Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Adventure, Platform
- Platforms: Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System/Mark III, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Developers: Probe Entertainment
- Publishers: Sega, Tec Toy
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote (1994)
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote is a platformer game released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. The game stars the famous Looney Tunes characters Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.
Gameplay
The player controls Road Runner, who must run and jump through various levels while avoiding obstacles and collecting stars. Road Runner can also eat birdseed to replenish his life and speed up. The clock is constantly ticking, and if Road Runner runs out of time, he loses a life. Collecting stars adds time to the clock.
There are a variety of items and power-ups that Road Runner can collect, including:
- Birdseed: Replenishes Road Runner’s life and speed.
- Stars: Add time to the clock.
- Acme Rockets: Give Road Runner a temporary speed boost.
- Anvil Helmets: Protect Road Runner from falling anvils.
- Super Sneakers: Allow Road Runner to jump higher and farther.
Road Runner must also avoid a variety of obstacles, including:
- Cacti: Can damage Road Runner if he touches them.
- Coyotes: Will try to catch Road Runner and slow him down.
- Anvils: Fall from the sky and can crush Road Runner if he is not careful.
Levels
The game features a total of 10 levels, each with its own unique theme and challenges. The levels are:
- Desert Run: A simple level that introduces the basic gameplay mechanics.
- Canyon Chase: A more challenging level with narrow paths and high cliffs.
- Mine Cart Madness: A level set in a mine, with moving mine carts and exploding TNT.
- Haunted Highway: A spooky level with ghosts, bats, and other Halloween-themed obstacles.
- Arctic Antics: A level set in the Arctic, with icebergs, snowmen, and penguins.
- Jungle Jumble: A level set in a jungle, with vines, trees, and monkeys.
- Factory Frenzy: A level set in a factory, with conveyor belts, gears, and other industrial hazards.
- Construction Chaos: A level set in a construction site, with cranes, bulldozers, and other construction equipment.
- Space Race: A level set in space, with asteroids, planets, and flying saucers.
- Coyote’s Castle: The final level, where Road Runner must face off against Wile E. Coyote in his castle.
Difficulty Settings
The game features three difficulty settings:
- Easy: Enemies are slower and less aggressive, and there are more items and power-ups available.
- Normal: The default difficulty setting, with a moderate level of challenge.
- Hard: Enemies are faster and more aggressive, and there are fewer items and power-ups available.
Graphics and Sound
The game’s graphics are colorful and cartoonish, and the character sprites are well-animated. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the sound effects are appropriate for the Looney Tunes theme.
Reception
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s fast-paced gameplay and charming graphics, while others criticized its repetitive level design and lack of innovation. Overall, the game was a modest success, and it remains a cult classic among fans of the Looney Tunes characters.
Legacy
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote is one of the few platformer games to star the Looney Tunes characters. The game is notable for its fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and charming music. While it may not be the most innovative or challenging platformer ever made, it is a fun and nostalgic game that is sure to appeal to fans of the Looney Tunes.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
