Frogger Evolution

As mankind relentlessly progresses through the centuries, it's almost a given that something else is going to suffer. It's highly likely that as soon as our primitive cavemen ancestors gained sufficient intelligence to invent the wheel, small animal fatalities will have tripled overnight.

The concept of 'road kill' has evolved over the millennia, of course, with our current road traffic system accounting for the untimely deaths of millions of defenceless little creatures every year.

Back in 1981, Konami decided enough was enough.

The Japanese developer created a 'toad-ally' awesome role model for downtrodden wildlife everywhere: Frogger. This delightfully green fellow starred in his own smash hit arcade game in which he dodged traffic, leapt over flowing rivers and won the hearts of arcade gamers worldwide.

Some 25 arduous years later, Konami has decreed that this talented little amphibian deserves a worthy celebration to mark a quarter of a century of avoiding cars and taking rides on passing crocodiles. Thus, we have the shrewdly titled Frogger Evolution.

Those of you 'mature' enough to recall the arcade original will be more than comfortable with the first few levels of this update. The game retains the same core principles of its arcade forebear – get five frogs to their pond-like homes while avoiding various hazards such as motor vehicles, snakes and (oddly) water.

The format of the first few stages involves crossing a busy road and then navigating your way across a river using lily pads, logs and passing crocs (taking extra special care to avoid their gnashing jaws, naturally).

There are new obstacles in the shape of dinosaurs and spike pits, but essentially this is the same addictive beast that swallowed all your pocket money back in the early '80s – no bad thing when you consider that Frogger is held in such high regard that it's even had an episode of the legendary US Sitcom, Seinfeld, devoted to it.

So far so good, then. Konami wisely stays true to the gameplay that made Frogger such a success in the first place. You might imagine at this point that we're on to a winner, but don't go rushing for your mobile handset just yet because it's an altogether different story once you progress past the first four levels.

Remember the 'Evolution' part of the title? Well, this is manifested in a complete change of direction as far as game mechanics are concerned. From level five onwards, the onus is less on crossing busy thoroughfares and more about collecting golden coins.

Frogger is granted additional abilities such as a double jump and an extending tongue, and the arcade adrenalin rush is quickly superseded by a more sedate puzzle affair. It's not terrible by any means, but it's completely at odds with the electrifying pace of the opening levels.

The evolution has also affected the graphical side of things. When it was originally released over two decades ago, Frogger was quite a looker, but the intervening years haven't been kind. Thankfully, Konami is well aware of this fact and has given Frogger Evolution a pleasant lick of paint to bring it bang up to standard. The main sprite is small but full of expression, and the many death animations help lend a bit of variety to proceedings.

In terms of sound, hardcore fans will be tickled pink to discover the original Frogger theme tune is present and correct, but those of you less familiar with the series may be thankful of the option to turn sound off completely.

You can't blame Konami for trying something new – after all, the Frogger franchise has seen many varied instalments over the past few years (not all of them good, it must be noted) and it's understandable that the company would want this mobile celebration of Frogger to showcase some of the more recent gameplay styles. It's just a shame that the 'new' portion of the game is so comprehensively overshadowed by the original concept.

Ultimately, if you're new to Frogger then chances are you'll extract a large amount of enjoyment from this release – so long as you're prepared to weather the jarring change of direction and the occasionally frustrating action. But fans of the original will know Konami's amphibious hero deserves a much better showcase of his talents.

Frogger Evolution

There's plenty of challenge to be had here, but the ill-advised mixture of gameplay styles isn't entirely successful
Score
Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.