View source for Spirou (video game)

{{About|the video game|the comic book character|Spirou (character)}}
{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Spirou
|image = Spirou SNES 1996 front cover art.jpg
| alt = Spirou
|caption = SNES cover art
|developer = [[Infogrames]]<ref name="game_start" /><br />[[Bit Managers]] (GB)
|publisher = Infogrames<ref name="super_power_43" />
|designer = Rudolphe Furykiewicz<ref name="credits" />
|released = '''Mega Drive''' <br /> {{vgrelease|EU|September 20, [[1995 in video gaming|1995]]}}'''SNES, Game Boy, Windows, MS-DOS''' <br /> {{vgrelease|EU|September 29, [[1996 in video gaming|1996]]}}
|genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]<ref name="super_power_43" />
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]<ref name="super_power_43" />
|platforms = [[Mega Drive]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]],<ref name="super_power_43" /> [[Game Boy]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[MS-DOS]]
}}
'''''Spirou''''' is a [[platform game]] developed and published by [[Infogrames]] during 1995 for the [[Mega Drive]] and 1996 for the [[Super NES]], and [[Game Boy]] video game consoles, and for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[MS-DOS]]. A [[Game Gear]] version was planned, but scrapped, though a prototype version with the full completed game was leaked online. 

The game is based on the ''[[Spirou et Fantasio]]'' comic book series. It features the adventure of Spirou trying to save his kidnapped friend Count Champignac and stop his arch-enemy Cyanida from making robots rule the earth. The game was noted for its good [[Video game graphics|graphics]] and for being faithful to ''Spirou et Fantasio'' the comic book series, but due to the relatively high difficulty, most reviewers only recommended the game for true fans of the comic book series.

==Gameplay==
''Spirou'' is a platformer type of video game where the titular main character with the same name can walk, run, jump and duck. In order to reach some areas he can dive and slide on the ground for a distance. Also, he can shoot with a gun called the Micropulser that is earned in the third level of the game.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Spirou |developer=[[Infogrames]] |publisher=Inforgrames |date=1996 |platform=[[SNES]] |level=Before "The Subway" |quote='''Fantasio''': Here you are restored to a more normal size. You were lucky I found this antidote in count Champignac's bedroom. I also found a Micropulser take it.}}</ref> Spirou can swim in the underwater levels apparent in the game.{{sfn|Instruction booklet|1996|p=9-10|ref=manual}}

Spirou has a health bar that allows him to take six hits before he loses a life. If the player has extra lives left when losing a life, the level restarts completely. If there are no extra lives left, the game is over.<ref name="video_games" /> An extra life is earned by collecting 50 Spirou hats, which are scattered throughout the eight levels.<ref name="total_snes" /><ref name="total_gb" /> Collecting a heart refills his health bar by one point. While diving under the water, Spirou can only hold his breath for a certain amount of time. The time under water can be extended by collecting oxygen bottles.{{sfn|Instruction booklet|1996|p=8|ref=manual}}

A password feature gives the player the option to continue playing the game. However, there is only one valid password that always restarts the player in the middle of the game.<ref name="gamers" /><ref name="video_games" /> The game supports three levels of difficulty: Easy, medium and hard. There is also a sound test feature in the game.{{sfn|Instruction booklet|1996|p=6|ref=manual}}

==Plot==
Spirou, a journalist, and his friend Fantasio visit New York for an international conference of scientific research. When the pair arrives at the conference, Count Champignac, their long-time friend and one of the inventors at the conference, has disappeared. It turns out that Cyanide, a robot and one of Spirou's long time enemies, has kidnapped the count.<ref name="super_power_43" /> With Count Champignac's inventions, Cyanide's intention is to make robots rule the earth and make all humans into slaves. While Spirou tries to save Champignac and stop Cyanida, Fantasio gathers intel in order to help Spirou.<ref name="story_screen_3" /> {{-}}

==Reception==
<!--
Gamers (Mega Drive): Challenging
+ control, graphics, animationer, colorful, music, faithful to comics, different levels
- Only one password

Joypad (GB): Challenging
+ animations, graphics

Super Power 42 (SNES): Faithful, for children, varying

Super Power 43 (SNES): for chidren, challenging, graphics
+ varying, controls, animations
- none of the parts is as good as specialized games, short levels, should have been released two years ago

Total (GB): challenging
+ controls, graphics, animations, soundtrack, backgrounds
- difficult to make him run

Total (SNES):
+ graphics, animations, parallax-scrolling, soundtrack, controls
- sounds, challenging, one password

Video Games (Mega Drive):
+
- one password, too difficult
-->
{{Video game reviews
|rev1 = ''Video Games'' <small>(DE)</small>
|rev1Score = 69%<small>(Mega Drive)</small><ref name="video_games" />
|rev2 = ''Gamers'' <small>(DE)</small>
|rev2Score = 2+ out of 3<small>(Mega Drive)</small><ref name="gamers" />
|rev3 = ''Super Power'' <small>(FR)</small>
|rev3Score = 86% <small>(SNES)</small><ref name="super_power_43" />
|rev4 = ''[[Total!]]'' <small>(DE)</small>
|rev4Score = 3+ out of 5<small>(SNES)</small><ref name="total_snes" />
|rev5 = ''Joypad'' <small>(FR)</small>
|rev5Score = 86%<small>(Game Boy)</small><ref name="joypad" />
|rev6 = ''Total!'' <small>(DE)</small>
|rev6Score = 2 out of 5<small>(Game Boy)</small><ref name="total_gb" />
}}
The Mega Drive, SNES and Game Boy versions of ''Spirou'' were reviewed in several video game magazines in France and Germany. It was generally well received, most critics noting the graphics and fluid animations in both the console and Game Boy versions. In addition, the soundtrack and varying gameplay fared well with critics and the controls of the game were noted for being precise and easy to use. Most critics also considered the game to be faithful to the comic series. On the other hand, the difficulty level of the gameplay was criticized for being too high. Also, due to the inclusion of only one password to save progress some reviewers meant that too many levels had to be replayed to get to the point in the game where the player had been. In the end, most reviewers recommended the game for hardcore fans of the genre.{{ref|b|[b]}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{note|b}} Reference group b<ref name="super_power_43" /><ref name="gamers" /><ref name="total_snes" /><ref name="total_gb" /><ref name="video_games" /><ref name="joypad" /><ref name="super_power_42" />
{{Refend}}
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="game_start" >First screen in SNES version of ''Spirou'': "©DUPUIS, TF1, CINE-GROUPE,1995&nbsp;GAME DESIGN AND CODE 1995 INFOGRAMES/.../"</ref>
<ref name="credits" >In-game credits for the SNES release of ''Spirou''.</ref>
<ref name="story_screen_3" >Third story screen in SNES version of ''Spirou'': "/.../This evil robot has kidnapped the count in order to use his inventions to achieve her ambition to be mistress of a world dominated by robots and reduce humans to slavery. There's not a moment to lose. Spirou sets off in pursuit while Fantasio fishes for information."
</ref>
<ref name="gamers" >{{cite journal|date=September 1995|journal=Gamers (FR)|pages=38–39|title=Mega Drive test: Spirou|publisher=MLV-Verlag|language=German}}</ref>
<ref name="joypad" >{{cite journal|date=July–August 1996|journal=Joypad (FR)|issue=55|page=74|title=Spirou|publisher=[[Yellow Media]]|language=French}}</ref>
<ref name="super_power_42" >{{cite journal|date=April–May 1996|journal=Super Power (FR)|issue=42|pages=18–21|title=Spirou au pays d'Infogrames|publisher=SUMO Éditions|language=French}}</ref>
<ref name="super_power_43" >{{cite journal|date=June–September 1996|journal=Super Power (FR)|issue=43|pages=72–75|title=Spirou|publisher=SUMO Éditions|language=French}}</ref>
<ref name="total_gb" >{{cite journal|date=November 1996|journal=Total! (DE)|page=50|title=GB: Spirou|publisher=X-Plain Verlag|language=German}}</ref>
<ref name="total_snes" >{{cite journal|date=November 1996|journal=Total! (DE)|pages=48–49|title=SNES: Spirou|publisher=X-Plain Verlag|language=German}}</ref>
<ref name="video_games" >{{cite journal|date=September 1995|journal=Video Games (DE)|page=98|title=Hart aber herzlich: Spirou|publisher=[[Markt+Technik|Markt&Technik]]|language=German}}</ref>
}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite journal|title=Instruction booklet for the SNES version of "Spirou" (SNS-AOUP-FAH)|publisher=[[Infogrames Entertainment]]|year=1996|ref=manual|language=French}}
{{Refend}}

{{Spirou & Fantasio}}

[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Europe-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Infogrames games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Spirou et Fantasio]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Video games based on comics]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Alberto Jose González]]