Cool Spot

Not to be confused with Spot: The Cool Adventure.
Cool Spot

Cover art (Mega Drive)
Developer(s) Virgin Games USA (MD/GEN)
Virgin Interactive (other versions)
Publisher(s) Virgin Interactive
Designer(s) David Perry
Composer(s) Tommy Tallarico
Platform(s) Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Amiga, Super NES, Game Boy, DOS
Release date(s) Mega Drive/Genesis
  • EU June 1993
  • JP February 18, 1994
SNES
  • NA September 1993
  • JP December 10, 1993
  • EU February 24, 1994
Master System
Game Gear
Game Boy
Amiga
MS-DOS
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution Cartridge
disk

Cool Spot is a mascot for 7 Up, introduced in 1987. During this time, the red spot in the 7 Up logo was anthropomorphized: given arms, legs, a mouth, and sunglasses. British video games developer Virgin Interactive's American studio produced a platform game starring the 7 Up Spot, entitled Cool Spot. It was originally developed in 1993 at Virgin Games USA by David Perry for the Mega Drive/Genesis and Super NES and then ported by other teams to Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Game Boy, Amiga and DOS in 1994.[1]

Video game

Gameplay

Screenshot of the Sega Genesis version of Cool Spot.

The title is a single-player platformer in which the player controls Cool Spot, who can jump, and attack by throwing soda bubbles in any direction. Cool Spot can 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 their cages. In order to do so, the player is required to collect a certain number of "spots" that changes (usually increasing) as the game progresses. "Spots" are placed around the level in large quantities. The player's health is monitored by a humorous Cool Spot face that gradually bends forward and eventually falls from its position as damage occurs. Damage is taken by touching enemies and their projectiles and certain other obstacles. There is also a time limit for each level. The game has no save feature but does include checkpoints in the form of flagpoles.

If the player successfully collects enough Spots to enter the Bonus Stage after defeating a level, it is possible to collect Continues by grabbing a letter hidden within the stage. Depending on the version of the game, all letters either spell "UNCOLA" (7 Up's slogan), or "VIRGIN" (the game's developer). If a Continue letter is collected, Spot will be able to restart on the level he was on at the time of losing his last life, although his total points will be reset.

Sequel

While Cool Spot was a side-scrolling platform game, its sequel, Spot Goes To Hollywood, was more 3D in orientation and featured gameplay inside various movies. Despite excellent visuals, its isometric perspective and unusual controls made it an exceedingly difficult game. This game, published once again by Virgin Interactive, was developed by Eurocom. It was released for Mega Drive/Genesis in 1995, Sega Saturn in 1996, and Sony PlayStation in 1997, with the 32-bit versions featuring revamped graphics and different levels than those of the Mega Drive/Genesis version.

Awards

7 Up Spot puzzle game

Another game featuring the 7 Up Spot character had been released previously for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System, the Game Boy, DOS, the Amiga computer, the Commodore 64, 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 brand's official mascot since the 1980s.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cool Spot at MobyGames
  2. ↑ Mega magazine issue 26, page 74, Maverick Magazines, November 1994

External links