Missing Mascots: Pond, James Pond

[Melf]

Among the many mascots to grace the Genesis library, James Pond occupies a unique position. Being both a console and computer star, he suddenly disappeared from the public eye....at least in the U.S. It turns out he's been an active star in his native U.K. for some time after the fall of the 16-bit era. I guess the fame was too much for him. Read all about in the newest installment of our Missing Mascots (http://www.sega-16.com/2006/09/missing-mascots-james-pond/) series!

[j_factor]

I like James Pond 3.

[Joe Redifer]

James Pond can go to hell. I have always hated his poorly programmed gameplay, inadequately implemented controls, and crappy music. I hope everyone who ever worked on a James Pond title for any system gets stuck at every red light whenever they go driving from now until they die.

[Mr Smith]

The fish in mission 2 of the original game were awesomely wonderful - I wish my goldfish looked as happy and cuddly as they did. The first game was ok but the series went downhill quicker than a bus, full of fat folk, without any breaks.

A game about water treatment and sewage works in London!! I might pick up a copy, it can't be any worse than James Pond 3.

[ary incorparated]

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1016/95227966200pq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ary incorparated]

crap game.

[Henry Spencer]

I like James Pond, the reason being is that it is a sort of attachment I have for the game since a child (nostalgia in other words).

[Joe Redifer]

It's games like James Pond which made the rest of the world think poorly of the European game industry.

[Melf]

The second game was cool. I've never played Operation: Starfish or Aquatic Games, but I did go through most of the original JP. I really tried to like it, but it was quite unforgiving with its objectives and high difficulty level.

[Flash1087]

I like James Pond, the reason being is that it is a sort of attachment I have for the game since a child (nostalgia in other words).

I second that. I liked the second one as a youngster, but that doesn't speak for it's quality or anything.

[ary incorparated]

the games actually are quit okay but nothing special.

[Henry Spencer]

Now put Puggsy as the next missing mascot!

[VinnyT]

I would, but It'd be about 100 words.

[Flash1087]

"Puggsy had a game on a few systems. It was fun. He hasn't had a game in thirteen years. The end."

[Germ]

ahhh:) really love Aquatic Games.
alot of fun events to be had with this little game.
my favs would be the penguin jugglin coconuts because i could never juggle in reallife myself and fending beachballs from hitting your fellow seadogs, this particular event could last for yonkers esp in 2 playas.
BTW my opinion on James Pond games is the sme as the review.

[VinnyT]

Penguin juggling game?

Elaborate please.

[VinnyT]

"Puggsy had a game on a few systems. It was fun. He hasn't had a game in thirteen years. The end."

In 1987 Puggsy landed on a beach. He found some crap on the beach and threw it at a crab. A swedish development team decided to make a game out of it. They all were shocked when it sold 2 copies"

[Henry Spencer]

"Puggsy had a game on a few systems. It was fun. He hasn't had a game in thirteen years. The end."

:?

We he deserves a review at least, he is better than James Pond. :daze:

[Flash1087]

In 1987 Puggsy landed on a beach. He found some crap on the beach and threw it at a crab. A swedish development team decided to make a game out of it. They all were shocked when it sold 2 copies"

"One such copy was sold to a Mrs. Elizabeth Huggbees of Arizona, who bought the Sega CD version for her son. We have tracked down Mrs. Huggbees and now present to you an exclusive Sega-16 interview..."

[Mr Smith]

That's being a bit harsh. I also own a copy so there must be at least 3 of us who have Puggsy.

[VinnyT]

Yeah, I know. It's not a bad game.

[Flash1087]

Yeah, I have the Genesis version. I'm not knocking Puggsy by any means.

[ary incorparated]

i have the genesis version also and so there where at least 5.BTW pugsy only appeares on sega genesis/sega cd (with what means) and Amiga 500 if im right.

[ary incorparated]

Kind of strange how they made this game, James was playing with his pond, and was caught at the moment for the perfect idea of a game how appropriate.

[AEther]

Starting by saying hello to everybody, since I’m a new member here.
Seeing an avid Mega Drive collector is strange how only a few weeks I discovered this web site!!

Back on topic, I will always associate James Pond to Christmas because of the Robocod story.

I like it at Aquatic Games, a really funny and different Olympic game. But disliked the 3 platformers.

As curiosity Robocod is one of the top selling games at Spain (as far as I know).

Regards

[AEther]

I own a Puggsy copy to :)

[Mr Smith]

I own a Puggsy copy to :)

AEther, you own virtually every Mega Drive game imaginable. ;)

[AEther]

AEther, you own virtually every Mega Drive game imaginable. ;)

ha ha :p I loved to :confused: where is that £100,00 Mega Man ;)

[DaveOwl]

I disagree with the general opinion on Operation Starfish. I think that without the charm of the christmas theme of JP2 Robocod I would like JP3 better. As it is, that gives it a slight edge for me but I love both games. I would say JP3 has definitely aged better than JP2 to give it a brownie point.

Aquatic Games was ok but not one i'll be looking to purchase anytime soon to add to my collection. The first I also thought was pretty poor, thus my opinion from best to worst of the series is:

1 - only just) James Pond 2 - Robocod
2) James Pond 3 - Operation Starfish
3) Aquatic Games
4) James Pond

If I hadn't spent so much time with JP2 as a kid and enjoyed it for hours on end, (specially at christmas time!) JP3 would be top of the list for me.

[ary incorparated]

I own a Puggsy copy to :)]\

That makes 6 on this toppic ;) i sead it was fun.

[paulojr_mam]

James Pond = mediocrity

[magicalsoundshower]

James Pond 1 looked fantastic and sounded great on Amiga but it was indeed only fun for like three levels. James Pond 2, now, I have a real soft spot for. There's basically nothing original about it (pretty much all of its basic elements are lifted straight from different games) and the level design is sometimes lazy and/or unfocused, but there was something about its huge game world with tons of secrets set in Santa Claus' castle that really resonated with me as a kid. Needless to say, it also was a great showcase for what the Amiga could do graphics and sound-wise (RIP Richard Joseph who did the super catchy soundtrack for the series).

I have to say I can't stand JP3, though. The new dark and outline-heavy graphics style really threw me off and I've never had even a minute of fun with it. I get that it's supposed to show off what the Mega Drive/Genesis could do but the way it does it really feels contrived.