX Nation . 16 June 1998. Archived from the original on 4 July 1998. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Johnston, Chris (20 April 1998). "Fox Signs The Crystal Method". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 13 October 2000. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 Gerstmann, Jeff (17 July 1998). "N2O: Nitrous Oxide Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "NG Alphas: N2O: Nitrous Oxide". Next Generation . No. 41. Imagine Media. May 1998. p. 99.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Previews: N2O: Nitrous Oxide" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 106. Ziff Davis. May 1998. p. 51. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  6. 1 2 "N2O: Nitrous Oxide for PlayStation". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Miller, Skyler. "N2O: Nitrous Oxide - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Ham, Tom (21 August 1998). "N20: Nitrous Oxide [sic]". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  9. ↑ EGM staff (August 1998). "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 109. Ziff Davis.
  10. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (28 January 2008). "PSN Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". Game Informer . No. 63. FuncoLand. July 1998. Archived from the original on 15 September 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  12. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (August 1998). "N20 [sic]". GameFan . Vol. 6, no. 8. Metropolis Media. p. 16. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Zimring, Jason (September 1998). "Nitrous Oxide (n2o) [sic]- Playstation Review". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 5 February 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  14. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (18 June 1998). "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  15. 1 2 "N20 [sic]". Next Generation . No. 45. Imagine Media. September 1998. p. 134. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  16. ↑ "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . Vol. 1, no. 12. Ziff Davis. September 1998.
  17. ↑ Herz, J.C. (6 August 1998). "N2O: At Its Best at High Volume in the Dark". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  18. ↑ Scary Larry (August 1998). "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". GamePro . No. 119. IDG Entertainment. p. 106. Archived from the original on 28 September 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Video game ads evoke drug culture". Indianapolis News . Central Newspapers. 18 June 1998. p. 29. Retrieved 15 September 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220104023118/https://www.investegate.co.uk/zoo-digital-group/rns/acquisition/200310010700113796Q/ [ bare URL ]
  21. ↑ Robinson, Martin (11 January 2008). "N2O and Har[d]core 4X4 Come to EU PSN". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  22. ↑ Romano, Sal (1 June 2010). "US PlayStation Store Update: June 1, 2010". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  23. ↑ "N2O released on Steam". Console Classics. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  24. ↑ Mahmood, Sikandar (30 June 2015). "PS One Title "N20 [sic]: Nitrous Oxide" Successfully Emulated For PC, Available to Download On Steam". SegmentNext. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  25. ↑ "N₂O on Steam".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.