Decap Attack

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Decap Attack
Developer(s)	Vic Tokai
Publisher(s)	Sega
Release date(s)	May 23, 1991
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	pre-ESRB
Platform(s)	Mega Drive/Genesis

Decap Attack is a video game for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) console. It is almost identical in terms of gameplay to the Japanese title Magical Hat Flying Turbo Adventure. However, the graphics and characters were completely changed, since Flying Turbo Adventure was based on the anime series Magical Hat for which the license was not obtained outside of Japan. Both are updates of the Master System game Psycho Fox and the NES game Kid Kool.

The player controls a zombified mummy, named Chuck D. Head, through various side-scrolling levels in an effort to battle an underworld army led by Max D. Cap. The fictional island the game takes place on, shaped like a skeleton, is split apart into many pieces. Individual levels are named after parts of the skeleton, such as Abdomainland or Armington. Some levels require the player to collect a certain item for Dr. Frank N. Stein, the mad scientist who created Chuck.

Chuck resembles an ordinary mummy, except for the fact that he has no head and he has a face implanted in his torso. During the game, Chuck attacks by extending his face out, and may collect a skull, which can be thrown at enemies. Like a boomerang, it will come back no matter what it hits, but if Chuck gets hit, he will lose the skull. During the game Chuck may also collect a variety of potions, which can be collected and used at the player's leisure. The potions consist of powerups typical for the genre, such as invincibility and eliminating all enemies on screen.

For many years, a comic strip loosely based upon Decap Attack appeared in the UK's Sonic the Comic, written and drawn for Nigel Kitching (with Richard Piers Rayner co-writing some episodes, and Mike McMahon drawing a few of those) and a firm fan favourite. The strip contained a very absurdist and manic sense of humour, dealing with the daily life of Chuck, Head (the talking skull who, to Head's annoyance, gets thrown at enemies), the evil-minded Igor (who is constantly trying to kill Chuck) and the stereotypical mad scientist Professor Frank N. Stein, who is actually putting on his German accent and really comes from Cardiff.

Max D. Cap only appeared twice in the strip, in the first story and one where the characters went to Hell, and was partnered both times with his accountant who is constantly encouraging Max to be more stereotypically evil in his mannerisms. Max is described by the Professor as being one of the most evil beings alive, as he borrowed the Professor's lawnmower and never returned it.