Jersey Devil (video game)
A 1998 3D platformer starring a bat-like Jersey Devil.
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Jersey Devil, a 3D platformer from 1998, was developed by Behaviour Interactive and launched on PlayStation and Windows worldwide. The main character, a Jersey Devil who resembles a bat more than the legendary creature, must thwart Dr. Knarf and his forces of mutated vegetables and prehistoric beasts. To progress through many stages, players must collect all five letters of Knarf's name. The gameplay revolves around platforming in a 3D environment, using punches, jumps, and glides to defeat enemies, along with a tail whip to attack and a gliding ability to survive falls or access new areas. The story begins with a mutant pumpkin named Dennis interrupting Dr. Knarf’s dissection of a mutant eggplant to show him a caged infant Jersey Devil. After Knarf locks Dennis away and leaves for a new scalpel, the infant escapes, wrecks the lab, and drops a bottle of Nitroglycerin, destroying the lab and landing in the town of Jersey. Years later, the town has become a city terrorized by mutant vegetables. Dennis, now wearing a mask, is unmasked by the adult Jersey Devil, who then scares him off. Knarf picks up Dennis, and Jersey Devil watches from the rooftops as the title screen appears. Sony Computer Entertainment America acquired the title in October 1997. The PlayStation version earned mixed reviews on GameRankings; Next Generation found it unremarkable for the platform genre. In Japan, Konami released it as *Jersey Devil no Daibōken* on June 24, 1999, where Famitsu scored it 25 out of 40. GamePro called it the most ambitious 3D platformer for PlayStation at the time, despite camera issues, and recommended it to fans of *Crash* or *Croc* while warning of frustrating moments. Critics mainly targeted the camera and graphics, but the orchestral score by Gilles Léveillé received consistent praise.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Jersey Devil
- Publisher
- PlayStation / PAL · Ocean Software · NA · SCEAWindows / Infogrames
- Designer
- Claude Pelletier
- Programmer
- Stéphane Leblanc
- Released
- PlayStation / PAL · December 12, 1997 · NA · June 16, 1998Windows / 1999
- Genre
- 3D platformer
- Composer
- Gilles Léveillé
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- PlayStation, Windows
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game's plot begins with Dennis, a mutated humanoid pumpkin, entering Dr. Knarf's lab with a small cage containing an infant Jersey Devil. Knarf, interrupted while about to dissect a mutant eggplant, plans to dissect the infant but discovers his last scalpel blade was ruined by Dennis's interruption. He locks Dennis in a cage and leaves for more blades. During his absence, a plant monster attacks the infant, who eludes it and wrecks the lab. Knarf returns to find the Jersey Devil holding a bottle of Nitroglycerin, which he drops, destroying the lab and sending himself flying into the nearby town of Jersey.
Reader's Guide
Jersey Devil is a 3D platformer where gameplay is dominated by collecting icons and defeating enemies. The player character can punch, jump, glide, and tail whip enemies. In many areas, collecting all five letters of Knarf's name is necessary to proceed. The game was developed by Behaviour Interactive and released in 1997 for PlayStation and Windows. Sony Computer Entertainment America picked up the title in October 1997. The PlayStation version received mixed reviews according to GameRankings, with Next Generation stating it would not satisfy those seeking something fresh for the platform's stale platform genre. In Japan, Konami published it as Jersey Devil no Daibōken on June 24, 1999, and Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40. GamePro called it the PlayStation's most ambitious 3D platform game to date but noted camera problems. Criticism focused on camera and graphics, while the orchestral score by Gilles Léveillé was commonly praised.
Did You Know?
- The game's protagonist is a Jersey Devil with bat-like characteristics.
- The antagonist Dr. Knarf's name spelled backwards is 'Frank'.
- The game's orchestral score was composed by Gilles Léveillé.
- In Japan, the game was published by Konami under the title Jersey Devil no Daibōken and released in 1999.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jersey Devil (video game)?
Jersey Devil is a 1998 3D platformer created by Behaviour Interactive and released for PlayStation and Windows. The player takes on a bat-like creature loosely based on the Jersey Devil legend as it fights through a series of stages.
What are Jersey Devil (video game)'s powers and abilities?
The protagonist combines punches, jumps, and a gliding mechanic to defeat enemies and navigate the 3D world. A tail whip adds an extra attack option, while gliding also lets the player survive long drops and reach otherwise inaccessible platforms.
Why is Jersey Devil (video game) important to Halloween gaming?
It is one of the earlier 3D platformers built entirely around a spooky, mythological creature, giving the Halloween theme a full action-adventure structure. Its 1998 release helped establish a template for seasonal-themed platformers on PlayStation and PC.
Who made Jersey Devil (video game) and on what platforms can it be played?
Behaviour Interactive developed the title, which shipped worldwide in 1998. It was released on both the original PlayStation and Windows PC.
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