Game:

Pinobee: Wings of Adventure (2001)

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Pinobee no Daibouken (or Pinobee: Quest of Heart) is a game developed by Artoon (which is comprised of Ex-Sega employees) and published by Hudson. It was released in Japan as a launch GBA title and was soon released Internationally under the title "Pinobee: Wings of Adventure" by Activision. A Playstation port was also made as well as a Japan-only GBA sequel called "Pinobee and Phoebee". The game recieved generally mediocre scores upon release for it's bizarre concept, simplistic gameplay, bland level designs, length, subpar audio, and lack of introduction (though the Japanese game has one, which was seemingly removed from International versions). While I wouldn't call the game great, it does possess some redeeming qualities. We don't have the English version, so we currently put up a video for the Japanese game.

The game can probably best be described as a collect-a-thon platformer with a story that resembles the classic, Pinocchio, but as told from the perspective of the insect kingdom with a smidge of additional science fiction. An old inventor, Grandpa Bee, is in the process of creating his own boy, a robot bee named Pinobee (Pinocchio... Pinobee... I see the resemblance), his ultimate creation. Just before he can finish by adding the "heart" to his creation, he is abducted by a mysterious evil being.

Sitting around nearly lifeless, he is soon visited by a fairy-like creature who basically says he has the power to save his creator if he is brave, capable, and unselfish enough (not unlike Disney's fairy) and grants him an opportunity to try. Now partially functional (as he can use batteries and the like but slowly runs out of power), he goes on a quest to save Grandpa Bee and the world from the evil being while learning what it's like to be a real boy, lacking in moral fiber or proper manners.

You think I'm kidding? I'm not-- the concept of the game and of the tale of Pinocchio also plays quite heavily into the gameplay, which seems nonexistent at a glance but does employ a few interesting concepts. This isn't the first Japanese game inspired by Pinocchio either. Want another example? Ever heard of Wonder Project J? If not, check it and its sequel on N64 out. Anyway, in this game, you go from level to level, simply doing the best you can and finding all the secrets before exiting a level. Pinobee basically justs dashes and collects items that improve his basic abilities (with a few exceptions) and between stages, he documents the things he encounters on his journey and what, if any, impact or impression they had on him. The game, if played incorrectly, can be beaten extrememly fast.

The game interestingly penalizes you if you don't take the time to explore all the game has to offer in several ways. For starters, scattered through levels are strong golden versions of enemies. If you go to the next level without defeating them, they become more plentiful in the following stages. The game also changes depending on the actions Pinobee makes. If he attacks good characters he meets, his moral compass is negatively impacted and alters your level performance. Level performace is important because even little actions you make are documented, which can result in you getting one of about a half dozen endings. You can replay and revisit levels as needed.

Graphically, the game is nice and colorful and certainly showed off what the GBA could do visually at its launch. While lacking in overall detail, characters and enemies are rendered decently and possess fluid animations, and the title FMV is neat. It's also interesting and distracting to see Pinobee's head constantly grow (I suppose since Pinocchio's nose grows, Pinobee's head grows when he's mischevious). The audio... yuck. If there's one thing I really don't like, it's the music. There are regular Game Boy games that sound much better than this, and that's just unacceptable. Some tunes have a decent little hook but sound just awful (but pretty good on Playstation or so I've heard).

Overall, Pinobee is a pretty decent game if given a chance. Its sequel is notably better. Enjoy.