James Pond: Underwater Agent

Dottor_Psycho 2016-05-09
(7/10)
James Pond well represented the Amiga during the golden age of the platform games. It is colourful, well drawn and well animated. JP is not an Amiga exclusive but, due to liberal use of copper effects and dual playfields, it looks like it is really built with the Amiga in mind. It has catchy musics and well made sounds. It has an original and varied gameplay and in a way it is an answer to what was coming from Japan then. It is both ironic and environmentally conscious. On the other hand it has some issues regarding the game design, like random instant deaths the player can hardly be blamed for, then it can be frustrating at times. All in all James Pond is a very nice platformer (7/10).
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tertronostalgic 2014-02-15
Colourful, playable game - shame it was so stupidly difficult - especially with no password system to access later levels - 6/10
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PortugueseWarrior 2012-05-22
(7/10)
Very good game despite the simplistic graphics and seemingly infantile setting. I had a blast playing this one. It provided a surprisingly steep level of challenge. I have very good memories of this one too...
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Maff Rignall 2010-02-11
(9/10)
A terrific game, inexplicably overlooked in favour of its rubbish sequels. It's unique and playable, and despite wearing its influences on its sleeve has a character all of its own. The objectives (and indeed the maps themselves) vary greatly with each stage, giving each new level a distinct feel.

The only major flaw, as others have noted, is the steep difficulty curve - while the first couple of levels are a breeze, it quickly escalates into nightmare territory. I don't think I was ever able to finish it, even using the JUNKYARD cheat - on those last two levels it's a struggle to even move. Bit of an anticlimax, really... But it's hard to bear grudges when the rest of it is so good. 9/10.
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altraz 2009-01-15
(10/10)
In my opinion the best of all the ponds!
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Scrawffler 2008-09-16
(9/10)
Ah, the start of an era! This was the first game I ever played, and quickly became a James Pond fan.

The graphics are nice and bright, and the music is memorable and pleasant. Looking back at this game now, I see how Pond himself - along with many of the other characters in the game, good and evil - seem to be cute and a little childish, and I'm not sure how well that works with the theme of the game. But still, the graphics are very child-friendly and that's probably one of the main things that got me into it at such a young age.

The gameplay in this particular game is simple and the controls are quick to get used to, but it's very easy to crash into a bad guy and just lose a life almost instantly. The levels are fun to explore though, and this game is a true Amiga classic and every Amiga gamer should at least give this one a go.
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Makke 2007-05-10
(7/10)
The James Pond games are all very well crafted. My main complaint though is that it almost always got a bit too cute...
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lolasunset 2007-02-01
(10/10)
I love this game, he's a cute fish and its so fun to collect stuff.
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The1-2-Beat 2006-06-06
(10/10)
This one is a classic. This one is summed up in one word - fun. The graphics are smooth and comical. Lots of level warps included in this one if you can find them, much easier for practising later levels which were insanely hard. Level 11 being among the hardest, with all those annoying scientists that just appear everywhere.
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Little Monkey Lost 2006-05-28
I remember difficulty level rising quite fast after you complete a couple of levels. A very nice game anyway.
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Stomperud 2006-05-08
(7/10)
How can anyone call this easy? You die almost instantly whenever you touch an enemy! I remember how the damn invisible jellyfish always did me in! But the pelican was funny

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Guybrush Threepwood 2006-01-10
(10/10)
Here he is in the making of what became a fond character on the Amiga, a one well known to the likes of Sonic on the Sega. I prefered this to Zool
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stooart 2005-11-28
(8/10)
This was my favourite out of the fishy agent's games. Some good qaulity cartoon graphics and decidedly fun aquatic antics. Licence to gill! *groan*.
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MageRage 2005-10-06
(10/10)
Loved it, the Mgm style opening was great.
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Kai 2005-09-05
Good platformer but I really don't like the main character...
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Magog 2005-05-19
(8/10)
Very sweet and very playable!
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LeeT 2005-02-23
(8/10)
James Pond is suited to younger players, as it's so easy, even I got to the third level on my first play (and I am a crap gameplayer!). However the nature of the game means that it will appeal to old and young, and it's one to come back to on a regular basis. Enjoy!
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Robocoddess 2005-02-20
(8/10)
This one actually wowed me with the music, the nicer graphics and the way it plays...it seems to have more...um...action, than the Mega Drive version. In fact, the MD one doesn't even compare. Shame you have to start all over again when you like, lose all your lives ;__; I love the Game Over song ;D
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Kriko 2005-02-09
(7/10)
A nice game overshadowed by its terriffic sequel. Very playable and colourful fun, but it doesn't throw enough surprises at you later on to keep it going.
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Ed W 2004-12-07
(7/10)
Much better than the 2nd game!
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