Superman (1999 video game)
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| Superman | |
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| Developer(s) | Titus Software |
| Publisher(s) | Titus Software |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date(s) | NA May 29, 1999 EU July 23, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E |
| Media | 64-megabit cartridge |
| Input methods | Nintendo 64 controller |
Superman, unofficially referred to as Superman 64, is a video game that was released by Titus Software on May 31, 1999 on the Nintendo 64. The game is based on the Superman Animated Series. It is notorious for negative reception it received from critics and is considered one of the worst games of all time.[1]
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[edit] Story
Lex Luthor creates a virtual version of Metropolis and then succeeds in trapping Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Professor Emil Hamilton within it. Superman is forced to enter the virtual world, then to fly through a series of rings and destroy cars. He also has to complete puzzle obstacles in order to save his friends and stop Lex Luthor. Other villains Superman battles in the game include Parasite and Brainiac.
[edit] Gameplay
The player assumes the role of Superman and is challenged to complete puzzle obstacles throughout the game; usually levels contain similar challenges. In most levels, Superman flies through a series of rings within a time limit (unless the player chooses to play the game on an easy difficulty; the rings then disappear but the timer remains the same). The "virtual Metropolis" is filled with what the developers called "Kryptonite fog" (which was actually the draw distance), supposedly there to slow him down. The game also features "Solve the Maze" segments where the player is given a time limit to solve certain obstacles similar to mazes.
[edit] Voices
- Tim Daly : Superman
- Clancy Brown:[original research?] Lex Luthor
- Dana Delany : Lois Lane
- David Kaufman : Jimmy Olsen
- Victor Brandt : Professor Emil Hamilton
- Corey Burton : Brainiac
[edit] Development
Superman was unveiled at E3 1997.[2]
According to an early interview with Eric Caen, co-founder of Titus Software, the game was originally intended to have a multiplayer mode for up to four players.[3] Also, early print advertisements for the game, run in gaming magazines for their December 1998 issues, show that a version of the game was planned to be released for the PlayStation as well.[4]
[edit] Reception
The game received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. The game was rated as the "7th worst game of all time" in a list created by Seanbaby in Electronic Gaming Monthly.[5] It also ranked 2nd on G4's Filter in its "top 10 worst games of the '90s". Nintendo Power magazine rated it as the worst game on a Nintendo system.[6] On MTV's Gamer's 2.0, it was rated the #1 worst game of 1999. The game also topped GameSpy's list of the ten worst comic book based video games, as compiled by journalist David Chapman.[7] On GameTrailers, it was ranked #1 as the worst game of all time, just ahead of E.T. for the Atari 2600.[8]
Game reviewers focused their individual scores primarily on over-responsive controls in addition to monotonous gameplay. The flight controls are extremely unresponsive, sometimes requiring multiple button presses for a response from the game. Critics found little redeeming value in the game.[9]
IGN reviewer Matt Casamassina gave the game a 3.5 out of 10, stating that "it is executed so poorly that it actually serves to butcher the reputation of the prominent action hero."[10] GameSpot gave the game a score of 1.3 out of 10, making it the fourth lowest rated game by GameSpot, declaring that "It serves no purpose other than to firmly establish the bottom of the barrel".[9] Currently, the game holds a 23% from Gamerankings.
The game was featured in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2009 book for lowest rated superhero game.
[edit] References
- ^ "Superman Reviews". Gamerankings.com. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/198862.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "E3 Chronicles: The First 10 Years - 1997". ArmchairEmpire.com. http://www.armchairempire.com/Features/e3-chronicles/1997.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ IGN Staff (1998). "Eric Caen of Titus Software (interview)". IGN.com. http://ign64.ign.com/articles/060/060237p1.html. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ "The New Superman Adventures advertisement". NP 115, page 101 (Nintendo Power). December 1998.
- ^ Riley, Sean. "Seanbaby's EGM's Crapstravaganza: The 20 worst Video Games of All Time.". Seanbaby.com. http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm07.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ "Top 5 Worst Games Ever". NP 196 (Nintendo Power). 2005.
- ^ Chapman, David (2004). "Comics to Consoles: Part II - When Good Comics Go Bad". GameSpy.com. http://www.gamespy.com/articles/530/530950p1.html. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ "Top 10 Best and Worst Video Games of All Time". 2006-11-17. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/15147.html. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ a b Fielder, Joe (1999). "Superman (review)". GameSpot.com. http://www.gamespot.com/n64/adventure/superman64/review.html. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "IGN 64 Superman Review". IGN. http://ign64.ign.com/articles/151/151957p1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
