Rugrats Adventure Game
Tommy and friends rescue Reptar from the trash.
Rugrats Adventure Game is an educational point-and-click adventure game based on the Rugrats television series, released for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh on September 30, 1998. Developed and published by Broderbund, it was the first in a series of Rugrats video games for PC. The game follows Tommy Pickles and his friends as they attempt to rescue Tommy's toy Reptar from being thrown away.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Rugrats
- Platforms
- Windows, Macintosh
- Developer
- Broderbund
- Director
- Bridget Erdmann
- Producer
- Elizabeth Stuart
- Writer
- Jon Cooksey; Ali Matheson
- Designer
- Jim Everson
- Composer
- Earwax Productions
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Using Tommy's screwdriver to escape the playpen, the babies stow away in another trash can but are spooked by a garbage truck named Hubert and sent back. They unlock the playpen again, and Angelica warns them about aliens. The babies fight her and take it back. Angelica then transforms into an alien named Angeleeka, who plans to destroy Earth. The babies defeat her with a coconut pie in an outer space fantasy, then break the fourth wall to thank the player.
Gameplay
The entire adventure takes place inside the Pickles house, with each room broken into multiple walkable screens. Tommy always finds at least one friend on every screen who can assist with gathering items or finishing tasks. Collected objects go into Tommy’s diaper, which the player opens by clicking on it. Certain spots trigger minigames that move the story forward. A row of buttons appears when the cursor moves to the screen’s bottom, showing task progress and offering reset or quit options. A cry button makes the babies wail, which brings Didi to take them back to the starting playpen.
Production
Rugrats Adventure Game was released alongside Rugrats Movie Activity Challenge and Rugrats Print Shop on September 30, 1998, in anticipation of The Rugrats Movie. The Learning Company president noted the franchise's strength offered broader promotional impact. Broderbund offered a promotion giving 20% off a second kid's product with any Rugrats title purchase from November 1998 to June 1, 1999. As a cross-promotion, 200 copies were second prize in a Simon and Schuster scratch-n-win sweepstakes.
Critical reception
AllGame recommended parents sit with children who get stuck. MacHome called it extensive and richly animated, a mix between Myst and a Huggies commercial. Just Adventure found it fantastic for developing computer skills and love of adventure games. Hartford Courant liked its playful graphics and music. CBS News children playtest found all three Rugrats CD-ROMs winners. Boston Globe praised their variety. Boston Herald called it a waste of money and time. Baltimore Sun found the item-ordering requirement frustrating. Washington Post deemed it silly and fun. Los Angeles Daily News praised its educational skill-building. Los Angeles Times found the mangling of English grating. Kiplinger's Finance noted the tie-in to the film was convenient. PC Direct liked its comedy, madcap antics, and puzzles. It was nominated for PC Children's Entertainment Title of the Year at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, losing to A Bug's Life. It was among the best-selling PC games of October 1998 and 9th-best-selling home education software for 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Rugrats Adventure Game?
Rugrats Adventure Game was directed by Bridget Erdmann.
Who designed Rugrats Adventure Game?
Rugrats Adventure Game was designed by Jim Everson.
Who composed the music for Rugrats Adventure Game?
The music for Rugrats Adventure Game was composed by Earwax Productions.
More in Point-and-Click Adventure Games of the 1990s
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