Awesome Possum (USA)
Getting to Know Awesome Possum (USA)
Awesome Possum... Kicks Dr. Machino's Butt is a platformer released by Tengen for the Sega Genesis in 1993. It's one of those oddball games where the publisher tried to blend classic side-scrolling action with educational content, a pitch that sounds weirder than it plays. The game stands out for its heavy use of digitized voice clips, which was still a novelty on the Genesis at the time and a big part of the marketing push.
You take control of Awesome Possum, a character with an environmentalist bent who must make his way across several stages stomping enemies and collecting items. The core gameplay is standard for the era: run left to right, jump on baddies, avoid hazards, and reach the end of each level. What sets it apart are the occasional educational segments where you answer true/false questions about ecology and recycling, which unlock power-ups or progress gates.
As a Genesis library oddity, Awesome Possum is worth a look today if you're curious about the 'edutainment' trend that bled into console gaming. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, but the digitized speech gives it a distinct charm, and it's short enough to finish in one sitting. Just don't go in expecting the polish of Sonic or the depth of an RPG.
How to Play Awesome Possum (USA) Online
Once you hit Start, you'll see a title screen with some spoken dialog. Use the D-Pad to choose an option and press X (A button) to confirm. The game drops you straight into a side-scrolling stage. Your goal is to run to the right, stomp on enemies (usually by jumping on their heads), and avoid taking damage. Some platforms are elevated, so time your jumps carefully. You also need to collect items like recycling symbols and avoid polluting hazards.
Occasionally you'll reach a spot where a question appears on screen. These are the educational segments: you'll hear a statement and see a "True" or "False" prompt. Press a corresponding button to answer correctly and you'll get a power-up like a force field or extra health. If you answer wrong, you might get hurt or lose points. The game cycles through a few levels, each with its own theme like forests or factories. There's no continue? If you lose all lives, you're back to the title screen.
Awesome Possum (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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