Frog Feast Explained

Frog Feast
Developer:Rastersoft
Publisher:OlderGames
Producer:R.W. Bivins
Designer:Charles Doty
Platforms:Neo Geo CD, Sega CD, Sega Genesis, X68000, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, CD-i, Atari Jaguar CD, Atari Jaguar, Amiga CD32, Dreamcast, FM Towns Marty
Genre:Action
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer

Frog Feast is a 2005 action homebrew video game developed by Rastersoft and originally published by OlderGames for the Neo Geo CD and Sega CD. It was later ported to Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, X68000, CD-i, Atari Jaguar CD, Atari Jaguar, Amiga CD32, Dreamcast, and FM Towns Marty. Gameplay is similar to Frog Bog (1982), revolving around players controlling frogs on lilypads attempting to eat more flies than the other as the objective under a set time limit.

Frog Feast was the creation of Rastersoft, a small-scale game developer established in 2005 with the goal to support discontinued platforms with new titles. It was designed by Charles Doty, who previously worked for Cinematix Studios on titles published by Eidos Interactive. Doty wanted a simple game design that would be fun to play and realistic to complete on any system. As the project began to progress and grew beyond his initial plans, Doty contacted OlderGames, a small company focused on publishing and developing titles for classic consoles, to market the game. Versions for Nuon and TurboDuo were planned but never released. The game garnered mixed reception from reviewers.

Gameplay

Frog Feast is an action game similar to Frog Bog (1982) on the Intellivision, also known as Frogs and Flies on the Atari 2600 (VCS).[1] [2] [3] The game can be played by either a single-player against a computer-controlled opponent, or a second player.[1] The objective of the game is to eat more flies than the other under a set time limit.[2] Each frog jumps from one lilypad to the other, while a number of flies fly around the screen.

The player pushes the fire button to eat flies with the frog's tongue, but only when hopping to a lilypad. The flies are worth one point when they are eaten. Each round starts out in the morning with and the game progresses throughout the day, with the sky turning a clearer shade of blue, and eventually turning darker as the day ends. The frog who has captured the most flies during gameplay is the winner. There are no options or settings menu.[2]

Development and release

Frog Feast was created by Rastersoft, a small-scale game developer established in 2005 with the goal to support discontinued platforms with new titles.[4] [5] [6] It was designed by Charles Doty, who previously worked for Cinematix Studios on titles published by Eidos Interactive (formerly Domark), such as Total Mayhem (1996) and Revenant (1999).[7] [8] Doty became interested in supporting old consoles and arcade systems, and wanted to enter the video game industry to program for 16-bit consoles.[8] Doty wanted a simple game design that would be fun to play and realistic to complete on any system, but the project grew beyond his initial plans.[8] The game was initially coded in assembly language, before Doty switched to C with assembly language within a month of starting production, allowing him to implement low level routines.[8] As the project began to progress, Doty contacted OlderGames about marketing the game, as he had previously worked for the company on unreleased Neo Geo, Sega CD, and TurboDuo versions of Super Fighter (1993).[8] [9] OlderGames was a company co-founded by John Campbell and R.W. Bivins in 2002, which focused on publishing unreleased titles as well as developing new titles for classic consoles.[4] [9] [10] [11] Bivins served as the game's executive producer.[7]

Frog Feast was first published by OlderGames for the Neo Geo CD and Sega CD on August 20, 2005, at the Classic Gaming Expo (CGE).[4] [12] [13] [14] [15] A Sega Genesis port was published by Chaos89.com on March 12, 2006.[16] An X68000 port was released by Rastersoft on July 13, 2006.[17] [18] A Super Nintendo Entertainment System port was also published by Chaos89.com that same year.[18] [19] A CD-i port was released on July 28, 2007, at CGE, while orders were later opened up via OlderGames' online store.[1] [18] [20] [21] It became the first commercially released homebrew game for the CD-i. An Atari Jaguar CD port was published by OlderGames on September 29, 2007, as a limited run of 50 copies.[22] [23] All fifty numbered copies of the Jaguar CD version were defective, which led to OlderGames reprinting and doubling the production run to 100 copies.[24] [25]

An Atari Jaguar version was also released by Chaos89.com on October 30, 2007.[18] [26] [27] To promote the Jaguar version, Frog Feast themed t-shirts and mouse pads were given during the launch event.[26] The Jaguar version was made using a library by Sébastien Briais of the French group The Removers, which eases game creation on the console.[7] [28] Ports for Amiga CD32, Dreamcast, and FM Towns Marty were released simultaneously by OlderGames on November 15, 2007.[18] [29] [30] [31] [32] The CD32 and FM Towns versions were limited to 50 copies each, while the Dreamcast version was limited to 100 copies.[33] The game was also ported to arcade systems like the CP System, Neo Geo MVS, PolyGame Master, and Sega System C2.[18] Versions for Nuon and TurboDuo were planned but never released.[13] [34] A ColecoVision conversion was also in development by AtariAge community member Robert "Mark2008" Dupuy with permission from Rastersoft. However, work on the ColecoVision port was eventually abandoned by Dupuy.[35] [36] Platforms such as the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and PC-FX were also considered.[37] In 2009, independent publisher Songbird Productions acquired the rights to Frog Feast and re-released the Jaguar CD version that same year.[38] The Jaguar version was included as part of the Soccer Kid + Frog Feast compilation, released as a limited run by Songbird Productions in 2017.[39]

Reception

Frog Feast garnered mixed reception from reviewers.[40] PC Actions Joachim Hesse gave the Atari Jaguar release a negative rating. However, Hesse expressed that "All two Jaguar owners who are still active can celebrate - because hey, releasing something like this after Crysis & co. is also kind of cool." Kieren Hawken writing in Atari User reviewed the Atari Jaguar CD version. Hawken found the visuals basic but well drawn and commended the audio, but felt that its simple concept would only appeal to fans of Frog Bog (1982) on the Intellivision and dedicated collectors.

MeriStations Francisco Alberto Serrano regarded Frog Feast as a classic example of a game ported to different formats.[41] Nils of the German website neXGam also reviewed the Jaguar CD release. He praised the lack of loading times, but faulted its lack of variety and game modes, simple presentation, and undemanding gameplay. Author Robin Wilde wrote that "It's not exactly a huge offer in the game department (...) but it can be considered a flag planted on the CD-i's territory, if nothing else."[42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Information Page: Frog Feast. The Black Moon Project. GameSpy. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071020040129/http://blackmoon.classicgaming.gamespy.com/archive/games/frog_feast.html. 2007-10-20. dead.
  2. Web site: Jackson. Doug. Reader Roundtable Vol. 135 — Frog Feast. Sega-16. August 30, 2017. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911142220/https://www.sega-16.com/2017/08/reader-roundtable-vol-135/. 2017-09-11. live.
  3. Book: Weiss, Brett. July 9, 2018. Appendix II. https://books.google.com/books?id=lmRjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA289. Sega CD. Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990: A Complete Guide to Sega Genesis, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16 Games. McFarland & Company. 288–292. 978-0-7864-9231-2.
  4. Web site: Turner. Benjamin. News: Old Systems, New Games — OlderGames releases new games for old systems. 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. August 22, 2005. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20051103230850/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143041. 2005-11-03. dead.
  5. New for Old. Edge. 164. Future Publishing. July 2006. 70–75.
  6. Web site: About RasterSoft. RasterSoft Retro Ramblings. 2012. 2023-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230813025306/http://rastersoft.net/?page_id=2. 2023-08-13. live.
  7. Frog Feast. Rastersoft. OlderGames. September 29, 2007. Atari Jaguar CD. Credits.
  8. Web site: Shockwell. Devin. Interview with Charles Doty. The Black Moon Project. GameSpy. August 15, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071020025906/http://blackmoon.classicgaming.gamespy.com:80/interviews/charles_doty.html. 2007-10-20. dead.
  9. Web site: Sheffield. Brandon. Brandon Sheffield. Interview: R.W. Bivins of Oldergames. Insert Credit. Audmark Inc.. December 19, 2002. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20031021094946/http://www.insertcredit.com/features/oldergames/. 2003-10-21. dead.
  10. Web site: Shockwell. Devin. Interview with R.W. Bivins - OlderGames Team. The Black Moon Project. GameSpy. July 19, 2002. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20021228082152/http://www.classicgaming.com/blackmoon/int_rw.asp. 2002-12-28. dead.
  11. Web site: About OlderGames. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. September 27, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112190024/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/about.php. 2007-11-12. dead.
  12. We've been busy... Were you expecting any less than this?. Classic Gaming Expo 2005. Program. Burlingame, California. CGE Services Corp.. August 20, 2005. 22.
  13. Collector's Closet: Classic Gaming Expo 2005 Sneak Peek. Tips & Tricks. 126. Larry Flynt Publications. August 2005. 67.
  14. Kohler. Chris. Slideshow: Retro Gamers Unite!. Wired. Condé Nast Publications. September 29, 2005. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20161223033109/https://www.wired.com/2005/09/68628/. 2016-12-23. live.
  15. Collector's Closet: Classic Gaming Expo 2005 Recap. Tips & Tricks. 128. Larry Flynt Publications. October 2005. 66.
  16. Web site: Sega Genesis Frog Feast released!. RasterSoft Blog. March 12, 2006. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106010737/http://www.rastersoft.net/Blog/2006/03/sega-genesis-frog-feast-released.html. 2009-01-06. dead.
  17. Web site: X68000 version of Frog Feast has been released. RasterSoft Blog. July 13, 2006. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106012938/http://www.rastersoft.net/Blog/2006/07/x68000-version-of-frog-feast-has-been.html. 2009-01-06. dead.
  18. Weiß. Jürgen. Busse. Christian. Preview: Frog Feast (CD32). Amiga Future. 69. November–December 2007. 19. 2023-08-12. https://archive.today/20230812022352/https://www.amigafuture.de/app.php/kb/viewarticle?a=3565. 2023-08-12. live.
  19. Web site: SNES Frog Feast has sound and is finished. RasterSoft Blog. July 13, 2006. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106003433/http://www.rastersoft.net/Blog/2006/07/snes-frog-feast-has-sound-and-is.html. 2009-01-06. dead.
  20. Let's just say we are proud to support our friends at DP and CGE Services Corp on another great show!. Cge 2K7. Official Program. Las Vegas, Nevada. CGE Services Corp.. July 28, 2007. 15.
  21. Web site: FROG FEAST (PHILIPS CD-i VERSION) NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE ORDERING!. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. July 31, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20070903061302/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/news.php?aid=18. 2007-09-03. dead.
  22. Web site: NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS ON: LOST & FOUND 3 (SATURN), FROG FEAST (JAGUAR).... OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. August 7, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20070902202617/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/news.php?aid=20. 2007-09-02. dead.
  23. Web site: FROG FEAST - ATARI JAGUAR CD. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019160857/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/shop/details.php?productid=20. 2007-10-19. dead.
  24. Web site: FROG FEAST REPLACEMENTS, PENDING ORDERS SHIPPED!. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. October 5, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019160300/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/news.php?aid=25. 2007-10-19. dead.
  25. Web site: Smith. Jason. Jaguar Sector II Atari Jaguar Software Price and Rarity Guide. Jaguar Sector II. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20131117222232/http://www.jaysmith2000.com/Jagpriceguide.htm. 2013-11-17. dead.
  26. Web site: Jaguar Frog Feast Countdown. Official Frog Feast homepage. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20081121195650/http://frogfeast.rastersoft.net/CountDown.html. 2008-11-21. dead.
  27. Web site: Smith. Jason. Atari Jaguar Timeline. Jaguar Sector II. 2023-08-08. https://archive.today/20130629025431/http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379. 2013-06-29. dead.
  28. Web site: Crawley. Dan. Consoles that won't die: The Atari Jaguar. VentureBeat. April 25, 2013. 1–2. 2023-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20230814144006/https://venturebeat.com/games/consoles-that-wont-die-atari-jaguar/2/. 2023-08-14. live.
  29. Web site: FROG FEAST L.E. - SEGA DREAMCAST. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115614/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/shop/details.php?productid=22. 2007-10-28. dead.
  30. Web site: FROG FEAST L.E. - FM TOWNS MARTY. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019160556/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/shop/details.php?productid=23. 2007-10-19. dead.
  31. Web site: FROG FEAST L.E. - COMMODORE AMIGA CD32. OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019161033/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/shop/details.php?productid=24. 2007-10-19. dead.
  32. Web site: Martínez. David. Reportaje: Los juegos homebrew desarrollados para Sega Dreamcast. HobbyConsolas. Axel Springer SE. September 6, 2019. 2023-08-11. es. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205042508/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/juegos-homebrew-desarrollados-sega-dreamcast-487219. 2019-12-05. live.
  33. Web site: DREAMCAST, CD32, MARTY VERSIONS OF FROG FEAST.... OlderGames. Knurdz Entertainment Group. October 7, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019155626/http://www.oldergames.knurdz.com/news.php?aid=26. 2007-10-19. dead.
  34. Web site: Manne. Kevin. Frog Feast is Nuon-Bound. NUON-Dome. July 29, 2010. 2023-07-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812055725/https://www.nuon-dome.com/frog-feast-is-nuon-bound/. 2023-08-12. live.
  35. Web site: Dupuy, Robert [Mark2008]. Colecovision WIP: Frog Feast. AtariAge. December 12, 2007. 1–2. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20220819112801/https://forums.atariage.com/topic/117921-colecovision-wip-frog-feast/. 2022-08-19. live.
  36. Web site: ColecoVision Homebrew Scene: Robert ("Mark2008"). ColecoVision.dk. July 2008. 2022-08-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20090205075700/http://www.colecovision.dk/robert.htm. 2009-02-05. live.
  37. Web site: Frog Feast - The story of the first two years. Official Frog Feast homepage. August 20, 2007. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20070827063205/http://frogfeast.rastersoft.net/2Year.html. 2007-08-27. live.
  38. Web site: LEAP FOR JOY, IT'S FROG FEAST!. Songbird Productions. March 22, 2009. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20090912100643/http://songbird-productions.com/pressreleases/pressrelease26.shtml. 2009-09-12. dead.
  39. Web site: Soccer Kid + Frog Feast combo cartridge by Songbird. AtariAge. January 20, 2017. 1–2. 2023-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206205540/https://forums.atariage.com/topic/261270-soccer-kid-frog-feast-combo-cartridge-by-songbird/. 2023-02-06. live.
  40. Test: Frog Feast (Mega-CD/Neo Geo CD). ReVival. 35. ABCD Dire. October 27, 2007. fr.
  41. Web site: Alberto Serrano. Francisco. Máquinas Inmortales. MeriStation. PRISA. July 19, 2014. 2022-08-11. es. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113175545/https://as.com/meristation/2014/07/19/reportajes/1405756800_134041.html. 2021-01-13. live.
  42. Book: Wilde, Robin. 2023. Because We Can. https://books.google.com/books?id=YKKtEAAAQBAJ&dq=Homebrew+Game+Development+and+The+Extra+Lives+of+Consoles+frog+feast&pg=PA130. Philips CD-i. Homebrew Game Development and The Extra Lives of Consoles. White Owl. 120–133. 9781399072670.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Frog Feast".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.