Toys' Revenge! (Turbografx-16)

"Toys' Revenge!" is a classic 16-bit action platformer developed by Mecha Monster and published by NEC for the TurboGrafx-16 console in 1991. The game quickly became one of the system's most popular and iconic titles, known for its unique premise, striking visual style, and challenging but rewarding gameplay.

Story and Premise

The story of "Toys' Revenge!" presents a dark, satirical take on consumerism and materialism. In an alternate 1980s, the world has become consumed by a culture of excessive materialism, where people are obsessed with accumulating the latest toys, gadgets, and trendy household items. However, these inanimate objects have become self-aware and resentful of being used and discarded by their human owners.

The game follows a group of sentient toys and appliances - including a stuffed bear, a possessed vacuum cleaner, a murderous Jack-in-the-Box, and a gang of rampaging action figures - as they band together to rise up against their human oppressors. The player takes control of the reluctant leader of this "toy rebellion," navigating a series of treacherous levels filled with treacherous obstacles and murderous household items.

Gameplay

"Toys' Revenge!" is a challenging 2D platformer that blends action, puzzle-solving, and light RPG elements. Players must traverse a variety of environments - from bustling living rooms to sinister toy stores to a nightmarish department store basement - while battling an array of possessed toys and appliances.

The player character can jump, shoot projectiles, and use a variety of toy-themed special attacks and abilities, such as a teddy bear hug or a spring-loaded boxing glove. Collecting power-ups and upgrades allows the player to gain new moves and increase their health and offensive capabilities. Defeating bosses at the end of each level is particularly intense, as the player must outmaneuver towering monstrosities like a colossal jack-in-the-box or a rampaging robot vacuum cleaner.

In addition to the main story campaign, "Toys' Revenge!" features a variety of side quests, collectibles, and unlockable challenge modes that add to the game's depth and replayability. The tight, responsive controls and creative level designs have earned the game praise for its tight, challenging, and satisfying platforming action.

Development and Reception

"Toys' Revenge!" was developed by the acclaimed Japanese studio Mecha Monster, known for their work on other cult classic TurboGrafx-16 titles like "Cyborg Hunter" and "Midnight Madness." The game's unique premise, striking visual style, and challenging but fair gameplay quickly made it a standout hit on the system following its 1991 release.

Critics praised the game's inventive level designs, boss battles, and the dark humor of its premise, which satirized the materialistic excesses of the 1980s. Many also noted the high production values, tight controls, and challenging-yet-rewarding gameplay loop. "Toys' Revenge!" became one of the TurboGrafx-16's best-selling and most iconic titles, solidifying the system's reputation as a strong competitor to the SNES and Sega Genesis.

Legacy

The success of "Toys' Revenge!" spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs over the following decades, solidifying it as one of the TurboGrafx-16's most beloved and influential franchises. While the original game remained a cult classic primarily enjoyed by retro gaming enthusiasts, the series continued to grow in popularity and acclaim.

Subsequent entries expanded on the premise, introducing new playable characters, more complex narratives, and even deeper RPG and metroidvania-style gameplay elements. Mecha Monster also experimented with different genres, producing a well-received turn-based strategy game, a 3D action-adventure title, and even a roguelike spin-off.

To this day, "Toys' Revenge!" is remembered as one of the TurboGrafx-16's most iconic and innovative titles, a benchmark for challenging yet satisfying 16-bit action platforming. Its unique premise, striking visuals, and tightly designed gameplay have ensured that it remains a beloved cult classic, inspiring legions of fans and influencing countless later games.