"Okay, so it's a Mario64 clone, on the PC...I liked it, almost as much as I like the original cartoons. A solid thumbs-up!!!"

---from the review

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Bugs Bunny : Lost in Time!

Sorry; game link no longer available.

A Techtite Review

Upon first glance, this game appears to be merely an interactive, 3D accelerated Warner Brothers Cartoon. In truth, it's a Super Mario 64 clone (ie, 3D action game), aimed towards an older group of gamers. This is a red light for parents who'd buy this game for their little kids, though a major green light for people who'd love a Mario64 clone for their PC, starring polygonal 3D versions of over 7 classic WB characters. Aside from a poor choice of first game level (more on that one later), I had few complaints!

The plot? Bugs comes across a time machine and by accident uses it to go back in time. Helping him find his way back is a magician named Merlin Monroe (who some may remember from a classic Bugs cartoon). Merlin tells Bugs he must collect enough magic clocks (ie, "stars" in Mario64) and golden carrots (ie, Mario "coins") to get back home.

This quest takes him to five different time periods, with any number of classic Bugs Bunny foes. In the pirate era, you must fight a pirate Yosemetie Sam. In the future, you defeat Marvin the Martian. Other foes include Witch Hilda, Mugsy the Gangster, and yes, Elmer Fudd, all in excellent, well animated 3D polygons. Bugs can also perform all his usual tricks, including tunneling underground, using his ears as a helicopter to float down, and the coolest of game rules; Bugs has no life limit, so you can play as long as you want!

Even so, this game's controls takes some getting used to. Why? For one thing, the game controls are not unlike Mario64's, where direction keys move you in that direction. This takes some getting used to when most PC games' left and right keys turn you in that direction, like the wheel of a car. Adapting to this "Nintendo control scheme" (so to speak) takes some time, though at least there's a practice level to get you started.

Gripes, once you get used to the controls, are few; the bottom line is, if you're a fan of Mario64, and of WB cartoons (who isn't?), this is one cool game to own. However, yes, it has its flaws; particularly the difficulty curve. While Mario64 would cut you some slack --only 70 of 120 stars are needed for its finale-- this game requires you to find at least 120 of the 124 clocks! Here's a free tip: Don't bother getting the final 4 clocks; it merely leads to a different background picture, during the final credits. However, to be fair, in-game rewards are plentiful, including some very cute 3D animations; each a salute to a classic moment in Bugs Bunny cartoon history.

The biggest mistake this game makes, however, is its first level (after its practice level). Why? Because it's more Flintstones than Bugs Bunny; a totally out of place prehistoric setting, with way too many jump-or-DIE puzzles. My opinion : It's the most difficult level I went through...and it was the game's first! More care went into the medieval time period (where Bugs learns some new skills from Merlin), so it's surprising that timeframe wasn't the first area available. The Marvin the Martian area --speaking as a diehard Marvin fan-- is also not to be missed; so just plod through the "Flintstone levels" any way you can. All further levels are a real thrill.

For those who are up to the challenge, this game is fantastic to any Warner Brothers cartoon fan. If there is to be a sequel, I'd like to see all the WB characters not shown here, including Sylvester, Tweety, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, Pepe LePew, and so on. With or without such a sequel, this is one fun game to play...once you get the hang of it.

---Techtite