Previous Next

Deep space isn't a very nice place to live. It's colder than ZZAP! Towers on a winter's day, has less atmosphere than Ludlow on a Saturday night, and is almost as boring as our competitors! Nevertheless, it's to Outer Space, we must go to find The Jetsons, the first release on Hi-Tec's new mid-priced Premier Range!

George Jetson is not a happy chappie. He did so want to take his family to Las Venus for the weekend, but his cacky boss Mr Spacely won't let him out early to collect his folks! Being a bit of a rebel, he doesn't take this lying down - instead he decides to make a break for it and go anyway!

And how does he do it? Through four levels ot non-stop action arcade adventure, with a racing sub-level after each, that's how! (I suppose booking time off in advance wouldn't have made a very good computer game.)

Level 1 sees you as George Jetson desperately trying to escape from his place of work without Mr Spacely finding out (sounds like ZZAP! Towers on a Friday afternoon!). To get out, find and use three different objects, all cunningly hidden behind cubby-holes, and I ain't telling you where they are either! Ha Ha!

While you're at it, collect the cash someone's carelessly left around (with a recession on, too!).

Once you've escaped the clutches of your belligerent boss, fly your jetcar home as fast as possible - but beware of the black holes! If your driving is as bad as Lucy's [Even worse than mine - Ed], you'll be stopped by the police [I love it, all those sexy uniforms - Ed] - I hope you collected lots of money to pay the fines!!!

Alas, Level 2 sees poor old Jane Jetson in a bit of a pickle - while waiting for George, a cat-burglar has broken into their humble abode! Instead of stealing all the valuables and crapping on the carpet like any normal thief, this one's reprogrammed the household objects to attack on sight!

Again, three objects are needed before completing the level, then it's pedal-to-the-metal time as you fly to the fun pad to collect Judy Jetson.

Judy, meanwhile, has other things on her mind. Her favourite pop star, Jet Screamer is playing a gig, and as she's a giggly little girlie-type she insists on getting a kiss from him (Bleugh!) [Sexist pig - Ed] Collect six hearts to get a kiss off Jet, though why anyone would want to indulge in tonsil tennis with a futuristic Rick Astley is anyone's guess. [You're only jealous, just no-one wants to kiss you - Ed].

Next it's off to school to collect the last member of the Jetson clan, Elroy. He's been kept back after school, 'cos his electronics project has gone wrong. To find the rest of his clan, guide him from the headmaster's study to the school exit - but most of the doors are locked!

The keys are scattered across the school (sack the janitor!), but each key opens only its own lock!

Beware of teachers - they're not nice, and send you back to the headmaster's study if they catch you.

With the Jetson clan now complete, the final race section takes them to Las Venus. Kicking off with three lives, the main problem in Level One is running out of time. Even when you know what you're doing, the time limit is unduly harsh. Thankfully, they've included a pause button which is a great boon for mappers!

You can only carry one object, so to complete the level in time you need to know exactly where you're going and why - any delay in getting the right object to the right place is disastrous!

Hi-Tec's cartoon licences have developed a reputation for excellent graphics, and The Jetsons is no exception. The game makes brilliant use of the Commodore's colour capabilities without ever looking garish.

OK, sometimes you walk behind a piece of scenery and have it superimposed over your sprite, but this doesn't happen often and doesn't affect the gameplay.

The sprites are brilliantly drawn, and animate just like their cartoon counterparts. The Officer Dibble-like George Jetson faithfully reproduces his duck-like silly walk, even if he did pinch it off John Cleese.

Where many Hi-Tec budget cartoonies fell flat on their animated faces was in the gameplay stakes. Happily, The Jetsons plays as good as it looks! Releasing the game at mid-price level has allowed the programmers to spend far more time, giving it more depth and playability than a cheapo budget release.

There is, however, no excuse at all for the multi-load! You'd expect a game with this much to it to load in several parts, but the Commodore version requires you to reload Level 1 every time you die, even it you didn't complete it. To make matters worse, it's a tediously long load!

Moaning aside, The Jetsons is a fantastically wondumtious game that just oozes character and playability. Once used to the layout, it's incredibly addictive - you just have to have one more go to see if you can get that little bit further. A harsh time limit and awkward multi-load can't stop it from being a Sizzler.

I just love cartoons and The Jetsons is one of my faves. Is it my imagination or does that grouchy Mr Spacely fire George Jetson in every single episode?! Anyway I totally sympathise with the hapless George, even if I'm not a lazy git like him [Who are you kidding? - Ed].

He, and the rest of the wacky family are faithfully represented by well-animated graphics in this fun conversion. It's good that you get to play each member of the family on the different levels. The 'flying car' sequences add variety and are a welcome respite from the arcade adventuring - time to start drawing those maps, folks!

All in all, it's a great start to the Premier Range - I can't wait for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck!

Presentation 79%
Let down by an idiotic multi-load system

Graphics 90%
Hilarious cartoon animation and colourful backdrops

Sound 80%
Good background tune and fair in-game effects

Hookability 88%
Great, once you've mapped the initial area

Lastability 94%
You can't put it down. A damned good game.

Overall 90%