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In the early 1990s, the landscape of television was dominated by family-friendly sitcoms, and few were as massive as Home Improvement. Starring Tim Allen as the accident-prone but lovable Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, the show was a celebration of masculinity, tools, and the humor found in domestic life. Naturally, during the era of the "licensed platformer," it was only a matter of time before this suburban comedy was translated into a video game.
Enter Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit!, a 2D action platformer released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Developed by Imagineering and published by Absolute Entertainment, the game is a fascinating artifact of its time. Rather than attempting a realistic simulation of home renovation, the developers opted for a surreal, action-packed adventure that saw the Toolman venturing far beyond the confines of his backyard. It remains one of the most unique—and bizarre—media tie-ins from the 16-bit era.
The narrative of Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit! is loosely based on the sitcom's premise but quickly veers into the fantastical. The story begins on the set of "Tool Time," Tim Taylor’s show-within-a-show. Tim discovers that a brand-new line of ultra-powerful Binford power tools has gone missing. To retrieve them, he must navigate several diverse and dangerous soundstages at the television studio.
While the show was grounded in reality, the game uses the "TV studio" setting as an excuse to place Tim in increasingly absurd environments. The levels are themed after various film and television genres, including a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, an Egyptian tomb teeming with mummies, and a spooky haunted house. The disconnect between Tim Allen’s suburban dad persona and the high-stakes action of fighting ancient monsters is a core part of the game's unintentional charm.
At its core, Power Tool Pursuit! is a traditional side-scrolling platformer, but with a mechanical twist. Tim Taylor does not jump on enemies to defeat them; instead, he utilizes his signature Binford tools. His primary weapons include a modified nail gun for long-range attacks, a blowtorch, and a chainsaw. Each tool has its own utility and energy consumption, requiring players to manage their resources while navigating treacherous terrain.
Movement is standard for the genre, featuring jumping and climbing, but the game is notorious for its high level of difficulty. The levels are sprawling and often non-linear, requiring players to find specific items or icons to progress. Boss battles appear at the end of each major themed area, forcing players to master Tim’s toolset to survive encounters with giant mechanical beasts or mythical creatures. The platforming physics are somewhat heavy, reflecting Tim’s bulky frame, which adds to the challenge of dodging traps and navigating narrow platforms.
This game was released specifically for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in both North American and European territories.
Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit! has earned a cult following, though perhaps not for the reasons the developers originally intended. Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews. Critics often pointed out the strange choice of genre for a sitcom license and the punishing difficulty curve. However, in the decades since, it has become a favorite among retro gaming enthusiasts and "hidden gem" hunters who appreciate the sheer absurdity of the concept.
Historically, the game serves as a perfect example of the "licensed game craze" of the 1990s, where properties that seemingly had no business being action games were shoehorned into the platforming mold. While it didn't spawn a franchise or change the face of gaming, it remains a memorable piece of SNES history that perfectly captures the experimental spirit of the 16-bit generation.