Bubba 'n' Stix
Bubba 'n' Stix is a 2-D side-scrolling platform game for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga and Amiga CD32 developed and released by Core Design. The Genesis version was released by Tengen in the United States and featured a promotional tie-in with the Bubblicious bubble gum brand.
| Bubba 'n' Stix | |
|---|---|
![]() Amiga CD32 version cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Core Design |
| Publisher(s) | Tengen |
| Designer(s) | Simon Phipps |
| Composer(s) | Nathan McCree |
| Platform(s) | Mega Drive/Genesis Amiga Amiga CD32 |
| Release | 1994 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
The player controls Bubba, a redneck character, who is accompanied by a sentient stick named Stix. Stix can be used in various ways to help Bubba defeat enemies and get past obstacles: for instance, Stix can be thrust into a hole in the side of a platform so that Bubba can climb higher.
Development
According to designer Simon Phipps, originally Core Design had wanted a "moody, dark and atmospheric" game featuring an adventurer wielding a multipurpose stick. It became apparent to him that a realistic approach to the design was not feasible. As a result, Phipps, along with collaborator Billy Allison, sketched out a large number of mostly outlandish uses for the game's central tool. After reviewing the drawings, Core subsequently gave the go-ahead to develop the game.[1]
The game's protagonist started out as a green long-necked alien and went through several iterations until the developers settled on Bubba.[1]
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Amiga Computing | AMI: 85%[2] |
| Amiga Format | AMI & CD32: 85%[3][4] |
| Amiga Power | AMI & CD2: 84%[5][6] |
The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Genesis version a 6.75 out of 10, particularly praising the originality of the gameplay concept and the highly challenging puzzles.[7] GamePro likewise praised the game's originality and "thought-provoking challenges", and commented that "The seemingly unlimited possibilities for Stix and the easy controls that send him winging into action give this brain-twisting game an enchanting dimension other puzzlers lack."[8]
See also
- Bubble and Squeak - a game with similar premise and concept that was released in the same year and same consoles.
References
- "Bubba 'n' Stix Videogame Design". simonphipps.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- Clays, Simon (February 1994). "Bubba n Stix". Amiga Computing. No. 70. p. 133. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- Bradley, Stephen (March 1994). "Bubba n Stix". Amiga Format. No. 57. pp. 54–55. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- Bradley, Stephen (April 1994). "Bubba n Stix CD32". Amiga Format. No. 58. p. 60. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- Winstanley, Mark (February 1994). "Bubba n Stix". Amiga Power. No. 34. pp. 34–35. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- Campbell, Stuart (May 1994). "Bubba n Stix CD32". Amiga Power. No. 37. pp. 82–83. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- "Review Crew: Bubba 'N' Stix". Electronic Gaming Monthly (59). EGM Media, LLC. June 1994. p. 34.
- "ProReview: Bubba 'N' Stix". GamePro (60). IDG. July 1994. p. 58.
