Stone Protectors#Video game
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image = StoneProtectorsVHS.jpg
| caption = Stone Protectors "Forged in Fire" British VHS
| runtime = 30 Minutes
| creator =
| starring = Don Brown
Jim Byrnes
Ted Cole
Ian James Corlett
Scott McNeil
John Tench
Cathy Weseluck
Terry Klassen
Rob Morton
Louise Vallance
Campbell Lane
Phil Hayes
Kathleen Barr
| writer = Marty Isenberg
Robert Skir
Peter Lawrence
Matthew Malach
J. Larry Carroll
David Bennett-Carren
Richard T. Murphy
Chris Hubbell
Sam Graham
Grant Morgan
| composer = Steve Zuckerman
| country = United States
United Kingdom
France
| network = Syndication
| first_aired = {{start date|1993|1|15}}
| last_aired =
| num_episodes = 13
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = Stephanie Graziano
| producer = Michael Hack
| director = Dorie Rich
Susan Blu (voice director)
| company = Graz Entertainment
Sachs TV Entertainment
Hanho Studios
}}
Stone Protectors is a 1993 multi-media entertainment property consisting primarily of an action figure line and animated series.{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=794–795}} The series also had a tie-in video game released for the Super NES and the Sega Genesis. It was one of several attempts to market the troll doll craze of the early 1990s to young boys, similar to the official line of Battle Trolls toys. While not particularly successful, Stone Protectors generally followed in the same vein as contemporaries, including Toxic Crusaders, Swamp Thing, and the highly popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Back-story
A kingdom built of crystals came under attack by the reptilian humanoid and troll-like Saurians whose leader, Zok, desired the powerful crystals protected by the Empress. Zok broke into the castle and reached for the crystals only to see them explode into pieces and fly to Earth.
After being thrown out the back door of a New York City club, an awful rock band known as the Rock Detectors found the five magical stones which gave them troll-like appearances and special skills (not the least of which is playing good music), and they are now collectively known as The Protectors. This put them at odds with the music-hating Zok and his henchman Zink who call themselves the Predators.
- Cornelius, the group's leader, holds the green stone and became a samurai with an assortment of appropriate weaponry (katana, shuriken, and a pair of nunchaku made of microphones). He is the band's lead singer, but also plays the guitar.
- Chester holds the red stone, became an expert at wrestling and received great strength. He plays the bass guitar and saxophone.
- Clifford "Cliff" holds the blue stone and became an expert rock climber. He is the band's drummer.
- Angus holds the yellow stone and became a soldier excelling in military combat, as well as turning ordinary objects into weapons. He plays the keyboard. Angus ostensibly built up the Protectors' bizarre attack vehicles from things like barbecues and lawnmowers.
- Maxwell holds the orange stone and became an "accelerator" - an athletic speedster who sports in-line skates. He plays the guitar.
Animated series
A short-lived cartoon series based on the characters debuted in 1993.{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |page=599}} In it, Empress Opal of Mythrandir splits the legendary Great Crystal into six pieces to keep it out of Zok's hands. Zok manages to capture one piece, but the other five bond with the future Stone Protectors, spiriting them away to Mythrandir to help Opal upset Zok's schemes and spread a sentiment of peace and freedom with their music. The series lasted one season; 8 out of 13 episodes were released on VHS in 1994 by Family Home Entertainment, the whole series was released on VHS in England. Piko Interactive acquired the intellectual property rights to Stone Protectors from former owner Kam Toys. On March 2, 2021, a Kickstarter campaign was launched to get the entire 13-episode series released to DVD.{{cite web |url=https://readretro.com/stone-protectors-strike-back-in-massive-kickstarter-campaign/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304202204/https://readretro.com/stone-protectors-strike-back-in-massive-kickstarter-campaign/ |archive-date=2021-03-04 |title=Stone Protectors strike back in massive Kickstarter campaign {{!}}, Reviews, Interviews, Articles, Product Reviews, and More!}} The initial goal for the Kickstarter was $30,000 with further stretch goals such as a comic book, Blu-ray and a new episode for the series. The Kickstarter only met its main funding goal on March 29, 2021. The series was released on DVD on July 5, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Protectors-Various/dp/B09Q6BGPJ9 | title=Stone Protectors | website=Amazon | date=5 July 2022 }} A special edition boxset was also released.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Protectors-Special-Edition-Boxset/dp/B08FJF77WK|title=Amazon.com|website=Amazon }} In January 2025, it was announced Discotek Media will release the series on Blu-ray.{{cite web|url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-01-20/discotek-licenses-urotsukidoji-higurashi-dears-more/.220273|title=Discotek Licenses Urotsukidoji, Higurashi, DearS, More |date=20 January 2025|website=Anime News Network|accessdate=21 January 2025}}
It is notable that while the advertisements for the action figures attempted to tie the Stone Protectors into the troll doll fad, the cartoon seemed eager to avoid the comparison. For instance, it replaced the line "trolls on a roll" from the theme song in the commercials with "Don't you know?"
The series has also been broadcast on the BBC in England, RTB in Brunei, TV2 in Malaysia, Bop TV in South Africa, ZBC in Zimbabwe, Channel 33 in the United Arab Emirates and TV2 in New Zealand.
=Episodes=
{{Episode table |background= |total_width=80 |overall= |title= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Forged in Fire
| WrittenBy = Martin Isenberg and Robert Skir
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Stranded in Mythrandir
| WrittenBy = Peter Lawrence
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Levity
| WrittenBy = Matthew Malach
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Return of Blackheart
| WrittenBy = J. Larry Carroll and David Bennett Carren
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Weaponogs
| WrittenBy = Richard T. Murphy
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Fan or Foe
| WrittenBy = Chris Hubbell and Sam Graham
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Island Hopping
| WrittenBy = Martin Isenberg and Robert Skir
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Digging In
| WrittenBy = Peter Lawrence
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = Between Zok and the Deep Blue Sea
| WrittenBy = Grant Morgan
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = The Test
| WrittenBy = J. Larry Carroll and David Bennett Carren
| OriginalAirDate =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = The Crystal Vampire
| WrittenBy = Matthew Cartsonis and Peter Lawrence
| OriginalAirDate = Unaired
| ShortSummary =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| Title = The Wall of Sound
| WrittenBy = Richard T. Murphy
| OriginalAirDate = Unaired
| ShortSummary =
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| Title = Going Home
| WrittenBy = Sam Graham and Chris Hubbell
| OriginalAirDate = Unaired
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}}
Action figures
The Stone Protectors action figures were produced by the Ace Novelty Toy Company. All of the figures were roughly 5" tall and featured cut joints at the neck, shoulders, and elbows as well as ball joints at the hips. Their heads were a soft, rubbery material with tall, synthetic hair sticking straight out the top. In rotating the right arm of a Stone Protectors figure, a flint module would ignite inside its chest, creating a quick yet bright flash seen through the translucent chest emblem. A second series of sports-themed figures was also released. Princess Opal was never made as a figure, nor were there any generic Saurian Guards.
The toyline as well as the cartoon that followed it were seen as poor imitations of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line of toys and cartoon series and overlooked by many.
class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" |
width=25%|Series 1
!width=25%|Series 2: Sports Heroes/Villains !width=25%|Vehicles |
---|
Angus the Soldier
|Angus the Prince of Punch |Anti-Aircraft Barbeque |
Chester the Wrestler
|Chester the Gridiron Giant |Hang Glider Bomber |
Clifford the Rock Climber
|Clifford the Jumpin' Jammer |Mortar Launching Golf Cart |
Cornelius the Samurai
|Cornelius the Grandslam Guru |Mow 'N' Surf Attack Scooter |
Maxwell the Accelerator
|Maxwell the Slapshot | |
Zok the Evil Leader
|Suckerpuncher | |
Zink the Horrible Hatchetman
|Tackle Jackal | |
Video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = Stone Protectors
| image = StoneProtectorsSNES.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Eurocom
| publisher= Kemco
Piko Interactive
| designer =
| programmer = Ian Denny
Tim Rogers
Ashley Finley
| artist = Mat Sneap
Colin Garratt
Matt Dixon
Nigel Quine-Bentley
Andy Bee
| composer = Steve Duckworth
| released = SNES
November 1994
Mega Drive/Genesis
March 2022
| genre = Side-scrolling beat 'em up
| modes = Single-player, two-player Co-op
| platforms = Super NES, Sega Genesis
}}
A Super NES game based on the property was released in November 1994 by Kemco.Manx [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/snes/review/R101385.html Stone Protectors] GameFAQs.com (January 6, 2008). Retrieved on 12-03-08 A Genesis version was developed and completed,{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Stone Protectors|magazine=GamePro|issue=68|publisher=IDG|date=March 1995|page=50}} but not released back then. This version, intended to be published by Vic Tokai, was finally leaked to the public in 2010 by Nesplayer.com.{{cite web|url=http://nesplayer.com/prototypes/stoneprotectors/index.htm|title=Stone Protectors - SEGA Genesis Unreleased Prototype!!|work=Nintendo Player|publisher=Present Nintendo Player|date=2010|access-date=2020-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805113334/http://nesplayer.com/prototypes/stoneprotectors/index.htm|archive-date=2010-08-05|url-status=live}} It was finally given an official release by Piko Interactive{{cite web|url=https://pikointeractive.com/#!/Stone-Protectors-pre-order/p/377106772/category=14008387|title=Stone Protectors - (pre-order)|access-date=2022-04-04}} in March 2022,{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/genesis/625216-stone-protectors/data|title=Stone Protectors Release Information for Genesis - GameFAQs|access-date=2022-04-04}} together with a re-release of the SNES version.{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588698-stone-protectors/data|title=Stone Protectors Release Information for Super Nintendo - GameFAQs|access-date=2022-04-04}}
Stone Protectors features 10 levels in which the heroes – Clifford, Cornelius, Chester, Maxwell, and Angus – battle The Predators throughout their mission to retrieve Zok's crystal and bring them all back to the kingdom. Weapons can also be acquired but only used by certain characters. Depending on the difficulty setting, the game's ending scene also features different music in which the Stone Protectors are seen performing as a band.
GamePro gave the game a generally negative review, commenting that the graphics are good but the animation is poor, and the controls make it difficult to pull off special attacks or counteract enemy attacks. They concluded that the game, while not without merits, is overall "a frustrating journey."{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Stone Protectors|magazine=GamePro|issue=65|publisher=IDG|date=December 1994|page=164}}
Other merchandise
Pressman Toy Corp. released a Stone Protectors board game.[http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9753 Stone Protectors (1993)] BoardGameGeek.com. Retrieved 12-03-08. In late 1993, Harvey Comics debuted Stone Protectors "Premiere Issue" (effectively an issue #0), followed by issues #1–3.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Cartoon}}
- [http://www.virtualtoychest.com/stoneprotectors/stoneprotectors.html Stone Protectors (action figures)] at Virtual Toy Chest
- [http://www.blastfromthepasttv.com/stoneprotectorsindex.htm Stone Protectors (animated series)] at Blast from the Past
- [http://www.eurocom.co.uk/index.php/video-games/stone-protectors Stone Protectors (video game)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127053606/http://www.eurocom.co.uk/index.php/video-games/stone-protectors |date=27 November 2007 }} at Eurocom
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwgEOQO_qk Stone Protectors theme song] at YouTube
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q27139368|id=tt0189311|title=Stone Protectors}}
Category:1990s American animated television series
Category:1993 American animated television series debuts
Category:1993 American television series endings
Category:Mass media franchises introduced in 1993
Category:American children's animated action television series
Category:American children's animated superhero television series
Category:BBC children's television shows
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Fictional musical groups
Category:Television series about trolls
Category:First-run syndicated animated television series
Category:Harvey Comics superheroes
Category:Piko Interactive games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Superhero video games
Category:Television superheroes
Category:TVNZ 2 original programming
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom