Software:Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe

From HandWiki
Short description: Cancelled fighting video game
Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe
Planned PlayStation 2 cover
Developer(s)Treasure
Publisher(s)Conspiracy Entertainment
Director(s)Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
Designer(s)
  • Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
  • Kouji Kitatani
  • Tsunehisa Kanagae
  • Seiji Hasuko
Programmer(s)
  • Fukuryuu
  • Masaki Ukyo
  • Yoshihiro Miura
Composer(s)Norio Hanzawa
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, GameCube
ReleaseCancelled
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe is a cancelled fighting game based on the Tiny Toon Adventures franchise. It was initially scheduled for release in mid-2002, but was cancelled for unknown reasons, despite having completed development. It was developed by Treasure and originally slated for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube.[1] On 25 February 2009, a disc image of the game was released by a member of the Internet forum Lost Levels.[2]

The surviving voice actors from the TV series reprised their roles as their characters for this game, with Charlie Adler returning as the voice of Buster (as well as voicing Zag) and Billy West replacing the late Don Messick as the voice of Hamton. Even though this game was never officially released, it marked the last official appearances of the original characters until the 2023 reboot series, Tiny Toons Looniversity.

Gameplay and premise

Screenshot of the game

The plot of Defenders of the Universe centers on Montana Max taking over the planet Gold Star. Natives of the planet, the Bullions, escape and ask Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton Pig for help.[3]

Development and cancellation

Originally titled Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Looniverse,[4] Defenders of the Universe was first announced in 2001 with a planned spring 2002 release.[5] It was later expected for release by the summer that same year.[6]

In 2004, Douglas C. Perry for IGN suggested that the game had always been intended for release, mentioning that it was "still officially slated to come out sometime (not necessarily in 2004)".[7] While the game was given an ESRB rating and was shown on retail listings, it was never released in any capacity, with no official reason given.[7][8]

Reception

Kurt Kalata from Hardcore Gaming 101 theorized that the game was planned to be the spiritual successor to Treasure's 1999 Japanese-exclusive Rakugaki Showtime, noting its similarities in gameplay and mechanics.[8] Shared staff between the two games include director and co-designer Tetsuhiko Kikuchi, co-designer Tsunehisa Kanagae, and programmer Masaki Ukyo.

References