Developer: Blue Sky Software Publisher: Sega Release: 06/15/93 Genre: Platformer
Growing up Ren & Stimpy was always a curiosity to me. I’ve never been a fan of the types of gross out humor the series specialized in. But at the same time I did find it amusing on occasion. Ren & Stimpy were incredibly popular and the video game blitz followed. And I do mean blitz; THQ released four SNES games in less than two years. Sadly they ranged from mediocre to Christ what were you thinking. Meanwhile Sega and Blue Sky Software got it right the first time. Stimpy’s Invention captured the spirit of the show beautifully while also being a great platformer as well.
The title comes from the episode of the same name, which this is loosely based on. Stimpy grows tired of being an idiot and somehow concocts a machine that will make you happy all the time. The TV episode was trippy as hell and also saved the show from cancellation. Here the machine is destroyed with the game comprising the quest to collect the scattered pieces.
Stimpy’s Invention differs from most platformers in that you control both characters simultaneously. Well, not completely. One is the lead while the other follows. For the most part both Ren and Stimpy control the same. The difference comes in their combination moves. Using simple button combinations you can grab your partner for varying effects. These are often hilarious; Stimpy uses Ren as a shovel while Ren hops on his back for a horseback leap. While the moves are the same functionally there are small nuances that make them different. The Ren boomerang is better than Stimpy’s bowling ball as it deals damage on the way back. The Ren Helicopter isn’t as effective as the double hop as it lacks that move’s invincibility. You can switch characters at any time although it isn’t necessary with skill.
The controls are tight but more importantly simple enough to easily perform all of the complex actions. That being said the game truly excels in cooperative multiplayer. With two players communicating it becomes easier to position and use the right moves in a given situation. I’ve never been much of a multiplayer fan but I really enjoyed it here despite not being a fan of the source material. I would even hazard a guess and say this was built with multiplayer in mind.
Stimpy’s Invention takes place almost entirely within the city. Yet despite that the level design is excellent and full of more variety than two platformers put together. Every level is unique and has multiple sections. The Zoo moves from the Hippo exhibit to the monkey cages before its final segment where you pump yourself up with air and use your explosive farts to fly. After you leave the construction site of the City you end up in a thrilling bicycle chase with a rabid dog catcher. The fun isn’t over once you’ve collected the pieces of the machine either. You actually have to go inside it to turn it off.
There’s only one problem: it’s too short! Stimpy’s Invention is a mere six levels long and with its mechanics should have been longer. The game is incredibly easy and most will blow through it in twenty minutes or so. There are a few frustrating areas (the bike riding segment can kiss my ass) but overall the game puts up little fight. They’ve packed so much variety in the game that it is criminal it is over so fast. With a few more levels this could have been one of the best platformers on the system.
While I’ve learned not to expect much from licensed games Stimpy’s Invention looks fantastic. Almost every environment is two to four layers deep with scrolling and looks excellent. The limited color palette manages to capture the look of the show brilliantly despite some dithering. But more so than the art the excellent animation of the protagonists is the true star. With such a large number of actions they could easily have phoned it in. However the animation work is great and usually hilarious. Honestly the only aspect that falls flat is the music which is completely forgettable.
In Closing
We have been conditioned to expect mediocrity from licensed games. But in this case throw that caution to the wind. Stimpy’s Invention is a great game either solo or with a friend and would still be awesome without its license. That Blue Sky Software managed to use it to craft such a varied adventure is amazing. The game is dirt cheap and more than worth it in my opinion.
