Joe Danger
A stuntman platformer with course editing and split-screen multiplayer.
Joe Danger is a 2010 racing game developed and published by British studio Hello Games. In the platform game, the player controls the eponymous daredevil and navigates courses within a set amount of time, aiming to complete enough objectives to continue to further rounds. Notable for its accessible gameplay and integrated level editor, the game received generally positive reviews and was nominated for the grand prize at the 2010 Independent Games Festival.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Hello Games
- Director
- David Ream
- Designer
- Sean Murray
- Programmer
- Ryan Doyle
- Artist
- Grant Duncan
- Series
- Joe Danger
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation Vita
- Genre
- Racing, platform
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Joe Danger was inspired by the team's wish to create something joyful, akin to Mario Kart and Micro Machines, with an Evel Knievel toy serving as the main inspiration for the character. Development involved a small team of four working over 60 hours per week, with no software design document. A programming bug that allowed unlimited mid-air jumps was kept as a feature, becoming the double jump. Hello Games struggled to find a third-party publisher; one publisher suggested the game might have been published if the main character were a monkey, leading to the later addition of a downloadable bonus character, Chuckles the Chimp. After nine months without a publisher, the team ran out of money, and lead developer Murray considered selling his home to fund development.
Reader's Guide
Joe Danger blends racing and side-scrolling platform elements, with the player controlling Joe Danger through ten trials against Team Nasty. The game uses a two-dimensional plane with three layers accessible by changing lanes. Players collect stars by completing objectives such as finishing within a time limit, collecting coins or hidden letters, or performing trick sequences. A sandbox mode allows players to drag and drop objects to customize levels, and this mode is integrated into some single-player levels. The game includes split-screen multiplayer for up to four players and leaderboard support limited to friends on the PlayStation Network. The level design was directly influenced by the Sonic the Hedgehog series, featuring spikes, loops, and springs. The game's Special Edition for Xbox 360 added new modes and characters, including a 'Laboratory' mode with developer challenges. A spin-off for iOS and Android was developed separately, aiming for console-quality graphics at 60 frames per second.
Did You Know?
- One prospective publisher said they might have published the game if the main character had been a monkey.
- The game was estimated to have sold at least 108,000 units in its first three months.
More in Platform Games of the 2010s, Part 1 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced