Hello there! It is time once again for Lost Gems, the retro feature where I talk about games that have been forgotten, abandoned and removed from sale. This week, I am going to be discussing a game released on several platforms, with the most prevalent being the SEGA Saturn and Windows. So let us take a look at Baku Baku Animal, a fun and vibrant battle puzzle developed by SEGA, released across 1995/96 for various platforms.
Disclaimer: while the game discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are ways to obtain the game. This can be either through the second hand market, or via unofficial digital roms/rips. I do not condone or promote piracy, so there won’t be any links to roms or rips of the game being covered.
So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general game experience, then give my personal thoughts on the title.
About the game
Baku Baku Animal is a puzzle game, where the player engages in one-on-one falling block battles. The story focuses on a competition, where the king of a faraway kingdom wants to find a royal zoo keeper, to care for the numerous pets of the princess. The player characters of Polly and Gon, fight their way through the other competitors in order to earn the position. The game can be played in single player or a two player competitive mode.
There are two main game modes for players to enjoy, with the classic Arcade Mode and a Ranking Mode. In Arcade Mode, players can select from 1 Player, 2 Player VS and the settings so they can adjust the game. In the standard single player mode, there are three challenges that players can select, split into Beginner, Normal and Expert. These settings will affect the general gameplay experience for the player.
If the player selects Beginner, they will only play through 3 stages, whereas in the Normal and Expert modes, there will be 9 stages to play through. As the player makes their way through each of the stages, the opponents will become more challenging and test the skills of the player. In the Japanese version of the game, there will be a dialogue exchange the player and opponent. Sadly, this is not present in several of the translated versions.
During each of the stages the objective is simple, line up tiles that fall from the top of the screen so they don’t reach the top. There are two types of tile, the Food and Animal tiles. By dropping multiple food tiles that touch, they will be connected to each other, which is where the Animal tiles come into play. When an animal tile is dropped onto a matching food tile, all connecting tiles will be consumed. The more tiles that are eaten, the more points scored.
After the animal reaches the last tile, they will attack the opponent by dropping randomised tiles on their field. The more tiles that have been consumed, the larger the attack will be. If the player is able to link multiple animal actions together, a chain will occur providing greater attack drops. The battle will end when one side is unable to place tiles, with all of the space filled up. If the player is victorious they will move onto the next stage.
If the player is able to clear all of the stages in Beginner, they will be told to try again on normal. However, if all of the stages in Normal or Expert are cleared, the player will see a special end cinematic declaring them the winner. The challenges of this mode can be a little unbalanced at times, as the speed increases and the random nature of the gameplay. Thankfully, there is infinite continues for players to push through to the end.
Then there is the 2 Player VS mode, where both players will battle it out in sets of play. The action plays out the same as the standard Arcade Mode, with players fighting it out to fill their opponents field. This can be played as much as players want, with the ability to customise the settings, including the number of animals that appear. Some of these settings also apply to the single player game, allowing players to alter the challenge and experience.
Moving on is the Ranking Mode, where players will be able to take on a challenge to get the best score possible. The player will challenge opponents until they are defeated, with the end score relating to the rankings. The points are gained for the number of attacks made, the chain reactions and the time taken to clear the stage. Players will be given a trophy based on their rank, with gold silver and bronze ratings that will be earned.
Personal thoughts
I first played Baku Baku Animal through the SEGA Flash Demo, which was a lot of fun but severely limited. As a kid, I played the demo a lot and wanted the full version, but it was long after that I was able to play the retail release. I also had the chance to play the Windows version, as well as the SEGA Game Gear release, owning a full complete boxed copy of that version. I very much enjoy this puzzle game, as it is one of those experimental puzzlers.
The game is tough and can be unfair, due to the random nature of it, which can lead to sudden and repeated failures. But with enough time taken, it is possible to learn the tricks that will make the battles a lot easier. It is especially fun to play with another person, due to the back and forth nature of the action. This makes it perfect for play during game nights, as there are adjustable options and ways to make the game more fun and silly.
It was also released in the arcades using the SEGA Titan Video system, known as the ST-V arcade board. I haven’t seen this out in the wild, but the ST-V was based on the Saturn architecture, between the Model 2 and Model 3 arcade machines. The home version was based on the arcade version, with little if any difference between the two. There are mild difficulty spikes, but this is likely due to the arcade origins where they take as many coins as possible.
Although the game is simple, there is a tremendous amount of depth to it, giving players plenty of content in a relatively basic package. There is also a special mode that exists only in Japanese, called League Mode, which is hidden in the localised versions of the game. This can be accessed with a code, but remains in the native Japanese due to being a hidden mode. I am unsure how this mode is played as there are no official translations.
I have a lot of love for this game as it is one of those weird and wacky games, which has stuck with me for the longest time. I have picked it up from time to time, getting that puzzle fix in a way that not many are able to hit. The unique gameplay mechanics, style and general experience are something that isn’t seen in modern puzzles. I wish that Baku Baku Animal would get a sequel, or even a re-release, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen.
The game has had some popularity over the years, but is fairly common on the resale market. The SEGA Saturn version is the cheapest option out there, with many of them being complete in box. But for those looking for the Game Gear and Windows versions, the price can be pretty steep, with loose cartridges for the SEGA handheld being very high. The PC version is considered abandonware, so the game has been archived across the internet.
I do wish this game would receive a modern port or even a reboot, so players can experience the whimsical madness that SEGA are able to create. However, I don’t think this will be possible, as they have a pretty poor track record with old game series. Many of the titles that they have developed over the years, like Clockwork Knight, Virtua Cop and Altered Beast have all been forgotten. This is another game that has suffered that same fate.
If you have enjoyed this feature, then please stick around and see what else catches your eye. I cover a wide range of games in reviews, get special previews and put out regular features. I have Lost Gems, Retro Revival where I discuss re-releases and the occasional Gaming Oddities piece, where I cover weird and wacky titles. So stay a while and have a look around.
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