Few games make me as angry as Frogger.
Partly because it requires patience, and I have little to no patience.
And partly because it’s always seemed like a one-hit wonder.
Like, there was the arcade game, and it was great…but what else was there?
Frogger Beyond?
Game’s like getting your teeth cleaned.
But that’s what I mean.
Like, beyond the original, what else has Frogger done?
Well, I’ll tell you what he’s done, you big jerk.
Frogger 2, for the Game Boy Color.
That’s what.
So this game was released in the year 2000, two years after the Game Boy Color got the
original Frogger.
And that game’s, like…I mean, it’s as good as Frogger’s ever been since the eighties.
Which is to say, it’s decent, but hardly memorable.
So when I popped in this sucker, you’ll have to forgive me if my expectations weren’t
terribly high.
Then Frogger will have to forgive me.
‘Cause I was wrong, this game’s awesome.
See, this is what I’m talking about, Frogger.
Forget the 3D.
The power of the Game Boy Color compels you.
So what makes this one so good?
Well, a couple things.
First off, it keeps the core Frogger gameplay in tact.
So rather than rework it into something it’s not, it builds around that classic gameplay.
You’re trying to get Frogger from one side of the level to the other.
Only this time, you’re doing more than just avoiding cars and jumping on lily pads.
Frogger 2 has lots of different worlds, which opens that familiar design to some cool new
concepts.
Whether it’s huge boulders, or invisible platforms…so it’s familiar, but fresh.
Exactly the kind of sequel you want from Frogger.
And the levels themselves are a lot bigger, too.
I mean, not as big as some of the 3D games took it…some of those levels are so long,
they actually start to get boring.
Like, when you can only move one square at a time?
You don’t want the levels to be too big.
These are just right.
Actually, another change is that you don’t have to get five frogs to the end, either.
One frog is all it takes to move on.
So the game keeps moving, and the scenery keeps changing.
That way, there’s less of the tedium that could set in with the original Frogger, where
you basically had to play the same stage several times before moving on.
You know, this ties into the diversity of the worlds, too…but this one looks way better
than the Game Boy Color’s first Frogger game.
Way more colorful, way more detail…and even Frogger himself.
He looks a lot more charming this time.
Especially when he’s jumping sideways, he’s got this cartoony profile that really works.
And there’s actually a lady Frogger this time, her name’s Lily.
Her sprite even has little froggy pigtails, too…
Frog tails, I guess.
But anyway, it’s one of the most memorable versions of Frogger I’ve ever played.
And the presentation has a lot to do with that.
All of those little touches and details really add up.
Actually, another big plus is that Frogger 2 has some replay value, as well.
See, with every level, you can either just beat it and move on, or you can take the time
to collect all the gems first.
That has all kinds of benefits, like refilling your timer, giving you extra lives…
Plus, it gives you a cool new icon on the level list.
Do it without dying, and that’s a different icon.
Do it without dying and break that level’s record time…that’s the best icon.
Just lots of incentive to keep playing, and do better.
Besides the fact that…you know, it’s fun.
And actually, that’s the thing that surprised me the most about Frogger 2.
Not the slick presentation, or the level design, or that balance between old and new…no,
I think what surprised me most was how insanely fun this game is.
And like, even more than original, ‘cause this one’s also less frustrating.
In fact, I honestly think this might be my favorite Frogger to date.
If you find it for cheap, it’s definitely worth picking up.
I mean, Frogger’s jumped into some pretty weird games over the years, but…however
it happened, he jumped into a great sequel on the Game Boy Color.
It’s Frogger 2.
More Frogger like this, please.
Less possessed 3D Frogger.