I’ve been excited for the Wii version of A Boy and His Blob ever since it was announced, having spent way too much time playing the original NES game as a child. Sure, that game was brutally frustrating, and it was hard to get anywhere without essentially memorizing the whole damn game, but the concept is still interesting: feeding jellybeans to a pet alien blob to turn it into different objects. After seeing the first screenshots of the game, I assumed the Wii version would be a remake, since I recognized most of the locations instantly. However, in an interview with Joystiq, Majesco’s Joe Sutton and WayForward’s Sean Velasco insist that the Wii game is not a remake.


When asked whether A Boy and His Blob would be a remake or a sequel to the NES original, Velasco responded, “This game is not a remake!! Yell it to the skies! However, this game is not a sequel to the original, either. Let's call it a ‘reimagining.’” He then clarified:

“Gameplay-wise, this game is a massive reworking of the entire A Boy and His Blob concept. The play control and game flow has all been thrown out and totally rethought. You can jump, aim your jellybean throws, select beans quickly, and interact in more meaningful ways with the blob. The previous game could be confusing and obtuse; this game has a smoother learning curve that ramps up to very fiendish puzzles, especially towards the end.

Presentation-wise, the game has obviously undergone a complete overhaul too. The hand-drawn animation and heartwarming look cause the player to become very invested in the characters. The soaring musical score also adds to the charm. While the gameplay is always the key to the fun, the presentation helps to elevate the entire experience.”

Anyone who has seen the screenshots can tell that the game will be a complete graphical upgrade, as early images were gorgeous. However, the new gameplay mechanics are sure to please anyone familiar with the original. How many jellybeans did you waste because you missed Blobert’s mouth when you were throwing? How many times did you run out of the type of beans you needed and get stuck five minutes into the game? Let’s not even talk about the completely vague puzzles and harsh level design. Not that the “reimagining” is only for older gamers; this should really appeal to any Wii owner, really. At any rate, I can’t wait to play the new game. Have I mentioned that yet?

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