Developer: Masaya Publisher: Dreamworks Release: 1990 Genre: Puzzle
Now here is a game I have forgotten about. Trampoline Terror is one of those random games you borrow from a friend when you have exhausted their library. You do not expect much but it ends up surprising you. I love action puzzle games; Mendel Palace is one of my favorite underrated NES games and the Lolo series is still enticing to this day even though it frustrates me like no other (in a good way). Trampoline Terror follows along the same lines with simple gameplay that rises above its status through brilliant level design.
The premise of every level is simple. Each stage has a set number of switch tiles you need to step on to make them explode. The level is cleared when you have removed all switches. The map of each stage is a 16 x 16 grid that wraps around itself which looks trippy and confusing but is very cool. Your only means of offense are the power balls you can pick up and throw. Once tossed you can pick them back up but they are also affected by the various tiles and can be lost. Not every level has one which means you have to be smart about dodging enemies. You can also trick enemies into running into an exploding tile but that is not reliable. The enemies also respawn after a while as combat is not the focus of the game.
In addition to switch tiles there are various others as well. The most common are the titular trampoline tiles. These come in various colors that allow you to bounce on them a number of times before they break. They cycle from green to blue to yellow then red. These are the most important as they are usually the only means to get around the levels. Gold tiles randomly disappear and will be the bane of your life. There are also the rare teleport tiles to leave you confused.
The level design is the star of Trampoline Terror. Do not let the beginning stages fool you. It ramps up quickly. Once platforming becomes involved the maps become more complex. Now strategic in which tiles you explode first as well as ensuring you have a trampoline to escape. Even the simplest map becomes difficult when multiple enemies swarm simultaneously. The late game presents interesting challenges that often make use of advanced mechanics. Round 27 for example features one switch surrounded by four broken red tiles. The key is to activate three green tiles to restore them which require some navigation. Some levels are simple fun. Round 32 is the last stage before the finale and is one mass of red tiles you must navigate to hit its four switches.
Trampoline Terror does its best to offer variety to keep you engaged. Every four levels the world changes. The change in setting is welcome and each world tends to focus on specific mechanics. Considering there are 33 levels in total they have done a good job overall. I wish there were more enemy variety; there are about five you deal with for the entire length of the game. True combat is not the point but it helps. Also the one boss battle at the end is a pretty cool touch and I would love it if there were more sprinkled throughout the game. But these are minor quibbles.
There is a gradual difficulty curve that eases you in to the game. The first eight levels or so are relatively simple and impossible to fail. After that the game begins to ask more of you. The platforming becomes more involved and the levels become more populous. Annoying enemies like bullet heads are more common and create a sense of urgency. Even though the later maps are small their layout becomes more complex. You will need to exercise planning as some switches are placed in such a way that they need to be activated last. It becomes hard but never feels impossible, a tough balancing act that most games of this type do not manage. I do with there were a password feature; completing the game in one sitting can be a bit rough.
In Closing
Trampoline Terror is a divisive title. The gameplay loop is simple yet engaging but I can also see how some might not be invested for the long haul. Personally I like it as it offers something different. But I don’t know if I would fully recommend it. My suggestion is to watch a youtube video and see if it is for you.
