Review: Frogger Hyper Arcade Edition

Title: Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition
Platform: Xbox Live Arcade
Developer: Zombie Studios
Publisher: Konami
TL;DR: More Frogger – now with techno!
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If you’re reading this review then my time machine has worked and I’ve successfully made my way back to the 70’s. What you just read is the first thought that went through my mind when I started playing Frogger Hyper Arcade Edition – this should also tell you that I’m not that familiar with Frogger as it in fact came out in 1981 originally. I’m only 24, mind. After a little bit of research I’ve found we’ve had quite an influx of the little green hopper over the last decade, and this new title is another collection of games throughout the ages. This is still basically the game it has always been – you’re a frog, you need to cross busy traffic to get to the other side. Why? Just because. It didn’t need to be complex then, and it doesn’t need to be complex now.

This might not sound like I’m doing the game justice; there are quite a few modes in this game, and some multiplayer, which borrows from the various game types. Combine that with about a dozen different music tracks and this game has some variety, but not a lot. You’ll get the original 8-bit version of the game, the “next-gen” version and the hyper version. The former two will mostly offer you just the classic gameplay that the little green guy is known for, mixed with multiplayer.

Hyper mode offers a “paint-it” mode where you have to traverse the level, on certain blocks only, in order to boost your score. All the modes feature a rolling score/level system, allowing you to compete to get as far as you can before a croc or snake inevitably catches up with you. This feature will also make it primarily a party game, passing the controller around and playing until you get knocked out while trying to best your friends.

Leader boards also make an appearance in this title which will probably spark some kind of excitement for those looking to best the world, but of obviously this may not have the same appeal as the traditional arcade cabinet leader boards. This may not be something you spend a massive amount of time focusing on if you’re not that way inclined.

I can see this being played mainly for the multiplayer elements. Whether taking on the computer controlled opponents or gathering your friends in the same room, it gets surprisingly fast and frantic. You can engage in a four player death match style game or the objective. These type of games can get very competitive very fast, and somewhat confusing during the later levels. Every mode in the game will gradually get more difficult as you go on, allowing for the challenge to really drive the competitive edge you may have to beat friends, and ascend to the top leader boards.

Having played Frogger using both the traditional Xbox 360 controllers and the more recent transforming D-pad version I would recommend the latter. Having that extra bit of precision can really help when you get stuck between a rock and a moving truck. Obviously, if you and your friends don’t have four of these new controllers it’ll give those that do an edge when trying to manoeuvre through the traffic and hop across the lake.

To be fair the appeal of this title is limited, if you’re a leader board enthusiast then you’re probably already playing and have wiped the floor with the rest of the world. The single player is just classic Frogger, no more and no less, and will probably be just a flash in a plan for most. The party style multiplayer will probably be the most explored part of this game; it offers quite a nice break from your average style competitive game due to the fact that Frogger is still really fun and competitive at its core.

You’ll either enjoy this game, or you won’t – that may sound majorly polarising, but it’s the truth. Frogger is a game that doesn’t age; it’s a constant – classic pick up and play arcade style you’d expect, along with possibly being a party game thanks to the titled Hyper mode and multiplayer. If you’re looking to recapture that old school vibe, and haven’t got one of the other re-releases of the years, then you’re going to feel right at home here.

The Good

• Multiplayer can be competitive and addictive
• More of the Frogger fun you’d expect

The Bad

• It is essentially just more Frogger

Family Focus
If virtual frogs being run over by articulated lorries give you cause for concern then don’t give this one to your kids. Otherwise everyone should be ok to play this game. The ESRB and PEGI ratings agree coming in at E and 3+ respectively.