Software:Taz: Wanted

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Short description: 2002 video game
Taz: Wanted
Developer(s)Blitz Games
Publisher(s)Infogrames
Director(s)Jon Cartwright
Producer(s)Team Phoenix
Designer(s)Scott West
Programmer(s)Claude Dareau
Philip Palmer
Nigel Higgs
John Weeks
Artist(s)Chris Southall
Marc Buckingham
David Webb
Composer(s)Marc Canham
EngineBlitzTech
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, GameCube
Release
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Taz: Wanted is a platform video game released in 2002 by Blitz Games. The game features the Looney Tunes character the Tasmanian Devil.

Plot

Taz and She-Devil are hanging out romantically on Taz Island, but are suddenly captured by Yosemite Sam and held captive in Yosemite Zoo; Taz is kept in a large cage in the center of the zoo while She-Devil is still in a smaller cage in a truck. While Sam films an advertisement for the zoo on TV, Taz attempts to break out his cage, and Sam has She-Devil moved to a safer area of the zoo. After Taz breaks out, Sam has his "Taz Catcher" workers put up wanted posters and post a bounty to help catch Taz. Tweety appears and agrees to help Taz in his journey to save She-Devil, giving him pointers on where the wanted posters Taz needs to destroy are found.

After going through the zoo's safari, winter, and beach-themed attractions and destroying all of the wanted posters strewn throughout, Taz nearly escapes the zoo using a snowblower, a inflatable raft, and an escaped elephant found in said locations. However, Taz soon finds himself having to battle Gossamer in a game of Elephant Pong. When Taz wins, Sam retreats and moves She-Devil again. Taz chases after them, reaching the town of "Sam" Francisco. After evading capture from Sam's workers again, Taz sees Sam advertising She-Devil as the prize on the game show "Gladiatoons", prompting Taz to find a way into the show.

After causing chaos and destroying the wanted posters at the local museum, shopping mall, and construction site, Taz uses an unstable cement mixer from the site to launch himself into the Gladiatoons set. Taz then takes Wile E. Coyote's place in the main competition against the champion, Daffy Duck. Taz eventually emerges victorious against Daffy, but when Taz is placed on the winner's podium, Daffy throws a switch that causes the podium to trap Taz in a cage. After Daffy claims the bounty on Taz, Sam and his workers then take the captive Devil and transport him by train to the Old West. Upon reaching the train station in the desert, Taz manages to break free yet again. He then sees Sam's blimp lower him and She-Devil into an explosives warehouse on an otherwise unreachable butte.

Taz goes on to destroy the wanted posters throughout a local canyon town, a haunted theme park locale, and a large underground strip mine, eventually gaining access to a mine cart in the process. Taz then rides the cart and launches himself into the factory and confronts Sam. Sam uses dynamite in an attempt to blow up Taz, but ends up causing the warehouse to explode in the process. Sam escapes in his blimp with She-Devil, but the explosion has such force that it hurls Taz into outer space and eventually back on his island, where Sam is trying to build a theme park over it.

Taz catches up to Sam, where he is attempting to destroy the entire island by detonating a large amount of explosives in a volcano. Taz defeats Sam, causing him to fall into the lava. However, Sam managed to save himself thanks to a hidden jetpack, and escapes. As Taz and She-Devil are raised into Sam's blimp, which in en route back to Yosemite Zoo, Tweety suddenly appears operating a large mech, much to Taz's confusion. Tweety reveals that it was his idea to construct the 'Tazland A-maze-ment Park' all along, and battles Taz throughout the blimp. The battle eventually culminates with Taz opening the blimp's rear cargo door, and yelling with such audible force that it pushes Tweety out of the blimp, defeating him. She-Devil then appears, having broken out on her own, and shares a brief kissing session with Taz. She-Devil then tries to pilot the blimp from the cockpit to take them home to their island, but Taz accidentally destroys the control panel when he bursts in, causing the craft to crash on the island. She-Devil then hands Taz a broom to clean up, much to Taz's annoyance.

Gameplay

Taz: Wanted has four areas, the first three having the same basic blueprint. There are three levels in each area, each level having seven wanted posters of some variety that must be destroyed with some technique. Once all seven posters are destroyed, a scene will show an area of the level in which something happens that will help Taz get to the new area, such as a gate opening or something breaking. In the new area, Taz gets his hands on something and somehow manages to get it and him back to the HUB. Once the three things are acquired for the area, they can be used to enter a boss arena. The only exception for this is the level Taz Land, in which nothing is brought back, and the final area, with only one level and two bosses. Once the boss is defeated Taz is either blown, shipped, or chased to the next area. To travel between areas, a misplaced door is placed in each one which transports you to Planet X with all the other doors Taz can travel through. Defeating bosses unlocks their arenas for two-player mode.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PS2) 65/100[7]
(Xbox) 62/100[8]
(GC) 61/100[9]
(PC) 58/100[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[11]
GameSpot(PC) 5.1/10[12]
5/10[13]
GameZone7.2/10[14][15]
(PS2) 7/10[16]
(Xbox) 6.9/10[17]
IGN(PS2) 6.7/10[18]
(Xbox) 6.5/10[19]
(PC) 6.2/10[20]
(GC) 5.7/10[21]
NGC Magazine52%[22]
Nintendo Power3/5[23]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[24]
OXM (US)5.6/10[25]
PC Zone66%[26]
X-PlayStarStarStar[27]

Taz: Wanted received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic[7][8][10][9]

The game was nominated for 2002 BAFTA award in category 'Best Children's Entertainment'.[28]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bramwell, Tom (September 27, 2002). "What's New?". https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46746. 
  2. ↑ "Taz Wanted". http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=view&id=853. 
  3. ↑ "More Xbox Games". http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=platform&platform=11&startrecord=30. 
  4. ↑ "Taz Wanted". http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1456648. 
  5. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 4, 2002). "What's New?". https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46782. 
  6. ↑ "Taz Wanted". http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457124. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Taz Wanted for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/taz-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Taz Wanted Critic Reviews for Xbox". https://www.metacritic.com/game/taz-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Taz Wanted for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/taz-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Taz Wanted for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/taz-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  11. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Taz: Wanted (PS2) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117192633/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=37715&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-11-17. 
  12. ↑ Park, Andrew (2002-10-22). "Taz Wanted Review (PC)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/taz-wanted-review/1900-2895369/. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  13. ↑ Davis, Ryan (2002-10-25). "Taz Wanted Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/taz-wanted-review/1900-2895841/. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  14. ↑ Hollingshead, Anise (2002-10-07). "Taz Wanted Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20090201054141/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19563.htm. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  15. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (2002-10-31). "Taz Wanted Review - GameCube". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20081227233918/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19563.htm. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  16. ↑ Romano, Natalie (2002-10-04). "Taz: Wanted Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20081227185450/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19563.htm. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  17. ↑ Raymond, Justin (2002-10-04). "Taz: Wanted Review - Xbox". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20081227205407/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19563.htm. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  18. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (2002-09-17). "Taz: Wanted (PS2)". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/17/taz-wanted-3. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  19. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (2002-09-24). "Taz: Wanted Review (Xbox)". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/taz-wanted-review. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  20. ↑ Adams, Dan (2002-10-10). "Taz: Wanted (PC)". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/taz-wanted-2. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  21. ↑ Mirabella III, Fran (2002-10-30). "Taz: Wanted (GCN)". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/30/taz-wanted. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  22. ↑ "Taz: Wanted". NGC Magazine. 2002. 
  23. ↑ "Taz: Wanted". Nintendo Power 163: 218. December 2002. 
  24. ↑ "Taz: Wanted". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 119. September 2002. 
  25. ↑ "Taz: Wanted". Official Xbox Magazine: 112. October 2002. 
  26. ↑ "PC Review: Taz: Wanted". PC Zone. 2002. 
  27. ↑ Chang, Mitchell (2002-11-06). "'Taz Wanted' (PC) Review". Xplay. Archived from the original on 2002-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20021107005954/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3405120,00.html. Retrieved 2014-05-16. 
  28. ↑ "BAFTA Awards". http://awards.bafta.org/explore?pageNo=9&year=2002. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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