Cool Spot

aka: Spot and the Quest for Cool
Moby ID: 682
SNES Specs
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Description official descriptions

Cool Spot is a colorful 2D platform game featuring the 7-Up mascot as the main protagonist. The game objective is fairly simple and straightforward. The player character has to collect enough number of cool points throughout each level in order to find and rescue his captured uncool Spot buddies and complete the game.

Spellings

  • クールスポット - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (SNES version)

35 People (33 developers, 2 thanks) · View all

Programming
Art Director
Art
Additional Art
Sprite Management Tool
  • ''Chopper''
Sprite Management Engineers
Design Director
Level Design
Music & Sound
FX
Samples & Wall Tune by
Parade Tune by
''Wipe Out'' Copyright 1963
  • Miralest Music Company/Robin Hood Music
Quality Assurance Team Leader
Quality Assurance Lead
Quality Assurance
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 82% (based on 58 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.4 out of 5 (based on 122 ratings with 5 reviews)

Probably the best game ever to be based off a beverage.

The Good
For those who can't tell by the numerous appearances of the product, Cool Spot is a game based off 7Up's early 90's mascot, Spot. The premise is simple; Spot must traverse various levels in quest to save his fellow Spots who, as the manual explains to me, have been captured by Wild Wicked Wily Will. If you don't have the manual, there's no way you could possibly know that. All you know is that you must collect “cool points” to free a Spot from a cage at the end of each level.

Let's be real here, the story doesn't matter. In fact, I'm impressed that someone even came up with a story based off of a beverage mascot. What does matter is that this game is a beautiful platformer with its share of flaws.

Cool Spot is a real treat to the senses. Wonderful animations compliment detailed sprites and stunning backgrounds. Spot is instantly charming. Everything, even down to his idle animations, drips personality. Sure, we've seen characters show off their 'tude before, but none are so adorable as Spot. The music is also amazing. Done by none other than Tommy Tallarico, the soundtrack does a lot to compliment the “cool” nature of the game.

The Bad
Although the strong graphics and music help Cool Spot stand out in the 16-bit platformer crowd, the gameplay isn't anything special. It's a standard platformer, that offers nothing new. You climb, you jump, and you dispatch enemies by shooting, uh, whatever Spot shoots. I don't know, maybe it’s the physical manifestation of all his “cool”.

What's worse is that the game doesn't include a single boss battle. Not one. Not anything approaching the definition. There isn't even a stronger variant of another enemy that stands in your way. Not even at the end. There aren't even any puzzles to solve. Other than a change in background, there isn't much difference in the levels.

Don't get me wrong, the game is fun. The level design is at least competent. There is nothing offensive about its gameplay. I was able to complete the game without it wearing too thin. The problem is; there is no reward for playing through the entire game. After a few levels in, they start reusing backgrounds, so there's nothing to look forward to. That means you could play to around level 5, shut the game off, and not miss a damned thing.

The Bottom Line
Despite stellar graphics and a wonderful soundtrack, Cool Spot is a difficult game to recommend. It makes inoffensive use of its license (which is more than can be said about games these days), but there's nothing to keep you playing. Luckily, it's an easy enough game to find cheaply, so it's not a bad choice to add to your collection. Just don't expect to be playing this over and over again. Cool Spot is an AVERAGE game.

Genesis · by Adzuken (836) · 2009

Easier gameplay and some inspiring level design could have made Cool Spot a better game...

The Good
To be able to direct a "cool-looking" star through our microcosmos sounds something unlike any other journey in our computers? Well, in my humble opinion, Cool Spot has tried to be an alternative with that known feel of platform gaming, but rather having more addictive effect; an addiction to see further...

I know its well-drawn graphics and funky soundtrack has that potential. And I bet you can't resist Cool Spot either who yawns, cleans its sunglasses or plays with a yo-yo when you do nothing >8>

The Bad
But Cool Spot has something missing. Yeah, it has difficult gameplay even at its easiest level and a level design which adds no any special feature into its ideas. Maybe you could also blame our 7-Up mascot for its rather slow movement. However, what actually the game is lacking is it doesn't feature a new look-and-feel for a platform game and you don't feel yourself having played something special either.

The Bottom Line
Anyway, without a doubt, Cool Spot is one of the few good platform games available for PC. And if you ever get the chance to play it, don't miss it! It seems that it even hadn't lost any of its features while being converted from the original Mega Drive version! So, highly recommended...

DOS · by Accatone (5191) · 2000

Drink Me

The Good
Cool Spot for the Sega Genesis was one of many high-quality, 2D platforming games by Virgin Software in the early - mid 1990s.

The player takes control of the 7UP mascot through several platforming levels that show off the hardware capabilities of the Genesis as well as the creativity of the folks at Virgin.

Spot can do what most platforming characters can do; walk, jump and climb. He has an unlimited supply of fizzy balls that he can shoot as projectiles and there are lots and lots of items and secrets to locate in each level (i.e. for extra lives, restored level, bonus points, etc).

At the end each level you will find a group of your fellow Spot people (spot-tians?) imprisoned in a cage, which you need to blast with your fizzy balls (assuming you collected enough of the Spot icons).

The "coolness" about Cool Spot comes in its amazing animation, graphics, music and sound effects. The game play mechanics are simple and easy to pick up and it is clearly one of the best video games based on a soft drink or snack food mascot.

The Bad
Cool Spot could have done with bosses at the end of the levels, in addition to the imprisoned Spots.

The in-game story line, beyond recusing other Spots, is virtually non-existent. Sometimes you may get a tad bored at blasting enemies with fizzy balls, which cannot be upgraded, and yes, sometimes you may find yourself wanting a bit more originality in the platforming adventure.

The Bottom Line
Cool Spot is a truly "cool" when it comes to perfecting the look, sound and overall feel of 16-bit, 2D platforming. In the 1990s, the talent, creativity and skill at Virgin was simply revolutionary and this game is a fine example of its well deserved praise.

Genesis · by ETJB (428) · 2013

[ View all 5 player reviews ]

Trivia

Files

In the PC version, there are two batch files (UKVER.BAT and USVER.BAT) in the Cool Spot game directory. UKVER.BAT makes the game "British" by removing the 7-up logo from the bottle displayed in the title screen. USVER.BAT on the other hand returns the 7-up logo.

Awards

  • Amiga Joker
    • Issue 02/1995 – #3 Best Dexterity Game in 1994 (Readers' Vote)

Analytics

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  • MobyGames ID: 682
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by IJan.

SNES added by EboMike. Genesis added by Trixter. SEGA Master System, Game Gear, Game Boy, Amiga added by festershinetop.

Additional contributors: François-Patrick Arteau, j.raido 【雷堂嬢太朗】, DreinIX, Patrick Bregger, Jo ST, Harmony♡.

Game added January 7, 2000. Last modified January 28, 2024.