Johnny Bazookatone

Johnny Bazookatone
3DO box art
Publisher(s)	U.S. Gold Ltd.
Designer(s)	Craig Davison
Programmer(s)	Chris Coupe
Artist(s)	Paul Walker
Composer(s)	Andi McGinty Sax by Snake Davis Guitar by Mike Hehir
Platforms	3DO, DOS, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Release date(s)	3DO DOS PlayStation Sega Saturn
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player

Johnny Bazookatone is a platforming video game developed by Arc Developments and published by U.S. Gold Ltd. for the 3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn and DOS computers in 1996. Some releases also came equipped with a music CD based on the game's musical score. The game follows the protagonist, Johnny Bazookatone, trapped in the year 2050 in Sin Sin Prison by El Diablo, lord of the underworld. His guitar, known as "Anita" is taken from him, and so Johnny must travel to reclaim it.

Reception

Reception
Review scores Publication Score EGM 7.625/10 (PS1) Maximum (SAT, PS1) Sega Saturn Magazine 53% (SAT)

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version a 7.625 average, praising the sharply detailed graphics, the player character's complex moves, and the high level of difficulty. They summarized "If you are looking for a great side-scrolling game, Johnny B. is your man!" A brief review in GamePro said that the game's graphics and music are the strong points, while the sometimes inaccurate controls is the main weak point. Maximum panned the game, criticizing the poor sprite detection and dull level design.

Reviewing the Saturn version, Sam Hickman of Sega Saturn Magazine called Johnny Bazookatone "three hundred hours of the most boring platform action ever invented", citing blurry sprites, enemies which are persistently annoying rather than challenging, and the game's generally outdated look and feel. Scary Larry of GamePro commented on the game's irritating difficulty, particularly executing the crucial Shooting Float move, but was delighted with the rendered sprites, backgrounds, and music, and concluded, "Fans looking for a humorous cross between Earthworm Jim and Donkey Kong Country should check out Johnny." Maximum regarded the Saturn version as unfavorably as the PlayStation version, lambasting it for its "hideously dated" story concept, overly small sprites, last generation graphics, lack of intelligent design to the levels or enemies, and frustrating puzzles.