Joe & Mac

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Joe & Mac
Developer(s) Data East Corporation, New World Computing, Inc., Elite Systems, Ltd.
Publisher(s) Elite Systems, Ltd. (Europe), Data East (America & Japan)
Release date(s) 1991
Genre(s) Platform game
Mode(s) Two player
Platform(s) Arcade, Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga and DOS

Joe & Mac (Tatakae Genshijin: Joe & Mac in Japan, also known as Caveman Ninja) is an arcade game by Data East that was later adapted for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga and PC.

It stars the green-haired Joe and the blue-haired Mac, cavemen who battle though numerous prehistoric levels using crude, stone weapons such as boomerangs, bones and clubs. The objective of the game is simply rescuing a group of girls who were kidnapped by a rival gang of cavemen. The gameplay is similar to Metal Slug and has a Gauntlet style health system, where the player loses health over a period of time apart from in boss battles.

The original arcade version had the distinction of allowing the player to select between different routes (not unlike Taito's Darius) at the end of a boss battle. Also, after defeating the final boss, the players can choose between three exits, which each one enables a slightly different ending.

The Mega Drive/Genesis port is the most accurate to the arcade version, with only slightly reduced graphical and aural detail. The Super NES port features an overworld map in order to choose the levels (unlike other versions all of them have to be played), which were longer, plus some bonus stages (either in the levels or out in the world map). Some of the weapons are different with the addition of fire and wheel attacks. The final boss is also different and there is only one ending.

The NES and Game Boy versions are much downgraded versions of the original arcade version, but without the possibility of choosing levels.

The game could be played in either single player or two player mode. In the two player mode, both characters could hurt each other.

The game was notable for its cartoony graphics, humor, and sound effects.

The game would get a SNES sequel called Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics and an arcade sequel called Joe & Mac Returns

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