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In the early 1990s, the synergy between television sci-fi and the booming video game industry resulted in numerous licensed adaptations. Among these was Time Trax, a side-scrolling action title released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Developed by Malibu Interactive and published by THQ, the game sought to capture the high-stakes, time-traveling drama of the popular TV series of the same name. While it arrived during a crowded era of 16-bit action games, Time Trax carved out a niche for itself by blending traditional platforming mechanics with unique abilities tied to its futuristic premise. Today, it is remembered as a solid, if challenging, representation of 90s licensed gaming, notable for its atmospheric music and faithful adherence to its source material.
The narrative of Time Trax closely follows the premise of the television show. The story begins in the year 2193, where a rogue scientist named Dr. Mordecai Sahmbi has developed a way to send fugitives back in time. He uses this technology to help over a hundred dangerous criminals escape justice by hiding them in the year 1993. The protagonist, Captain Darien Lambert of the Fugitive Retrieval Section, is the only man capable of bringing them back.
Equipped with a sophisticated holographic computer named SELMA (Specified Entitlement Limit Monitoring Agent) disguised as a credit card, Darien travels back to 1993. The game’s setting spans various contemporary locations of the 90s, from urban cityscapes to industrial complexes, all while Darien hunts down the high-profile fugitives. The contrast between Darien’s 22nd-century technology and the "primitive" setting of 1993 provides the primary backdrop for the game’s atmosphere.
Time Trax is a side-scrolling action-platformer that emphasizes tactical combat and environmental navigation. Players control Darien Lambert as he fights his way through levels filled with henchmen and environmental hazards. Unlike many action games of the era where the goal is simply to reach the end of the stage, Time Trax requires players to find and neutralize specific targets to progress.
Darien is equipped with the Pellet Projection Weapon (PPW), which can be toggled between various firing modes, including stun and explosive rounds. A standout mechanic is the "Stall" ability. Reflecting Darien's advanced training and physiological enhancements from the future, the Stall ability slows down time for everyone except the player. This allows Darien to dodge bullets, navigate complex platforming sections, or take out multiple enemies with ease. However, this ability is governed by a meter that must be managed carefully. At the end of key segments, Darien must use his Trax tube to transport the defeated fugitives back to the future, staying true to the "capture, don't kill" mission of the show.
This game was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in both North American and European territories.
Time Trax occupies an interesting place in the history of 16-bit gaming. Upon its release, it received a mixed-to-positive reception, with critics praising its graphics and the innovative "Stall" mechanic, though some found the difficulty level to be punishing. It is often cited in discussions regarding the best soundtracks on the SNES; the music, composed by the legendary Tim Follin, is frequently lauded for its technical complexity and atmospheric depth. While the TV show eventually concluded after two seasons, the game remains a primary way for fans to revisit the universe of Darien Lambert. For retro collectors, it stands as a testament to the era of ambitious licensed titles that tried to offer more than just basic run-and-gun gameplay.