Where to get it

2004 · Arcade · Platformer

SuperTux

PlayStation console exclusive

Classic 2D jump'n'run sidescroller featuring Tux the penguin. Run and jump through multiple worlds, fighting off enemies by jumping on them, bumping them from below or tossing objects at them, grabbing power-ups and other stuff on the way.

Released: 11 May 2004
Platforms: Android BeOS Linux Pandora PlayStation Portable Windows macOS
Genres: Arcade Platformer
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Kids
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E
Languages: Czech, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Spain)
Time to beat: 2hmain story3hcompletionist

About

SuperTux is a free and open-source 2D side scrolling platform video game inspired by Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. series. Players control Tux, the mascot of the Linux kernel, through a variety of levels and worlds to rescue his girlfriend, Penny, from the evil Nolok. Originally developed for Linux operating systems, the game has since been ported to Windows, Mac OSX, Steam, and other platforms.

›Story

Tux and Penny were out having a nice picnic on the ice fields of Antarctica. Suddenly, a creature jumped from behind an ice bush, there was a flash, and Tux fell asleep!

When Tux wakes up, he finds that Penny is missing. Where she lay before now lies a letter:

"Tux, my arch enemy! I have captured your beautiful Penny and have taken her to my fortress. The path to my fortress is littered with my minions. Give up on the thought of trying to reclaim her, you haven't got a chance!"

- Nolok

Tux looks and sees Nolok's fortress in the distance. Determined to save his beloved Penny, he begins his journey.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Gameplay in SuperTux is similar to Super Mario Bros. Tux can jump beneath bonus blocks marked with question marks to obtain coins or power-ups, such as the egg, which increases his size and allows him to withstand one additional hit. Bonus blocks may also contain items including trampolines and temporary invincibility stars. Enemies can be defeated by jumping on them, while most enemies can additionally be defeated or frozen by projectiles obtained after collecting a fire flower or an ice flower.

Earth flowers equip Tux with a miner's helmet that provides a spotlight in dark areas and grants brief invincibility, whereas air flowers allow Tux to glide, jump higher, and move more quickly. When Tux is hit while empowered by a flower, he loses the upgrade and reverts to his larger form. The goal of each level is to reach the endpoint, which is typically marked by a set of checker-patterned poles.

Story

The game starts with Tux and Penny on a picnic. While Tux is distracted showing Penny his dance moves, Nolok kidnaps her and takes her to his castle. Tux must make his way through several worlds and beat a boss at the end of each world to save her.

Development

SuperTux began development in 2003 as an open-source platform game inspired by the early Super Mario Bros. titles. The project was initiated by a small group of developers seeking to create a free and cross-platform alternative using the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) library. Over time, the game evolved through contributions from a broad community of volunteer programmers, artists, and level designers, with development coordinated primarily through public version-control repositories and community forums.

Early releases focused on establishing the core platforming mechanics and graphical style. 0, released on May 3, 2004. Milestone 1 introduced a completely new set of original graphics, the basic gameplay framework, new enemies, and the first official Windows and Mac OS X ports. Subsequent releases also added new enemies, power-ups, and environmental themes.

Reception

In 2007 Punto Informatico described the atmosphere of the game as pleasant and praised the free availability of the game.

In 2008, SuperTux was used as a game for children by school district #73 in British Columbia, which had decided to transition to free and open-source software.