The Flintstones (1994 Ocean Software video game)

Last updated
The Flintstones
Flintstones Ocean boxart.jpg
North American SNES box art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Ocean Software
Platform(s)
ReleaseGame Boy
  • NA: December 1994
  • EU: 1994
SNES
  • NA: February 1995 [1]
  • EU: April 1995
Genre(s) Platform game
Mode(s) Single-player

The Flintstones is a 1994 video game adaptation of the live-action 1994 film The Flintstones . [2] It was released on Super NES and Game Boy.

Contents

Gameplay

As Fred Flintstone, the player must save Fred's family from Cliff Vandercave. The Flintstones 1994 SNES Gameplay Screenshot.png
As Fred Flintstone, the player must save Fred's family from Cliff Vandercave.

The Flintstones is a 2D platforming game where the player controls Fred Flintstone who must rescue Pebbles, Bam-Bam, Barney, and Wilma from the evil Cliff Vandercave. All three versions feature different levels and enemies. [3] [4] [5]

Development and release

The Flintstones is based on the live-action 1994 film adaptation of The Flintstones animated sitcom from Hanna-Barbera. UK-based Ocean Software, which had a penchant for releasing licensed games based on intellectual properties, acquired the rights to the game tie-in. Versions were developed for the SNES (by Ocean themselves), Game Boy (by Twilight), and Sega Genesis (at least partially by Foley Hi-Tech [6] ). Mark Rogers was the development manager and chief programmer for the 16-bit ports. [7] [8] [9] Throughout the game's production the design team kept in close contact with the studio behind the film, United International Pictures (UIP), which provided them with the script, costume designs, and early showings. The developers were expected to match the character sprites with the movie's actors rather those of the original cartoon. [7] Ocean sales manager Paul Patterson recalled The Flintstones was an example of why their products were sometimes delayed. He explained, "In the game we had Fred Flintstone walking away with his back to the screen. Unfortunately there was no artwork available from the studio because Fred Flintstones back was never seen on TV and this became a real problem getting it signed off." [10]

Ocean published the Game Boy and SNES renditions in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Various magazines of the time projected the Genesis port for release between November 1994 and December 1995. [7] [11] [12] [13] It never receiving a physical release, but was instead briefly distributed digitally, exclusively via the Sega Channel in North America in 1995. [14] While the full Genesis version of the game is considered lost media, a prototype allegedly taken from an EPROM surfaced online in 2019, containing no sound and only two levels. [15]

Reception

Next Generation reviewed the SNES version, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "the game (as the movie) could've used more innovation, but it looks good, and plays well". [2] GamePro praised its graphics, multi-layered parallax scrolling, and "solid" controls, calling it overall a "fun" and "lightweight" game. [22] Electronic Gaming Monthly 's review crew gave it an average score of 5.8/10 from five reviewers, calling the game just a "routine sidescroller", and said that Taito's previous Flintstones games with graphics based on the cartoon were better, and that the graphics based on the movie "really [don't] work". [4] VideoGames gave it an overall score of 8 out of 10, calling it a "solid" platformer with good replay value and particularly praising the "fluid" animations and "satisfying" sound effects. [20] GameFan gave it an average score of 82% from three reviewers, who praised its difficulty and varied gameplay mechanics. All three reviewers heavily praised the graphics, with one comparing Fred's fluid animations to that of Prince of Persia (1989). [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>NBA Jam</i> (1993 video game) 1993 video game

NBA Jam is a basketball video game developed and published by Midway for arcades in 1993. It is the first entry in the NBA Jam series. The project leader for this game was Mark Turmell.

<i>Theme Park</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Theme Park is a construction and management simulation video game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1994. The player designs and operates an amusement park, with the goal of making money and creating theme parks worldwide. The game is the first instalment in Bullfrog's Theme series and their Designer Series.

<i>FIFA International Soccer</i> 1993 video game

FIFA International Soccer is a 1993 association football video game developed by EA Canada's Extended Play Productions team and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console in December 1993 and ported to numerous other systems in 1994. It is the first game in the FIFA series.

<i>Jungle Strike</i> 1993 video game

Jungle Strike is a video game developed and published by Electronic Arts in 1993 for the Sega Genesis. The game was later released on several other consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and an upgraded version was made for DOS computers. The Amiga conversion was the responsibility of Ocean Software while the SNES and PC DOS versions were that of Gremlin Interactive, and the portable console versions were of Black Pearl Software. It is the direct sequel to Desert Strike and is the second installment in the Strike series. The game is a helicopter-based shoot 'em up, mixing action and strategy. The plot concerns two villains intent on destroying Washington, D.C. The player must use the helicopter and occasionally other vehicles to thwart their plans.

<i>PGA Tour Golf</i> 1990 video game

PGA Tour Golf is a golf video game and the first in the PGA Tour game series. It was developed by Sterling Silver Software and released in 1990, for MS-DOS. It was initially published by Electronic Arts, which subsequently released versions of the game for Sega Genesis and Amiga in 1991, followed by a version for the SNES in 1992. By 1994, Tengen had published versions for Sega's Master System and Game Gear consoles. PGA Tour Golf received generally positive reviews for its realism, sound, and camera. Several critics considered the computer versions to be the best golf game available at the time of its release. It was followed by PGA Tour Golf II.

<i>Mickey Mania</i> 1994 video game

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.

<i>The Jungle Book</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Disney's The Jungle Book is a series of platform video games based on the 1967 Disney animated film of the same name. The game was released by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in 1994 for the Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Master System, Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Gear, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS. While gameplay is the same on all versions, technological differences between the systems forced changes – in some case drastic – in level design, resulting in six fairly different versions of the 'same' game. This article is largely based upon the Genesis/Mega Drive version.

<i>WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game</i> 1995 video game

WWF WrestleMania is a professional wrestling arcade game released by Midway Manufacturing Co. in 1995. It is based on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) professional wrestling promotion.

<i>The Lion King</i> (video game) 1994 video game

The Lion King is a platform game based on Disney's 1994 animated film of the same name. The game was developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment for the Super NES and Genesis in 1994, and was ported to MS-DOS, Amiga, Game Gear, Master System, and Nintendo Entertainment System. The Amiga, Master System, and NES versions were only released in the PAL region. It is the final licensed NES game worldwide. The game follows Simba's journey from a young cub to the battle with his uncle Scar as an adult.

<i>The Adventures of Batman & Robin</i> (video game) 1994 video game

The Adventures of Batman & Robin is a series of video game adaptations released between 1994 and 1995 featuring the DC Comics characters Batman and Robin based on Batman: The Animated Series. The games were released for numerous platforms, with the Genesis, Game Gear, and Sega CD versions published by Sega while the Super NES version was published by Konami.

<i>Batman Forever</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Batman Forever is a beat 'em up video game based on the film of the same name. Though released by the same publisher at roughly the same time, it is an entirely different game from Batman Forever: The Arcade Game. The game was followed by Batman & Robin in 1998.

<i>The Pagemaster</i> (video game) 1994 video game

The Pagemaster is a platform game released in conjunction with the 1994 film The Pagemaster for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, and Sega Genesis. It was developed by Probe Softwareand published by Fox Interactive.

<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is the title of five different video games based on the first season of the television series of the same name, one for each of the following game platforms: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Game Gear, and Sega CD. The Nintendo versions of the game were released by Bandai, while the Sega versions were published by Sega itself and the production of the cartridge versions was carried by Banpresto, a pseudonym of Bandai. The Green Ranger is only playable on the Genesis and Game Gear versions of the game.

<i>Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel</i> 1994 video game

Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, released years later in Japan as Zero: High Flying Squirrel, is a video game developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Sunsoft. It is a spin-off/sequel of the Aero the Acro-Bat series. The game was released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis in October and Super NES in November, along with the release of Aero the Acro-Bat 2. A PAL region release for Mega Drive was in July 1995.

<i>FIFA Soccer 96</i> 1995 video game

FIFA Soccer 96 is a football video game developed by Extended Play Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1995. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, Game Gear, PlayStation, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS compatible operating systems.

<i>Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament</i> 1994 video game

Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament is a 1994 racing video game developed by Supersonic Software and published by Codemasters for the Sega Mega Drive. The sequel to Micro Machines, the game is themed around Galoob's Micro Machines toys, and players race around environments in miniature toy vehicles. Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament adds new vehicles and game modes, and the Mega Drive version was released on J-Cart, enabling up to eight players without a multitap.

<i>Disneys Aladdin</i> (Sega Genesis video game) 1993 video game

Disney's Aladdin is a platform game based on the 1992 film of the same name developed by Virgin Games. The game was released by Sega for the Sega Genesis on October 19, 1993 as one of several games based on the film, including another game that was released in the same month by Capcom for the Super NES.

<i>Micro Machines</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Micro Machines is a racing game developed by Codemasters and originally published by Camerica for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. Themed around Galoob's Micro Machines toys, players race in miniaturised toy vehicles around various environments. The game is the first installment in the Micro Machines video game series.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Skid; Nick Rox; Takahara (February 1995). "Viewpoint: The Flintstones". GameFan . Vol. 3, no. 2. Die Hard Publishing. p. 22. ISSN   1070-3020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Finals - SNES: The Flintstones". Next Generation . No. 4. GP Publications. April 1995. p. 100. ISSN   1078-9693.
  3. ↑ "The Flintstones". Consoles +  [ fr ] (in French). No. 42. EMAP France  [ fr ]. April 1995. p. 156. ISSN   1162-8669 . Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Ed Semrad; Danyon Carpenter; Al Manuel; Sushi-X; Mike Weigand (March 1995). "Review Crew: Major Mike's Game Roundup - The Flintstones". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 68. Sendai Publishing Group. p. 34. ISSN   1058-918X.
  5. ↑ "Flintstones". Total! (German Edition) (in German). MVL-Verlag. May 17, 1995. ISSN   0944-534X . Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  6. ↑ Foley, David (January 17, 1997). "David Foley, Resume': Work Experience - 1983-Present Foley Hi-Tech (Founder)". David Foley, President. FHT Development Corporation. Archived from the original on February 10, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Merrett, Steve (September 1994). "Cover Story: The Flintstones". Mean Machines Sega . No. 23. EMAP. pp. 16–20. ISSN   0967-9014.
  8. ↑ Staff (November 1994). "Work in Progress: The Flintstones". Super Gamer. No. 8. Paragon Publishing. p. 31.
  9. ↑ Electronic Games staff (September 1994). "Summer CES Round Up". Electronic Games . Vol. 2, no. 12. Decker Publications. p. 40. ISSN   1063-8326.
  10. ↑ Wilkins, Chris; Kean, Roger M. (December 1, 2013). The History of Ocean. Fusion Retro Books. p. 63. ISBN   978-0-99-313151-6.
  11. ↑ Sega Visions staff (September 1995). "incoming". Sega Visions . No. 25. IDG. p. 96. OCLC   794192137.
  12. ↑ MegaZone staff (May 1995). "The 'Coming Soon' bit". MegaZone . No. 51. Mason Stewart Publishing. p. 11. ISSN   1321-8131.
  13. ↑ CVG staff (April 1995). "Yabba Dabba Didn't". Computer and Video Games . No. 161. Future plc. p. 8. ISSN   0261-3697.
  14. ↑ Scullion, Chris (2021). The Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Encyclopedia. England: Pen & Sword Books Limited. p. 78. ISBN   978-1-52674-6597.
  15. ↑ "News/Holiday 2019 (Day 7) - Flintstones". HiddenPalace.org. December 31, 2019. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Flintstones". Consoles + (in French). No. 42. April 1995. p. 156. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  17. ↑ Markus (April 1995). "The Flintstones". Mega Fun (in German). p. 29. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  18. ↑ Andy (May 1995). "The Flintstones". Total! . No. 41. p. 51. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Flintstones". Video Games (in German). April 1995. p. 105. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Hallock, Betty; Loftus, Jim; Soria, Gabe (April 1995). "Super NES: The Flintstones". VideoGames . No. 75. L.F.P., Inc. p. 63. ISSN   1059-2938.
  21. ↑ "The Flintstones". GB Action . No. 33. December 1994. pp. 24–25. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  22. ↑ Sarah Nade (March 1995). "ProReview: The Flintstones". GamePro . No. 68. Infotainment World. p. 66. ISSN   1042-8658.
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.