Zool
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| Zool | |
| Missing image Zoolbox.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Gremlin Graphics |
| Publisher(s) | Gremlin Graphics |
| Release date(s) | October 1992 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Not Available (NA) |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Atari ST, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, SNES, Master System, AmigaCD32, PC, Acorn Archimedes, Jaguar |
Zool is a British computer game originally produced for the Amiga by Gremlin Graphics as a rival to Sonic the Hedgehog. It was heavily hyped upon its initial release in 1992, including being bundled with the newly launched Amiga 1200, although not the AGA version with enhanced graphics which followed later.
It is not known whether the name Zool refers to the supernatural entity Zuul from the film Ghostbusters.
Insofar as the game has a storyline, we learn that Zool is "a ninja from the nth dimension" who is forced to land on Earth. In order to gain ninja ranking he has to pass seven lands. It was very much a pure arcade platform game, relying on smooth, fast moving gameplay, colorful graphics and a popular soundtrack by Patrick Phelan which overlaps with the Lotus 3 soundtrack and has inspired several modern electro/techno remixes.
Zool contains a number of embedded games, including several arcade games, a scrolling space shooter and a game accessible only by making Zool play a certain tune on an in-game piano.
Some reviewers criticized the game for the blatant and pervasive advertisements in the game for Chupa Chups, the lollipop company. Indeed, the first 4 levels of the game took place in Sweet Zone. Nevertheless, reviews were extremely positive, possibly partly because the need was felt for the Amiga to have a flagship game to rival Sonic.
The sequel Zool 2 was very similar gameplay-wise, but with slightly more complex graphics and an attempt at a plot. It received generally high review scores, but did not make an impact the way its predecessor did.
External links
- Zool (http://eager.back2roots.org/DATA/Z/ZOOL.HTML) Amiga version info page
- Zool Electrorock Remix (http://remix64.phatsites.de/index.php?tune=11301)
- Zool 1 Reviews (http://www.classicgaming.com/amigareviews/zool1.htm): 95%, 83%, 91%.
- Zool 2 Review (http://www.classicgaming.com/amigareviews/zool2.htm): 76%.