Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Platform
- Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Argonaut Games
- Publishers: THQ
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs (1994)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs is a side-scrolling platformer video game developed by Argonaut Software and published by THQ for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was released in North America in October 1993 and in Europe in 1994. The game is based on the popular Nickelodeon animated television series of the same name, and features the voices of Billy West and Eric Bauza as Ren and Stimpy, respectively.
The game follows Ren and Stimpy as they travel through various levels based on episodes of the cartoon show, including “Space Madness”, “Out West”, and “Robin Hoek”. In each level, the player must guide Ren and Stimpy through a series of side-scrolling platforming challenges, while collecting coins and other items. The game also features several boss battles, in which the player must defeat a variety of enemies, including Giant Space Chicken and Muddy Mudskipper.
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs was a critical and commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its colorful graphics, catchy music, and challenging gameplay. It was also one of the first games to feature voice acting from the original cast of the television series.
Gameplay
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls Ren and Stimpy through a series of levels. The game features a variety of different gameplay elements, including platforming, shooting, and puzzle-solving.
In the platforming sections, the player must guide Ren and Stimpy through a series of obstacles, such as platforms, ladders, and spikes. The player must also collect coins and other items, which can be used to purchase power-ups and extra lives.
In the shooting sections, the player controls Ren, who is armed with a variety of weapons, including a gun, a bow and arrow, and a flamethrower. The player must use these weapons to defeat enemies and clear a path through the level.
In the puzzle-solving sections, the player must use their wits to solve a variety of puzzles, such as figuring out how to open a door or activate a machine.
Levels
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs features a total of six levels, each of which is based on an episode of the cartoon show. The levels are:
- Space Madness: Ren and Stimpy must travel through a spaceship to reach the sick bay and cure Ren of his space madness.
- Out West: Ren and Stimpy must steal a horse from the sheriff in order to escape from a Western town.
- Robin Hoek: Ren and Stimpy must rescue Maid Marian from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
- Powdered Toast Man: Ren and Stimpy must defeat Powdered Toast Man in order to win a million dollars.
- Stimpy’s Invention: Ren and Stimpy must test out Stimpy’s new invention, the Gametron 5000 Moneymaker.
- Fire Dogs: Ren and Stimpy must put out a fire at the local fire station.
Bosses
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs features a total of six boss battles. The bosses are:
- Giant Space Chicken: A giant chicken that attacks Ren and Stimpy with eggs and feathers.
- Muddy Mudskipper: A giant mudskipper that attacks Ren and Stimpy with mud and water.
- Powdered Toast Man: A superhero who attacks Ren and Stimpy with powdered toast.
- Log: A giant log that attacks Ren and Stimpy by rolling over them.
- Stimpy’s Invention: Stimpy’s new invention, which attacks Ren and Stimpy with a variety of gadgets.
- Fire Chief: The fire chief, who attacks Ren and Stimpy with a fire hose.
Reception
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its colorful graphics, catchy music, and challenging gameplay. It was also one of the first games to feature voice acting from the original cast of the television series.
The game was a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling SNES game of 1993, and was one of the top-selling games of 1994.
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs was nominated for several awards, including “Best Platformer Game” and “Best Soundtrack” at the 1994 Golden Joystick Awards. It also won the award for “Best Licensed Game” at the 1994 Video Software Dealers Association Awards.
Legacy
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs is considered to be one of the best platformer games of the 16-bit era. It is still enjoyed by fans of the cartoon show and retro gaming enthusiasts alike.
The game has been re-released several times, including on the PlayStation Network in 2010 and on the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2021. It is also available as part of the RetroArch emulation suite.
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs is a classic platformer that is still worth playing today. It is a fun and challenging game that is sure to please fans of the cartoon show and retro gaming enthusiasts alike.
Review Score
7/10
