Bug!
Encyclopedia
Bug! was a 3D rendered platform/adventure video game developed by Realtime Associates
for the Sega Saturn
. Released in 1995 in North America
, Japan
and Europe
, it was one of the earliest 3D platform game
s. It was later ported to Windows 3.x
and Windows 95
on August 31, 1996 by Beam Software
, on one CD that contains both versions of the game.
Bug! was played like a traditional side-scrolling adventure game. In the same fashion as Sonic the Hedgehog (in one level Bug must race against Sonic), Bug must jump and stomp on the heads of his enemies to defeat them while making his way through large levels and collecting power-up
s. What sets Bug! apart is the game's 3D levels, which take the side-view and tweak it. Bug can walk sidewise up vertical surfaces and even upside down. Each set of levels (ranging from a bright, green grassy area to a deep red, desert level) has a deeply individual look and feel.
magazine, which awarded it an "excellent" score of 9/10. It also received a 9/10 from Electric Playground and an 8/10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly
. By contrast, Gamespot gave the PC version a 6/10, calling it "visually stunning" and praising the "quick and responsive" gameplay, but concluding that it "fails to explore any new territory...in a tired genre."
& Realtime Associates
will return to publish and develop the game, respectively. Unlike the original, the remake will be a open world third-person/first-person video game to be released on PlayStation 3
, Xbox 360
, Wii
& Microsoft Windows
. The remake is soon to be released in late 2011/early 2012.
Realtime Associates
Realtime Associates is an American video game developer and publisher. The company was founded in 1986 by David Warhol and a group of ex Mattel Electronics employees originally to create games for the Intellivision system...
for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
. Released in 1995 in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, it was one of the earliest 3D platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
s. It was later ported to Windows 3.x
Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
and Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
on August 31, 1996 by Beam Software
Melbourne House
Krome Studios Melbourne, originally Beam Software, was a video game development studio founded in 1980 and based in Melbourne, Australia. The studio operated independently from 1987 until 1999, when it was acquired by Infogrames, who changed the name to Melbourne House...
, on one CD that contains both versions of the game.
Story
The background plot centers around the title character, Bug, a famous Hollywood star hoping to make his "biggest break" ever. Players take control shortly after Bug has signed up a deal for the lead role in an action film in which his girlfriend is kidnapped by Queen Cadavra and must set out to rescue her. The gameplay takes place "on the set" of each scene and cutscenes between levels indicate Bug moving over from one set to the next.Gameplay
Power-up
In computer and video games, power-ups are objects that instantly benefit or add extra abilities to the game character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a benefit and can be used at a time chosen by the player...
s. What sets Bug! apart is the game's 3D levels, which take the side-view and tweak it. Bug can walk sidewise up vertical surfaces and even upside down. Each set of levels (ranging from a bright, green grassy area to a deep red, desert level) has a deeply individual look and feel.
Characters
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Bug (Voiced by John Frost) | "Our hero is a razor-witted, irreverent mighty mite with feelers, who uses his derriere and deadly aim to trounce upon enemies. Despite his lack of manners, Bug is convinced he can turn this role into an award-winning performance." |
| Bee-52 | "Battle-scarred but still able, Bee-52 is on the prowl for action. This buzzy foe often buzzes around power-ups." |
| Daddy-O Longlegs | "Too cool, this dude is Queen Cadavra's only surviving ex. He's a jive-talking hipster whose main occupation is hanging out - and avoiding his poisonous former spouse. Collect a Coin power-up and then find Daddy-O. He'll take Bug on a warp to a mini bonus round." |
| Queen Cadavra | "With her insatiable appetite for bugs, this porky prima donna is intent on devouring all the denizens of Bug Island. She's brassy, loud, egotistical and obnoxious. When she's not eating her minions, she's chewing them out!" |
Power-Ups/Items
To change the pace of the gameplay every once in a while (in case gamers got tired of the constant jumping-and-stomping strategy), players could additionally pick up 2 unique power-ups to give Bug added forms of attack. One gives him an electric zapping attack which was best used in close-quarters while another gave him a toxic spitting attack for ranged combat. There are also blue crystals in which can help the player qualify for a "Dragon Ring Chase" bonus round.| Power-Up/Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Blue Crystals (Item) | "These gems get the player to the bonus round at the end of each world. Pick up at least 100 Blue Crystals in each round (the screen counter keeps a running total) to earn a Dragonfly Icon. Grab 3 icons and you'll get to play the Dragonfly Ring Chase after clearing each level." |
| Bug Juice (Power-Up) | "A healthy drink that fully restores Bug's health." |
| 1-Up (Item) | "Supplies Bug with an extra life." |
| Clapper Board (Item) | "A valuable collectible, worth 1 additional continue." |
| Spit Wads | "Energizes the Spit Attack. Pick up one of these, then press Button B to get 'em with a glob. You'll find Spit Wads in 4 delicious flavors:
|
| Zap Cap (Power-Up) | "Energizes your Zap Attack. After collecting this power-up, press Button A for an electrifying energy blast." |
Reception
Bug! released to strong critical acclaim from Game InformerGame Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
magazine, which awarded it an "excellent" score of 9/10. It also received a 9/10 from Electric Playground and an 8/10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
. By contrast, Gamespot gave the PC version a 6/10, calling it "visually stunning" and praising the "quick and responsive" gameplay, but concluding that it "fails to explore any new territory...in a tired genre."
Remake
Realtime Associates President David Warhol announced that the game 'will return someday'. SegaSega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
& Realtime Associates
Realtime Associates
Realtime Associates is an American video game developer and publisher. The company was founded in 1986 by David Warhol and a group of ex Mattel Electronics employees originally to create games for the Intellivision system...
will return to publish and develop the game, respectively. Unlike the original, the remake will be a open world third-person/first-person video game to be released on PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
& Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. The remake is soon to be released in late 2011/early 2012.