A spell that casts you back to the late 90’s.
So, Wayforward. Ever heard of them? If you have, you’re probably picturing some epic 2D classics on your old handhelds, right? River City Girls? Shantae? Yep, they did those. But fun fact—plenty of people don’t realize they dabbled in a bazillion licensed games too. One of those little gems? This wild ride called Sabrina: The Animated Series – Zapped. And folks, it’s not just any ride; it’s like a sneak peek into the roots of Shantae. Crazy, right?
Imagine playing as Sabrina, the teen witch. Somehow, she’s turned her buddies into animals. No biggie, just jump on ‘em and zap them back. Yeah, it’s wacky. But as you stumble through the game, you grab spells like double jumps and, oh, controlling a cat named Salem. He gets into those weird little nooks, you know? And there’s this bubble thing that floats you up in the air. Sounds as random as it plays, believe me.
The levels? Oddly satisfying. They each have their own vibe, but some get pretty creative with spells. Like, there’s this vertical one where the bubble is your best friend. Some bits you’re running around as Salem, breaking stuff to move ahead. It’s not rocket science, but it showcases what made Game Boy Color platformers special. Big colorful sprites, easy levels, and a password system that kind of worked? Sure, why not.
But let’s be honest—control-wise, it’s like fumbling with mittens. Both spells and running are jammed into that B-button, so yeah, expect some facepalms when you get zapped by enemies. For something based on a TV spin-off, it plays way better than it deserves. It won’t blow your mind, won’t revolutionize anything, and heck, it’s not even as smooth as Shantae. But without this quirky foundation? Shantae might not have been the same. It’s a curiosity. One playthrough and the magic’s gone, but not a bad nostalgia trip if you’re into that sort of thing.
