Game Description

Global warming? Problems with the ozone? Not here. The world has grown cold. Horribly, terribly cold. Earth has almost become a floating iceberg in space, all because of a Yeti. An evil, hairy, heartless creature who is using his magic to encase the entire planet in ice and snow, just so he can have a new kingdom to rule. New people and animals to conquer and enslave! Is there anyone brave enough to save the planet?

You bet there is! He calls himself none other than Mr. Nutz (hey, he's a squirrel -- what name could he possibly have?). He's no ordinary squirrel, though. He's a Super Squirrel who plans on bringing back the heat! While he likes winter all snug in his tree, he likes to frolic in the warm, sunny grass even better. So he's taking with him a whole lotta nuts, his enormous tail, all the courage he can muster and you!

In Mr. Nutz by Infogrames, you must jump, fly and swim your way through six different worlds (each spanning four to five levels) and defeat the boss waiting at the end of each level. Along the way you'll collect acorns, coins, extra lives and extra energy all in hopes to beat the evil Yeti. There are also secret places on each level, which will hold some the precious goodies you'll need to survive. Never forget about your secret weapon, your enormous tail, which can defeat some enemies in a single swipe! After all, you can't rely on your wits alone when your brain is the size of an acorn! ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

Mr. Nutz originally appeared on the 16-bit Genesis and Super NES platforms. The game borrows from many mascot-based platform games, including 1985's Super Mario Bros. and 1991's Sonic the Hedgehog. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

It was a lot of fun. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Production Credits

INFOGRAMES FRANCE

VP of Infogrames Heros Label: Catherine Simon

Director of UK Operations: Richard Courtois

Publishing: Emmanuelle Tahmazian, Sylvie Combet, Béatrice Vrdoldjak

Testing: Beate Reiter, Béatrice Rodriguez, Monica Steinhauer

Coordination with Nintendo: Rebecka Pernered

Developer: Planet Interactive Development

INFOGRAMES NORTH AMERICA

Executive Producer: Steve Ackrich

Product Marketing: Neil Johnston, Bonnie Scott

Corporate Communications and PR: Meridith Braun, Erica Krishnamurthy, Kelly Lawson, Weibke Vallentin

Marketing Services: Matt Abrams, Mark Glover, Jill DosSantos, W.D. Pobinson

Documentation: Bruce Harlick ~ Joe Lamb, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Mr. Nutz by Infogrames for the Game Boy Color is a fun side-scrolling adventure. There are six different zones to explore and several hidden paths, which contain very cool power-ups. Besides, you get to play as a cute woodland creature with a major attitude.

This is pretty much a standard side-scrolling adventure. You need to get from point A to point B and in the process pick up as many coins and acorns as possible. This game is very Sonic the Hedgehog-like. While there is no time limit, you get a bonus for how fast you complete the level. In addition to a time bonus, there is a skill bonus and one for the total number of coins you've collected for that particular zone.

There are six worlds with four levels and a boss at the end of each. All of the levels are pretty inventive and look great. This is probably one of the better-looking games on GBC. The characters and environments you interact with are really fun. Sometimes the environments interact with you! Like on the opening zone, you can scale the trees and depending on how high you climb, you can jump on clouds and so on. Watch out! Inside the tree is a bit of a surprise and if you're not careful you'll get what's coming to you.

You're able to jump on enemies, throw the acorns you collect at them or smack them with your tail. Of course not all enemies lend themselves to being jumped on, but you'll have to figure that out for yourself.

The secrets on each level aren't hard to find, so younger gamers can get there without too much stress. The secret paths and areas usually hold extra coins, extra lives and energy points so you can increase the amount of times you can get hit before you die. This is a huge necessity in this game.

The bosses at the end of each level aren't that tough, so beating the game happens pretty quickly. Once again, this not a game for hardcore fans but it is for younger ones. That's not to say that the hardcore fans won't have fun with this, though.

One really big downside to this game is the lack of a save or password type feature. You get a certain number of continues but once they run out you have to start over from the beginning. There really is no excuse for not having some type of password or save feature with this type of game. Another downer is that this game so closely resembles Sonic. Instead of rings you collect coins. Sonic bounces on enemies and Mr. Nutz smacks them with his tail and the list goes on. So if you're looking for something inventive and new, this isn't it. However, it is fun to play and worth a rent. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

Very well drawn and fun to look at. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

It can get very annoying so play with the sound off. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

There are a few secrets to find so you may want to get them all. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

The instruction booklet has the basic information needed but nothing more. ~ Jason White, All Game Guide