Come with me if you want to live!
Flicky is a Sega Mega Drive game that often receives a lot of flack from gamers. People moan about it appearing on multiple Mega Drive compilations, as if it doesn't deserve its position on the roster, which is a little unfair. Maybe it's because these compilations are often missing many favoured titles – mostly due to licensing issues – or maybe it is because the game looks so dated when viewed alongside games such as Commix Zone or Ristar. But underneath the dated visuals and simplistic arcade gameplay lies an exciting and addictive game that deserves far more praise than it generally receives.
Flicky is a Sega Mega Drive game that often receives a lot of flack from gamers. People moan about it appearing on multiple Mega Drive compilations, as if it doesn't deserve its position on the roster, which is a little unfair. Maybe it's because these compilations are often missing many favoured titles – mostly due to licensing issues – or maybe it is because the game looks so dated when viewed alongside games such as Commix Zone or Ristar. But underneath the dated visuals and simplistic arcade gameplay lies an exciting and addictive game that deserves far more praise than it generally receives.
A simple instruction screen explains the rules
A
conversion of Sega's 1984 arcade original, the Mega Drive version
wasn't the first home port that Flicky received, even on a Sega
system. The SG1000 version came out in 1984 (the same year as the
coin-op), and was a pretty decent conversion. Sure, the graphics are
very basic, but the gameplay remains intact and is as enjoyable as
the original. The Mega Drive version appeared in 1991 and came with
much improved visuals and sound. Of course, it was still not as
visually attractive as its arcade parent – the colours are more
garish and the sprites less detailed – but it was as close as you
could hope. Besides, the all important gameplay was all present and
correct. The problem was that, by this stage, 16-bit graphics were
blowing the minds of gamers across the globe, and ports of early 80's
arcade games weren't in vogue any more. This happens with every
generation of consoles – just look at how everybody abandoned the
2D platformer boat once the 32-bit '3d' machines arrived – and it
often leads to great games falling under the radar. But these days,
when retro gaming is all the rage, and 2d games are now just as
popular as in their heyday, we can approach any game with an open
mind, and not be tainted by such technological matters.
Flicky whacks a cat in the face, receiving 200 points for his effort
The
game is very much of the classic 1980's arcade game variety. Basic,
yet charming, visuals, catchy tunes, and simple yet addictive
gameplay that anyone can grasp within a few minutes of game time.
Flicky is all about getting as far as you can while getting the best
possible score. Controlling the titular hero, a cute blue bird, you
must navigate the side-scrolling stages rescuing baby chicks, named
'chirps' and guiding them to the exit. The stages are small and loop,
so running right will soon bring you back to the same spot. The
chirps are stationary until you collect them, at which point they
form a line behind you and follow you. Out to scupper your rescue
efforts are ginger cats which appear through cat flaps in the
background. Once after you, they will run along the platforms moving
between levels, seemingly at random. Should Flicky get touched by one
of these feline aggressors he will lose a life, but if the cat
touches any of your chain of chirps, the baby chicks will scatter and
you will have to grab them again for them to rejoin your conga line
of freedom. You can drop off chirps at the exit as you see fit, but
collecting and depositing them all in one go will award you with a
massive score bonus.
Forming a large conga line of chirps is always extremely satisfying
Flicky
isn't completely defenceless, though, as there are cups or flower pots dotted
around the levels. Touching one will affix it to Flicky, and a press
of the button will launch it forwards. If it whacks into any of the
cats they are repelled off the screen and remain gone for a short
while before reappearing through one of the cat flaps. Every few stages you get to play a bonus game where cats fire chirps into the air, and you must save them by catching them in your net. It provides a nice break from the usual action and will test your reflexes.
The bonus stage tasks you with catching chirps in a net
Flicky is hugely addictive stuff, and you will soon find yourself always attempting to collect all
the chicks in one go, in order to nab the huge bonus for a mass rescue. This is
easier said than done, however, due to the cat's erratic movement
patterns, and the fact you have a long trail of chirps behind you
that are even harder to protect from being catnapped. As with all the
best 80's arcade games – I am talking about classics such as Bomb
Jack, Mappy, Bubble Bobble, Dig Dug, Amidar and Mr Do (to name but a
few) – Flicky will keep you utterly hooked for multiple plays as
you attempt to better your score. You always feel as though you are
learning and improving at the game, and that the next go might be the
one that sees your score go through the roof. It's a game that will
usually be played in short bursts, but one that you will always
return to. Hell, I am returning to it again and again to this day –
nearly 30 years after its original arcade release.
The visuals can be garish, but they never distract you from the task in hand
So
I wholeheartedly recommend Flicky to anyone who enjoys the classic
gameplay of 1980's coin-ops. It is one of the easier Mega Drive games
to find, so there really isn't any excuse not to get stuck in. There
are ports for the PC and mobile devices out there too, but I
recommend either playing the arcade original via MAME, or playing the
Mega Drive version, on cartridge or on one of the many Sega
compilations it appears on. A timeless classic!
Flicky heads for the exit with all the chirps in tow - huge score alert!
There was also an extremely polished clone of Flicky released for the PC. Air Flight stars a young girl who also has to rescue cute birds from cats. Aside from the anime visuals and music, it is practically identical to Flicky, meaning you should check it out as soon as possible!
Title : Flicky
Developer : SEGA
System : Mega Drive / Genesis
Year : 1991
