16 years ago, the best third-party platformer was released

[Masked Avenger]

http://xs538.xs.to/xs538/09171/g02582w3qmw921.jpg

I know this will be a controversial call, Aladdin and Earthworm Jim are generally seen as better games. But as someone who played those Dave Perry/Virgin platformers since Global Gladiators, Cool Spot hit the right... spot. Gameplay was simple, but it followed and perfected the style and formula of GG. Easy to pick up, pretty to look at, toe-tapping music and an overall charming style made it a winner.

http://xs538.xs.to/xs538/09171/cool_spot_6914.png

Personally, I thought the novelty had worn off by the time Aladdin/Jungle Book/Earthworm Jimcame out, all very similar games when all is said and done.

http://xs538.xs.to/xs538/09171/cool_spot2446.gif

Yes, there was a SNES port (among other ports) of Cool Spot a few months later. It had an increased color palette and it fixed some play mechanics niggles but the inferior soundtrack and missing sound effect/speech samples made it uneven.

[Mark Robert]

I love Cool Spot. People may automatically knock this game because they see it as a cheap product promo gimmick but the actual game is high quality.

[kool kitty89]

Not in the same league, but Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool is also a pretty good platformer, at least for a marketing gimmick. (Wild Wild Quest sucked though)

[sketch]

Cool spot is a quality game. I was shocked when I played it for the first time, expecting a typical "licensed", poorly made, poorly designed, crap game, and found a top notch platformer. It's not Sonic or Rocket Knight Adventures, but it is a very good game.

[j_factor]

The best third-party platformer? Really? It's alright, but hardly the best.

[MrMatthews]

Quite a good game, but when you say "best third-party platformer ever," are you referring exclusively to the Genesis?

[johnnyb]

I spent many hours playing cool spot, it`s up there for me as a game that stuck firmly in my mind!:D

[MrMatthews]

The oddest concept for a game ever, and it's amazing that it turned out as good as it did. The 90's were a special time when licensed games were regularly good.

Best third-party platformer for the Genesis would have to be either Mickey Mania or Rocketknight Adventures, though.

[sketch]

The oddest concept for a game ever, and it's amazing that it turned out as good as it did. The 90's were a special time when licensed games were regularly good.

Best third-party platformer for the Genesis would have to be either Mickey Mania or Rocketknight Adventures, though.

Castle of Illusion is also a worthy candidate.

[MrMatthews]

That's what I wanted to say, but I don't think that's third-party :(

[philiptwood]

Castle of Illusion is also a worthy candidate.

The graphics was a lot better then the first Mickey Mouse game. I use to have that game, but I lost Castle of Illusion some time ago... I wish I still had it.

[sketch]

That's what I wanted to say, but I don't think that's third-party :(

Ahhh, you are quite correct. I had always just assumed it was third party. I didn't realize Sega progammed any of the Disney games.

Now that I think about it, in spite of the fact that there are tons of platformers for the Genesis, most of them aren't any good. Outside of Rocket Knight Adventures and Cool Spot (and perhaps the aforementioned Aladdin), I can't think of any. I'm sure there are more, but most platformers of that era were derivative knockoffs of Sonic or Mario.

Rocket Knight is still my favorite 3rd party platformer. In fact, it's one of my favorite platformers, period.

[Tanegashima]

I ADORE Cool Spot...but the bathtub level continues to piss me off!!

Thank God they didn't ruin the franchise with a crappy sequel that changes all the game play elements into a frustrating, unnavigable isometric piece of shit! ...oh wait...

[Christuserloeser]

Castle of Illusion is a Sega game like Super Mario is a Nintendo game.


Cool Spot was the first Perry / Tallerico game I played. I particularly remember that I was upset that all 7-up references got removed from the European version.

The game itself is highly overrated though, like every game that Perry was involved in. I think the first two or three stages were exciting but what really ruined the game for me was that they recycled the level themes after four or five stages. What a rip off.

[MrMatthews]

Castle of Illusion is a Sega game like Super Mario is a Nintendo game.


. . . huh?

[Christuserloeser]

i.e. not a third party game.

[kool kitty89]

Just because it's not cross platform doesn't mean it's not 3rd party.

On cross platform platformers though ;), I'd say Earthworm Jim 2 should be up there, great game and hit consoles from 2 generations plus home computers. (more if you count the GBA, but I wouldn't count Wii VC)

[Christuserloeser]

no, no, I was referring to Castle of Illusion ^ ^

That's neither third party nor really cross platform. (the SMS/GG version is totally different)

[TheEdge]

Thats the coolest spot I've ever seen.

[sketch]

Just because it's not cross platform doesn't mean it's not 3rd party.

On cross platform platformers though ;), I'd say Earthworm Jim 2 should be up there, great game and hit consoles from 2 generations plus home computers. (more if you count the GBA, but I wouldn't count Wii VC)

Earthworm Jim! Of course, how could I have forgotten him. Classic 3rd party game. Tough call between EWJ and RKA...

[Bablefish]

I agree I think it great!!! Some levels are as hard as hell for me, but the ones I can play are honestly both amazing and fun!