Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1994
Winter themed version of the original platformer
Don't go into this game expecting a different adventure than what the original Jazz Jackrabbit game offered. This game is simply a reworked graphics edition, which sports ice and snow filled tile sets as well as a jolly outfit for Jazz. The game is a left to right speedier than average platformer, where your task is to get as many winter ornaments as possible, while at the same time trying to finish each level in the shortest period of time possible. Your challenge is thus to find the best balance between picking up as many trinkets as possible while still making sure you're not speeding down. Other than that, if you are into Sonic like game, you'll find this a great game to play when you're feeling in a Christmas like mood, but if you've played the original over and over again, you'll find that the level design is almost the same. There are but a few slight modifications done, but only the most hardcore of players will notice them, as they are only slight. So, that's it, if you liked Jazz the First, this version is just as good, but more wintery at heart.
Holiday Game That Is Actually Fun
My first impression was that this was some mod or holiday expansion pack of a few levels. Upon further examination, this is a full game worthy of it's own review. It's a set of brand new levels, brand new sprites, enemies, and anything else you'd expect in a sequel. If you played the original, this is more of the same, but more of the same awesomeness. The gameplay remains the same from the original Jazz Jackrabbit. The developers seem to have subscribed to the Mega Man theory of game design: If it works, don't fix it. If you're unfamiliar with the game or the series as a whole, you're a fast running jackrabbit with a machine gun, flame thrower, or grenade launcher, blowing up turtles. It's a modern take on the whole "tortoise and the hare" fable, with a twist. The game is pretty fast paced, so new players need some time to adjust. Veteran platform players who are familiar with Mario and Sonic will also have a challenge ahead of them. There's plenty of secrets to build up replay value. It'll be hard to find a better platformer that isn't based on a long running property from the 1980s.
