Summary

• Release Year: 1997
• Genres: Shooter
• Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Developers: Dreamworks Interactive
• Publishers: DICE Los Angeles

Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant (1997)

Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant is a side-scrolling platformer video game developed by Hudson Soft and published by Scholastic for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was released in North America in October 1997 and is based on the popular Goosebumps book series by R.L. Stine.

The player controls one of two characters, either Goosebumps protagonist R.L. Stine or his daughter Dana, as they explore a haunted mansion filled with mutated creatures. The player must use a variety of weapons, including a flashlight, a slingshot, and a vacuum cleaner, to defeat the mutants and solve puzzles.

Attack of the Mutant was met with mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s spooky atmosphere and challenging gameplay, while others criticized its repetitive level design and lack of originality. Despite the mixed reviews, the game was a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Attack of the Mutant is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls either R.L. Stine or his daughter Dana. The player must explore a haunted mansion filled with mutated creatures, using a variety of weapons to defeat them and solve puzzles.

The game features a variety of different enemies, each with their own unique abilities. Some enemies, such as zombies and ghosts, are relatively weak and can be easily defeated with a few shots from the player’s flashlight. Other enemies, such as giant spiders and mutant bats, are much more powerful and require the player to use more powerful weapons, such as the slingshot or the vacuum cleaner.

In addition to the main story mode, Attack of the Mutant also features a number of bonus levels and minigames. These bonus levels and minigames can be accessed by finding hidden items throughout the main story mode.

Development

Attack of the Mutant was developed by Hudson Soft, a Japanese video game developer best known for the Bomberman series. The game was directed by Yoshio Sakamoto, who also directed the Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion games.

Development of Attack of the Mutant began in 1996. The game was originally intended to be a tie-in to the Goosebumps film, which was released in October of that year. However, the game’s development was delayed, and it was not released until October 1997.

Reception

Attack of the Mutant received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s spooky atmosphere and challenging gameplay, while others criticized its repetitive level design and lack of originality.

IGN gave the game a score of 6.5 out of 10, praising its “spooky atmosphere” and “challenging gameplay.” However, the reviewer also criticized the game’s “repetitive level design” and “lack of originality.”

GameSpot gave the game a score of 5.5 out of 10, praising its “spooky atmosphere” but criticizing its “frustrating gameplay” and “lack of replayability.”

Despite the mixed reviews, Attack of the Mutant was a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. The game has since been re-released on a number of different platforms, including the PlayStation Network, the Wii Virtual Console, and the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Legacy

Attack of the Mutant is remembered as one of the more faithful video game adaptations of the Goosebumps book series. The game’s spooky atmosphere and challenging gameplay have made it a favorite among fans of the series.

Attack of the Mutant has also been cited as an influence on a number of other video games, including the Luigi’s Mansion series and the Five Nights at Freddy’s series.

Conclusion

Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant is a fun and challenging platformer that is sure to please fans of the Goosebumps book series. The game’s spooky atmosphere and challenging gameplay make it a great choice for a Halloween gaming session.

Review Score

6/10

Art

Cover Art

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