Boppin'
Encyclopedia
Boppin' is a puzzle game developed by Accursed Toys (Jennifer Diane Reitz
and Stephen Lepisto), originally published for the Amiga by KarmaSoft. The Amiga
version only sold 284 copies, according to the developers, and so it was ported to DOS
and released as shareware, published by Apogee Software
.
The primary differences between the Amiga and DOS versions are that the graphics of the Amiga version only had 32 colours compared to the 256 colours of the DOS version, the Amiga version had different music and sound (considered by Accursed Toys to be superior to the DOS version), and the DOS version had a different plot to make way for an increased number of levels
. The plot below is from the DOS version.
Accursed Toys have since re-released a Windows
version of Boppin', based on the DOS version but with the Amiga music and sound included, and have given permission for older versions of Boppin' to be freely distributed. See also list of commercial games released as freeware.
(Arcapaedia) created and maintained by the dreams and belief of their fans. Each episode has a plot, the first involving the pure and sweet Hunnybunz trapping the monsters of computer games inside specially-shaped blocks in an attempt to 'clean up' the world of computer games, and the rest repeating this plot with slight changes - with the antagonist being a meaner version of Hunnybunz, or a family member. The heroes must rescue the monsters by "bopping" these shaped blocks, as explained below. There are multiple endings to the game, depending on the player's actions.
s, refractors, prizes and two starting points. The game involves throwing blocks picked up from the starting point (one for each player in two-player games, only one is used in one-player) at blocks of the same type which are already in the levels. The blocks are thrown at 45 degree
angles, and can be bounced off refractors placed in strategic parts of the levels. The blocks already in the level can be pushed around, and of course the prizes can be collected.
If a thrown block hits a wall/floor, flies off the level or hits a block of another type, then the block is destroyed and the player loses a life. If a thrown block goes through a randomly-chosen space on the level called the mystery spot, then the player gains bonuses. If a thrown block, when it collides with the blocks of the same type, makes a special shape - a square or a cross - then a monster is freed from the blocks. At the end of a level, bonus points are handed out for freed monsters. A two-player mode is available, which is simply the same as the one-player mode except the other starting position is used, and you're competing for points, which makes the game a lot more fast-paced.
version, and 160 levels in the DOS registered
version, most of which have completely different graphics. Most levels generally require new tactics to be conquered. The editor used to create all of the levels is included, and can be used to edit any level that came with the game, or to create original levels.
The first episode, which was released freely as shareware, is called "Bothersome Hunnybunz!". The other three episodes, which were only available with the registered version, are called "Significant Other of Hunnybunz!", "Love Child of Hunnybunz!" and "Hunnybunz Defrocked!". The last episode listed ingame is "Aleph-Zero Hunnybunz!", but is actually just the option to play custom levels created using the editor
.
. Concern from Apogee Software about the violent content led them to include an option to turn off the depictions of suicide in v1.0. Version 1.1 censored the depictions of suicide by default and replaced the Deady Bear with a new splash screen with a note claiming it to be a "politically correct
ed version". It could, however, be uncensored with the command-line option "blood". All censorship was removed in the re-released version for Windows.
Jennifer Diane Reitz
Jennifer Diane Reitz is an American writer, webcomic author, and computer programmer, known for creating webcomics such as Unicorn Jelly, Pastel Defender Heliotrope and To Save Her, and computer games such as Boppin...
and Stephen Lepisto), originally published for the Amiga by KarmaSoft. The Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
version only sold 284 copies, according to the developers, and so it was ported to DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
and released as shareware, published by Apogee Software
3D Realms
3D Realms is a current video game publisher and former video game developer based in Garland, Texas, United States, established in 1987...
.
The primary differences between the Amiga and DOS versions are that the graphics of the Amiga version only had 32 colours compared to the 256 colours of the DOS version, the Amiga version had different music and sound (considered by Accursed Toys to be superior to the DOS version), and the DOS version had a different plot to make way for an increased number of levels
Level (computer and video games)
A level, map, area, or world in a video game is the total space available to the player during the course of completing a discrete objective...
. The plot below is from the DOS version.
Accursed Toys have since re-released a Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
version of Boppin', based on the DOS version but with the Amiga music and sound included, and have given permission for older versions of Boppin' to be freely distributed. See also list of commercial games released as freeware.
Plot
The two heroes are Yeet and Boik, computer game characters, inhabitants of an alternate universeParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
(Arcapaedia) created and maintained by the dreams and belief of their fans. Each episode has a plot, the first involving the pure and sweet Hunnybunz trapping the monsters of computer games inside specially-shaped blocks in an attempt to 'clean up' the world of computer games, and the rest repeating this plot with slight changes - with the antagonist being a meaner version of Hunnybunz, or a family member. The heroes must rescue the monsters by "bopping" these shaped blocks, as explained below. There are multiple endings to the game, depending on the player's actions.
Gameplay
Levels are made up of blocks, elevatorElevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s, refractors, prizes and two starting points. The game involves throwing blocks picked up from the starting point (one for each player in two-player games, only one is used in one-player) at blocks of the same type which are already in the levels. The blocks are thrown at 45 degree
Degree (angle)
A degree , usually denoted by ° , is a measurement of plane angle, representing 1⁄360 of a full rotation; one degree is equivalent to π/180 radians...
angles, and can be bounced off refractors placed in strategic parts of the levels. The blocks already in the level can be pushed around, and of course the prizes can be collected.
If a thrown block hits a wall/floor, flies off the level or hits a block of another type, then the block is destroyed and the player loses a life. If a thrown block goes through a randomly-chosen space on the level called the mystery spot, then the player gains bonuses. If a thrown block, when it collides with the blocks of the same type, makes a special shape - a square or a cross - then a monster is freed from the blocks. At the end of a level, bonus points are handed out for freed monsters. A two-player mode is available, which is simply the same as the one-player mode except the other starting position is used, and you're competing for points, which makes the game a lot more fast-paced.
Levels
There are 150 levels in the AmigaAmiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
version, and 160 levels in the DOS registered
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
version, most of which have completely different graphics. Most levels generally require new tactics to be conquered. The editor used to create all of the levels is included, and can be used to edit any level that came with the game, or to create original levels.
The first episode, which was released freely as shareware, is called "Bothersome Hunnybunz!". The other three episodes, which were only available with the registered version, are called "Significant Other of Hunnybunz!", "Love Child of Hunnybunz!" and "Hunnybunz Defrocked!". The last episode listed ingame is "Aleph-Zero Hunnybunz!", but is actually just the option to play custom levels created using the editor
Level editor
A level editor is a software tool used to design levels, maps, campaigns, etc and virtual worlds for a video game. In some cases the creator of a video game releases an official level editor for a game, but other times the community of fans step in to fill the void...
.
Censorship
The game originally featured an Accursed Toys logo which depicted the "Deady Bear", a teddy bear with a knife in its chest, with blood dripping from the wound. When Yeet and Boik would lose their last life, they would graphically commit suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Concern from Apogee Software about the violent content led them to include an option to turn off the depictions of suicide in v1.0. Version 1.1 censored the depictions of suicide by default and replaced the Deady Bear with a new splash screen with a note claiming it to be a "politically correct
Politically Correct
Politically Correct may refer to:*Political correctness, language, ideas, policies, or behaviour seeking to minimize offence to groups of people-See also:*Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, book by James Finn Garner, published in 1994...
ed version". It could, however, be uncensored with the command-line option "blood". All censorship was removed in the re-released version for Windows.
External links
- Classic DOS Games has the DOS version available for download.
- Boppin' Custom Level This page has the first original full episode created with the level editor and is available for download. This episode was made by Sabyonax, a devoted fan of the game.