Cool World

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993, Cool World is an action platformer based on the live-action and animation film of the same name. Developed and published by Ocean, the game takes players into a strange cartoon dimension filled with mischievous creatures known as Doodles. With its unusual setting and mix of platforming and shooting, it offers a different kind of adventure from the more traditional fantasy games found on the NES.

You play as Detective Frank Harris, a police officer caught between the real world and Cool World. The balance between the two dimensions is maintained by a magical artifact called the Golden Spike of Power, but the cartoon character Holli Would wants to steal its power and become human. Before she can carry out her plan, you must recover five missing pieces of a map that connects the two worlds and stop her gang from causing chaos.

The adventure takes you through several environments, including the streets of Cool World, highways, the colorful settlement of Sweet Place, and the surrounding countryside. Each area is filled with hostile Doodles, hazards, and hidden items. Frank can jump over obstacles, crouch to avoid attacks, and use weapons such as a pen, an eraser, and bombs to deal with enemies. Collecting coins, food, and other helpful items is important if you want to survive the journey.

The game's cartoon-inspired visuals give it a distinctive look, while its challenging enemies and platforming sections demand careful timing. Finding the map pieces is essential to progressing through the adventure, and the final mission brings you back to Las Vegas to protect the Golden Spike of Power.

Cool World is an unusual licensed NES game that blends cartoon fantasy with action gameplay. Fans of obscure 8-bit adventures may enjoy exploring its bizarre world and taking on Holli Would's forces.