Aero the Acrobat: A Forgotten Mascot That Deserved Better
Sunsoft, a powerhouse developer on the NES, was responsible for creating some of the best games on the system. Their expertise in harnessing the full potential of the hardware is one of the reasons why the NES remains one of my all-time favorite gaming consoles. However, when it came to the 16-bit era, Sunsoft struggled to maintain their position as an elite developer, with most of their output in the West consisting of Looney Tunes titles. Despite this, a few original games managed to shine through, with Aero the Acrobat standing out as one of the more interesting offerings. In the cutthroat world of mascot platformers, Aero the Acrobat managed to make a lasting impression, although it fell short of achieving greatness due to some notable flaws.
A Unique Circus-themed Adventure
The game introduces us to Edgar Ektor, a once-devoted fan of the World of Amusement Circus. Unfortunately, a thoughtless prank committed by Edgar gets him banned from the circus for life. However, instead of moving on, Edgar allows the bitterness to fester over the years. Twenty years later, Edgar returns to the circus with the help of Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel and his Psycho Circus gang. Together, they kidnap all the circus performers, leaving only Aero the Acrobat, the circus’s top star, as their final hope.
At first glance, it may be easy to dismiss Aero the Acrobat, as the character has largely been forgotten in recent times. However, during its release, Aero the Acrobat enjoyed a fair amount of success, even spawning a sequel and a spinoff game featuring one of his enemies. After all, how many games can you name that star Awesome Possum? (Okay, that might have been a bit of an unfair jab.) Aero the Acrobat did receive a port to the Gameboy Advance, which addressed some of the game’s flaws, but unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a revival of the franchise.
Aero’s Unique Abilities and Gameplay
Aero the Acrobat boasts a solid set of mechanics that players can experiment with. Instead of the typical butt bounce move seen in many other platformers, Aero has a spinning drill attack. This attack can be aimed diagonally upward or downward and can only be performed while in the air. Additionally, this move doubles as Aero’s version of a double jump. As a bat, Aero can’t fly freely without a power-up, but he can briefly hover before descending. Throughout the levels, you’ll come across magic stars that can be used as projectiles. Unfortunately, these stars are mostly worthless, as they are scarce and only a few enemies have vulnerability windows that can be exploited using the stars.
One of the things that sets Aero the Acrobat apart from other platformers is its level structure. Each level presents the player with specific goals to accomplish, ranging from falling through twenty-five hoops to surviving until the end of the level. Most of the levels are expansive and filled with secrets. If you follow the general path, you’ll likely reach your goal before reaching the exit. However, as the stages become larger, you’ll need to actively search for the secrets, which often leads to aimless wandering. This is where the game’s design starts to work against it. While the circus-themed levels offer variety and make the game more engaging, the levels outside of this theme feel generic and less interesting.
A Bumpy Ride: The Challenge and Frustration
While I appreciate Aero the Acrobat for its uniqueness and genuine effort, it definitely falls short in a few areas. The game’s circus theme is pervasive throughout, which initially gives it a unique hook, distinguishing it from other generic platformers. However, the first circus world overstays its welcome, and the gimmicks and mechanics quickly become more annoying than enjoyable. It’s only when you push past this point that the game truly starts to open up. The subsequent worlds, such as the Funpark, Woods, and Museum, offer a refreshing change of environment while still maintaining the circus theme. These worlds introduce new traps, enemies, and even a number of auto-scrolling levels that provide a change of pace. Unfortunately, these levels can be infuriatingly difficult, which ultimately dampens the game’s momentum and enjoyment.
The difficulty level of Aero the Acrobat is brutal, and not in a satisfying way. Even with a life bar, spikes and other hazards result in instant death. The game seems to take a sadistic pleasure in placing spikes everywhere: at the end of blind leaps, on the sides of platforms, and even right next to extra lives, which completely defeats their purpose. Whenever you come across a trampoline or cannon, you can be sure that spikes are waiting nearby. It’s frustrating and can make the game feel more malicious than challenging. To compensate for the punishing difficulty, the developers shower you with extra lives. It’s not uncommon to accumulate 20 or 30 lives during your playthrough. However, you’ll quickly burn through those lives due to the high number of deaths you’ll experience. Unfortunately, with limited continues and no password system, Aero the Acrobat is undeniably one of the tougher platformers out there, and this unfortunate reality can severely impact your overall enjoyment of the game.
A Message to Aero the Acrobat Fans
In conclusion, Aero the Acrobat is a respectable attempt at a mascot platformer, and despite its flaws, it still manages to provide an enjoyable gaming experience. It stumbles here and there, and its frustration levels may test your patience, but the game’s heart is in the right place. If you’re planning to try out this classic, I would recommend seeking out the Gameboy Advance version, as it smoothes out many of the game’s rough edges and provides a more refined gameplay experience.
Remember, Aero the Acrobat deserves a second chance! Experience the unique circus-themed adventure and discover the true potential of this forgotten mascot.
