Cool World (1993-)

Developer: Ocean
Publisher: Ocean
Genre: Action
Composer: Keith Tinman

Cool World for the NES was developed by Ocean Software and released in 1992, serving as one of several video game adaptations of the film of the same name. Published by Ocean, the NES version was released around the same time as the movie, which starred Brad Pitt and mixed live-action with animation. While the film inspired various adaptations across different platforms, the NES version stood apart in terms of gameplay and design, offering a unique take on the story’s central conflict.

The game follows the general premise of the movie, where the barrier between the real world and the cartoonish "Cool World" is at risk of collapsing. Players assume the role of Detective Frank Harris, tasked with maintaining the balance between the two realms. Gameplay involves navigating through a series of side-scrolling levels, avoiding enemies, collecting items, and sealing breaches between worlds by capturing Doodles — mischievous cartoon characters causing havoc. The NES version leaned heavily into platforming elements, with tight controls and puzzle-solving sequences defining its structure.

There were no direct prequels to Cool World, but the game capitalized on the film's release and popularity at the time. As was common in the early 1990s, the game was marketed alongside the movie with shared artwork, logos, and promotional materials to appeal to fans of the film. However, the limitations of the NES hardware and the need to simplify the film’s mature themes led to a more generic action-platformer that loosely followed the source material rather than directly adapting its plot or characters in detail.

Upon release, Cool World for the NES received a lukewarm reception. Critics and players often cited the repetitive gameplay, unclear objectives, and underwhelming graphics as shortcomings, particularly when compared to other platformers available at the time. While it drew some interest due to the movie tie-in, it failed to achieve lasting popularity. Over time, the NES version has become a curiosity among collectors, more remembered for its connection to a strange and ambitious film than for its gameplay achievements.

Images from MobyGames