Superfrog

***Superfrog*** is a scrolling 2D platform game, originally developed and published for the Amiga in 1993 by Team17. Further releases for the PC were handled byOcean Software and GOG.com.

## Gameplay

The objective of the game is to find and defeat a witch, thus rescuing a princess, whilst achieving smaller objectives throughout the game, such as finding a golden key or escaping from captivity in a circus.

There are 24 regular levels, divided into six differently-themed worlds. The goal of each level is to collect a set number of coins, and then reach the exit, which will only open if Superfrog has collected enough coins. Extra factors of gameplay include a timer countdown and a number of health points, both of which can be restored by finding bottles of Lucozade among the levels.

Depending on the number of coins and fruit collected, and on how fast the player finishes the level, a number of credits (up to a maximum of 15) are awarded at the end of each level. The player can then choose to either collect the credits for a score or gamble them in a slot machine-style minigame for more bonuses. The most important function of the slot machine minigame is the chance to win a level code, enabling the player to restart the game from the beginning of the next level at a later time.

An extra level between world 5 and 6 takes the form of a side-scrolling shoot 'em up called *Project-F* in homage to Team17's own *Project-X* (even going as far as using a remixed version of the original game's theme tune). Rather than collecting coins, the objective of this stage is to survive to the end. This level was omitted from the PC conversion of the game. After completing all six worlds, the game ends with a small boss fight against the witch in a castle setting.

## Plot

The story, present in the game's manual but mostly conveyed through the introductory animation by Eric W. Schwartz, concerns an unnamed prince, who is turned into a frog by a jealous witch, in homage to the Frog Prince fairy tale. His princessgirlfriend is then abducted by the same witch. Subsequently, sulking by the "River O' Despair", the prince chances upon a floating bottle of Lucozade, which confers upon him super powers. With his new powers, the prince heads off to fight the evil witch and save the princess.

## Development

*Superfrog* was developed in 1993 and released for the Amiga in the same year by Team17, acting simultaneously as developer and publisher. The release was popular enough to spawn an Amiga CD32 version, which could also be played on some Amiga computers fitted with a CD drive. Due to its enduring popularity, it was then converted for the PC by Bubball Systems in 1994, running as an MS-DOS program. Eric W. Schwartz provided the animation for the intro. The Amiga version was re-released by Islona Software in 1999, with slightly different box art. In 2012, *Superfrog* was, along with other games by Team17, released as a legitimate digital download from GoodOldGames.com,[2] this version being the first compatible with Windows.

## Reception and legacy

Team17's earlier games became relatively obscure after the release of the hugely popular *Worms* series, though many gamers remember *Superfrog* fondly for its solid gameplay, smooth scrolling, cartoon-quality graphics, and upbeat music by composerAllister Brimble. Although a relatively small release by the standards of blockbuster platformers like *Sonic*, it was very well received and has retained a fan base which considers it a technically perfect example of the genre.[3]

The titular character - the frog himself - makes cameo appearances in more Team17 games, notably Worms Blast and Worms 3D.

## Links

* Wikipedia
* MobyGames
* Intro by Eric W. Schwartz