Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe
{{Short description|Cancelled fighting video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|image = Tiny Toons Adventures Defenders of the Universe.jpg
|caption = Planned PlayStation 2 cover
|developer = Treasure
|publisher = Conspiracy Entertainment
|director = Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
|designer = {{Plainlist|
- Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
- Kouji Kitatani
- Tsunehisa Kanagae
- Seiji Hasuko
}}
|programmer = {{Plainlist|
- Fukuryuu
- Masaki Ukyo
- Yoshihiro Miura
}}
|composer = Norio Hanzawa
|platforms = PlayStation 2, GameCube
|released = Cancelled
|genre = Fighting
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe is a cancelled fighting game based on the Tiny Toon Adventures franchise. It was initially scheduled for release in mid-2002, but was cancelled for unknown reasons, despite having completed development. It was developed by Treasure and originally slated for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube.{{cite magazine|title=Game Watch Forecast|magazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=Nintendo of America|issue=158|date=July 2002|page=26}} On 25 February 2009, a ROM image of the game was released by a member of the Internet forum Lost Levels.{{cite web|author=Spencer|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/03/04/lost-treasure-developed-tiny-toons-game-found/|title=Lost Treasure Developed Tiny Toons Game Found|work=Siliconera|publisher=Curse LLC|date=March 4, 2009|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-date=2010-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205051615/http://www.siliconera.com/2009/03/04/lost-treasure-developed-tiny-toons-game-found/|url-status=live}}
The surviving voice actors from the TV series reprised their roles as their characters for this game, with Charlie Adler returning as the voice of Buster (as well as voicing Zag) and Billy West replacing the late Don Messick as the voice of Hamton. Even though this game was never officially released, it marked the last official appearances of the original characters until the 2023 reboot series, Tiny Toons Looniversity.
Gameplay and premise
File:TTA Defenders of the Universe gameplay.jpg
The plot of Defenders of the Universe centers on Montana Max taking over the planet Gold Star. Natives of the planet, the Bullions, escape and ask Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton Pig for help.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Dean |date=June 3, 2002 |title=Tiny Toons: Defenders of the Universe |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com:80/article.php?id=48919 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908105547/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=48919 |archive-date=September 8, 2007 |website=Computer and Video Games |publisher=Future plc}}
Development and cancellation
Originally titled Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Looniverse,{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=David |last2=Perry |first2=Doug |date=May 13, 2001 |title=Tiny Toons Adventures: Defenders of the Looniverse |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/136/136163p1.html |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619083647/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/136/136163p1.html |url-status=live }} Defenders of the Universe was first announced in 2001 with a planned spring 2002 release.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=October 1, 2001 |title=New Info on Tiny Toons Adventures: Defenders of the Looniverse |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/03/new-info-on-tiny-toons-adventures-defenders-of-the-looniverse |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322015629/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/03/new-info-on-tiny-toons-adventures-defenders-of-the-looniverse |url-status=live }} It was later expected for release by the summer that same year.{{Cite web |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |date=June 20, 2002 |title=First look: Defenders of the Universe |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-defenders-of-the-universe/1100-2871593/ |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive}}
In 2004, Douglas C. Perry for IGN suggested that the game had always been intended for release, mentioning that it was "still officially slated to come out sometime (not necessarily in 2004)".{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=February 6, 2004 |title=Missing in Action: The Lost Games of the PlayStation 2, Part I |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/06/missing-in-action-the-lost-games-of-the-playstation-2-part-i?page=3 |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |page=3 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322071355/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/06/missing-in-action-the-lost-games-of-the-playstation-2-part-i?page=3 |url-status=live }} While the game was given an ESRB rating and was shown on retail listings, it was never released in any capacity, with no official reason given.
Reception
Kurt Kalata from Hardcore Gaming 101 theorized that the game was planned to be the spiritual successor to Treasure's 1999 Japanese-exclusive Rakugaki Showtime, noting its similarities in gameplay and mechanics.{{Cite web |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=2008 |title=Rakugaki Showtime |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rakugaki/rakugaki.htm#tinytoonsadventures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125093452/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rakugaki/rakugaki.htm#tinytoonsadventures |archive-date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2017 |publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101}} Shared staff between the two games include director and co-designer Tetsuhiko Kikuchi, co-designer Tsunehisa Kanagae, and programmer Masaki Ukyo.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080723221820/http://www.treasure-inc.co.jp/ Official developer's website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090321034609/http://www.ttaworld.net/ttagames/ps2/#game1 The World of Tiny Toon Adventures Game Information Page]
{{Tiny Toon Games}}
{{Treasure video games}}
Category:Cancelled GameCube games
Category:Cancelled PlayStation 2 games
Category:Conspiracy Entertainment games
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Treasure (company) games
Category:Video games about alien invasions
Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life
Category:Video games based on Tiny Toon Adventures
Category:Video games developed in Japan