Snake Rattle 'n Roll

"Have endless fun with a quirky snake game"

Snake Rattle 'n' Roll (Snake) is quite possibly one of the best platform games for the weary old NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). It mixes bright, vibrant graphics with catchy tunes and irresistible gameplay.

Snake doesn't really have much of a story at all, but that doesn't really matter much in a platform game. Basically, Rattle and his buddy Roll decide to climb up a huge mountain to get to the moon. Along the way they eat just about everything in sight. Obviously a second player can join in the fun and this is highly recommended as it increases the magic tenfold. Nothing is more fun than racing a friend to the most points in a hyperactive snake!

The graphics are a 3d-isometric hybrid, quite nice looking for the NES. The maps are all marked out in squares, and while this doesn't help much at all it does look kinda cool. At the start of the game you are at the very bottom of the mountain, with green tiles and lots of water. Enter the water and Jaws-like music begins to play...look out snakey you've got a shark on your tail! Most maps boast little nooks and crannies where you can find extra time, speed ups and even bonuses areas where you play for lots of points.

In each map there is a large foot that stomps around in a set pattern. After doing a certain amount of damage (and avoiding the stomps, they equal instant death) you usually receive a life. Later on in the game there may be more than one foot in each level AND even later you must continually 'attack' the foot with your tongue without a break to destroy it, whereas the other, weaker foots you can kill at your leisure.

The two snakes start off with 3 body parts trailing behind them. Each time an enemy hits them or they get eaten by the shark they lose one body part. You can easily gain more parts by eating little round coloured spheres. They co-ordinate with the snakes, and you are advised to eat more of the spheres that match your color as you grow quicker. The gold spheres are open to anybody and are often very helpful in expanding your body size. Each level the spheres become harder to obtain, as they begin to grow legs and run away, or bounce around very quickly, or swim in the ocean like fish...just about every level provides a new challenge food-wise.

The game has quite a few warp points, it is highly advised to take advantage of these. However, there is a trade-off. Levels 5 and 6 are rather difficult and long and it is recommended that you skip them...however if you do do them you can receive a valuable extra continue, so you must make the right choice...

The sound is very chirpy and upbeat, and suits the mood perfectly. The two snakes are out for a good time and the music certainly helps this idea. Controls are great, the snakes are very responsive, I have never had a problem with controlling them through even the most difficult of areas.

One little niggle is the last 'boss'. It is one of the big feet I mentioned earlier, but it must be destroyed without stopping your tongue-lashing, while dodging big asteroids and having to cope with horrendous gravity (You are on the moon by now). But, it IS the last area so it does need to be difficult I suppose.

Snake Rattle 'n' Roll is a great game for everybody, offering light-hearted fun. Sit down with it for 10 minutes or two hours, you'll certainly be pleased.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/15/01, Updated 07/31/02