Frogger has spent decades as a platforming mascot dating all the way back to his arcade debut in 1981. My personal favorite game starring the daring frog is 1997’s reboot of sorts, simply titled Frogger. It was one of the games I got alongside my original PlayStation, and I think it still holds up today.
This is one of those reboots that does a good job of updating a game for modern hardware while maintaining the spirit of the original. You still control the heroic little frog as he hops around dangerous obstacles to rescue baby frogs, but it’s all in 3D now. You even start with a set of levels that are just the arcade screen translated to 3D before moving on to all sorts of other environments like a desert, a sewer, the suburbs, the sky, a jungle, a factory and more. Each level has 5 baby frogs to find, and each zone has a special golden frog you need to rescue in order to get the true ending.
Frogger is surprisingly challenging at times. Some baby frogs are hidden well off the beaten path, and many levels are full of hazards and enemies that will insta-kill you. It’s a game that requires quick reflexes and some trial and error at times to figure out what exactly might kill you and how to avoid it. Replaying it as an adult and getting past levels that used to stonewall me as a kid is always a fun time.
If you want a game with quick, arcadey gameplay and a fair bit of challenge, look no further. It’s a neat twist on the original formula that makes good use of more advanced hardware. The graphics may be pretty outdated now, but I find the simple, low-poly models charming in their own way. Whenever I want to play a cute but tough blast from the past, Frogger is always at the top of the list.
Kay Talks Games 