Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM retains the lightning-fast run-and-gun platforming action that made the original title a cult classic, while packing in a wealth of new content to explore. The original six episodes remain intact, each featuring tight controls, varied weapon pickups, and inventive level design that encourages speed-running and secret hunting. Whether you’re blasting through the neon corridors of Carrotus Prime or navigating the toxic swamps of Shell City, the core mechanics feel as sharp today as they did in the ’90s.

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The three all-new episodes—“Outta Dis World,” “Wild Wabbit,” and “Turtle Soup”—push the gameplay into fresh territory. Jazz travels across exotic planets such as Exoticus, Industrius, Deserto, and Stonar, each with unique terrain hazards and gravity quirks. These episodes introduce never-before-seen enemy types, from hovering mechanical drones to giant space turtles, and feature boss encounters that demand precise timing and quick reflexes.

Pickups and weapons get a notable bump in variety and strategic use. In addition to Jazz’s trusty blaster and lock-on missiles, you’ll find rapid-fire lasers, explosive bombs, and a handful of secret weapon caches hidden throughout each stage. This encourages replayability, as seasoned players will want to revisit levels to uncover hidden paths and master advanced techniques such as the double jump dash and mid-air roll.

For those seeking a multiplayer challenge, the CD-ROM edition keeps the split-screen deathmatch mode alive. You and a friend can duke it out in specially designed arenas drawn from both the original and new episodes. While online matchmaking is absent, the local two-player mode is lively, chaotic, and perfectly suited to couch-competition sessions.

Graphics

The jump to CD-ROM allowed the development team to enhance Jazz Jackrabbit’s trademark 2D sprite animations with richer backgrounds and smoother transitions. Levels like Industrius glow with metallic sheen and animated conveyor belts, while Deserto’s sun-bleached dunes are punctuated by parallax-scrolling heat waves. Every stage feels alive, thanks to dynamic environmental elements such as flickering lights, rolling clouds, and interactive platforms.

Enemy and boss sprites have been redrawn with extra frames of animation, resulting in fluid attack patterns and more expressive character designs. The hulking Shellroids of Outta Dis World, for example, sport gleaming exoskeletons and stutter-step toward you in a way that feels both menacing and polished. New boss encounters—like the multi-limbed turtle warlord in “Turtle Soup”—showcase detailed sprite work that really pops against the backdrops.

Cutscenes and in-game text receive an upgrade, too. Character portraits now feature richer color palettes and higher resolutions, giving Jazz and his nemesis Devan Shell more personality in those between-level dialogues. Even the HUD elements have been refined, with crisp icons for weapon selection, health bars, and collectible counters that remain readable against busy backgrounds.

As a bonus, the second CD-ROM release includes the Holiday Hare ’94 episode, which boasts its own festive palette and themed enemies. Snow-laden landscapes and twinkling holiday lights add a whimsical charm, and the familiar holiday soundtrack is complemented by fresh visual flourishes like drifting snow and ornament-laden trees.

Story

The central narrative of Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM revolves around the classic hero-versus-villain setup: Jazz must rescue Princess Eva Earlong and thwart the evil turtle overlord Devan Shell. While the premise is delightfully straightforward, it serves as the perfect framing device for the game’s breakneck platforming and arsenal-based combat.

The three new episodes expand the storyline by sending Jazz on an interplanetary chase. In “Outta Dis World,” he hops between low-gravity asteroids to pursue Shell’s cosmic recruit, encountering new henchmen and puzzling space anomalies along the way. “Wild Wabbit” has Jazz crash-landing on a lush but perilous planet teeming with mutant wildlife, while “Turtle Soup” brings him face-to-face with the mastermind turtle generals in their volcanic fortress.

Short cutscenes between episodes inject humor and character interaction, often breaking the tension with Jazz’s wisecracks or a panicked dispatch from Princess Eva. These playful interludes enhance the storyline without dragging down the pace, ensuring you’re always geared up for the next high-octane run.

Including Holiday Hare ’94 adds a seasonal side-quest to the main narrative, framing Jazz’s journey as a holiday rescue mission. It’s a charming diversion that ties neatly back into the game’s overarching theme of heroism and teamwork, offering fans a festive snapshot of the Jazz universe.

Overall Experience

Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM is a remarkable example of ’90s platforming greatness amplified by the capabilities of CD-ROM technology. The blend of classic levels and new episodes provides well over a dozen hours of varied content for both newcomers and veterans. The fast-paced action, clever level design, and hidden secrets keep the adrenaline flowing from start to finish.

The audio design is top-notch, featuring remastered tracks that build on the original techno-funk soundtrack. New compositions for Exoticus and Deserto stand out with their catchy melodies and driving beats, perfectly matching the intensity of the gameplay. Sound effects—from weapon blasts to enemy roars—are crisp and impactful, adding to the immersion.

Replay value is high, thanks to hidden paths, bonus rooms, and a robust local multiplayer mode. Whether you’re chasing speedrun records, collecting every power-up, or outgunning a friend in split-screen, there’s always a fresh challenge to tackle. The addition of Holiday Hare ’94 sweetens the deal, giving players a holiday-themed experience without detracting from the core adventure.

For anyone craving a vibrant platforming romp with tight controls, imaginative level design, and a generous dose of nostalgia, Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM remains a standout choice. It successfully bridges the gap between retro charm and modern expectations, offering a package that’s both a love letter to longtime fans and an accessible entry point for a new generation of players.

Retro Replay Score

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