Found 0 item(s) for sale
- No items currently for sale.
The early 1990s were a golden era for licensed video games, often bridging the gap between the silver screen and home consoles. Among the most visually distinct of these titles was Cool World, a game based on the 1992 cult classic film directed by Ralph Bakshi. While the movie was famous for its blending of live-action and animation—a style popularized by Who Framed Roger Rabbit—the video game adaptation sought to bring that chaotic, noir-inspired cartoon energy to players. Whether you were a fan of the film's dark, surrealist tone or just a platforming enthusiast, Cool World offered a unique experience that attempted to capture the subversive spirit of its source material.
Deeply rooted in the narrative of the film, the game puts players in the shoes of Frank Harris, a human detective who has spent decades living in the "Cool World," a dimension populated by sketches and cartoons known as "doodles." The primary antagonist is Holli Would, a doodle who desperately desires to become human and cross over into the real world.
As Frank, your mission is to maintain the delicate balance between dimensions and prevent Holli from achieving her goal, which would have disastrous consequences for both realities. The setting is a grimy, stylized version of a cartoon city, filled with crooked buildings, neon lights, and a host of bizarre characters that reflect the film’s unique aesthetic. While the game focuses on Frank Harris, the overarching presence of Holli Would serves as the driving force behind the escalating conflict across the levels.
Cool World is structured as a side-scrolling action game where reflex and exploration are key. The game is divided into 4 distinct Worlds, with each world containing 4 levels, totaling 16 stages of platforming action. To progress through these environments, Frank Harris must navigate treacherous terrain while dealing with hostile doodles.
Unlike traditional shooters of the era, the combat in Cool World feels thematic; you shoot at doodles to neutralize them, often turning them into ink or blobs. A core mechanic involves collecting coins scattered throughout the levels. These coins are essential for progression and interacting with the world’s various systems. The game effectively utilizes cartoon physics to create obstacles that feel unpredictable. The difficulty curve reflects the era's design philosophy, requiring players to master the layout of each of the 16 levels to ensure Holli Would never gets her chance to step into the real world.
This game was released on several platforms, including high-end home computers of the time and the leading 16-bit console.
Cool World remains a fascinating piece of gaming history primarily due to its association with Ralph Bakshi. While the film received mixed reviews upon release, it developed a dedicated cult following, which in turn kept interest in the video game alive for collectors. Historically, it is remembered as an ambitious attempt to translate a very specific, adult-oriented art style into the hardware constraints of the early 90s.
Critically, the game was noted for its visual fidelity to the movie, particularly on the SNES version, which boasted vibrant, fluid animations. In the broader context of licensed media, Cool World stands as a testament to a time when developers weren't afraid to take on weird, avant-garde properties. It is often discussed in retro gaming circles as a "hidden gem" for those who appreciate the noir-animation aesthetic, and it has no known alternative names, making it a singular, identifiable title in the libraries of the Atari ST, Commodore 64, and SNES.