South Park (1998)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

A comedic gem in the realm of retro gaming, South Park (1998) captures the anarchic spirit of the TV show while providing an entertaining, if somewhat flawed, gameplay experience.

Introduction

Dive into the zany universe of South Park with this classic game that captures the essence of the beloved TV show through its engaging and humorous first-person shooter gameplay.

Synopsis

“South Park,” a video game released in 1998, is a first-person shooter based on the American animated sitcom of the same name. The game was developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment for the Nintendo 64 in 1998 for North America and in 1999 for Europe. It was later ported to Microsoft Windows and PlayStation in 1999.

The game’s single-player mode places the player in control of one of the four main characters of South Park: Cartman, Kyle, Stan, or Kenny. The player must defeat a variety of enemies using the various weapons found throughout each stage in order to reach the exit point at the end. In addition to completing levels, the player must also prevent large enemies in the stage (dubbed ‘Tanks’) from reaching the exit before they do. If they fail to do so, they will be forced to defend South Park from the ‘Tanks’ in a short minigame called the ‘Penalty Round’ after the stage.

The plot of the One Player Mode is that evil Turkeys come to invade South Park and you must protect the people of the quiet little mountain town as Eric Cartman, Kyle, Stan, or Kenny. A mysterious comet is revealed to be heading towards South Park Colorado. Cartman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny must try to stop it before it lands and kill the various evil forces it has spawned.

In Head-to-Head mode, the players select a level, characters, and game style (time-limited, damage limited, or unending). The Microsoft Windows version allows for online head-to-head play. In the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions, upon reaching select stages in single player mode, codes are revealed. These can then be input into the “Cheesy Poofs Decoder” to unlock additional characters for Head-to-Head play. All characters are unlocked in the Microsoft Windows version.

In the Nintendo 64 version, the player can choose between 20 characters and 17 multiplayer levels, while on the PlayStation version, Only 2 players can play and are limited to 6 multiplayer levels and 20 characters. The Microsoft Windows Version adds 4 new levels titled Mustard Block, Sartin Dippity!, Tabun Dance, and Soman Go. Four extra characters were also added in the Microsoft Windows version, such as Shelly, Satan, Jesus, and Santa.

While the Nintendo 64 version’s reception was fairly lukewarm, the PC and PlayStation versions of South Park received generally negative reviews. Despite the mixed reviews, the game has since gained a cult following among fans of the show for its faithful recreation of the South Park universe and its unique gameplay mechanics. The game’s legacy continues to live on, serving as a testament to the enduring popularity of the South Park franchise.

Characters

Players navigate the game as one of the four main characters from the show – Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny – each bringing their own brand of humor and commentary to the game. The characters share a single life bar, emphasizing the unity of the group.

Gameplay

The gameplay combines traditional first-person shooter elements with the unique twist of switching between the four main characters when changing weapons. This feature, along with the diverse array of weapons with secondary fires, adds depth and variety to the combat.

Conclusion

South Park (1998) stands as a memorable foray into video gaming for the South Park franchise, offering fans and newcomers alike a dose of the show’s distinctive humor mixed with first-person shooter action.

Review Score

6/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern

Profile photo of Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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