Game:

Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow (1995)

Duration: 1:37

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6

It's a real shame that Disney Interactive never decided to follow up on this hidden gem... despite teasing as much after the end credits. Cold Shadow is a solid platformer with a great soundtrack and an interesting development history. The game was originally developed and released for the Genesis/Mega Drive by Disney Interactive in 1995 and was ported to the SNES in 1996 by Eurocom Entertainment Software. Although combat in the SNES version of this game isn't as fun as in the Genesis version, the platforming is still tight, and the graphics got a notable upgrade. The differences in level design are also quite numerous. The animation in both games is stellar, featuring work by actual Disney animators as I'm given to understand. Between the two versions, I prefer the soundtrack of the SNES version. I know people are quite divided on this, as is always the case when it comes to comparing music on the SNES and the Genesis.

In gameplay and in style, I consider Cold Shadow to be in the 'Earthworm Jim' school of design. Apart from the multi-directional shooting, fluid sprite animation, and distinct stage design though, players are given the ability to transform between Maui Mallard the detective, and his ninja form known as Cold Shadow. As Maui, players can shoot different kinds of ammunition and interact with certain stage elements like the bungee cords in stage 5. As Cold Shadow, players can swing across stage features, climb narrow chasms, and fight at close range using a wooden staff.

This game is something of a 'diamond in the rough'. While I certainly wish the combat was a little more polished, by no means does that make the game unplayable. The look and sound of the game are loads of fun, and the platforming is just great. Maybe if the developers were given the chance to make another one, they could have taken this great idea and raised it to the same level of notoriety as the other great platformers of the era (like Earthworm Jim or Donkey Kong Country). Regardless, this game still lands in my personal top 50. I just enjoy it far too much.

All footage recorded using a Super Nintendo Entertainment System, an official game cartridge, and an Ion Video 2 digital video converter.

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