Where to get it

Steam

1992 · Ocean Software · Action · Adventure

Super Hunchback

Nintendo console exclusive

Quasimodo straps on his trusty hump one last time to rescue his paramour, the perpetually-imperiled Esmeralda, this time captured by a new villain, the horrible Halfenpounder.

Released: 26 June 1992
Platforms: Game Boy Windows
Genres: Action Adventure Platformer
Developers: Ocean Software
Publishers: Ocean Software
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action
Country: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Time to beat: 3hmain story4hcompletionist

About

Super Hunchback (スーパーハンチバック), known in France as Le Bossu: Super Hunchback Quasimodo, is platform video game released for the Game Boy in 1992 by Ocean Software in North America and Europe and Imagineer in Japan. It is a sequel to their 1984 conversion of the 1983 Century Electronics arcade game Hunchback. The title screen bears a 1991 copyright, the cartridge label records the year as 1992.

On June 2, 2021, the game was released on Windows PCs via Steam by Piko Interactive.

›Story

A welcome and impressive return for the world's most love hunchback!

Ever have a hunch you could be a hero? Well here's your chance! The exquisite Esmeralda has been taken captive by the hideous and heinous Halfenpounder. And nobody - but nobody - is willing to risk the perils of his trap infested castle to rescue her from the highest bell tower.

Nobody that is, except you - Super Hunchback! You may be mad, or you may be miraculous; bit only you can negotiate the frightful forest of runaway logs, the spike filled castle moat, and the dark dungeons and demonic denizens of the castle itself. Just jump up and ring the big bells to advance... if you dare.

But beware - Halfenpounder has the biggest bells of all, and he won't hesitate to drop one on you!

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game featured a series of nine levels, each divided into five sections. The player, as Quasimodo, could advance from one section to the next by locating and ringing a giant bell. Progress is hindered by obstacles such as cannonballs (which can be ridden but will catapult Quasimodo across the screen if he takes a side hit), arrows, bubbles, swinging ropes and rolling logs. Some sections feature water portions. There is an emphasis on hidden sections and on quick play - losing a life causes the player to be returned to a nearby location with no break in gameplay.

Fruit is littered throughout the levels and can be collected for points. At the end of each level, the player is told what percentage of fruit they found and awarded an extra life if they managed to collect 100%. Each section is played against the clock, represented as a burning fuse at the bottom of the screen. Collecting hourglasses gives extra time.

Reception

German video gaming magazine Power Play gave Super Hunchback a score of 70% in their June 1992 issue. In episode 2 of season 1, British television show Bad Influence! gave it 4 out of 5 stars.