Bonk's Revenge

Bonk's Revenge is a 2D platformer set in prehistory, originally released for the PC Engine in Japan in 1991 and later brought to the TurboGrafx-16 in North America as Bonk's Revenge. It was developed by Red Company and published by Hudson Soft under license from NEC. This is the second game in the Bonk series, following the original Bonk's Adventure. The USA version was also included on the Gate of Thunder 4-in-1 CD-ROM compilation in 1992, and the ROM we're playing here is that same HuCard release. If you've played the first game, this one keeps the same colorful, cartoony prehistoric setting but with new levels and a few tweaks to the gameplay. You control Bonk, a muscular caveman, as he runs and jumps through side-scrolling stages. The main attack is a headbutt - you can bonk enemies from below or above, and you can charge up for a stronger hit. The goal is to reach the end of each stage, collecting fruit and power-ups along the way. You can also cling to walls and climb, and there are secret areas to find. The core loop is simple: beat enemies, avoid pits and hazards, and take down a boss at the end of each world. There are eight worlds total, each with a distinct theme like jungles, caves, and volcanic areas. Even though it's a sequel, Bonk's Revenge holds up well as a solid platformer from the 16-bit era. The controls are responsive, the graphics are bright and detailed for the TurboGrafx-16, and the music is catchy. It's not a radical departure from the first game, but if you enjoyed Bonk's Adventure, this is more of the same with some new ideas. It's a good example of how Hudson Soft polished their mascot platformer formula. If you're into classic platformers or want to see what the TurboGrafx-16 could do, this is worth a few playthroughs.