Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Taz: Wanted delivers a whirlwind of action that perfectly captures the Tasmanian Devil’s trademark chaos. From the moment you escape Yosemite Sam’s makeshift circus cage, you’ll be spinning, bouncing and burping through each stage with reckless abandon. The core moveset feels immediate and satisfying—Taz’s signature spin attack can clear swathes of enemies and environmental obstacles, while his powerful bounce gives you aerial control to reach higher platforms or stun foes from above.

Each of the 15 distinct levels is designed around destruction. Whether you’re plowing through wooden crates, toppling flimsy fences or sending Sam’s hired goons flying, the game constantly rewards your rampages. Hidden zones and secret pathways encourage exploration: sometimes you’ll discover a stash of hot chili that temporarily supercharges your spin, or grab a soda that restores health. These pickups feel like a natural extension of Taz’s insatiable appetite and add strategic layers to timed speedruns or cautious progress.

Controls remain tight throughout, even when the background action ramps up. You’ll find yourself chaining moves—bouncing off walls then transitioning directly into a spin attack—to maintain combos and get through gauntlets of enemies. Occasional boss encounters throw new patterns at you, testing your mastery of each technique. Though there’s no onscreen move list, the simple two-button scheme keeps the focus on momentum rather than memorizing complex inputs.

Replayability is high thanks to collectible items and star ratings at the end of each level. If you’re a completionist, going back to nab every hidden chili pepper or unlockable cartoon short will keep you engaged well after the credits roll. The game strikes a solid balance between approachable platforming fun and deeper challenges for those who want perfect runs.

Graphics

Taz: Wanted’s visuals are a love letter to classic Looney Tunes animation. Levels burst with bright colors, exaggerated perspective and wacky backgrounds that evoke both the Tasmanian wilderness and Yosemite Sam’s carnival-themed lair. The cartoon styling remains consistent throughout, from bouncy trees to over-the-top mechanical contraptions, giving each stage a unique personality.

Character models are crisp and faithful to their source material. Taz spins at breakneck speeds with blur lines reminiscent of hand-drawn cels, while enemy designs range from generic henchmen to Sam’s colossal boss machines. These bosses feature amusingly deranged designs—giant bull rigs and steamrollers—that match the game’s slapstick tone. Animations run smoothly even in the most chaotic scenes, ensuring you never lose track of Taz amid the debris.

Environmental effects such as dust clouds, flying splinters and dynamic lighting during explosions add polish. Subtle details like squashing and stretching animations when Taz lands or leaps heighten the cartoon-esque feel. Though the game doesn’t push next-gen graphical boundaries, the stylized art direction and fluid performance make it a visual treat on its target platforms.

Menus and HUD elements follow the same playful aesthetic, featuring bold fonts and themed icons for your chili and soda pickups. Level transitions are punctuated by short cinematic cut-ins of Taz roaring or Sam cackling, which further reinforce the game’s Looney Tunes spirit.

Story

The premise of Taz: Wanted is delightfully simple and cartoonish: Yosemite Sam has captured the Tasmanian Devil and plans to exploit Taz’s homeland as a money-making circus amusement park. This setup provides a classic “escape and revenge” arc that pays off with every over-the-top level. You’re not just platforming for points—you’re helping Taz save his home turf from Sam’s greed-fueled folly.

Although dialogue is sparse, the story is conveyed through whimsical cutscenes and in-game gags. Taz’s expressive roar, Sam’s wheezing threats and humorous visual punchlines create an engaging narrative flow. You’ll find yourself chuckling as Sam explains his latest contraption or Taz chomps down a chili pepper with cartoon steam rising from his ears.

Level objectives tie back to the plot in clever ways. One stage pushes you through carnival rides that Sam has rigged, another forces you to battle through a circus big top filled with clowns and acrobats turned robotic henchmen. Each environment enriches the narrative without resorting to lengthy exposition, preserving the breakneck pacing that keeps the action front and center.

Overall, the story acts as both motivation and comic relief. It’s light enough to never overstay its welcome, yet charming enough to invest you in Taz’s cause. The game strikes a sweet spot: you care about stopping Sam’s amusement park scheme, but you’re also there for the goofy Taz antics that made the character famous.

Overall Experience

Taz: Wanted offers a rollicking ride that fans of both platformers and classic cartoons will appreciate. It blends tight controls, imaginative level design and authentic Looney Tunes charm into a cohesive package. Whether you’re demolishing a junkyard or outwitting Sam’s mechanical monstrosities, the action never feels repetitive thanks to well-paced pacing and regular introduction of new mechanics.

Accessibility is a strong suit. Beginners can plow through early levels by brute force, while seasoned players can chase high scores via precision spins and item collection. Difficulty ramps up reasonably, making it suitable for younger audiences yet still offering a challenge for veteran gamers. The collectible system and optional speedrun incentives add value long after the main story ends.

Sound design and music further elevate the experience. The soundtrack features jaunty, high-tempo tunes, while sound effects—Taz’s growls, crunching crates, ricocheting bullets—are crisp and playful. These audio cues not only support gameplay feedback but also immerse you in the frenetic world of the Tasmanian Devil.

In conclusion, Taz: Wanted is a well-crafted platformer with broad appeal. Its blend of cartoon mayhem, strategic destruction and exploration ensures that every minute feels fresh. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to pick up, hard to master and consistently entertaining, Taz: Wanted is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10