Mr. Tuff
{{Infobox video game
|title = Mr. Tuff
|image = SNES Mr. Tuff cover art.png
|developer = Sales Curve Interactive
|publisher = The Retro Room
|producer = Sean Kelly
|designer = Ned Langman
|programmer = John Croudy
|artist = Dennis Gustafsson
Ned Langman
|composer = Allister Brimble
Steve Blenkinsopp
|platforms = Super Nintendo Entertainment System
|released = {{vgrelease|WW|October 2023}}
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Mr. Tuff is an action-platform video game developed by Sales Curve Interactive (SCi) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Originally planned for a 1994 release, it was canceled until it was published by The Retro Room in 2023. Set in a future where humanity abandoned the Earth and migrated to the planet Utopia, military androids took over and enslaved the stranded domestic robots. The player controls a demolition robot named Mr. Tuff across six islands, exploring and searching each level for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and defeating bosses.
Mr. Tuff was conceived for SCi by Darren Melbourne, based on a character named Mr. Max E. Tuff which later became Mr. Tuff. It was produced by Sean Kelly and designed by Ned Langman, who had worked on Hades Nebula and SWIV (1991), while the music was scored by Allister Brimble and Steve Blenkinsopp. The game was first announced in 1993 and shown at the 1994 ECTS Spring, and was intended to be published by Ocean Software in North America and Europe, and Sony Electronic Publishing in Australia. When it was ready, Ocean ran into financial difficulties and waived the cost of manufacturing the cartridges but paid SCi for its development.
Because Mr. Tuff was never published, SCi transferred the rights to Melbourne and Langman in the hope of publishing it in the future. In 2023, it was licensed and released by The Retro Room, a publishing company owned by developer John Roo. The game garnered an average critical reception prior to cancellation; most reviewers felt divided regarding its graphics, soundtrack, difficulty, and gameplay, while criticism was geared towards aspects such as the timed levels, lack of original ideas, and short length.
Gameplay
Mr. Tuff is an action-platform game similar to Chuck Rock.{{cite magazine|last=Prézeau|first=Olivier|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero040/Joypad%20040%20-%20Page%20055%20%281995-03%29.jpg|title=Preview - Super Nintendo: Mega Tuff — Mr Tuff|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=40|publisher=Hachette Disney Presse|date=March 1995|page=55|language=fr|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022192750/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero040/Joypad%20040%20-%20Page%20055%20%281995-03%29.jpg|archive-date=2023-10-22|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/HobbyConsolas043/page/n60/mode/1up|title=Superviews: Mister Tuff (Consola: Super Nintendo)|magazine=HobbyConsolas|issue=43|publisher=Hobby Press|date=April 1995|page=61|language=es}} The plot takes place in 2008; many years ago, human researchers discovered a habitable Earth-like planet and called it Utopia. When Earth becomes uninhabitable due to rampant pollution, humanity boards a fleet of spaceships and sets off for Utopia, leaving behind only household robots. The robots established a new society, however, six military androids quickly took power and set themselves up as rulers. The androids decided to take six islands as their domains and the robots became their slaves and servants. A demolition robot named Mr. Tuff decided to rebel against the totalitarian regime and free the robots.{{cite magazine|last=Abad|first=Javier|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Accion_030/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Preview: Mr. Tuff — Así es el robot que todos queremos tener|magazine=Nintendo Acción|issue=30|publisher=Hobby Press|date=May 1995|pages=32–33|language=es}}{{cite magazine|last=Serrano|first=Roberto|url=https://archive.org/details/Superjuegos_037/page/n38/mode/1up|title=Super Previews: Mr. Tuff (Super Nintendo)|magazine={{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}}|issue=37|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=May 1995|pages=39|language=es}}
The player controls Mr. Tuff throughout six areas divided into multiple buildings that correspond to a level, where the main objective of each is to destroy a predetermined number of targets within a given time limit to open the exit and advance to the next level.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nms-22/page/26/mode/2up|title=Super Nintendo Preview: Mr Tuff|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|issue=22|publisher=EMAP|date=July 1994|pages=26–27}} Each building can be played in any order and after each one is destroyed, the player must confront a boss before moving into the next area. There is also a secret island that can only be accessed by finding 30 coins hidden in bonus rooms on each level. The player must maneuver Mr. Tuff by jumping across ledges and fighting enemies, exploring and searching for items and power-ups, while also collecting stars scattered around the levels.
Mr. Tuff can be equipped with accessories for his fists, as well as backpacks and helmets with weapons. These range from drills, fire, jet packs, lasers, missile launchers, saw blades and yo-yos. Mr. Tuff can also hop into vehicles to navigate the level and fight enemies like wrecking trucks, hoverboards, submarines, and tanks. Each vehicle has its own energy bar, but they cannot be taken to another level unlike weapons. The player can access an in-game shop, where various items can be purchased using stars as currency, including a "lucky dip", a checkpoint, extra lives, and a password to resume progress.{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Super%20Power/superpower_numero30/SuPow%20n%C2%B030%20-%20Page%20016%20%28Mars%201995%29.jpg|title=International News Previews: Mr Tuff (Super Nintendo / Ocean)|magazine={{ill|Super Power (magazine)|lt=Super Power|fr|Super Power}}|issue=30|publisher=SUMO Éditions|date=March 1995|page=16|language=fr|access-date=2023-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023161601/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Super%20Power/superpower_numero30/SuPow%20n%C2%B030%20-%20Page%20016%20%28Mars%201995%29.jpg|archive-date=2023-10-23|url-status=live}} In addition, the game also has a multiplayer option which allows two players to play by alternating turns, where the second player assume the role of Mr. Firm.
Development and release
Mr. Tuff was created by Sales Curve Interactive (SCi), a British game developer and publisher founded by former Telecomsoft executive Jane Cavanagh in 1988.{{cite magazine|last=Hewison|first=Richard|title=Studio Profile: The Sales Curve|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=235|publisher=Future Publishing|date=July 7, 2022|pages=70–75}} SCi had previously worked on conversions for Amiga and Atari ST such as The Ninja Warriors (1987) and Silkworm, as well as SWIV (1991). SCi also published titles for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System under the Storm label like Super SWIV, Troddlers, and Time Slip (1993). It was conceived for SCi by Darren Melbourne, based on a character named Mr. Max E. Tuff who later became Mr. Tuff. The game was produced by Sean Kelly and designed by Ned Langman, who had worked on Hades Nebula and SWIV.{{cite video game|title=Mr. Tuff|developer=Sales Curve Interactive|publisher=The Retro Room|date=October 2023|platform=Super Nintendo Entertainment System|level=Now Observe As We Bring You The Game Credits...}}{{cite web|last=Gustafsson|first=Dennis|url=http://dennisportfolio.blogspot.com/p/computer-game-design.html|title=History | Game design|work=Dennis Gustafsson portfolio|year=2010|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526113807/http://dennisportfolio.blogspot.com/p/computer-game-design.html|archive-date=2020-05-26|url-status=live}} Langman also acted as graphic artist alongside Dennis Gustafsson, who drew art for the introduction and the main character. John Croudy served as the game's sole programmer, while the soundtrack was composed by Allister Brimble and Steve Blenkinsopp.{{cite web|last=Brimble|first=Allister|author-link=Allister Brimble|url=https://allisterbrimble.com/works/|title=Works - Complete Portfolio|website=allisterbrimble.com|date=2023|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605093656/https://allisterbrimble.com/works/|archive-date=2023-06-05|url-status=live}}
Mr. Tuff was first announced in 1993 and showcased at the 1994 ECTS Spring, planning for a autumn release date.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_053.pdf&page=191|title=Overseas ProSpects|magazine=GamePro|issue=53|publisher=IDG|date=December 1993|pages=172–174|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022184924/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_053.pdf&page=191|archive-date=2023-10-22|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_59/page/n95/mode/1up|title=International Outlook: European Computer Trade Show Spring 1994 - Mr. Tuff|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=59|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=June 1994|page=96}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/mega-force-pt-13/page/6/mode/1up|title=Reportagem: E.C.T.S. de Londres - A festa dos videojogos|magazine=Mega Force|issue=13|publisher=Abril Jovem|date=June 1994|pages=5–7|language=pt}} The title was intended to be published by Ocean Software in North America and Europe, and Sony Electronic Publishing in Australia.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-magazine-system-au-17-august-1994/page/10/mode/1up|title=Nintendo News Network: On The Way|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|issue=17|publisher=Trielle Corporation|date=August 1994|page=10}} However, when it was ready, Ocean ran into financial difficulties and paid SCi for its development, but waived the cost of manufacturing the cartridges and having Nintendo publish it. Versions for the Sega Mega Drive and Mega-CD were also planned but never released.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:CVG_UK_151.pdf&page=34|title=CVG Work In Progress: Are you Tuff Enuff? — Mr Tuff|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=151|publisher=EMAP|date=June 1994|page=34|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012144240/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:CVG_UK_151.pdf&page=34|archive-date=2023-10-12|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:SegaMagazin_DE_07.pdf&page=8|title=Special: Auf Einen Blick|magazine={{ill|Sega Magazin|lt=Sega Magazin|de|SEGA Magazin}}|issue=7|publisher=Computec|date=June 1994|page=9|language=de|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-date=2020-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205004630/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaMagazin_DE_07.pdf&page=8|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/mega-power-uk-16/page/n6/mode/1up|title=Power News: Power Date|magazine=Mega Power|issue=16|publisher=Paragon Publishing|date=November 1994|page=7}} Due to never being published, SCi transferred the rights of the game to Melbourne and Langman, and they hoped to release it in the future. Between 2007 and 2022, two prototype ROM images were leaked online.{{cite web|last=Gowan|first=Evan|url=https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0862|title=Mr. Tuff|work=SNES Central|date=November 12, 2007|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312093846/https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0862|archive-date=2012-03-12|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Rodríguez|first=David Vigón|url=https://uvejuegos.com/noticia/Hidden-Palace-comparte-180-prototipos-cancelados-con-motivo-de-Ano-Nuevo/46431|title=Hidden Palace comparte 180 prototipos cancelados con motivo de Año Nuevo — Juegos retros que nunca salieron a la luz|work=uVeJuegos.com|date=January 7, 2022|access-date=2023-10-22|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107153442/https://uvejuegos.com/noticia/Hidden-Palace-comparte-180-prototipos-cancelados-con-motivo-de-Ano-Nuevo/46431|archive-date=2022-01-07|url-status=live}} In October 2023, the game was licensed and released by The Retro Room, a publishing company owned by developer John Roo.{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Faith|url=https://fusionrgamer.com/2023/06/23/john-roo-talking-hot-airball-about-his-upcoming-gba-and-nes-game/|title=John Roo – Talking hot Airball about his upcoming GBA and NES game|work=Fusion R Gamer|publisher=Fusion Retro Books|date=June 23, 2023|access-date=2023-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714203011/https://fusionrgamer.com/2023/06/23/john-roo-talking-hot-airball-about-his-upcoming-gba-and-nes-game/|archive-date=2023-07-14|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Yarwood|first=Jack|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/10/unreleased-snes-platformer-mr-tuff-finally-goes-on-sale-28-years-later|title=Unreleased SNES Platformer 'Mr. Tuff' Finally Goes On Sale 28 Years Later|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=2023-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013203454/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/10/unreleased-snes-platformer-mr-tuff-finally-goes-on-sale-28-years-later|archive-date=2023-10-13|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|GameFan = 81.66%{{efn|GameFan{{'}}s review was by three critics with different ratings: 79%, 79%, and 87%.{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|last2=Des Barres|first2=Nicholas Dean|last3=Martinez Jr.|first3=Frank|title=Viewpoint: Mr. Tuff (SNES); Planet SNES: Mr. Tuff|magazine=GameFan|volume=3|issue=3|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=March 1995|pages=[https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_03/page/n24/mode/1up 25], [https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_03/page/n61/mode/1up 62]}}}}
|GMaster = 48%{{cite magazine|last=Ellis|first=Les|title=Reviews (SNES): Mr Tuff|magazine=GamesMaster|issue=29|publisher=Future Publishing|date=May 1995|page=52}}
|HC = 85/100{{cite magazine|last=Caravaca|first=Antonio|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AHobbyConsolas_ES_044.pdf&page=94|title=Lo Más Nuevo: Mr. Tuff (Super Nintendo) — El Robot Boxeador|magazine=HobbyConsolas|issue=44|publisher=Hobby Press|date=May 1995|pages=94|language=es|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021232621/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AHobbyConsolas_ES_044.pdf&page=94|archive-date=2023-10-21|url-status=live}}
|MF = 60%{{cite magazine|last=Appel|first=Markus|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-03.pdf&page=40|title=Test Super Nintendo: Mr. Tuff — Nach Mr. Nutz läßt Ocean jetzt den "schanzlosen" Mr. Tuff auf das Super Nintendo los|magazine={{ill|Mega Fun|lt=Mega Fun|de|Mega Fun}}|issue=30|publisher=Computec|date=March 1995|page=40|language=de|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021230759/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-03.pdf&page=40|archive-date=2023-10-21|url-status=live}}
|SJ = 85/100{{cite magazine|last=Serrano|first=Roberto|url=https://archive.org/details/Superjuegos_038/page/n101/mode/2up|title=Super Nintendo Review: Mr. Tuff — Un Robot Multiusos|magazine={{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}}|issue=38|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=June 1995|pages=102–104|language=es}}
|SP = 74%{{cite magazine|last=Leach|first=James|title=UK Review: Mr Tuff|magazine=Super Play|issue=32|publisher=Future Publishing|date=June 1995|page=58}}
|TOT = 60/100 (UK){{cite magazine|author1=Josse|author2=Atko|url=https://archive.org/details/total-41-may-1995/page/55/mode/1up|title=Total! SNES Review: Mr Tuff|magazine=Total!|issue=41|publisher=Future Publishing|date=May 1995|page=55}}
3 (DE){{cite magazine|last=Anton|first=Michael|url=https://total.seppatoni.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/snes_MrTuff.jpg|title=Test - SNES: Mr. Tuff|magazine=Total!|issue=26|publisher=X-Plain-Verlag|date=July 1995|page=45|access-date=2023-10-22|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022002114/https://total.seppatoni.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/snes_MrTuff.jpg|archive-date=2023-10-22|url-status=live}}
|rev1 = Nintendo Acción
|rev1Score = 85/100{{cite magazine|last=Abad|first=Javier|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Accion_031/page/n47/mode/2up|title=Super Stars - Super Nintendo: Mr. Tuff — Vuelven los Juegos 'jugables'|magazine=Nintendo Acción|issue=31|publisher=Hobby Press|date=June 1995|pages=48–51|language=es}}
|rev2 = Play Time
|rev2Score = 61%{{cite magazine|last=Schneider|first=Ulf|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1995-04.pdf&page=113|title=SNES Review: Mr. Tuff|magazine={{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}|issue=46|publisher=Computec|date=April 1995|page=113|language=de|access-date=2023-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027012427/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1995-04.pdf&page=113|archive-date=2023-10-27|url-status=live}}
|rev3 = Super Gamer
|rev3Score = 86/100{{cite magazine|last1=Evans|first1=Jonathan|last2=Jones|first2=Hayden|last3=Guttery|first3=Miles|url=https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-14/page/n41/mode/2up|title=Super NES Review: Mr Tuff — When the going gets Tuff, get Mr Tuff!|magazine=Super Gamer|issue=14|publisher=Paragon Publishing|date=May 1995|pages=42–44}}
}}
Mr. Tuff garnered average reception from critics before its cancellation. GameFan{{'}}s three reviewers commended the detailed graphics and gameplay, but expressed mixed thoughts regarding the soundtrack and saw its timed levels as the only shortcoming. They also drew similarities with Mega Man due to the game's array of weapon power-ups and thematic. Mega Fun{{'}}s Markus Appel opined that the main character controlled well, and saw the weapon selection and hidden bonus rooms appealing, but felt some of the stages were short and easy in contrast to the bosses. Video Games{{'}} Wolfgang Schaedle gave favorable commentary for its animated sprites, and found the levels to be varied but felt the game seemed shallow, noting that original ideas rarely came into play.
MAN!AC{{'}}s Oliver Ehrle called it an unimaginative platformer, citing the lack of a fresh idea in the game. Play Time{{'}}s Ulf Schneider gave it average remarks towards its audiovisual presentation and fun factor. GamesMaster{{'}}s Les Ellis criticized the game for its bland levels, uninspired sprites, soundscapes, and frustrating gameplay. HobbyConsolas{{'}} Antonio Caravaca found Mr. Tuff to be an entertaining game and highlighted its visuals, as well as the variety of weapons and vehicles on each level. Super Gamer{{'}}s three writers praised the game's overall graphical department, audio, and gameplay, but noted the short length and faulted its repetitive levels, low difficulty, and lack of a two-player simultaneous mode.
Total!{{'}}s Josse and Atko commended the game's storyline and difficulty progression, but criticized its visuals, audio department, and derivative gameplay. They considered Mr. Tuff to be an unremarkable and below-average platformer. Writing for the German edition, Michael Anton gave the game positive remarks for its smooth graphics and cheerful music. Nintendo Acción{{'}}s Javier Abad labelled it as an entertaining title, praising the musical variety, sound effects, and gameplay, but found the graphics childish and poorly detailed. Superjuegos{{'}} Roberto Serrano celebrated the game's settings for each level and fun gameplay, but saw the simple design of some enemies, repetitive music, the technical quality of certain sound effects, and high difficulty of later levels as negative points.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Video games}}
- [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/209587-mr-tuff Mr. Tuff] at GameFAQs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mr. Tuff}}
Category:Cancelled Sega CD games
Category:Cancelled Sega Genesis games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Side-scrolling platformers
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games
Category:Video games about robots
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom