GET OF FLASHBACK! ~ Joe & Mac Returns

Following the trend of Data East's single-screen platformers (Tumble Pop, Diet Go Go and Funky Jet), DE delivers again in their 1994 game Joe & Mac Returns.

The main mechanic is very much like that of Tumble Pop. You stun the enemies by striking the ground with your club, then scoop them up in a bag. You take out enemies by throwing the bag of scooped-up opponents at them. Once you capture them, you have hurry because they will bust out and kill you. By scooping more enemies makes your bag bigger and thus lead to bigger chains and more points.

You also can free the captive girls in to get power-ups and points. However, you have to be careful as to not hit her the wrong way (with a bag?) as she'll run away and not give you jack.

For every five or so floors in a series of stages (such as the volcano series, the water series, forest series, etc.) you fight a boss that is hugely comical, but very vicious. Then again, you proibably knew that already, right?

Now this is one game you don't see everyday. It's loads of fun and worth every play.

*I apologize for the blurry pics*

It looks like Snow Bros. *drool*

I wonder what hardware its running on?

I kinda liked the original Joe & Mac (and the SNES sequel), but this game is totally different from the original. I'm not really a huge fan of single-screen platformers, but I want to try it out anyway someday (perhaps whenever it gets MAMEd). Spinmaster felt more like a Joe & Mac sequel to me though.

Thanks Seven! I've been after this one for nigh on two years. Elusive piece of kit, this one.

"(perhaps whenever it gets MAMEd)" Don't hold your breath. Most of those Deco boards from the early 90s on up have yet to be emulated. Custom chips I hear, but I don't really know what I'm talking about ;)

Pa