Cool Cool Toon
{{Short description|2000 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Cool Cool Toon
| image = Cool Cool Toon Cover.jpg
| developer = SNK{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/coolcooltoon/index.html |title=GameSpot |date=27 April 2000 |access-date=2009-12-09 |archive-date=2010-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107012133/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/coolcooltoon/index.html |url-status=live }}
| publisher = SNK
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|August 10, 2000}}
| genre = Rhythm
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Dreamcast
}}
{{nihongo foot|Cool Cool Toon|クルクルトゥーン|Kuru Kuru To~ūn|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a rhythm-based music video game exclusive to the Dreamcast. It was developed and published by SNK and released only in Japan on August 10, 2000 due to a combination of SNK going bankrupt and the Dreamcast's declining popularity in North America.
Gameplay
The letters A, B, X, and Y appear at the edge or in the middle of a large circle on the screen. The player must use the analog stick to move a marker to the letter and press the corresponding button on the controller at the right time. If the player misses too many letters, they level down. If the performance level goes to zero, or it is too low, the game is over.
Development and release
Cool Cool Toon was developed and published by SNK. The composer, Yasumasa Yamada, considered it a fresh game to work on due to it being a game with music as a central premise. He based the soundtrack's tempo on music used by motion-captured music of the time. When making the music, he had to work with the programmers to approach it in the best way. He contributed four songs to the project, with most of the work being done by other members of staff. According to Yamada, the development of the game was very "business-oriented."{{cite web |url=http://www.vgmonline.net/yasumasayamadainterview/ |title=Yasumasa Yamada Interview: SNK Veteran on the Sound of Fighting |work=Video Game Music Online |last=Greening |first=Chris |date=June 19, 2014 |accessdate=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813192144/http://www.vgmonline.net/yasumasayamadainterview/ |url-status=live }} The art design was led by Ippei Gyoubu,{{cite magazine |magazine=Official Sega Dreamcast |date=July 2000 |title=Cool Cool Toon |issue=6}}
It was originally teased on March 22, 2000, when SNK posted promotional artwork on their official website and categorized the game as "Rhythm comic". A side game titled Cool Cool Jam was released alongside the game for the Neo Geo Pocket Color exclusively in Japan. A localization was planned and aimed for an early 2001 release in North America, but was cancelled due to SNK filing for bankruptcy, and the declining popularity of the Sega Dreamcast in the North American markets. {{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/23/cool-cool-toon-slew-slew-news|title=Cool Cool Toon Slew Slew News - IGN|date=23 March 2000|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217202516/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/23/cool-cool-toon-slew-slew-news|url-status=live}} An English fan translation was released in 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/07/fan-translation-of-snks-dreamcast-rhythm-game-cool-cool-toon-now-available | title=Fan Translation of SNK's Dreamcast Rhythm Game 'Cool Cool Toon' Now Available | date=29 July 2023 }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Thompson |title= Cool Cool Toon (Japanese) |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26815&tab=review |website=allgame |date= August 18, 2000 |accessdate= February 17, 2020 |archivedate=November 15, 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115095743/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26815&tab=review |url-status=dead }}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Davis |title= Cool Cool Toon (Import) Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cool-cool-toon-import-review/1900-2630630/ |website=GameSpot |date= September 20, 2000 |accessdate= February 17, 2020 |archivedate=May 5, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505085229/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cool-cool-toon-import-review/1900-2630630/ |url-status=live }}
|Edge = 7/10{{cite magazine|title=Cool Cool Toon |magazine= Edge |issue=90 |page=102 |date=November 2000 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cd/Edge_UK_090.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042414/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cd/Edge_UK_090.pdf |archivedate=February 2, 2019 |accessdate=February 17, 2020 }}
| IGN = 7.8/10{{cite web |first=Colin |last=Williamson |title= Cool Cool Toon (Import): SNK bids a fond farewell to the Dreamcast, and blasts into the musical genre. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/19/cool-cool-toon-import |website=IGN |date= August 18, 2000 |accessdate= February 17, 2020 |archivedate=May 5, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505085229/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/19/cool-cool-toon-import |url-status=live }}
| rev1 = Dreamcast Magazine
|rev2 = Consoles +
}}
Reception of the game has been mostly positive. Reviewers praised the art style and original use of the analogue stick.
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References
;Translation
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;Citation
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/2000/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/cool/index.html Official page (archived)]
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Category:Japan-exclusive video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
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