Tick, The (USA)
Tick, The (USA) - Beat em Up Classic
Tick, The (USA) is a side-scrolling beat-em-up for the SEGA Genesis, released in 1994. It was developed by Software Creations and published by Fox Interactive, based on the animated series of the same name. This version is the North American release, and it's one of those licensed games that tried to capture the show's quirky humor in playable form.
You control the big blue superhero known as The Tick, along with his sidekick Arthur, fighting through various stages. The gameplay is typical of the beat-em-up genre: you walk from left to right, punch and kick waves of enemies, and occasionally interact with objects or bosses. Each character has a set of basic attacks and special moves, like The Tick's spin attack or Arthur's moth-like flight. The levels are based on locations from the cartoon, and you'll encounter familiar villains like The Terror.
While not the deepest or most polished beat-em-up on the Genesis, The Tick stands out because of its faithful cartoon aesthetic and voiced one-liners. It's a decent representative of mid-90s licensed games, offering co-op play and a fair challenge. If you're a fan of the show or curious about rare Genesis beat-em-ups, it's worth a quick playthrough, but don't expect revolutionary mechanics.
How to Play Tick, The (USA) Online
Getting Started
When you start The Tick, you'll see a title screen showing the big blue hero. Press Enter to move past it, then you can choose between two characters: The Tick or Arthur. The Tick is a straightforward brawler with strong punches and a spinning attack; Arthur is faster but weaker, using his flying ability to avoid enemies. Pick whichever suits your style.
The core loop is simple: walk to the right, beat up the bad guys at each screen, and move on. You have a health bar and limited lives. Collect food items like pizza or hot dogs to restore health. Each stage ends with a boss fight based on a character from the show. The game supports one player only, so no co-op here.
New players should watch for enemy patterns and use the environment to their advantage. The Tick's short range means you need to get close, so timing punches is key. Arthur can dash and fly briefly, which helps avoid damage. Pay attention to the on-screen dialogue, as it adds flavor and sometimes hints at what's coming. Overall, it's a straightforward beat-em-up with a charming cartoon wrapper.
Tick, The (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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