Scrimmy Bingus II: The Crungy Spingus Returns

Scrimmy Bingus II: The Crungy Spingus Returns (known as Scrimmy Bingus II in the game) was a video game released on March 12, 1994 by Crogus Interactive as the first true sequel to Scrimmy Bingus and the Crungy Spingus. Unlike the original game, which was a point-and-click game, this game was a platformer. It was originally released on PC, but was quickly ported to the Sega Genesis and SNES.
== History ==
Following the success of the Super Mario franchise, Crogus decided to dip their toes in the platformer category. However, they also wanted to continue their hit Scrimmy Bingus game and turn it into a franchise. So they decided to try both, hastily making a sequel and combining some of the RPG elements from the original game into a platform-style adventure. 
== Gameplay ==
The game begins with the player choosing a Brongi to play as, navigating their Brongi through various levels in different "world settings" akin to the Mario games. Each world was based off of a dimension previously seen in the first game, with the final one, World 15, being a version of Newark, New Jersey. The levels incorporated enemies that were reworked monsters from the first game, as well as power-ups that were found in the original. 
== Plot Overview ==
The goal of the game is to find The Bingus, though this time he is trapped in the final level by an army of Crungy Spingi that must be defeated (as with Bowser in the Mario games). Throughout the game, the player traverses various dimensions and gains items and experience, while getting to view more landscapes and areas that were not shown in the original game, at least not to their full capacity.
Beating the final level causes The Bingus to reveal himself, congratulating the player on their good work. Like with the first game, the protagonist Brongi (whoever was chosen) asks The Bingus to solve the world's turmoil that was caused by the return of the Chungus Pantheon. Once again, however, The Bingus refuses, and goes off into hiding, asking the player to "persuade him with something more interesting and enticing". This sets up the third game in the series. 
== Release, Reception, and Potential Lawsuit ==
The game was released on March 12 1994 for the PC. It was almost universally praised for its charm, inventiveness, and enjoyment. This motivated Crogus to port the game over to the Sega Genesis and SNES, where it was met with equally positive feedback. 
However, upon its release on the SNES, Nintendo took notice of the similar gameplay style to their Super Mario franchise and considered a lawsuit against Crogus for potential copyright infringement. However, lawyers advised against, considering that platformers were nothing new and the game did not borrow any recognizable IP from the Super Mario franchise. Crogus countered the lawsuit with their knowledge of the creation of Super Mario 64, stating that if Crogus sued them over this game they would sue Nintendo for stealing an adventure RPG idea from Scrimmy Bingus. Nintendo backed down and the situation was resolved.
== Gallery ==
Category:Games