BHX – The bugs are listening… Review

BHX – The bugs are listening…

Are you ready for an adventure? If you liked the original Bug for the Sega Saturn, then you’ll really enjoy Bug Too!. If you have never met Bug, let me introduce you to him and his new sequel. Bug has just signed a six movie deal which has to be finished today. You produce, direct and star in each movie, just like Mel Gibson or Barbra Striesand. Fortunately this time, Bug is not alone. Superfly (a bugged out replica of Shaft or my all time favorite Dolemite) and Maggot Dog (who’s tongue drags across the floor) are a welcome addition to the world of Bug. They don’t make the game any easier, but they do add a little spice and funk.

In Bug Too!, you have to complete six movies which contain three scenes each. Let’s take a trip through the Bug video room. The horror section contains Weevil Dead 2, which is like the Evil Dead series. In the comedy section we find Flee-Wee’s Big Adventure, a cross between Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. The musical section holds Cicada Night Fever, an odd combination of Alice in Wonderland, the Beatles’ “Help” and the Monkees’ “Head”. The adventure section contains Lawrence of Arachnia, Swatterworld, and Antennae Day 4 (not unlike Independence Day). If you don’t like or have never heard of these movies, don’t worry. This video game parody has been “bugified” for your viewing pleasure.

The bad guys in Bug Too! differ in each movie. In Weevil Dead 2 you battle chain-wielding Larvae, fireballs, zombie beetles, mosquito vampires and much more! Flee-Wee’s Big Adventure includes stinking lions, acrobatic fleas, clown bugs and a slew of other circus freaks. I could go through an entire list of “bad bugs”, but for better enjoyment you should play and find out for yourself.

As a player, you are not without help. At the beginning of each level Bug , Maggot Dog and Superfly have a full jug of Bug Juice which can be replenished from time to time. There is a can of Bug Juice which replenishes your jug to full capacity. Hearts fill up your jug just a touch. When a Spit Glob is added to your arsenal you can attack your enemies by hocking up phlegm instead of just jumping on top of their heads. Points are collected by grabbing sugar crystals (Bug), Doggie Bones (Maggot Dog) or Disco Balls (Superfly). At the end of each scene your points are added up to go towards your movie’s gross.

Visually, Bug Too! utilizes 3D effects akin to the previous Bug!. Twists and turns that briefly block your vision make it easy to die. However, the graphics are quite detailed. From the slobber dripping off Maggot Dog’s tongue to Superfly’s broccoli-esque afro that bounces to his movement, Bug Too! is smart and appealing.

The sound effects and music aren’t bad either. If you dig the 70’s, play as Superfly and get a dose of verbal flashbacks that would make anyone feel groovy. All you need are some bellbottoms and platform shoes to become funkified.

There are a couple of flaws with this game. First is the bonus round. To put it plainly, it lacks the flair apparent in the rest of the game. Second, how do you jump in platform shoes? Other than that I really liked Bug Too!. The characters are a blast (from the past), out-of-sight, and definitely groovy. The only things missing are an 8-track player and maybe a few tube tops. But who’s perfect?