Cool Spot (video game)

Infobox VG| title = Cool Spot


developer = Virgin Interactive
publisher = Virgin Interactive
designer =
engine =
released = Mega Drive/Genesis
^EU 1993
^NA 1993
Amiga
^EU 1993
Master System
^EU 1993
Game Gear
^NA 1993
SNES
^NA September, 1993

^EU February 24, 1994
Game Boy
^NA 1994
MS-DOS
1994
genre = Platform
modes = Single-player
ratings =
platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Amiga, Super NES, Game Boy, DOS
media = Cartridge or Disk
requirements =
input =

"Cool Spot" was a mascot for 7 Up in the first half of the 1990s. During this time, the red spot in the 7 Up logo was anthropomorphized -- given arms, legs, a mouth, and sunglasses. Many choose to link this design to the 'cool mascot' trend of the time started mainly by the success of Sonic The Hedgehog.fact|date=September 2008
British video games developer Virgin Interactive produced a platform game starring the "7 Up Spot", entitled "Cool Spot". Set in a vivid beach/seaport, it was praised for its challenging gameplay and smooth graphics, as well as most of its background music by Tommy Tallarico, for which it won awards.fact|date=September 2008 The game won many fans, even among those who were turned off by the commercial connections or in areas where the mascot was not used.fact|date=September 2008 It was originally coded by David Perry for the Mega Drive/Genesis, and then ported by other teams to other systems.

"Cool Spot" was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, and Super NES, in 1993. It was released for DOS and Nintendo Game Boy in 1994.

Gameplay

in which the player controls Cool Spot, who can jump, and attack by firing soda bubbles, which could be shot in all directions and while jumping. Cool Spot could also cling to and climb various things by jumping up in front of them. In each level the player must rescue other cool spots, who look exactly alike, from cages at the end of that level, which is not necessarily the point at the far right of the level map. In order to do so, the player is required to collect a certain number of "spots" that would change (usually increase) as the game progressed. "Spots" were placed across the level in large quantities, and were the game's substitute for items such as Sonic the Hedgehog's gold rings (these were often used in this style of game, mostly for points). A player's health is monitored by a humorous Cool Spot face that gradually bends forward and will eventually fall from its position as damage occurs. Damage is taken by touching enemies, their projectiles, or certain level obstacles. Each level is played with a time limit. If the clock reached zero, a life would be lost regardless of a player's health.The game had no save feature but did use checkpoints in the form of flagpoles. Once walked past, the flag would raise and a trumpet would sound. If a player lost a life after reaching a checkpoint, the player could restart further in the game.

equel

in 1997, with the 32-bit versions featuring revamped graphics and more levels than the Mega Drive/Genesis versions.

"7up Spot" puzzle game

Another game featuring the "7up Spot" character was released for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System, the Nintendo Game Boy, DOS, the Amiga computer, and the Atari ST. This was a version of the puzzle game Ataxx. The "NES" version, entitled "Spot", was released in 1990 by Arcadia Systems, Inc. Coded and Produced by Graeme Devine. Art/Animation and Co-Producer, Robert Stein III.

Version differences

In the PAL (UK & Europe) release the 7 Up bottle was removed from the intro and replaced by a generic soda bottle of similar colour (albeit lacking the label). Presumably this marketing decision was made to avoid associating the 7 Up Spot with the 7 Up brand, in a region where Fido Dido has been considered the firm's official mascot since the 1980s.

Awards

* "Best Cartridge Music of the Year", 1993, Sega
* "Best Sound", 1993, Electronic Games Magazine [http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18063]

External links

*moby game|id=/spot|name="Spot"
*moby game|id=/cool-spot|name="Cool Spot"
*moby game|id=/spot-goes-to-hollywood|name="Spot in Hollywood"
* [http://www.eurocom.co.uk/index.php/video-games/spot-goes-to-hollywood Spot Goes to Hollywood] at Eurocom
* [http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_2_31_14767.html The Unofficial Cool Spot Desktop Pet]