Frogger Blogger

Ever since I was a wee tadpole, I knew I had one true calling. I wanted to leap to heights never seen. I wanted to be the best Frogger blogger there ever was! So I’m starting a brand new Frogger blog! This is part one of a 401 part series that is sure to bring some traffic to the site. I’ll be describing every jump, leap, and hop. My frog friends and I will fight our way through freeways fraught with frightful freaks and frothy flooded fjords. I feel we’re at the forefront of froggy freedom for all!

But it all starts with a single frog, trying to get home. I began by hopping past cars, trucks, and other nondescript, pixelated vehicles. Why did I go through all that trouble? To get to the other side, of course.

Frogger screenshot for Atari 2600.

I then found myself at the river, where I hitched a ride on a turtle’s back and then jumped onto a log. On that log was a lovely lady frog. She jumped on my back for a ride home. A few hops later, we made it back to her pad. We had insectual relations–we shared some bugs for lunch and I met her mother. I have a lovely croaking voice, so I gave her a ribbit for her pleasure.

As I continued my quest, I led the frogs to freedom. One after another. It was a huge success and I made a big splash. Many doubted me, but I toad you I could do it. I don’t want to bog you down with all the details, because I’m afraid you’ll just dissect my story. All I know is that time flies when I play this game. I don’t even mind that it doesn’t have analog controls.

Now I must ponder how to write 400 more Frogger blog entries; I’m going to be swamped!

Thought for the day: Would Frogger eating Pacman frog food be considered game-jumping?

Frogger 2: That Was Easy

Today I beat Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge for Dreamcast. The last three levels take you through a haunted graveyard…

Frogger 2 - Graveyard screenshot…a haunted house…

Frogger 2 - haunted house…and a tower filled with traps and hazards.

Frogger 2 - Tower screenshotThe game was short and easy. A couple parts may seem tricky at first glance, but it’s all just a matter of recognizing patterns and planning your steps hops carefully. Each level has safe spots where you can sit still and observe the patterns for each upcoming obstacle. There are no time limits, and each of the 17 levels takes no more than 5-8 minutes to complete. But the game is definitely fun while it lasts. There are also some extra mini-game levels in the Frogger’s Arcade mode, so I still plan on giving them a try soon. You can expect the review within a couple days.

Frogger 2

The last two reviews at JVGS have been for Wii U games (New Super Mario Bros. U and Scribblenauts Unlimited). I don’t like having three reviews in a row for the same system, because I don’t want it to look like JVGS is only about one system. JVGS is a multiplatform site and will continue to be so, regardless of which new systems I may get. So I decided the next game I work on will be Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge for Sega Dreamcast.

Frogger 2 title screenDespite having bigger, more varied levels, the gameplay stays true to the arcade original. You use the control pad to move around and avoid obstacles, while rescuing five baby frogs in each level. There are also coins you can collect for bonus points. I’m only a few levels into the game so far, but I am enjoying it more than I first thought I would. Look for a review in the coming weeks. Here are a few screenshots of the game in the meantime.

Frogger 2 Sega Dreamcast screenshotFrogger 2 Sega Dreamcast screenshotFrogger 2 Sega Dreamcast screenshot