James Pond 2: Codename: RoboCod
Description official descriptions
In his second adventure, James Pond must retrieve the toys Dr. Maybe has stolen. Pond has been armed with an Inspector Gadget-style stretch device, which he can use to view higher areas or claw onto ceilings so as to slide across them.
The gameplay takes place across worlds themed around particular types of toys, such as sporting goods, candy, and aircraft. The levels scroll sideways, although a small amount of vertical movement is included. On each level Pond must collect 2 penguins and reach the exit, although there are usually multiple exits and lots of secret areas to explore. After completing each pair of two worlds (each of which has three sub-levels), a boss must be faced.
Spellings
- ジェームス ポンドII - Japanese Mega Drive spelling
- スーパー・ジェームス ポンドII - Japanese Super Famicom spelling
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Screenshots
Promos
Credits (Genesis version)
17 People
Original Game Design | |
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Sega Programming | |
Original Music and Sound Effects | |
Music and Sound Effects Translation | |
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Associate Producer | |
Product Management | |
Art Direction | |
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Documentation Layout | |
Documentation Layout (Mise en page [EU]) | |
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Quality Assurance |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 79% (based on 72 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.2 out of 5 (based on 102 ratings with 3 reviews)
Charismatic, original platform fun with lots of surprises
The Good
James Pond himself was a lovable hero, with some great facial expressions and abilities. The enemies are varied across the levels, with my personal favourite being the birds on the games level, with playing cards for wings. Hidden sections abound, rewarding you for taking risks with extra lives and points. Many levels had a secret exit, and this ensured that the game's fun could continue after you completed it.
The Bad
The controls weren't 100% responsive, and some people felt that it was too unclear as to the correct route through. It had one of those annoying levels which had you jumping across the roof of the platforms of a moving train.
The Bottom Line
A platform game with several differences. One of the most popular titles of its day, aided by catchy music, colourful graphics and some imaginative level designs, as well as Pond's unique Inspector Gadget-style stretch ability
Amiga · by Martin Smith (61) · 2003
The CD32 has the best version of Robocod
The Good
Robocod has been released on multiple platforms. James Pond can be enjoyed on no less than 10 systems. With so many conversions around I have played almost all of them. The NDS version has some original new levels and the penguin bombs have been replaced by santa's little helpers. Since there was never a reference to the penguin chocolates, what was the reason to keep the penguin bombs in it?
But the cd32 version took me by surprise, it positively has the same graphics as the Amiga 500 version but it has at least better control with the cd32 gamepad and it has surprisingly good audio tracks! There is also some sort of James Bond tune when you approach Santa's castle. It seems to have better gameplay than the 16-bits versions. Pond has some additional "ouch" screams when he gets hurt that are not in the Sega version. The SNES version had the better colours but unfortunately it was ruined by horrible slowdown.
But there are even more extra's. It has an introduction movie and a great filing system where you can read about every enemy that is in the game.
The Bad
The tunes are jolly but they can also get on your nerves!
The Bottom Line
Finally a cd32 game that uses a cd disc to it's potential. Until today, it is still the best version of James Pond 2.
Amiga CD32 · by Schutzstaffel88 (12) · 2006
Robocod is a real winner in platform games!
The Good
Firstly its cute look: Like Fury of the Furries you like the game at once. And to be honest playing in a toy world with its amazingly funny music is a real enjoyment. I like the way the game comes with: Creative ideas like its all-time colourful super-scroll and the ability to play a level in a reverse angle... You don't have to worry about blind alleys no longer like you did in games like Gods: Scretch up yourself wherever you are (there is always something on the top to grab hold of!)
The Bad
You can't save your game. If you want to finish RoboCod you have to play it from start to the end continuously. And although its super-scroll is looking great after you play a while it gets tiring.
The Bottom Line
A very cute platform game with a perfect look. You can't resist its charm!
DOS · by Accatone (5173) · 1999
Trivia
Cancelled NES version
In the August 1993 issue of the British videogame magazine Game Zone, a review for the NES version of this game was written. This version of the game was never officially released.
Music
The title music by Richard Joseph bares much similarity to the theme from RoboCop (the movie). Some notes are changed, and the music is obviously much "cuter", but you can still hear the RoboCop theme in there!
Product placement
The UK release of the game featured considerable product placement from Penguin chocolate biscuits, making it one of the first games to use this form of marketing (Zool is another famous example from this era).
CD32 version
CD32 version contains 7 music tracks played from CD during the gameplay and two animation trailers of "James Pond Underwater Agent" and "James Pond 3: Operation Starfish" games. Both trailers are in CDXL format.
Awards
- Commodore Format
- July 1993 (Issue 34) - Modern Classics: Platformers (Check 'em out)
- November 1994 (Issue 50) – #14 The All-Time Top 50 C64 Games
- Retro Gamer
- September 2004 (Issue #8) – #67 Best Game Of All Time (Readers' Vote)
- ST Format
- January 1993 (issue #42) - #17 in '50 finest Atari ST games of all time' list
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Accatone.
Amiga added by EboMike. Game Gear added by Tapio. PSP, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 added by Charly2.0. Genesis added by Rebound Boy. Amiga CD32, Acorn 32-bit, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance added by Kabushi. Commodore 64, Atari ST, SNES added by Martin Smith. SEGA Master System added by Игги Друге. Nintendo Switch added by Ms. Tea. Game Boy added by vedder. Nintendo DS added by Mr Almond.
Additional contributors: Martin Smith, formercontrib, Patrick Bregger, Charly2.0, mailmanppa, Rik Hideto, Jo ST, FatherJack, Hipolito Pichardo.
Game added December 16, 1999. Last modified August 16, 2024.