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In the early 1990s, the platforming genre was dominated by mascots with attitude. Among the most iconic European creations was the aquatic secret agent James Pond. Developed by Vectordean and published by Millennium Interactive, James Pond 3: Operation Starfish—often stylized in promotional materials as James Pond 3: Operation Starfi5h—represented the ambitious peak of the trilogy. While the series had always been known for its colorful graphics and pun-heavy humor, the third installment took the license to new heights, trading the underwater missions of the original for a lunar adventure that felt more in line with the high-speed platformers of the era.
The narrative picks up after the events of Robocod. The nefarious Dr. Maybe has survived his previous encounters with the world's greatest underwater agent and has fled to the moon. However, he isn't just hiding; he has established a massive mining operation to harvest the moon's surface, which in this whimsical universe is made entirely of high-quality cheese. By mining this lunar dairy, Dr. Maybe aims to corner the global cheese market and fund his next bid for world domination.
James Pond is called back into action by the Agency to stop this celestial madness. The setting shifts from the toy factories and North Pole vistas of the previous game to the craggy, low-gravity landscapes of the moon. Players navigate through various themed sectors, each filled with bizarre enemies and environmental hazards that reflect the surreal nature of Dr. Maybe’s cheese-mining empire.
Unlike the first game in the series, which focused on mission-based objectives and puzzle-solving, or the second game, which featured a unique "stretching" mechanic to observe levels and reach unlimited heights, James Pond 3 is a more traditional, high-energy jump-and-run platformer. The core mechanic here is speed. By holding down the A button, Pond can run at incredible velocities, allowing him to loop-the-loop and sprint up steep mountain sides, a feature clearly influenced by the popularity of the Sonic the Hedgehog series.
The levels are massive and non-linear, often requiring players to find hidden exits or specific items to progress. Pond’s primary equipment includes his "Magno-boots," which allow him to walk on metallic surfaces regardless of gravity, enabling him to traverse ceilings and vertical walls. This adds a layer of verticality to the exploration, as players must navigate tricky areas and avoid Dr. Maybe’s diverse army of minions. The game is known for its sheer volume of content, featuring over 100 levels that range from straightforward sprints to complex labyrinths filled with secrets.
This game was released on several platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
James Pond 3: Operation Starfish is often remembered as one of the most polished platformers on the 16-bit consoles. While it moved away from some of the more unique mechanics that defined Robocod, it replaced them with tight controls and a massive world that rewarded exploration. It solidified James Pond’s status as a top-tier platforming mascot of the 90s, particularly in Europe. Though the franchise eventually faded as the industry transitioned into 3D, Operation Starfish remains a cult favorite for those who appreciate the "Euro-platformer" style—characterized by bright palettes, quirky music, and a slightly eccentric sense of humor.