BeetleJuice
Game Developed by Rare, Published by LJN/Acclaim
Reviewed by Foxlord
Foxlord@aol.com
Size: Unknown
Save: No
Released: 1991
Works with: Gameboy (Non-colored) and Above

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Opening Snide Remarks: This rare little jem, is based off the animated "Beetlejuice"
series. Well, let's look at it this way: it's based off a cartoon that is based off 
the movie starring Michael Keaton. Does that make it any good? Read on young 
grasshopper... as I review a game make 11 years ago.

We all know that in Videogaming's history; videogames based on movies well..they
suck, I mean they really suck! This one is one of those rare games that doesn't 
suck, mainly because it was developed by Rare. Wow, this makes the game rare in 3
different ways.

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Gameplay Descripion: Playing as the "Ghost-With-The-Most", your task is to help 
Lydia rid her house of vacationing ghosts, then she goes and gets kidnapped and 
Beetlejuice has to go and rescue her. Beetlejuice uses his magic power to blast
ghosts and objects the ghosts are possessing to pieces. That's the meat of this 
game. What makes this game shine over most side-scrollers is it's many fun mini-games
included within. Ranging from a simple game of picture matching ala "Memory", to a
"Pipe Dream" stage where the ghosts have screwed around with the plumbing, to a 
"fix the jumbled picture" game; among other fun distractions from the actual game.

Liked: The variety of stuff to do in this game besides the actual game.

Hated: Nothing

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Graphics Description: Graphics in this game are a mixed bag, Beetlejuice himself 
looks fairly recognisable, as are the monsters you have to defeat.  Level-wise the 
graphics are really nice and even feature some light background scrolling, the 
graveyard level for example, the moon in the background scrolls along as you are 
moving; setting an eerie tone for the level. (well, as eerie as you can get on a 
Gameboy game) Some of the levels are not done as well, unfortunatelly. For example:
the attic level has no background graphics and has a plain boring monotonous look to 
it. same with the minecart level. but they don't really distract you from the fun
this game has to offer.

Liked: Good graphics for an 11 year old game.

Hated: Some of the level's graphics could have been much better, compared to others.

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Sound/Music Description: Each level has their own tune made for it, and they are 
all very good. catchy, upbeat and fun to listen to. I'm fond of the music in the 
graveyard level. The sound effects are pretty simple, though. your typical "boosh",
"bleep", and "kerpowie" effects, nothing fancy but they get the job done.

Liked: The time spent making the music for each level. The catchy fun music.

Hated: The typical gameboy sound effects.

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Play Control/Game Design: Not only does this game look good, has a great variety 
of gameplay, and sounds good. but it also features excellent play control in most 
of the levels. The levels are excellently designed, don't feel rushed, and give you 
a feeling that the programmers really thought them through.
Beetlejuice, jumps and fires with excellent control and precision. Unfortunately, 
it does have it's flaws, for example: The mine cart level doesn't seem to be as 
responsive in it's jumping; as a result you will lose several lives just getting a 
feel for this certain level. The level where you are riding on a jumping snake suffers 
from this, too. Another flaw often plagued by games even to this day is the ever 
unpopular "1 Hit Deaths" if Beetlejuice hit's a spike in the bubble riding area, or 
mine cart or any of the areas featuring these, it's scratch another life off your 
list. A saving option would have been a nice feature, but would have eliminated 
some of the challenge this game has to offer.

Liked: The excellent level design.

Hated: The 1 hit deaths, jumping could have been more responsive, no save.

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Improve: Well, you will see a sequal to "Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom"
before you see a sequal to this game. but if that ever happened, I'd add more 
levels, add in some color and maybe a password feature.

RIYL: Donkey Kong Land 1, 2, or 3. Super Mario Land series and Warioland series.

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Final Words: Good luck finding this treasure, it was made in limited quantities, 
and suffered a lukewarm response from the game-buying public way back in the 
gameboy's non-colored years. Despite all that it is quite worthy of adding to 
your collection.

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Score
Gameplay:****
Graphics:****
Sound/Music:****
Play Control/Game Design:****
Personal Opinion:*****
Total: 22/25

Final Score: 84%

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Currently Known Codes: Besides Gameshark and Game Genie? Nope