The California Raisins: The Grape Escape
| The California Raisins: The Grape Escape | |
|---|---|
 Title screen | |
| Developer(s) | Radiance |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Distribution | NES cartridge |
The California Raisins: The Grape Escape is a California Raisins video game produced by Capcom in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was not released for commercial distribution, and thus remains something of a collector's item.
Story
In the single-player side-scrolling action game the player controls a California Raisin through five stages in an effort to rescue the band and their band's musical notes that were stolen by the gang of jealous musicians. The player can walk, jump, climb on vines, moonwalk (by pressing the "select" button) and shoot an unlimited supply of grape jelly beans as projectiles.
As was the case with other Capcom games, such as Mega Man and DuckTales, one can play the first four levels in any order, but the final level is only available after collecting the musical notes from each of the four levels.
The first four levels include The Grape Vine, The Factory, The Maize Maze and The Juicery. The final level takes places in The Clouds.
During each level the player can collect 'I' icons that provide temporary invincibility, regular black musical notes for bonus points, 'Sunshine' icons to restore health, and 'Raisinette' icons to give an extra life to the player. One can also locate items by shooting at the thin air or at columns.
Reasons for cancellation
The game appeared to have been largely finished as it was given a full review, along with hints, by the "Game Player's Encyclopedia of Nintendo Games Vol. 3." Flyers included with Capcom NES games released around 1990 also included the title as an upcoming game. It is possible that poor quality and dwindling commercial success of the California Raisins as a mascot may have had something to do with the game being cancelled.
References
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