Gremlins Interactive has a storied history dating back to the early days of console gaming. Developing titles for the Commodore 64, wrapping up the Premiere Manager series for several generations, then making the move to PlayStation (who remembers the cult isometric shooter Loaded and its sequel?) — a mixed legacy It is no exaggeration to say that there is.
Perhaps the most famous title is 1992’s Zool. This is a platformer starring a famous ninja from the N dimension. After crash-landing on Earth, or at least one made up of abstract themes such as music and vegetables, he must hone his ninja skills with the local fauna.
Lovingly updated by Sumo Digital’s Academy initiative, Zool Redimensioned is built from SEGA Mega Drive code (rather than the original Amiga source) and continues to delight after many years. This game is like a cross between Sonic the Hedgehog and Rockman. Zulu can jump, shoot, climb and slide. Levels are strewn with point-based collectibles and are designed for fast completion.
The aesthetics are still compelling, and a particularly iconic protagonist resembles Marvin the Martian from Looney Tunes’ Ninjutsu Thread. The only real complaint here is that the jarring music doesn’t stand the test of time, even though the audio has been refreshed with clarity. However, that too is a matter of preference and not something you can do.
This remaster includes various game modes and features. Assists like Infinite Lives and Turbo Fire are available for those who want to take it easy. There are two versions of him in the main game, one with a more modern aspect ratio and his double jump, and another closer to his Gremlin in the original. A party mode for local multiplayer completes the generous package.
Zool was a classic of its time, but it didn’t last as long as other genre luminaries. This remaster builds on the greatness of the original title while adding some modern elements to make the deal even more enticing.