Jazz Jackrabbit Collection

One of the main "strange" things is how the game is structured. You can save the game at any time, but loading it will put you at the start of the level in the default state (3 lives, 0 score, no weapons). This means that as long as you can beat a single level from this state, you can save in the next one and never lose progress. There is also a time limit. A pretty strict one. Luckily, there are checkpoints in the levels and if you run out of time, you just lose a life and respawn. So as long as you manage to reach the checkpoint sign before the time runs out, you don't have to restart the entire level. Some levels would require some serious speedrunning to beat in one time limit, so most levels will likely include one or two "time deaths" to beat. Or playing in the "turbo" mode, which is toggleable with T. However, the game is basically unplayable at that speed combined with the zoom-in, so the vast majority of time will be spent in the normal speed. Although, the time limit runs at the same rate, no matter if turbo mode is on or off. So it can be used to save some time in long open stretches or make a last desperate reckless attempt at reaching a checkpoint. The game defaults to turbo mode, so make sure to disable it at every level start with T. Score items are absolutely irrelevant, other than leaderboard entries. They can be entirely ignored and all focus can go into avoiding damage and making progress in the levels. No extra lives for score - just lost time, meaning it is preferable to skip most of them anyway. Other than score items, there are some relevant pickups like weapons (although the base weapon is easily sufficient for everything) and most importantly - powerups, which can help in a major way, but are often hidden in secrets. Everything respawns after death (including 1-Ups), so clearing enemies or trying to get every pickup is basically pointless. Fun overall, but nothing spectacular. No nostalgia for this one, but still a solid 7/10 I'd say.

Both Jazz 1 & 2 are FANTASTIC games. The price tag however is forbidding.

I played this game on an ibm in ms-dos operating system. I still remember the sample floppy disk. I passed the first level about 100 times. The music and the mix between sonic and mario, with a cartoon aesthetic I loved it and, until now, it continues to surprise me. Those were other times, without a doubt.

So i revisited this game after many years. Kids are old enough to play, so it's nice. They get to play the bunny game. Well, it went alright, they like Jazz2 a lot more. Screen is a little tight so things come at you to quick when you run. If this is the only game you have (and it was for me for a long time) then you deal with it, now it's only nostalgia that remains.

One of the best DOS era platformers. Jazz has everything you would want from a game of the time or even now: - Smooth controls (though it takes a little adjusting to momentum) - Variety in enemies, weapons and powerups - Colourful and clear VGA graphics with a strong theme for each level - A 3D minigame?! Although the bonus levels have aged worse than the rest of the game, unfortunately. - A princess to rescue and an evil turtle to defeat. - A soundtrack that, like the other Epic games of the 90s, still has me listening to it now. While JJ2 was also a strong game, the original is fun, frantic and fast and stands firmly on it's own. It's 4 episodes of running, gunning, and hunting for secrets and bonuses. Worth a play for any age. This and Toxic Bunny are what cemented bunnies as badasses for me.