• ID = PS0987
• STYLE = 3D Platform
• DEV. = BlitzGames
• PUB. = Infogrames North America, Inc.
• R-DATE = Sep-12-2002
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

Zapper's a cricket on a mission to save his brother. He must make his way through six interactive worlds, each with dangerous hazards he must avoid, eggs he must capture, meeting both friends and enemies that help and hinder his progress. In a great twist on classic "avoid-em up" gameplay, Zapper has an offensive weapon: the Zap! The zap is a powerful electrical charge which Zapper can send from his antennas, eliminating or stunning enemies and gaining him access to the power-ups and treasures of the worlds he moves through. This zap, plus fast-footed skills and superior timing, will help Zapper to conquer all the worlds and survive the final showdown with Maggie, the diabolical magpie queen.

Description 2:
You're a cricket named Zapper on a mission to save your brother from the evil magpie queen, Maggie. Make your way through 6 interactive worlds with danger around every corner. You must avoid hazards and capture eggs, and will meet friends as well as enemies on your way to an epic final battle with Maggie. You have a weapon that can zap your enemies, and your antennas can shoot a powerful electrical charge at enemies to gain access to power-ups and treasures.

Description 3:
Your brother has been captured by the nefarious magpie queen, and you're the only cricket in the known world who can save him. Traversing six massive worlds, you'll try to track your brother down, collecting as many "Z" coins as possible in the process. There are lots of power ups to aid in your attempt, but there's also a wide assortment of enemies and obstacles to keep things interesting. A 3D platform game with loads of creative twists, ZAPPER's great for gamers of all ages.

• Action/adventure platformer starring a wacky cricket.
• 18 unique levels.
• Unlock hidden areas, bonus levels.
• Find and destroy eggs before they hatch.
• Single- and multi-player modes.

Amazon.com Review
The main character of Zapper is a cricket who must rescue his brother, Zipper, from a pilfering magpie. With a storyline that doesn’t go much deeper than that, Zapper very quickly becomes about as exciting as watching real crickets. The goal of the game is to maneuver Zapper through a completely linear 3-D world filled with angry bumblebees, picketing beavers, giant snails, blade-swinging statues, cascading waterfalls, and various other exotic dangers that make you feel like you’re in a hybrid version of A Bug’s Life and Indiana Jones. There are six worlds and 20 levels to Zapper, and experienced gamers will have little difficulty moving through all of them quickly. Helping Zapper is his ability to zap lightninglike sparks out of his antennae, which causes some bugs to jump and some boxes to open. By freeing enough fireflies, Zapper gains super-zap abilities, which will eliminate certain dangers and open otherwise locked boxes.

Anyone who has played Frogger will immediately recognize the similarity of Zapper. Each level has a grid as its base, which itself is well integrated into the six unique worlds. Zapper jumps and zaps his way from square to square and is able to rotate in place--a very useful feature when trying to avoid a swinging blade to your left, a river to your right, and the void behind you. Early in the game these dangers are easily navigable, though even the most deft gamer will die often before figuring out exactly which obstacles can be traversed. Later in the game these dangers multiply to such an extent that getting past them requires more commitment than the game deserves. And because the game is not much fun, finishing it feels more dutiful than challenging. --Bill Hummel

Pros:
An unassuming and nonviolent game that might hold young gamers’ attention.

Cons:
Superficial storyline.
Repetitive gameplay.
Not a lot of fun.