Developer: Taito Publisher: Taito Released: 1994 Genre: Plaformer
Seriously what was up with Taito and their late NES output? Taito released some of the finest games on the system in its twilight years that hardly anyone played. Titles like Kick Master and Little Samson are absolutely incredible and deserve a higher profile. Then there are the lesser known titles like Panic Restaurant and this gem. You would not be at fault for assuming The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is a cheap cash-in. Considering it is one of the system’s last games in the US I thought so too. But delve deeper and you’ll find a well thought out platformer that has solid mechanics and puts up a decent fight.
I bought Surprise at Dinosaur Peak completely on a whim. Around late 1994 when Blockbuster video were getting rid of their entire NES catalog at bargain bin prices Surprise at Dinosaur Peak was still there. Personally I was there to buy Crystalis but someone else got it first. Remembering the Nintendo Power article and not wanting to leave empty handed I picked this up along with other games like Wizards & Warriors III, Vice: Project Doom, and Dragon Warrior II. Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is a surprisingly solid game but is more infamous for its price. The game is so rare it commands nearly a thousand dollars for a bare cart. If only I had held on to it I….could have paid my rent for a month. The chances of coming across this in the wild is rare but if it is cheap go for it.
Both Fred and Barney are playable and you can switch at any time. Each has particular abilities that are heavily relied on throughout the game. Fred is the stronger of the two and can charge up his club for stronger attacks. He can also break blocks and walls and shimmy up ledges. Barney attacks from long range but the difference in strength is significant. His key move is to hang from ledges and stand on poles. These differences may seem slight at first, but they become crucial later on.
In terms of structure Surprise at Dinosaur Peak reminds me of the SNES version of Joe & Mac. And just like that game the overworld map is largely superfluous. This is a very linear game and the world map only contains a few distractions. There are a variety of minigames to play such as ice hockey and basketball to earn extra lives but they are few. Its nice window dressing though.
If one were to judge Surprise at Dinosaur Peak by its first few levels it would be bland. The mechanics are solid and there are fun bits here and there. But it also does not ask much of you as a player. It also heavily favors Fred over Barney, whether it is the platforming or the damage sponge bosses. There is nothing wrong with nailing the basics and providing a solid if unexciting time. If the game had stayed like that up until its conclusion it would be easily forgettable like most licensed titles. This would especially ring true given that the game came out when 16-bit was hitting its peak.
Halfway through the Flintstones however it grows a backbone and starts to challenge the player. There are longer platforming segments using both characters where one false step equals death. The game becomes creative with the use of their abilities and I like it. By the time you reach the haunted house you need to execute rapid character switches frequently to progress. Once you reach Dinosaur Peak the platforming goes up to 11. The final stretch of levels are some of the most fun I have had on the NES and present the type of platforming challenge fans live for.
Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is only let down by its fidgety controls. Grabbing onto ledges Fred never feels intuitive no matter how much time you have spent. Likewise Barney’s ability to stand on poles works oddly. You have to hold the jump button before climbing up and even then he can only stand for a second. It is unfortunate as the end game calls on these skills heavily. You will suffer many a cheap death because of this sadly. If the controls were tighter this could have been a really special title.
In Closing
The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak! is a good game in an unlikely package. Were it released 3 years prior I am sure it would be more well known. But as a late 1994 release on the NES there was no way it could avoid obscurity. This is a solid game overall but not one that is worth actively seeking out due to its rarity.
