Johnny Bazookatone

Johnny Bazookatone is a platforming video game developed by Arc Developments and published by U.S. Gold for the 3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and MS-DOS computers in 1996. Some releases also came equipped with a music CD based on the game's musical score. The game follows the protagonist, Johnny Bazookatone, trapped in the year 2050 in Sin Sin Prison by El Diablo, lord of the underworld. His guitar, known as "Anita" is taken from him, and so Johnny must travel to reclaim it.

Johnny Bazookatone
3DO box art
Developer(s)Arc Developments
Publisher(s)U.S. Gold
Designer(s)Craig Davison
Programmer(s)Chris Coupe
Artist(s)Paul Walker
Composer(s)Andi McGinty
Des Tong
Sax by Snake Davis
Guitar by Mike Hehir
Platform(s)3DO, MS-DOS, PlayStation, Saturn
Release3DO
MS-DOS
PlayStation
  • NA: February 22, 1996
  • JP: April 26, 1996
  • EU: January 1996
Saturn
  • EU: February 1996
  • JP: April 26, 1996
  • NA: 1996
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Reception

Reviewing the PlayStation version, the four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the sharply detailed graphics, the player character's complex moves, and the high level of difficulty. They summarized "If you are looking for a great side-scrolling game, Johnny B. is your man!"[3] A brief review in GamePro said that the game's graphics and music are the strong points, while the sometimes inaccurate controls is the main weak point.[8] Maximum panned the game, criticizing the poor sprite detection and dull level design.[6]

Reviewing the Saturn version, Sam Hickman of Sega Saturn Magazine called Johnny Bazookatone "three hundred hours of the most boring platform action ever invented", citing blurry sprites, enemies which are persistently annoying rather than challenging, and the game's generally outdated look and feel.[7] Scary Larry of GamePro commented on the game's irritating difficulty, particularly executing the crucial Shooting Float move, but was delighted with the rendered sprites, backgrounds, and music, and concluded, "Fans looking for a humorous cross between Earthworm Jim and Donkey Kong Country should check out Johnny."[9] A reviewer for Next Generation opined that while the gameplay mechanics are generic, the level design is clever and the graphics are genuinely next generation. He summarized, "While it's tempting to swear-off the side-scrolling action game as a by-gone product of the 16-bit era, there's something devilishly tempting about a game that looks and plays as good as Johnny Bazookatone."[4] Maximum regarded the Saturn version as unfavorably as the PlayStation version, lambasting it for its "hideously dated" story concept, overly small sprites, last generation graphics, lack of intelligent design to the levels or enemies, and frustrating puzzles.[5]

Scary Larry gave the 3DO version overall approval as well. While criticizing the awkward controls and lack of gameplay innovation, he found the game's "hip and well drawn" graphics, mixture of funk and house music, and overall style were enough to recommend it.[10]

References
  1. "Johnny Bazookatone (1996) release dates".
  2. "Johnny Bazookatone (PlayStation) Review". Archived from the original on 16 November 2014.
  3. "Johnny Bazookatone Review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 81. Ziff Davis. April 1996. p. 34.
  4. "Johnny Bazookatone". Next Generation. No. 15. Imagine Media. March 1996. p. 82.
  5. "Maximum Reviews: Johnny Bazookatone". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. Emap International Limited (4): 141. March 1996.
  6. "Maximum Reviews: Johnny Bazookatone". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. Emap International Limited (4): 151. March 1996.
  7. Hickman, Sam (February 1996). "Review: Johnny Bazookatone". Sega Saturn Magazine. Emap International Limited (4): 74–75.
  8. "Quick Hits: Johnny Bazookatone". GamePro. No. 90. IDG. March 1996. p. 72.
  9. "ProReview: Johnny Bazookatone". GamePro. No. 90. IDG. March 1996. p. 58.
  10. "ProReview: Johnny Bazookatone". GamePro. No. 91. IDG. April 1996. p. 82.


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