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Ocean's Cool World -Nintendo NES
Retro Gaming Review
 |
| Title: | Cool World |
| Manufacturer: | Ocean |
| Platform: | Nintendo NES |
| Release Date: | 1993 |
| Part #: | NES-CX-USA |
| Rating: | 1.5 out of 5 |
| ESRB Rating: | N/A |
Rating: 
Ocean's Cool World Screenshot: 
I loved the film Cool World and it's ability to combine live action with animation. Centering the story around a down and out illustrator helped. The story may have been frivolous, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Many people favor the previously released film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which was a better movie both from it's story line to it's integration of live action with animation. However, this didn't cause me to dislike Cool World. Too many people make this comparison without giving Holli Wood a chance. However, the translation to both an NES and SNES video game were less than stellar.
Cool World as a video game is a confusing romp through the doodle world as you try to make sense of nearly everything that happens. Trying to apply logic to this game may only make your head hurt.
Cool World Story Arc
You play as Officer Frank Harris who is after Holli Wood and her gang. She is desperate to get back to the real world where she can have a real body. If she were to make it back to the real world, it could mean it's destruction. Harris must stop her! Here's were the plot gets a bit murky for me.
She has the Golden Stake of Power that balances the doodle world and the real world. With the map showing the location of the tunnels back to the real world Holli is on the verge of crossing over. But, for some reason, she's torn the map into five pieces and hidden them with members of her gang. Harris has to recover the 5 pieces to stop Holli. So, if she has the map - why tear it up? Why not just go to the tunnel? Who knows...
Cool World Game Play
You have the ability to jump and an assortment of weapons. Since you are in the cartoon Doodle world, your weapons are a pen, an eraser, and a bomb. All things that drawn doodles would fear.
Holy shit! Check this out...
Cool World is a live-action/animated film directed by Ralph Bakshi. It was released in 1982 Kim Basinger, Gabriel Byrne and Brad Pitt. As a promotional stunt, the infamous Hollywood Sign was altered to include a 75-foot-tall cutout of Holli Would. This angered local residents.
Most of the game takes place in 4 locations where you must get another piece of the map from Holli's gang. The final area is atop the Ocean hotel where you will guard the Golden Spike. You must also gather the map's pieces in the correct order.
Cool World is a live-action/animated film directed by Ralph Bakshi. It was released in 1982 Kim Basinger, Gabriel Byrne and Brad Pitt. As a promotional stunt, the infamous Hollywood Sign was altered to include a 75-foot-tall cutout of Holli Would. This angered local residents.
In the first stage you are on the streets of Cool World as goons try to attack you on the street as others shoot from the windows above. They'll even pop out of manhole covers. Your main weapon will be a stink bomb that you can use to get past the Slash Club and sewers. Battle Slash for the first piece of the map.
The second stage is the highway where roller skaters will try to knock you down while others toss dynamite at you. Here you must collect bouncing wooden nickels by jumping on them. It's either collect them or be run down by them. At the end of the stage you have to defeat Sparks who rolls large nickels at you.
Stage three takes you back to main street and the Sweets Place. Surrounded by candy and cake, Harris must battle the local police (Poppers). Find the cake that will let you defeat the Popper at the end of the level. Again you will then collect another piece of the map.
The Countryside is the final stage before you go to the Ocean Hotel. Beware the odd animals that will attack you. Collect carrots to defeat a giant rabbit who holds a piece of the map.
In the fifth and final stage Harris must climb up the outside of the Ocean hotel to reach the roof. I guess the elevators are out of order. As you climb the ledges and fire escapes, goons will try to stop you. Collect balloons that can be released to kill the goons. In the final rooftop battle, you're up against Holli herself.
Even though there are power-ups you can snag in your travels, the lack of intuitive game play mars this game. It's a shame because I loved the movie and really wanted this to be a great tie-in. They say you can find secret rooms that will aid you in your journey. Your ultimate journey may involve retrieving a better game from your collection.
Final Judgement:
This could have been a much better game with a more focused challenge.
Ocean's Cool World
is loosely tied to the movie, but the levels are ridiculous. The premise of this game should really have been closer to the movie's story. Often a game's plot needn't mirror the film on which it's based, but the game has to have enough reminiscent elements. This game is confusing and mildly irritating.This could have been a much better game with a more focused challenge.
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