Nerdicus SNES Review #7 + #8 : Addams Family Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt & Addams Family Values

Title : Addams Family : Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt

Publisher : Ocean

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $10-$12

Title : Addams Family Values

Publisher : Ocean

Genre : Action RPG

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1995

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $7-$10

Well, we're back to the SNES and there are two games I just had to get out of the way. It seems as if the Addams Family is always coming back to haunt me, and I just started this whole review thing a few months back. Seriously, why are there so many damn Addams Family games? I didn't realize there was so much hype surrounding them back in the 90's. I mean, I know we had those movies come out, but even so....

I think the real problem with these games, is that the first two play just like the other with just a different face painted on the character your playing as. At least the third game they tried to pull off some sort of Zelda-Esque Action RPG style. The first game, you're Gomez rescuing your family. The second game, you're Pugsley, doing a scavenger hunt........surprise......and the third game? You guessed it, you're Fester, rescuing the baby.

Why do members of the Addams Family always need damn rescuing? I thought they were creepy and their cooky? Not gullible victims of kidnapping.

So let's take a look at these two supposed pieces of junk from the SNES library. At least they're not as bad as the NES games. Funny, how a few pretty graphics can make a game "seem" better. Visually pleasing, but mechanically destructive.

But could it be...a hidden gem lies in the mix????

Addams Family Pugsley's Scavenger hunt is tied in more towards the cartoon series, which is made apparent by the graphics. Addams Family Values however, is loosely based on the movie of the same name. Like I said, you played one Addams Family game, you've pretty much played them all. (except Fester's Quest...hehehehehe my guilty pleasure game)

But one of these is about to prove me terribly wrong. So let me hurry up and get through the first crap fest, which is Puglsey's Scavenger Hunt.

So here we go, running around collecting crappy items to prove to Wednesday that you can successfully accomplish a scavenger hunt in the Addams house. You know, I know they're crazy, but their house is pretty damn dangerous. 

It's just a typical platformer, you can't really say anything more than that. You choose levels by selecting a door in the house, but some doors are locked until you get keys from other areas. You get a hold of a slew of weapons throughout the game such as swords, golf clubs, yo-yos (I think it's  a yo-yo?) to help you on your way. Boss fights are boring, and the password save system is atrocious. Seriously? You're on the SNES and you can't afford a battery save system? *SIGH*

That's enough of this. Didn't want to spend too much time on a game I absolutely despised on both systems. At least this one had pretty colors to tickle my fancy.

So here's a quick score on this game...

Final Score (out of 5) :

Now on to something that's going to surprise you. Some of you may not agree with me on this, but I'm going to admit this right here and right now.....

You ready?

Okay.....

Addams Family Values is a DECENT game. There, I said it. It's true, though! They didn't try to pull off another shoddy platformer game, but instead they went with the good old top down action RPG perspective. It's hard NOT to compare this game to the Legend of Zelda, but it really does play like it. Of course, I'm not saying it's even remotely close to being as GOOD as Zelda, but still, it's a decent attempt.

It's got all the classic action RPG elements that you'd come to expect. Magic Meters, Life Meters, weapon upgrades, etc. The only thing that truly blew my mind with this game is another password system. Seriously, you do NOT want a password system to save your game when playing an action RPG. To make matters even worse you have to FIND the passwords.

The game's not easy either. Nothing is ever easy to find, the enemies are actually pretty powerful, and the boss fights are frustrating. The game is also surprisingly rewarding. Listen, I 'm not saying its an epic masterpiece, but for an Addams Family game I was expecting absolute crap.

Graphics are a bit meh, but the music is creepy for an Addams Family game. All in all, things could have done better for the time period especially with games being out that were much better off.

Still, it really is one of those games that you can't put down....it's some Addams Family voodoo magic.

Final Score (out of 5) :

So that's it, no more Addams Family games for hopefully awhile. I need a break....or an extra hand to help me play these games. Thing? Where you at buddy?

Until next time. Keep on Gaming!