C&VG


Yogi Bear

Publisher: Piranha
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #73

Yogi Bear

"Hey, Yogi, how come you're the star of a computer game?"

"That's easy, Boo Boo. It's because I'm smarter than the average bear."

Unfortunately, the resulting game isn't smarter than the average game. It's a simple left to right scrolling effort which lacks any immediate hookability to keep me playing.

Yogi Bear

The setting is Jellystone Park where Yogi, his little bear pal, Boo Boo, and of course Ranger Smith have lived a hectic existence for years.

Well, things have never been this grim. Boo Boo has been bear-napped, kidnapped or stolen, by a hunter and is about to be sold to a circus. He's being held captive in the hunter's cabin somewhere in Jellystone Park.

Yogi is, not surprisingly, a little upset at losing his old chum, and sets out to rescue him. The ever-hungry Yogi must replenish his energy by finding food - especially the nourishing picnic baskets left behind by forgetful campers.

Yogi Bear

And - as if you hadn't already guessed - there are lots of hazards for Yogi - geysers, bees, birds, frogs, etc.

At the bottom of the screen is the Boo-meter which shows how far Yogi is away from his pent up pal.

Each part of Jellystone poses different problems - rivers to jump, lakes to cross, sharp-fanged snakes, angry campers, furious fat ladies, a mean-minded moose, hot-tempered hunters and Ranger Smith who always chases Yogi.

Yogi Bear

As well as being full of crazy critters, Jellystone has some strange caves. Yogi will have to use them from time to time. But when he goes in one he doesn't know here he's going to come out. It may be nearer to Boo-Boo or it may be further away.

When Yogi starts his mission of mercy, it is January. When December comes, Yogi has to hibernate and Boo-Boo will never be rescued. So Yogi has to free Boo-Boo as quickly as possible and as the seasons change and hibernation gets near, things start looking bad for Boo Boo.

The game looks all right - the programmers have done quite a good job on Yogi, capturing the cartoon character well. But it falls down on playability.