A Bug's Life (video game)

{{Infobox video game

| title = A Bug's Life

| image = A Bug's Life Coverart.png

| caption = North American PlayStation box art

| developer = Traveller's Tales
Tiertex Design Studios {{small|(GBC)}}

| publisher = PlayStation
Sony Computer Entertainment
Microsoft Windows
Disney Interactive
Game Boy Color{{vgrelease|NA|THQ|EU|Activision}}Nintendo 64
Activision

| platforms = PlayStation
Microsoft Windows
Game Boy Color
Nintendo 64

| released = PlayStation{{vgrelease|NA| November 24, 1998{{Cite web |date=November 24, 1998 |title=A Bug's Life Ships |url=http://www.psxnation.com/news/112498a.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225233906/http://www.psxnation.com/news/112498a.html |archive-date=February 25, 2001 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |website=PSX Nation}}|EU|February 1999}}Microsoft Windows{{vgrelease|NA| November 1998|EU|February 12, 1999{{Cite web |date=2001-02-10 |title=Gone Gold : EuroGold |url=http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210220535/http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-date=February 10, 2001 }}}}Game Boy Color{{vgrelease|NA|December 2, 1998{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/981202/thq_inc_a__1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990224181056/http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/981202/thq_inc_a__1.html|title=THQ Ships Disney/Pixar's 'A Bug's Life' for Nintendo Game Boy Color|website=yahoo.com|date=December 2, 1998|archivedate=February 24, 1999|accessdate=July 18, 2021}}|EU|1999}}Nintendo 64{{vgrelease|EU| January 1, 1999|NA|June 1999{{Cite magazine |date=1999-10-09 |title=Game Informer News |magazine=Game Informer |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/news/jun99/060299c.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |archive-date=October 9, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991009101655/http://www.gameinformer.com/news/jun99/060299c.html |url-status=deviated }}}}

| genre = Platform

| modes = Single-player

| director = Jon Burton

| producer = Dan Winters

| designer = Jon Burton

| programmer = Jon Burton
Dave Dootson
Gary Vine {{small|(N64)}}
Stephen Harding {{small|(N64)}}

| artist = James Cunliffe

| composer = Andy Blythe and Marten Joustra

}}

A Bug's Life is a platform video game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. Ports to Windows and Nintendo 64 and a separate version for the Game Boy Color were released after. It is based on the Disney/Pixar 1998 film of the same name, with changes made to the storyline. After completing levels the player can unlock clips from the film.{{cite web|title=A Bug's Life - TT Games|url=https://www.ttgames.com/game/a-bugs-life/|website=Traveller's Tales|accessdate=26 October 2021|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026065252/https://www.ttgames.com/game/a-bugs-life/|url-status=live}} The PlayStation version was released on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable on July 27, 2010.{{cite web|title=PlayStation Store Update|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2010/07/27/playstation-store-update-149/|website=PlayStation Store|date=July 27, 2010|accessdate=May 19, 2022|archive-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523112439/https://blog.playstation.com/2010/07/27/playstation-store-update-149/|url-status=live}}

Gameplay

A Bug's Life is a platform game in which the player controls Flik throughout settings and a storyline based on the namesake film. The game is divided into five distinct "lands" consisting of three levels each.A Bug's Life (Nintendo 64) instruction booklet, pp. 23–24 To complete a level, the player must either find an exit, complete a goal or defeat a boss character.A Bug's Life (Nintendo 64) instruction booklet, p. 19 Flik's primary form of offense against enemy characters is throwing berries. By default, Flik throws red-colored berries, which are the weakest form of berry and cannot harm certain enemies. Stronger berries can either be found within a level or received from planting purple-colored seeds. Collecting purple seed tokens increases the range of berries a seed can produce. Aside from increased power, some berries travel faster and can home in on enemies. The strongest form of berry is gold-colored and is capable of permanently eliminating enemies and preventing them from respawning.A Bug's Life (Nintendo 64) instruction booklet, pp. 14–15

Several seeds are scattered throughout the levels. Flik can hoist most seeds over his head and carry them to other areas, although some seeds are embedded into the ground and cannot be moved. Jumping on top of a seed creates a plant that aids Flik in some fashion. By default, all seeds are colored brown and bear plants that help Flik traverse high terrain. The color of the seeds and the type of plant they bear can be changed if Flik collects differently-colored seed tokens within a level. Some plants can restore Flik's health, provide a shield from enemy attacks, propel him through the air, or damage enemies by firing berries. Plants can be uprooted and discarded, which results in a fresh seed appearing in its place.A Bug's Life (Nintendo 64) instruction booklet, pp. 11–13

Flik's health is displayed as a leaf on the top-right corner of the screen, and the player is given six lives at the beginning of the game. When Flik's health is full, the leaf appears whole, but if he is harmed by an enemy or hazard, a bite is taken out of the leaf. Health can be restored by collecting leaves marked with a red cross, which are released from defeated enemies and blue seed plants. Collecting 50 pieces of grain within a level will restore Flik's health completely. If the leaf is completely eaten away, a life is lost. An extra life can be received if the letters F, L, I and K are collected within a level. If all of Flik's lives are lost, it is game over.A Bug's Life (Nintendo 64) instruction booklet, p. 18

Floating telescopes grant a rotating view of either hidden items in a level or the level's exit and the surrounding details. Flik's grain harvester is present in certain levels, and can be used to attract distant grain and permanently kill most enemies while it is worn.

Development

The game was announced in October 1997.{{cite web|first=Micheal|last=Mullen|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_10/13_thq/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203205126/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_10/13_thq/index.html|title=New Game Boy Titles From THQ & Disney|website=GameSpot|archivedate=February 3, 1999|date=October 13, 1997|accessdate=August 7, 2022}} Developer Traveller's Tales' website suggests a Sega Saturn version was once in development. {{cite web | url=https://www.ttgames.com/game/a-bugs-life/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113042/https://www.ttgames.com/game/a-bugs-life/ | archive-date=January 25, 2021 | title=A Bug's Life }}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| GR = (PS) 55.73%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196524-disneypixar-a-bugs-life/index.html |title=Disney/Pixar A Bug's Life for PlayStation |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=28 February 2013 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102230744/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196524-disneypixar-a-bugs-life/index.html |url-status=live }}
(N64) 54.40%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196523-a-bugs-life/index.html |title=A Bug's Life for Nintendo 64 |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=28 February 2013 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411222701/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196523-a-bugs-life/index.html |url-status=live }}
(GBC) 36.63%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/196522-disneypixar-a-bugs-life/index.html |title=Disney/Pixar A Bug's Life for Game Boy Color |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=28 February 2013 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102233402/http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/196522-disneypixar-a-bugs-life/index.html |url-status=live }}

| Allgame = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14495&tab=review|title=A Bug's Life (PS) - Review|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan|publisher=Allgame|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=November 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114121547/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14495&tab=review|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16168&tab=review|title=A Bug's Life (N64) - Review|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan|publisher=Allgame|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=November 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114143512/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16168&tab=review|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17837&tab=review|title=A Bug's Life (GBC) - Review|last=Cook|first=Brad|publisher=Allgame|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115011610/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17837&tab=review|url-status=dead}}

| CVG = (PS) 5/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8395|title=PlayStation Review: A Bug's Life|author=Alex C|date=August 15, 2001|magazine=Computer and Video Games|accessdate=3 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610115234/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8395|archivedate=June 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}

| EGM = (PS) 4.63/10{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life (PS)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=January 1999}}
(N64) 4.37/10{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life (N64)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|year=1999}}

| GI = (PS) 7.5/10{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life (PS)|magazine=Game Informer|issue=69|date=January 1999|page=69}}
(GBC) 5.75/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=5290|title=A Bug's Life (GBC)|date=15 December 1998|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=3 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001020023239/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=5290|archive-date=October 20, 2000 |url-status=dead}}
(N64) 5.25/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3173|title=A Bug's Life (N64)|last=Reppen|first=Erik|issue=75|date=July 1999|page=62|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=3 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229212722/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3173|archive-date=February 29, 2000 |url-status=dead}}

| GamePro = (PS) 16/20{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/132.shtml|title=A Bug's Life Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com|author=Air Hendrix|year=1998|magazine=GamePro|accessdate=3 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318132902/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/132.shtml|archivedate=March 18, 2005 |url-status=dead}}

| GameRev = (PS) C{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/a-bugs-life|title=A Bug's Life Review (PS)|last=Zimring|first=Jason|date=December 1998|publisher=Game Revolution|accessdate=3 January 2014|archive-date=January 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103214012/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/a-bugs-life|url-status=live}}

| GSpot = (N64) 6.1/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/a-bugs-life-review/1900-2544215/|title=A Bug's Life Review (N64)|last=Stahl|first=Ben|website=GameSpot|date=2 June 1999|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323005605/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/a-bugs-life-review/1900-2544215/|url-status=live}}
(PS) 2.7/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/a-bugs-life-review/1900-2546898/|title=A Bug's Life Review (PS)|last=Broady|first=John|website=GameSpot|date=12 November 1998|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310020029/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/a-bugs-life-review/1900-2546898/|url-status=live}}

| IGN = (N64) 6.8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/02/a-bugs-life-4|title=A Bug's Life (N64)|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|date=1 June 1999|website=IGN|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218204854/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/02/a-bugs-life-4|url-status=live}}
(PS) 4/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/20/a-bugs-life-2|title=A Bug's Life (PS)|last=Nelson|first=Randy|date=19 November 1998|website=IGN|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218205013/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/20/a-bugs-life-2|url-status=live}}
(GBC) 3/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/09/a-bugs-life|title=A Bug's Life (GBC)|last=Cleveland|first=Adam|date=8 February 2000|website=IGN|accessdate=2 January 2014|archive-date=February 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223044428/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/09/a-bugs-life|url-status=live}}

| NGen = (N64) {{rating|1|5}}

| NP = (N64) 6.2/10{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life (N64)|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=121|date=June 1999|page=110}}
(GBC) 4.9/10{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life (GBC)|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=116|date=January 1999}}

| OPM = (PS) {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|title=A Bug's Life|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|year=1998}}

}}

The console versions of A Bug's Life was met with "mixed or average" reviews while the Game Boy Color version was met with "generally unfavorable" reviews. Aggregating review website GameRankings gave the Nintendo 64 version 54.40%, the PlayStation version 55.73% and the Game Boy Color version 36.63%. GameSpot gave the PlayStation version 2.7 out of 10, concluding that it was "obvious that Disney was more interested in producing a $40 advertisement for its movie than in developing a playable game". However, the same site later gave the Nintendo 64 version a score of 6.1 out of 10, stating that "children looking to relive the fun of the movie should be pleased with the simplicity of the game". IGN gave the Nintendo 64 version 6.8 out of 10, praising the presentation and sound by stating that it had an "upbeat, cheery look and feel very much like the movie of the same name" with "cheery, happy tunes and strong sound effects" but criticised the gameplay by saying the controls were sluggish with "stuttering framerate" and "tired gameplay mechanics" while they gave the PlayStation version 4 out of 10, criticizing the gameplay as slow and awkward but praising the presentation as cinematic. The same site later gave the Game Boy Color version a score of three out of ten, calling it "short and repetitive" and "below average".

Daniel Erickson reviewed the Nintendo 64 version of the game for Next Generation, rating it one star out of five, and stated that "any way you slice it, this stinks".{{cite magazine|last=Erickson|first=Daniel|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=2|issue=1|publisher=Imagine Media|date=September 1999|page=85}}

The PlayStation version of the game sold 1 million units and generated $50 million in revenue.{{cite web|first=Graser|last=Marc|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/NEW%2BPLAYGROUND%2BFOR%2BSTUDIOS.-a054701191|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105113221/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/NEW+PLAYGROUND+FOR+STUDIOS.-a054701191|title=New Playground for Studios|magazine=Variety|archivedate=November 5, 2024|date=May 17, 1999|accessdate=November 5, 2024|via=The Free Library}}

= Awards =

The game won the "PC Children's Entertainment Title of the Year" award at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, competing against six other nominees.{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Company Annual Report 1999 |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/app/uploads/2015/10/1999-Annual-Report.pdf |website=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610231622/https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/app/uploads/2015/10/1999-Annual-Report.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Second Interactive Achievement Awards - Computer |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104003923/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |archive-date=November 4, 1999}}