Previous Next

Aardvarks aren't normally known for their daring and courage. They usually just crawl around, sucking up ants for breakfast, dinner and tea. Nobby also does this from time to time, but rather than eat them, he spits 'em out at the enemies encountered on his quest in search of the legendary land of Antopia, where the streets are paved with, erm, ants.

On the first multi-directionally scrolling level, Nobby leaps athletically (well, for an aardvark) around the numerous platforms. If he runs out of ants to spit, he can suck up some more at any of the strategically placed ant hills.

The level culminates with Nobby pushing up and down on a manual raitar, and finally ending up in a hot-air balloon. This is the mode of transport used throughout the next level. Going up is no longer a problem, but the sharp spikes and birds are, bursting the balloon and sending it flying off the screen!

Ironically, the route to the third level is supplied by a bird piercing the balloon and Nobby falling into deep water. This is the setting for a two-section underwater extravaganza. The multi-talented Nobby is a fine swimmer, which is just as well as he must dive deep down to reach a submarine before his air runs out.

Once in the sub, viciousish and unfriendly divers must be avoided or sunk with torpedoes. The scenery in this section is spectacular: you even pass over the wrecked Titanic, accurately portrayed with its broken fourth funnel!

The sub takes him to the lost city of Atlantis, a platform-filled level inhabited by lots of angry Atlanteans, some is laser*ring walkers. It plays much like the first level, but with vastly different scenery and baddies.

The fifth, Martian Space Station, level is a similar platform romp, with the Martians popping out of craters to attack.

This leads to the Space Station Labyrinth and change to a bird's-eye perspective. Mapping is essential as this maze is a real whopper with loads of blind alleys to explore before you find the way out. Frustration is caused by the baddies which suddenly appear to chuck bombs that explode in four directions.

Finally, the trickiest level of them all has Nobby exploring an abandoned ore refinery. This entails zooming along a track in an old railcar, Indiana Aardvark style, ducking to avoid bats and dynamiting gigantic rolling boulders.

It's the explosive climax to yet another top-notch game from Thalamus. Mind you, that's not surprising with their excellent track record, and that of programmers Genesis (New Zealand Story, Spike In Transylvania, CJ's Elephant Antics) - in fact, I reckon this is their best game yet.

The first level is a great start, but the second ballooning stage gives some idea of the tremendous gameplay variety that's to follow. So many games these days just take one idea and repeat it over and over again in the following levels. Not so Nobby - each level is a new experience, with the ant-sucking hero using virtually every form of transport going. Who said variety's dead?

Not only is every level superbly presented, with some excellent cartoon sprites and its own superb soundtrack, but they're all packed with playability. Furthermore, this isn't a game you'll whizz through in a handful of goes. It starts 'aard' and it gets 'aarder'. But, apart from the labyrinth level, it's never frustrating, and there are always new surprises to see as you progress further.

Without doubt, Nobby is one of the best games of the year, even ranking right up there with Creatures 2. If you miss it, you really must be a sucker!

What a scorcher! Nobby The Aardvark offers nothing new, but it's so well executed... if you only buy one game this month, buy this one. If you buy two, buy it twice!

A multi-level, multi-generic extravaganza, Nobby features some of the most varied game styles ever seen. It's also a multi-load, but with this much depth, I suppose it has to be. Best of all, the different game styles fit together like Phil and his outsize chip butties! I *hate* it when all you get is a handful of dodgy sub-games with only token attempts at tying them together (film licensees take note), but Nobby actually 'feels' like a complete game.

Great graphics, sizzling sound and vast variety make Nobby The Aardvark a bargain buy. So er... buy it!

Presentation 78%
Unavoidable multi-load, title screen, high scores.

Graphics 93%
Nobby's a great lad, varied backdrops are excellent.

Sound 96%
A different, top-notch tune for each level.

Hookability 95%
The first two levels of the game are a great taster.

Lastability 97%
Tremendous variety and no lack of challenge.

Overall 96%