Bug Too!

Description

Bug Too! is the direct sequel to the Saturn’s early platforming hit Bug!. While the original was a launch-window showcase, the sequel arrived during a pivotal year for the console, attempting to refine the unique “2.5D” formula where characters move along pre-defined 3D tracks. It is often cited as one of the most colourful and personality-driven platformers on the system, though it struggled to maintain the cultural relevance of its predecessor in the face of true 3D competition like Super Mario 64.

The core experience expanded significantly by adding two new playable characters: Maggot and Super Fly, each with distinct physical attributes that changed the rhythm of the platforming. A significant addition was a two-player cooperative mode, a feature heavily requested after the first game. This mode allowed players to navigate the twisting paths simultaneously, though it often created a “tug-of-war” camera dynamic that could be frustrating in tighter segments. The game also refined the “3D path” mechanic, allowing for more verticality and complex branching routes through its 18 expansive levels.

The game utilises a mix of high-quality 2D sprites (based on pre-rendered 3D models) placed within a polygonal 3D environment. This allowed the developers to maintain a consistent 30 frames per second while filling the screen with vibrant, high-contrast colours and large boss characters that would have been impossible with the console’s standard 3D polygon limits. The game utilises a Redbook audio soundtrack that changes dynamically based on the “movie set” theme of the current world, with sound effects cached into memory to not interrupt the music stream.

The critical reception to Bug Too! was generally positive but tinged with a sense of “more of the same.” Reviewers praised the vastly improved level design and the introduction of multiple playable characters, noting that the game felt significantly more polished than the 1995 original. However, the public response was more muted; by late 1996, the gaming landscape had shifted toward free-roaming 3D environments, making Bug Too!’s rigid, tile-based movement feel somewhat archaic. While fans of the first game appreciated the increased variety and the humorous movie-parody levels (ranging from Star Trek to Jurassic Park), the general consensus was that it was a safe, iterative sequel rather than a groundbreaking evolution for the platform.