Jumping Flash was unique when it was released. The same for the Sony PlayStation which at launch left gamers not really knowing what to expect. Sony was not exactly known for great games when they decided to launch a console. Their software division had a few hits but not enough to sustain a new, break away from Nintendo, console. Sure, on 16-bit platforms they had Hook and a few other decent hits. In the early days of the PSOne, Sony took chances, lots of them. They gave a lot of developers the green light with one caveat. The game had to be a 3D game since Sony had a problem with 2D games. One company that got the greenlight was Exact, located in Japan.

If you are not familiar with Exact, then you are not alone since Sony bought them up. Sony assimilated Exact into Team Ico in Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Studio. Back in the day though, Exact were making games on the Sharp X68000 (see issue #2 of RGM for more on this gaming computer).

Jumping Flash was a port

Why reference Exact’s work on the Sharp X68000? Because it is there that they released a game called Geograph Seal, which was the game that caught Sony’s attention. Sony was looking for a new title to show off the power of the PlayStation. Checking out Geograph Seal will reveal a lot of similarities to Nintendo’s Star Fox game (flat shaded polygons) but also the early trappings of what would become Jumping Flash.

Fear of heights enducing

For most gamers that played Jumping Flash they would take from it a severe case of “fear of heights”. You can jump high, and higher and higher. The power of the PlayStation allowed you to see quite a bit of the game world. At the height of your jump this becomes quite the spectacle to take in. You are controlling basically a giant robotic rabbit where jumping is an integral part of the game. Just like Geograph Seal you are able to shoot the enemies you encounter. The draw in is sometimes pretty bad but it hardly ever gets in the way of enjoying Jumping Flash.

Jumping Flash is available on the PlayStation Network as part of the PSOne Classics series or pick up an original copy from eBay or Amazon.

This article is archived in the Hive Gaming section of the Hive.blog Blockchain. Check it out for more great entertainment.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams