Emperor's New Groove, The (USA)
Getting to Know Emperor's New Groove, The (USA)
The Emperor's New Groove hit the Game Boy Color in 2000, riding the wave of the Disney animated film. This action game drops players right into the world of the movie, where Emperor Kuzco has been turned into a llama by his former advisor Yzma. It's a licensed tie-in typical of the era, though the specific developer and publisher aren't widely documented in publicly available sources. The game runs on the standard black-and-white Game Boy Color palette (with color support on the GBC hardware) and uses side-scrolling levels to retell the film's story.
You guide Kuzco through a series of platforming stages, each based on scenes from the movie. The core objective is to help the llama emperor reverse the transformation spell. This involves running, jumping over gaps, and avoiding or defeating enemies using a simple attack - usually a headbutt or a projectile. Along the way, you collect items like food and gems to restore health or score points. The gameplay is straightforward: move from left to right, overcome obstacles, and reach the end of each level to progress the story. There are also some light puzzle elements, like figuring out which platforms to activate, but it's mostly classic action-platforming.
As far as Game Boy Color licensed games go, this one is competent but not groundbreaking. It captures the spirit of the film with colorful (within GBC limits) sprites and music that tries to mimic the movie's tunes. It's a short experience - most players can finish it in an afternoon. Today, it's worth a look if you're a Disney completionist or enjoy retro movie tie-ins that don't overstay their welcome. It's not a hidden gem, but it's a fair example of how film licenses were handled on handhelds in 2000.
How to Play Emperor's New Groove, The (USA) Online
Getting Started
When you start the game, you'll see a title screen referencing the Disney film. Press Enter (Start) to begin. You'll likely be asked to select a save file or start a new game. The main menu is in English, so navigation is straightforward. Once you start, you control Kuzco as a llama. Use the D-Pad (Arrow Keys) to move left or right, and press X (A button) to jump. Press S (B button) to attack - usually Kuzco will headbutt enemies. The goal of each level is to reach the end, often marked by a door or a checkpoint. Along the way, collect coins and food items to increase your score and health. Health is displayed on the screen; if it runs out, you lose a life. You have a limited number of lives, and game over sends you back to the start of the level.
The game consists of several levels that follow the movie's plot. Between levels, you might see short cutscenes that tell the story. There are no complex mechanics - just run, jump, and attack. Some platforms are destructible or move, so watch your timing. If you get stuck, try back-tracking: sometimes a hidden item or alternate path exists. The game is relatively short, so persistence pays off. The controls are responsive, and the difficulty ramps up gradually. Focus on learning enemy patterns and avoiding pits, as falling resets your progress in that section. Save your game periodically using the password system (write down the codes shown on screen) to avoid losing progress.
Emperor's New Groove, The (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
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