Flintstones: Rescue Dino & Hoppy -Nintendo NES
Retro Gaming Review

Rating:

Having grown up with Hanna Barbera and a particular love for the Flintstones, I had to give this one a try. Games based on TV and/or movies are often simple attempts to cash-in on identity alone. Fortunately, this is not the case in this Flintstone romp. In all it's prehistoric side scrolling beauty, this is a fun game!

Fred begins with his club as a weapon, but picks up additional ones along the way. In addition to power-ups and some sweet options from Gazoo, there is a fair amount of diversity to this outing in Bedrock. As a platformer, there are some cool quirky options for Fred to traverse as he goes along. And there's a time machine!

The end of each level brings you to a map-screen where you can advance or play a mini game... of basketball. When I think of all the games based on licensed properties, I wonder why they can't be as slick as Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy. Or maybe I'm a bit too obsessed with the Flintstones. :)

Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy Story Arc

The story begins with the harmonious life of the Flintstones and their Bedrock neighbors, the Rubbles. All was good until a visitor from the future arrived to collect a few dinosaurs for his Orbit city Zoo. The evil Dr. Butler is a time traveler from the 30th century and he snatched Dino and Hoppy, who were Fred and Barney's pets.

Before leaving with Dino and Hoppy, Dr. Butler destroys Gazoo's time machine. Fred will need Gazoo's help to get to the 30th century, so he must first help find all the pieces and put the time machine back together. Then they can go after Dr. Butler and rescue Dino and Hoppy. The manual refers to him as Dr. Turner, but he is Dr. Butler in the on-screen storyboard.

Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy Game Play

You play as Fred Flintstone and begin roaming through Bedrock. The A button lets Fred jump and grab onto overhead ledges. The B Button engages Fred's trusty club which is his initial weapon. He can bash anything that gets in his way. Along the way he'll find other weapons that can be chosen with the Select Button. The Start Button is used to summon Gazoo for help.

You begin with 3 lives and a full suite of hearts shown in a health meter at the bottom of the screen. If enemies attack you, your health diminishes. Falling off a cliff ends your life instantly. In addition to lives & health, the info area also displays which weapon he is using, coins and strength. As you can see there is more to this game than hopping from platform to platform!

You'll encounter many gaps that look too wide to jump. You're right, but if you give Fred a good running jump he'll grab the ledge and you can hold the A Button to hang on and pop the D-pad Up to flip him up onto the platform. As Fred travels, he'll encounter items he can collect - like additional lives and health. Grabbing Bronto Burgers will increase strength and coins allow Fred to use other weapons, like an ax, slingshot and bomb.

Occasionally you'll find yourself on a basketball court with Hard-head Harry. You are in a timed game and you have to beat him to get help with your mission. Of all the side-games they could have inserted here, I'm not sure how basketball won out. It's a bit odd, but all part of the fun.

You play as Fred, but you'll encounter other characters who will provide a break form the action and impart some wisdom to you. When needed you can press the Start Button to summon Gazoo who will give you help. Never underestimate what he might bestow upon you. Ya never know.

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