DinoCity is a 1992 platform game created by Japanese game developer Irem Corporation for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom. Drawing inspiration from the 1991 movie Adventures in Dinosaur City by Smart Egg Pictures, the game incorporates familiar characters, settings, and plot elements while adding its own distinct style.
DinoCity is one of those forgotten games tied to a forgotten movie, in this case, Adventures in Dinosaur City. It's the kind of movie that has been under most people's radar, and the game adaptation didn't do much better in terms of recognition.
The Story
Join forces with the dinosaurs for an epic adventure! Suddenly thrust into the prehistoric era by a malfunctioning TV monitor, you find yourself in a world dominated by dinosaurs. Fortunately, these ancient creatures are quite fond of time travelers like you and your friend. Now, your mission is clear: thwart the Neanderthals' plans to destroy DinoCity and its inhabitants. Jump on the back of your favorite dinosaur and prepare for high-speed action on a colossal scale!
The Graphics and Sound
The graphics are impressive, especially in the first two stages. The lush tropical landscapes, cavemen and cavewomen, and detailed character designs of Rex and Tim create an immersive prehistoric atmosphere. The vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds further enhance the visual experience, though the later levels suffer from a duller look.
As for the music, while it initially sets the tone well and fits the story, its repetitive nature becomes apparent as you progress. Many levels feature the same tunes, and with the levels being lengthy, hearing the same music throughout can become tiresome. While good music can enhance gameplay, the repetitive tunes in the game detract from the overall experience.
The Gameplay
DinoCity starts off with an exciting and fun tropical world, where you ride on the back of the cool dino named Rex, punching and pulling off combos to fend off attacking cavemen. However, as you progress through the game, the levels become dull and repetitive, with lackluster colors and few new enemy types introduced. This lack of variety affects the overall fun factor.
The game's difficulty is quite high, with only three life hearts to navigate through lengthy levels. While you can occasionally replenish hearts, the overall challenge is intensified by the limited health and the need to restart from the beginning of a level upon death.
The controls are simple yet offer some complexity with punching combos, tail whips, and the ability to switch between characters. While these mechanics add depth to the gameplay, occasional slow responsiveness and slowdown during crowded scenes detract from the overall experience. Despite this, the inclusion of new features like jumping off Rex and freezing enemies with the kid's remote adds enjoyment.
It sounds like DinoCity doesn't offer much in terms of replay value beyond the initial playthrough. While it may be enjoyable for a while, the lack of additional content like secret worlds or new challenges destroys its appeal for repeat play. Without enticing incentives to revisit the game, it's unlikely to hold the attention of players for multiple playthroughs.
My Verdict
It sounds like DinoCity offers a mixed experience, with both positive and negative aspects. While it may not be a standout gem, it still provides some enjoyment for players. However, it's not necessarily worth going out of your way to find, but if you come across it, it's worth giving it a try to see if it aligns with your preferences.
Play it on the precious Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a working emulator.