Mr. Cool (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Ken and Roberta Williams |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Mr. Cool (video game) |
Mr. Cool is an action game created by Peter Oliphant and released in 1983 by Sierra On-Line for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64. That same year, John Redekopp developed versions for the IBM PC (distributed as a self-booting disk) and Apple II. The gameplay draws significant inspiration from the 1982 arcade title Q*bert.
Gameplay
In this game, players assume control of an ice cube character named Mr. Cool, positioned initially atop a pyramid consisting of seven layers of heated plates. The main goal is to hop diagonally across these plates to change their color uniformly. While early stages require only one landing per plate, subsequent levels demand multiple touches. Hazards such as fireballs and hot springs descend the pyramid, posing threats to the player. Activating the "Supercool Time" power-up for fifteen seconds enables Mr. Cool to transform fireballs into snowballs and cool down hot springs.
Each level includes fifteen rounds, with the pace accelerating as players advance.
Development
Following his work on Sierra On-Line’s debut title Wall War, Peter Oliphant aimed to create a game that improved upon Q*bert’s repetitive nature. He described Mr. Cool as "a game like Q*bert, but better," completing the Atari 8-bit edition in just three weeks.
Reception
In 1983, Softline recognized Mr. Cool as an engaging title with strong potential for success at Sierra On-Line, despite lacking the distinctive visual appeal of Q*Bert. Arthur Leyenberger from Creative Computing acknowledged its resemblance to Q-Bert but praised its enjoyable and challenging qualities, noting that some users found diagonal joystick controls difficult.
The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 assigned it a mediocre grade (C), highlighting strategic elements reminiscent of Pac-Man and describing it as a competently produced clone.