"Something old, something new, something stuck to the ceiling..."

This game was practically the start of my love of computer games. More fun than a barrel of monkeys and funnier than a man getting hit in the groin by a football, this game was a hit back in the day, and though most people will give you a blank stare when you talk about this game, there's always one (usually the same guy who plays Marathon and thinks Halo is a disappointment) in a crowd who you can talk to about this true classic.

Have I said anything about the actual game yet? Well, it's classic LucasArts point and click adventuring. Some people (very few) don't like this interface and, well... these people have problems. This game is a cult classic. You play as three college age kids ( not simultaneously, of course) and you have to do something or other...
Oh, yeah! you play as computer geek Bernard ( a layover from the original Maniac Mansion game), heavy metal roadie Hoagie, and ditsy Med student Laverne. All are appropriately voiced, and the kids have to go to Dr. Fred Edison's place (don't worry, I'm not gonna spoil it) and Bernard attempts to rescue his old buddy Green Tentacle... but also releases his evil bro, Purple Tentacle ( they're not hard to tell apart unless you are color blind, in which case I apologize) and Purple goes to wreak havoc on tthe world. Well, the three kids have to save the world... but they all get teleported to the wrong time periods, and they have to cooperate! Hope you paid attention in that after-school special, because there's no I in...

We apologize. The writer of this review has been sacked. Our secondary reviewer will now take over.

Well, I'll get down to the nitty gritty of this game.
Here's how we lays it out...
(Please note that this are of the time figures)

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are all animated well, and on my computer there isn't a hint of blockiness. On a Power PC, the lines should be smooth. We all know the Mac has way better graphics (sorry, Windows 3.1-XP) and certainly always will, and this game shows how even early on this prowess was introduced.

Sound: 10/10
I happen to be a connosuer of game sound, and through my Performa 5260 100mhz, there was not a hint of crackle or fuzz. Sound Blaster PCs don't have that luxury (trust me- I've compared), and of course I love the wacky, colorful, and cartoony voices. The zany ( oh god I just said zany) sound effects are, well... affective. The music is fun to listen to (especially in the Prank guy's room... this song is also in the Snuckeys in Sam and Max) and often reflects a detached view of culture.

Gameplay: 10/10
Easy to get in to, hard to get out of. Simple point and click. Pick up items. Combine them. Use them to your advantage against defenseless patrons of the arts... very simple if you've ever played a game of this type.

Hope this review helps you decide to buy this rockin' game. Share the good word with a friend!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/27/04