The Addams Family (video game series)
There have been five video games based on The Addams Family television series and films, released between 1989 and 2002 on various home video game consoles.
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[edit] Fester's Quest
| Fester's Quest | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Sunsoft |
| Publisher(s) | Sunsoft |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Run and gun / Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Media/distribution | 2-megabit cartridge |
Fester's Quest is a video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System based on the 1960s television series The Addams Family. It was released in 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe.[1]
[edit] Story
Assuming the role of Uncle Fester, the player embarks on a quest to save the Addams' town from an alien invasion.
[edit] Gameplay
Along the way, Fester encounters other members of the Addams Family: Thing, Wednesday, Morticia, Grandmama, and Pugsley, all of whom help him by giving him different weapons and items. The game uses Blaster Master's overhead shooter engine.
Fester may enter certain buildings, which transform the game from its standard overhead view into a 3D mode of play akin to a dungeon crawl. In most buildings, Fester encounters one of five enormous Alien Boss characters, which upon defeat will supply him with a puzzle piece, a picture of the alien's UFO, and refill all of his items. After defeating a boss, Fester will leave the building and be unable to backtrack through it to previously visited areas.
[edit] Reception
Computer and Video Games magazine issue 108 rated the game at 56%.[2]
[edit] The Addams Family
| The Addams Family | |
|---|---|
 Sega Master System box art. |
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| Developer(s) | Ocean Software |
| Platform(s) | NES, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, Game Boy, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, TurboGrafx-CD, ZX Spectrum |
| Release date(s) | 1992 |
| Genre(s) | platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The Addams Family is a platform game released by Ocean in 1992.[3] The game was released for Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, Super NES, Amiga and Atari ST. It is based on the 1991 movie of the same name.
The characters bear resemblances to their movie counterparts.
[edit] Gameplay
The game followed the Addams Family father and husband, Gomez Addams, as he attempts to save the members of his family who have been kidnapped. They have been stowed away in various locations in the mansion and are protected by a boss of some sort. The manservant Lurch and the severed hand Thing are the only characters not to be kidnapped. Thing will provide hints on gameplay whenever Gomez finds one of his red boxes marked with an 'A' for 'Addams'. Gomez starts outside the front door of the mansion. Inside the house, Gomez can move from level to level in basically any order. The player will soon discover that the mansion is full of secrets, hidden passageways and side levels and bosses (for the purpose of increasing Gomez's health). Gomez dispatches enemies by simply jumping on their heads (similar to the Super Mario games). He can also find objects to throw at them, such as golf balls. The game did not have a save system but, instead, bore a password system. Through progression of the game, the player would receive passwords, enabling him or her to start where they left off.
[edit] Other versions
- The game had a very similar version for the NES, Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System (the latter two developed by Arc Developments rather than Oceansoft).[3] It also featured Gomez Addams looking for his family in the mansion, as well as many of the same themed-locations. It was ported in 1993[3] with different graphics, different layout and less linear gameplay. For example, if the player had freed Granny, she would fix her "fog machine" to provide one of the items necessary to free Pugsley.
- A TurboGrafx-16 CD version was also developed by ICOM Simulations and published by NEC,[4] though in this version the protagonist is the Addams's lawyer, Tully Alford, despite being an antagonist in the movie.
- Two more version of the game were developed; one for the Game Boy and another version for computer systems Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.[3]
[edit] Reception
Reviews are mixed for the game with the Amiga and the SNES versions reaching scores of up to 95%,[5] while the versions for the NES and Game Boy received significantly lower scores.[6] It has been commented that the movie licence saves the game from becoming a "boring Mario clone"[7].
[edit] The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt
| The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Ocean, Enigma Variations Ltd |
| Publisher(s) | Ocean |
| Platform(s) | Super NES, Game Boy, NES |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone |
| Media/distribution | Cartridge |
The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt is a video game released by Ocean in 1993. It was based on the second animated series.
It was released on all three of Nintendo's systems at the time:
The Game Boy version was ported for the system by Enigma Variations Ltd.
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[edit] Story
The plot of Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt centered around Pugsley's attempts to win a scavenger hunt challenge proposed by his sister, Wednesday. His hunt takes him to the bedrooms of each member of the Addams family in order to find one item from each.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is a side scrolling platformer adventure game that plays in a very similar way to the previous Addams Family title. The game plays in a non-linear way in so much that the player can choose which level to attempt by entering whichever door they choose in the Addams house.
[edit] Versions
The NES version was not a direct port of the SNES version. The NES version was actually based on the previous Addams Family game released for Super NES, Mega Drive and Amiga,[9] showing the same levels, enemies, items and gameplay but with Pugsley as main character instead of Gomez. However, the NES version lacked the freezer and crypt levels (they were reduced to the boss fights only) and the rest of the levels were shortened. It also lacked any music, aside from the Addams theme on the title screen and ending. The NES version also lacked the two weapons from the SNES (swords and golf balls). However, it did allow the player to obtain a password whenever they paused the game, whereas the SNES Addams Family would only display passwords after each boss was defeated. The Game Boy version was a port of the NES version. However, it had cut even more of the game. The stove level was completely removed (defeating the snowman boss would award Pugsley a heart like the other versions, but would also free Granny) as well as the big bird boss (Pugsley would start the game with the extra heart already in his possession). The final level was also removed, as entering the final door would send Pugsley directly to the final boss fight. Thing's hint boxes were also removed from this version.
[edit] Reception
A major source of criticism for the SNES version was the lack of a password feature, despite the game being very difficult. A password feature is present on both the NES and Game Boy versions. Super Play Magazine UK praised the graphics as they were more colourful than in the previous title, saying that "This is one of those games that it's fun just to sit and watch, not only to play."[10] Review scores for the SNES version are generally higher than for either the NES or Game Boy versions.[11]
[edit] Addams Family Values
| Addams Family Values | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Ocean Software |
| Publisher(s) | Ocean Software |
| Platform(s) | Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release date(s) | Mega Drive
SNES
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| Genre(s) | Action RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) |
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Addams Family Values is an Action RPG based on the film of the same name produced by Ocean Software and released in 1995 for the Sega Mega Drive and Super NES.
[edit] Story
Loosely based on the plot of the film, the player takes the role of Uncle Fester as he searches for the recently kidnapped baby Pubert. On the way he receives help from The Addams Family and a host of original characters from the game.
[edit] Gameplay
An action adventure game with slight RPG elements (you gain more hit points while proceeding in the game, can upgrade your equipment and special attacks). You control Fester, by moving him around, fighting regular enemies and bosses, talking to members of Addams household, and occasionally solving puzzles. The combat is pure action, Zelda-style.
[edit] Reception
The graphics and sound have been described as "average".[13] It has also been called "very fun and addictive".[13] and a "forgotten gem"[13] A criticism is that instead of a save system the game relies on passwords, and that these passwords are given to the player in unusual locations and too infrequently.[13]
[edit] The New Addams Family
| The New Addams Family | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | 7th Sense |
| Publisher(s) | MC2-Microïds |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Color |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ERSB: Everyone |
The New Addams Family (The New Addams Family Series in Europe) is an adventure video game released for Nintendo's Game Boy Color in 2001. It was developed by 7th Sense and published by MC2-Microïds. It is based on The New Addams Family television series that ran from 1998 to 1999.
[edit] Story
The family mansion is going to be demolished and replaced by an amusement park, and therefore the family will be evicted. While the adults are trying to find a solution, the children roam the house helping out in their own peculiar way. Only if they find the estate ownership documents the contractors can be stopped.
[edit] Gameplay
The player control both Pugsley and Wednesday Addams, and must navigate the house, collecting items, solving puzzles and conversing with other members of the family.
[edit] References
- ^ "Fester's Quest Release data". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/data/563413.html. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ Glancey, Paul (1990-11). "Fester's Quest". http://amr.abime.net/review_27047.
- ^ a b c d "Release Information for The Addams Family". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/addams-family/release-info. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Famiily release information for Turbo CD". http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/turbocd/data/589185.html. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Family reviews". Amiga Magazine Rack. http://amr.abime.net/review_4009. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Family - Moby Games". http://www.mobygames.com/game/addams-family/mobyrank. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Family for Genesis". http://www.mobygames.com/game/genesis/addams-family/mobyrank. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ a b c "Release Information for The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt". Moby Games. http://www.mobygames.com/game/addams-family-pugsleys-scavenger-hunt/release-info. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "Addams Family, The: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt". Game Freaks 365. http://www.gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=1184. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt for SNES". Super Play Magazine UK. http://www.mobygames.com/game/snes/addams-family-pugsleys-scavenger-hunt/mobyrank. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt". Moby Games. http://www.mobygames.com/game/addams-family-pugsleys-scavenger-hunt/mobyrank. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ a b "Addams Family Values". http://www.guardiana.net/MDG-Database/Mega%20Drive/Addams%20Family%20Values/#v89. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ a b c d Olsen, E "Addams Family Values"
[edit] External links
- Fester's Quest at MobyGames
- Fester's Quest at GameFAQs
- The Addams Family at MobyGames
- The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt at MobyGames
- Addams Family Values (SNES) at GameFAQs
- Addams Family Values at MobyGames
- The New Addams Family Series at MobyGames
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