Superfrog
| Superfrog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Team17 |
| Publisher(s) | Team17 |
| Designer(s) | Rico Holmes |
| Engine | Bespoke platforming engine |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, PC, Amiga CD32 |
| Release date(s) | 1993, 1994, 1999, 2012 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Superfrog is a scrolling 2D platform game, originally developed and published for the Amiga in 1993 by Team17 Software, creators of the Worms series.[1] Further releases for the PC were handled by Ocean Software and Good Old Games (GOG.com).
Gameplay
The objective of the game is to find and defeat a witch, thus rescuing a princess, whilst achieving smaller objectives throughout the game, such as finding a golden key or escaping from captivity in a circus.
There are 24 regular levels, divided into six differently-themed worlds. The goal of each level is to collect a set number of coins, and then reach the exit, which will only open if Superfrog has collected enough coins. Extra factors of gameplay include a timer countdown and a number of health points, both of which can be restored by finding bottles of Lucozade among the levels.
Depending on the number of coins and fruit collected, and on how fast the player finishes the level, a number of credits (up to a maximum of 15) are awarded at the end of each level. The player can then choose to either collect the credits for a score or gamble them in a slot machine-style minigame for more bonuses. The most important function of the slot machine minigame is the chance to win a level code, enabling the player to restart the game from the beginning of the next level at a later time.
An extra level between world 5 and 6 takes the form of a side-scrolling shoot 'em up called Project-F in homage to Team 17's own Project-X (even going as far as using a remixed version of the original game's theme tune). Rather than collecting coins, the objective of this stage is to survive to the end. This level was omitted from the PC conversion of the game. After completing all six worlds, the game ends with a small boss fight against the witch in a castle setting.
Plot
The story, present in the game's manual but mostly conveyed through the introductory animation by Eric W. Schwartz, concerns an unnamed prince, who is turned into a frog by a jealous witch, in homage to the Frog Prince fairy tale. His princess girlfriend is then abducted by the same witch. Subsequently sulking by the "River O' Despair", the prince chances upon a floating bottle of Lucozade, which confers upon him super powers.
Development
Superfrog was developed in 1993 and released for the Amiga in the same year by Team17, acting simultaneously as developer and publisher. The release was popular enough to spawn an Amiga CD32 version, which could also be played on some Amiga computers fitted with a CD drive. Due to its enduring popularity, it was then converted for the PC by Bubball Systems in 1994, running as an MS-DOS program. The Amiga version was re-released by Islona Software in 1999, with slightly different box art. In 2012, Superfrog was, along with other games by Team17, released as a legitimate digital download from GoodOldGames.com,[2] this version being the first compatible with Windows.
Over the years, rumours have circulated about potential revivals of the game[3] and, on occasion, sequels to the original. Skytopia.com published a brief news snippet about a potential sequel, quoting an unnamed programmer as saying "It is going to be amazing".[4] A Team17 animator also changed his avatar on the Team17 forum to that of a freshly animated Superfrog walk cycle.
Team17 themselves appear not to have forgotten about Superfrog, as the titular character - the frog himself - makes cameo appearances in their most recent games, notably Worms Blast and Worms 3D. Martyn "Spadge" Brown, Creative Director at Team17, also expressed an interest in reviving the character in a new Superfrog title, although later on he was quoted at saying this was "just a concept".[5]
On 13 February 2013, Team 17 announced they would be reviving Superfrog and releasing a HD version of the classic game on PSN.[6] Superfrog HD was released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, OS X, Linux, Android and iOS.
Reception
Team17's earlier games became relatively obscure after the release of the hugely popular Worms series, though many gamers remember Superfrog fondly for its solid gameplay, smooth scrolling, cartoon-quality graphics, and upbeat music by composer Allister Brimble. Although a relatively small release by the standards of blockbuster platformers like Sonic, it was very well received and has retained a fan base which considers it a technically perfect example of the genre.[7]
References
External links
- Superfrog: The Tribute Site - a fan site