The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk

Last updated
The Simpsons:
Bart & the Beanstalk
TSBB front-1-.jpg
North American cover art
Developer(s) Software Creations
Publisher(s) Acclaim Entertainment
Designer(s) Brian Ullrich
Programmer(s) Andrew Routledge
Series The Simpsons
Platform(s) Game Boy
Release
  • NA: February 1994
  • JP: September 30, 1994
  • EU: 1994
Genre(s) 2D action platformer
Mode(s) Single-player

The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk (also known as Bart no Jack to Mame no Ki in Japan) is a platform video game released in February 1994 for the hand-held console Game Boy. It was developed by Software Creations and published by Acclaim Entertainment, and is based on the animated television series The Simpsons . The game is a parody of the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk"; a large beanstalk grows far up into the sky outside the home of Bart Simpson, whom the player controls. Bart climbs the beanstalk all the way to the top and adventure ensues. Bart & the Beanstalk has received mixed to negative reviews from critics.

Contents

Plot and gameplay

The game merges the existing universe of The Simpsons television series with the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk . [1] [2] In the story, Bart Simpson goes to market to sell the family cow, but is swindled by a clever miser (played in the game by the character Mr. Burns) who trades it for magical beans and a slingshot. When Bart takes the magic beans home his father Homer Simpson accidentally eats them and spits them outside. A beanstalk grows, Bart climbs to the top, and adventures in a giant castle ensue. [3] Bart meets several characters from The Simpsons on these adventures. [4]

The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk is a side-scrolling platform game. [5] It is single-player only. [6] The player of the game controls Bart [2] in a total of seven levels. They are: "Up the Beanstalk", "Outside the Castle", "The Giant's Cupboard", "Soup Du Jour", "The Giant's Room", "Escape from the Castle", and "Down the Beanstalk". In order to complete a level, the player must collect a certain amount of gold coins. [3] Bart is faced with a number of enemies on every level, and he can use his slingshot to fend them off. [2] [3] He can also pick up dynamite, which kills all enemies currently on the screen. [3] The enemies featured in the game include beetles, hornets, flies, ducks, rats, and fire flies. On some levels, Bart also has to defeat a boss. [3]

Development and release

The game was developed by Software Creations and published by Acclaim. [7] Richard Kay and Michael Webb served as executive producers, and Joe Smith composed the music. [8] It was released in North America in February 1994 for the hand-held console Game Boy, [7] and in Japan on September 30, 1994. [8] The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk is one of several The Simpsons Game Boy games published by Acclaim in the beginning of the 1990s. [1]

Reception

Bart & the Beanstalk has received mixed to negative reviews from critics. In his 1994 book Video Games: A Guide for Savvy Parents, David Sheff describes Bart & the Beanstalk as "a frustratingly tough game without much whimsy." [11] GamePro commented that "this drab game definitely lacks personality. There's a challenge here for those who want to sit through yet another simple side-scroller. Everyone else, though, might be better off trading in their magic beans for a cow." [12] Similarly, a review in Game Players said "the designers of this action game took a standard story, plastered the Simpsons faces on boring characters, then threw in some of the show's running jokes. Bor-ring!" [12] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly found the game's biggest problem to be that it is too frustratingly hard, especially for the game's pre-adolescent target audience. They also stated that the difficulty stems chiefly from the poor design of Bart's slingshot. [9]

Jeff Kapalka of the Syracuse Herald-American was more positive, giving the game a three out of four rating in a review. He commented that "the graphics are crisp, clear and cartoony, and it's a fun game for the Game Boy," and noted that the game is similar to the early side-scrolling Mario games. [4] A review in the St. Petersburg Times called The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk "fun and funny". [13]

In 2009, 1UP.com editor Bob Mackey reviewed the game in 1UP's official Retro Gaming Blog. He described the game as annoying, but thought the graphics were good. Mackey wrote that "outside of a funky walk cycle from Bart, the game actually looks pretty nice—for some reason the Game Boy Simpsons games were always graphically superior to the NES ones—but that's about all the praise it deserves. Even more so than Camp Deadly , the screen of Beanstalk is awfully cramped, so the problem of enemies appearing out of nowhere to kill you has only gotten worse." Mackey added that he would have liked to see a more powerful weapon because the range of the slingshot is only a few feet. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platformer</span> Video game genre

A platformer is a sub-genre of action video games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels with uneven terrain and suspended platforms of varying height that require jumping and climbing to traverse. Other acrobatic maneuvers may factor into the gameplay, such as swinging from vines or grappling hooks, jumping off walls, gliding through the air, or bouncing from springboards or trampolines.

Shoot 'em ups are a sub-genre of action games. There is no consensus as to which design elements compose a shoot 'em up; some restrict the definition to games featuring spacecraft and certain types of character movement, while others allow a broader definition including characters on foot and a variety of perspectives.

<i>A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia</i> 1989 NES video game

A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia is a puzzle-platform game developed by Imagineering and published by Absolute Entertainment for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The video game was released in North America in 1989, in Europe by Nintendo in 1991 and in Japan by Jaleco in 1991. A Boy and His Blob follows an unnamed male protagonist and his shapeshifting blob friend on their adventure to save the planet of Blobolonia from the clutches of an evil emperor.

<i>The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World</i> 1991 side-scrolling platform game

The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World is a side-scrolling platform game based on the Simpsons franchise and features many aspects from the television series. It was released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and in 1993 for Amiga, Atari ST, Game Gear, and Master System. In the game, the player controls Bart as he travels around the world on a scavenger hunt while facing against Mr. Burns' family and agents. The game has received mixed reviews from critics.

<i>The Itchy & Scratchy Game</i> 1995 video game

The Itchy & Scratchy Game is a platform video game that was released for the Super NES, and Game Gear. It stars the cat and mouse pair Itchy & Scratchy from the adult animated sitcom The Simpsons, and features the classic gory violence from the show. The main character is Itchy, who has to fight Scratchy. Reception of the game has been generally negative.

<i>Bart Simpsons Escape from Camp Deadly</i> 1991 video game

Bart Simpson's Escape from Camp Deadly is a 1991 platform video game for the Game Boy. Developed by Imagineering, it was published by Acclaim Entertainment in North America and Europe in 1991. The game was released in Japan in 1993. In Bart Simpson's Escape from Camp Deadly, the player controls Bart from the television series The Simpsons as he escapes from an unpleasant summer camp run by ruthless counselors. The plot is similar to that of The Simpsons episode "Kamp Krusty", although the game was released nearly a year before that episode aired. Critics gave the game mixed to negative reviews.

<i>The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants</i> 1991 video game

The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants is a platform video game, the second based on the animated television series The Simpsons. It was released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, and in 1992 for Sega Genesis, Master System and Game Gear. It was published by Acclaim Entertainment on consoles and Ocean Software on computers, and developed by Imagineering and Arc Developments. In the game, the player controls Bart Simpson through five levels as he tries to ruin the aliens' plan to take over the world. Video game critics have given Bart vs. the Space Mutants mixed reviews, with criticism directed at the difficulty of the game, partly caused by restricted controls.

<i>The Simpsons: Barts House of Weirdness</i> 1992 video game

The Simpsons: Bart's House of Weirdness is a platform video game published by Konami on January 1, 1992 for MS-DOS. Developed by Distinctive Software, it is based on the Simpsons franchise and features many aspects from the series. In the game, the player controls Bart as he escapes from the Simpsons' house after being grounded by his parents. On his adventures throughout town, Bart is equipped with various weapons that are used to fend off enemies and animals. Bart's House of Weirdness does not have a wide fan base because it was only released for DOS, but the early reviews of the game were positive, at least in terms of graphics and sound.

<i>The Simpsons: Bart vs. The Juggernauts</i> 1992 action video game

The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Juggernauts is an action video game released in 1992 for the Game Boy. It was developed by Imagineering and published by Acclaim. The plot stars Bart from The Simpsons in a game show based on American Gladiators, in which he has to compete in challenges to earn money. Critics gave The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Juggernauts average reviews.

<i>Krustys Fun House</i> 1992 video game

Krusty's Fun House is a puzzle video game based on the animated sitcom The Simpsons.

<i>The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness</i> 1994 side-scrolling action platform game

The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness is a side-scrolling action platform game and miniature golf game released on the Game Boy in 1994, featuring the cat and mouse pair Itchy & Scratchy from the American animated television series The Simpsons. Developed by Beam Software, it was the first game to feature these characters. In the game, the player controls Scratchy as he plays through a miniature golf course of nine holes while at the same time avoiding Itchy's attacks. It received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics.

<i>The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man</i> 1992 platform video game

The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man is a 1992 platform game published by Acclaim for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Gear. Developed by Imagineering, the side-scrolling game features Bart Simpson on a comic book quest to rescue his kidnapped idol, superhero Radioactive Man. Bartman Meets Radioactive Man received generally negative reviews from critics, with criticism being directed at the gameplay control.

<i>Barbie: Super Model</i> 1993 video game

Barbie: Super Model is a one or two-player educational action video game that allows the player to play as Barbie. It was released for the Sega Genesis, SNES and MS-DOS in 1993.

A beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring hand-to-hand combat against a large number of opponents. Traditional beat 'em ups take place in scrolling, two-dimensional (2D) levels, while a number of modern games feature more open three-dimensional (3D) environments with yet larger numbers of enemies. The gameplay tends to follow arcade genre conventions, such as being simple to learn but difficult to master, and the combat system tends to be more highly developed than other side-scrolling action games. Two-player cooperative gameplay and multiple player characters are also hallmarks of the genre. Most of these games take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical, science fiction or fantasy themes.

<i>Iron Man and X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal</i> 1996 video game

Iron Man / X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal is a video game published by Acclaim Entertainment and developed by Realtime Associates for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Game Boy, Game Gear, and MS-DOS in 1996. It is a one or two-player side-scrolling action game in which the player battles villains from Marvel Comics' Iron Man and Valiant Comics' X-O Manowar comic book series. It was met with negative reviews which criticized it for dull gameplay and outdated graphics.

<i>Wizards & Warriors X: The Fortress of Fear</i> 1990 video game

Wizards & Warriors X: The Fortress of Fear is a 1990 side-scrolling platforming video game developed by UK-based company Rare and published by Acclaim Entertainment for the Game Boy handheld game console. Taking place after the events in Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II, the game features the knight warrior Kuros; he sets out to the Fortress of Fear to defeat the evil wizard Malkil, who, after 17 years of dormancy, has captured Princess Elaine and has imprisoned her there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garry Kitchen</span> American video game designer

Garry Kitchen is a video game designer, programmer, and executive best known for his work at Activision during the early years of the company's history. He has developed games for the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, as well as co-founded Absolute Entertainment with ex-Activision developers. His port of Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600 was a major hit for Coleco, selling over 4 million copies. His other 2600 work includes Keystone Kapers and Pressure Cooker for Activision and Space Jockey for U.S. Games. He also wrote Garry Kitchen's GameMaker and The Designer's Pencil for the Commodore 64.

<i>The Simpsons Game</i> 2007 video game

The Simpsons Game is a 2007 platform game based on the animated television series The Simpsons made for the Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. The game was published and distributed by Electronic Arts. It was released in North America in October 2007 and worldwide in November 2007, a few months after The Simpsons Movie. It features an original storyline, not related to the movie, written by Simpsons writers Tim Long and Matt Warburton. In the self-referential plot, the family discovers that they are forced to participate in another The Simpsons video game. Similar to the show, the game pokes fun at popular culture, many other video games, and Electronic Arts, its publisher.

<i>A Boy and His Blob</i> 2009 video game

A Boy and His Blob is a puzzle-platform game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Majesco Entertainment. It is a re-imagining of the 1989 video game, A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia, which was originally developed by Imagineering for the NES. The game was released for the Wii in North America on October 13 and in Europe on November 6, 2009. A high-definition port of the game developed by Abstraction Games was released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux on January 20, 2016. A PlayStation 3 version was made available on June 28 of the same year as a cross-purchase with the PS4 and Vita versions. Mobile ports for iOS and Android were later released worldwide on November 17 and September 26 of 2017 respectively. A Nintendo Switch version was released on November 4, 2021 by WayForward and Ziggurat Interactive.

<i>TaleSpin</i> (Capcom video game) 1991 video game

TaleSpin is a scrolling shooter video game based on the Disney television series TaleSpin. The game was developed by Capcom for the NES in 1991 and was ported to the Game Boy in 1992. The Game Boy version is essentially a slightly stripped-down version of the game.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bart and the Beanstalk". UGO Networks. Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mackey, Bob (2009-05-06). "Retro Revival Retrospective: The Simpsons Part 3". Retro Gaming Blog. 1UP.com . Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Software Creations (1994). The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk (Game Boy). Acclaim.
  4. 1 2 3 Kapalka, Jeff (1994-04-17). "Bart Simpson Becomes Moving Target In New Games For Portable Systems". Syracuse Herald-American. p. 25.
  5. 1 2 3 "he Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk". MobyGames . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  6. ↑ "Bart and the Beanstalk". IGN . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  7. 1 2 "The Simpsons: Bart and the Beanstalk Tech Info". GameSpot . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  8. 1 2 "The Simpsons: Bart and the Beanstalk". GameFAQs . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  9. 1 2 "Review Crew: Bart and the Beanstalk". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 54. EGM Media, LLC. January 1994. p. 52.
  10. ↑ "The Simpsons: Bart and the Beanstalk Reviews". GameSpot . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  11. ↑ Sheff, David (1994). Video Games: A Guide for Savvy Parents. Random House. p. 82. ISBN   978-0-679-75282-0 . Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  12. 1 2 "The Press Says". MobyGames . Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  13. ↑ Carter, Chip; Carter, Jonathan (1994-05-16). "The new games: some are musts, others, ho-hum". St. Petersburg Times . p. 2D.
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.