Aero the Acro-Bat
| Aero the Acro-Bat | |
|---|---|
|
Packaging for the Genesis version | |
| Developer(s) |
David Siller Iguana Entertainment (GEN, SNES) Atomic Planet Entertainment (GBA) |
| Publisher(s) |
Sunsoft (GEN, SNES) Metro 3D/Zoo Digital (GBA) |
| Composer(s) | Rick Fox (credited as Fox Productions) |
| Platform(s) |
Sega Genesis Super Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Aero the Acro-Bat is a video game developed by Iguana Entertainment,[1] and published by Sunsoft in 1993. It was released for the Sega Genesis first in August then for the Super Nintendo in October.
Origin
Aero the Acro-Bat, a red anthropomorphic bat, was created by David Siller, co-creator of Crash Bandicoot and Maximo: Ghosts to Glory. He was inspired in part by the "mascots with attitude" trend that was common following the introduction of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog[1] in 1991.
Plot
Aero the Acro-Bat works and lives in The World of Amusement Circus and Funpark. He must defend and save the circus from an evil industrialist and ex-clown called Edgar Ektor. Aero must also deal with Ektor's sidekick Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel.
Characters
- Aero the Acro-Bat – The 'star' performer of the "Flying Pepperonis" troupe of The World of Amusements Circus and Funpark.
- Edgar Ektor – A powerful industrialist and ex-clown, who as a young boy was banished from the same circus for performing dangerous tricks on unsuspecting customers. Now, Ektor has returned to unleash his plot to destroy the circus.
- Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel – Edgar Ektor's henchman. Both Zero and Ektor along with their flying machine is the final boss of the game.
- Stilt Brothers – The first boss of the game; two stilted clown brothers juggling torches.
- Mr. Bubbles – The second boss of the game; a mechanical clown controlled by Zero.
- Aeriel – Aero's girlfriend, who was kidnapped by Ektor's men and locked her away in a cage. In Circus Act 2, Aero has to find a key that is hidden in this level and rescue her.
Gameplay
The levels are played in typical 2D platforming style, but in order to clear levels, the player must accomplish certain tasks so that the exit warp can be revealed. Those tasks include passing through hoops, stepping on platforms until they disappear, riding roller coasters, etc. There are 4 worlds with 5 levels in each one, and the levels are large, many of them containing awkwardly positioned spikes that kill instantly.[1]
Aero can attack enemies by shooting limited stars or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack at his target (when he is in the air).[1]
The SNES version used the Aero title song as level 1-1, but the Genesis version used the Saber Dance song as level 1-1 instead (which it shares with level 2-2). The SNES version also featured a level intro song which the Genesis version lacks entirely. However, the Genesis version features some music that the SNES version lacks, such as the level 4-3 theme.
Reception
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Genesis version a 7.6 out of 10. They criticized the absence of the exceptionally good music of the Super NES version, but held it to still be an excellent game with its large, challenging levels.[2]
Aero the Acro-Bat was awarded Best New Character of 1993 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[3]
Legacy
During the 16-bit era, Aero had a fair share of fame. Sunsoft used him as a mascot during the 16-bit console days. After the 16-bit decline, he disappeared and was forgotten until 2002, when Metro 3D decided to port this game for the Game Boy Advance, with a battery back-up (which the original versions lacked).[1]
The SNES version of the game was on the Wii's Virtual Console in the PAL region on July 23, 2010 and in North America on July 26, 2010. Its sequel, Aero the Acro-Bat 2, was released for the Virtual Console on September 20, 2010.
See also
Notes and references
- 1 2 3 4 5 "IGN's Review of Aero the Acrobat (GBA)". Retrieved 2007-06-06.
- ↑ "Review Crew: Aero the Acro-Bat". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (54): 46. January 1994.
- ↑ "Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide". 1994.