Aero the Acro-Bat
| Aero the Acro-Bat | |
|---|---|
 Packaging for the Genesis version | |
| Developer(s) |
Iguana Entertainment (GEN, SNES) Atomic Planet Entertainment (GBA) |
| Publisher(s) |
Sunsoft (GEN, SNES) Metro 3D/Zoo Digital (GBA) |
| Designer(s) |
David Siller Nigel Cook |
| Composer(s) | Rick Fox (credited as Fox Productions) |
| Platform(s) |
Sega Genesis Super Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Aero the Acro-Bat is a 1993 video game developed by Iguana Entertainment,[1] and published by Sunsoft in 1993. It was released for both the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis.
Origin
Aero the Acro-Bat, a red anthropomorphic bat, was created by David Siller, designer of Crash Bandicoot and Maximo: Ghosts to Glory. He was inspired in part by the "mascots with attitude" trend that was common following the introduction of Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog[1] in 1991.
Plot
Aero the Acro-Bat works and lives in The World of Amusement Circus and Funpark. He must defend and save the circus from an evil industrialist and ex-clown called Edgar Ektor. Aero must also deal with Ektor's sidekick Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel.
Gameplay
The levels are played in typical 2D platforming style, but in order to clear levels, the player must accomplish certain tasks so that the exit warp can be revealed. Those tasks include passing through hoops, stepping on platforms until they disappear, riding roller coasters, etc. There are 4 worlds with 5 levels in each one, and the levels are large, many of them containing awkwardly positioned spikes that kill instantly.[1]
Aero can attack enemies by shooting limited stars or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack at his target (when he is in the air).[1]
The SNES version used the Aero title song as level 1-1, but the Genesis version used the Saber Dance song as level 1-1 instead (which it shares with level 2-2). The SNES version also featured a level intro song which the Genesis version lacks entirely. However, the Genesis version features some music that the SNES version lacks, such as the level 4-3 theme.
Levels
| Level | Mission |
|---|---|
| Circus Act 1 | Find 7 Star Platforms |
| Circus Act 2 | Find The Key And Rescue Aeriel |
| Circus Bonus | Dive Into The Tank |
| Circus Act 3 | Find 15 Star Platforms |
| Circus Act 4 | Jump Through 25 Magic Hoops |
| Circus Act 5 | Turn On All The Lights |
| Circus Boss | Meet The Stilt Brothers |
| Funpark Act 1 | Find 5 Star Platforms |
| Funpark Act 2 | Ride The Roller Coaster |
| Funpark Act 3 | Find Keys And Open The Doors |
| Funpark Act 4 | Ride The Rotor |
| Funpark Bonus | Stay Alive |
| Funpark Act 5 | Jump Through 25 Magic Hoops |
| Funpark Boss | Meet Mr. Bubbles |
| Woods Act 1 | Find The Exit |
| Woods Act 2 | Ride The Barrel |
| Woods Act 3 | Do The Bungee |
| Woods Act 4 | Ride The Rapids |
| Museum Act 1 | Explore The Hallway |
| Museum Act 2 | Ride The Conveyor Belts |
| Museum Act 3 | The Tower |
| Museum Bonus | Jump On The Trampolines |
| Museum Act 4 | Explore The Secret Passages |
| Museum Act 5 | The Laboratory |
| Museum Boss | Edgar Ektor's Domain |
Reception
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Genesis version a 7.6 out of 10. They criticized the absence of the exceptionally good music of the SNES version, but held it to still be an excellent game with its large, challenging levels.[2]
Aero the Acro-Bat was awarded Best New Character of 1993 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[3]
Legacy
During the 16-bit era, Aero had a fair share of fame. Sun Corporation of America used him as a mascot during the 16-bit console days. After the era decline, he disappeared until 2002, when Metro 3D ported the game to the Game Boy Advance, with a battery back-up (which the original versions lacked).[1] The GBA version was also released in Japan as Acrobat Kid.
The SNES version of the game was released on the Wii's Virtual Console in the PAL region on July 23, 2010 and in North America on July 26, 2010. Its sequel, Aero the Acro-Bat 2, was released for the Virtual Console on September 20, 2010.
Cancelled animated series
An animated series of Aero the Acro-Bat was planned to be released in 1995 by Saban Entertainment. Unfortunately the series was cancelled due to the popularity of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.
See also
Notes and references
- 1 2 3 4 5 "IGN's Review of Aero the Acrobat (GBA)". Retrieved 2007-06-06.
- ↑ "Review Crew: Aero the Acro-Bat". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff Davis (54): 46. January 1994.
- ↑ "Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide". 1994.