User Reviews

Awesome Possum Kicks Dr. Machino's Butt is another one of those games created to make money off the success of Sonic The Hedgehog as well as be part of the environmental awareness bandwagon that Captain Planet kicked off. In the game, you play as Awesome Possum, a possum with a motor mouth and a desire to keep the planet clean, is on a mission to kick Dr. Machino's butt, and to do that, he must go through thirteen levels divided across four different enviroments, fighting Dr. Machino's robots along the way. So in a sense, this is Sonic with a protect the environment theme. Also, if you have the manual, there is a comic included that also tells the story.

Now, for the gameplay, it's just like Sonic The Hedgehog, only a little crazy. The controls are basically the D-Pad for moving while all three buttons make Awesome jump. The real catch is he can be real slippery at times. He can move fast as Sonic, but he will run into enemies and other hazards, but thankfully, it does take getting used to, as it takes trial and error. Also, Awesome has a life bar, and when it's depleted, you lose a life, and losing all your lives results in what is called the scariest game over screen ever (and this is a game aimed at kids). The main problem with being hit is Awesome gets no invincibility time, so his health can be drained really quick if you're not careful (especially near those planes that like to go kamikaze into him).

Thankfully, the game does have items. Trash can be collected, and act like the coins in Mario, only here, you need 50 pieces of trash for a one up (which also restores Awesome to full health). There is also the usual 1-Up and Health Power-Ups, along with a power-up to make Awesome move fast, and one that allows him to jump higher. Also, animals are hidden in the area that Awesome can ride, and at the end of each level, he is asked a question about the environment (although getting them all right is not necessary to complete the game, as a right answer only awards bonus points. No emerald or other special item to collect, and no super form for Awesome Possum to obtain).

Also, this game is infamous for having voice speech. Awesome Possum will make remarks as you play. but thankfully, the game's option menu allows you to disable the ability. Also, if the game is a bit too hard (trust me, it is hard), there is a secret options menu that will allow you enable invincibility, have infinite lives, and even select what level to start on. This game may be far from perfect, but it's okay.