Pole's Big Adventure
Encyclopedia
is a retro
-styled platforming
video game by Sega
for WiiWare
. It is produced by Phantasy Star Universe
producer Takao Miyoshi, and was released in Japan on February 3, 2009.
Pole's Big Adventure features an 8-bit
style presentation and gameplay reminiscent of NES
and Sega Master System
platform games. However, the game also pokes fun at the conventions of these games (particularly Super Mario Bros.
), featuring a crude sense of humor and frequent references to the fourth wall
.
. Although there are six levels, the main objective of the game is for the player to stumble across the many gags hidden in the game. Each gag is highlighted for the player through on screen text and voice over from an announcer.
The game features 100 gags for the player to uncover, with some only available on a second playthrough. One gag involves the player collecting a power-up
mushroom, only to become so giant that they die and lose a life. Another power-up gives Pole an erection
. The game also features deliberate bugs and glitches such as slowdown and graphical corruption, while other gags spoof platforming game conventions such as the player being forced to control a limping Pole after he breaks his leg landing from a high platform.
Retro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...
-styled platforming
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
video game by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
for WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
. It is produced by Phantasy Star Universe
Phantasy Star Universe
is an action roleplaying game by Sega's Sonic Team for the PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. In Japan, it was released for the PC and PlayStation 2 on August 31, 2006, with the Xbox 360 version releasing on December 12, 2006. Its North American release was on October 24, 2006, available in all...
producer Takao Miyoshi, and was released in Japan on February 3, 2009.
Pole's Big Adventure features an 8-bit
History of video game consoles (third generation)
In the history of computer and video games, the third generation began on July 15, 1983, with the Japanese release of both the Nintendo Family Computer and Sega SG-1000...
style presentation and gameplay reminiscent of NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
and Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
platform games. However, the game also pokes fun at the conventions of these games (particularly Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
is a 1985 platform video game developed by Nintendo, published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., the player controls Mario as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist...
), featuring a crude sense of humor and frequent references to the fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
.
Plot
The game involves Pole, a cowboy, rescuing his girlfriend Sharon from a kidnapper. At the end of each level Pole "rescues" Sharon, only to find she is a poorly-disguised enemy character.Gameplay
Pole's Big Adventure features traditional side-scrolling platforming gameplay, with Pole killing enemies with a shotgun that can be upgraded, as well as tackling several bossesBoss (video games)
A boss is an enemy-based challenge which is found in video games. A fight with a boss character is commonly referred to as a boss battle or boss fight...
. Although there are six levels, the main objective of the game is for the player to stumble across the many gags hidden in the game. Each gag is highlighted for the player through on screen text and voice over from an announcer.
The game features 100 gags for the player to uncover, with some only available on a second playthrough. One gag involves the player collecting a power-up
Power-up
In computer and video games, power-ups are objects that instantly benefit or add extra abilities to the game character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a benefit and can be used at a time chosen by the player...
mushroom, only to become so giant that they die and lose a life. Another power-up gives Pole an erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
. The game also features deliberate bugs and glitches such as slowdown and graphical corruption, while other gags spoof platforming game conventions such as the player being forced to control a limping Pole after he breaks his leg landing from a high platform.