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{{Short description|1994 video game}}
{{about|the computer game|the clothing brand|Ruff 'n' Tumble (clothing)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
|title      = Ruff 'n' Tumble
|image      = Ruff N Tumble.jpg
|developer  = Wunderkind
|publisher  = [[Renegade Software]]
|producer   = Graeme Boxall
|designer   = Jason Perkins<br />Robin Levy
|programmer = Jason Perkins
|artist     = Robin Levy
|writer     = Andy Nuttall<br />Sarah Tanser
|composer   = Jason Page
|platforms  = [[Amiga]]
|released   = {{vgrelease|EU|1994}}
|genre      = [[Platform game|Platform]], [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]]
|modes      = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''Ruff 'n' Tumble''''' is a 1994 [[Platform game|platform]] [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]] video game developed by Wunderkind and published by [[Renegade Software]] for the [[Amiga]]. An [[Amiga CD32]] version was planned but never released. It was the only game made by Wunderkind. It stars Ruff Rodgers, embarking on a quest across an alien planet to reclaim his marbles after one of them fell into a portal inside a rabbit hole while playing with his collection in the park, and free the planet from Dr. Destiny and his Tinhead army. Through the journey, the player explores and search through each level for [[Item (gaming)|item]]s and [[power-up]]s, as well as fight enemies and defeat [[Boss (video gaming)|bosses]].
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' was the creation of Wunderkind, a group within Renegade consisting of programmer Jason Perkins, artist Robin Levy, and composer Jason Page. Levy was contacted by Perkins, due to their previous working experience on ''Apocalypse'' (1994) for [[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]], and was asked if he was interested in making a game with him. Perkins wanted to make a platform game while Levy preferred a shoot 'em up, with the original idea being a "platform-based ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]''". Emphasis was placed on playability to make it fun compared to similar titles, with the aim of being the "perfect" action game for the Amiga, while various technique features were implemented to make it fast and playable. The team also used an in-house map editor by Renegade, which allowed puzzles and traps being quickly designed. Both Perkins and Levy went separate ways after finishing the project.
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' garnered favourable reception from the Amiga gaming press; praised was given to the detailed arcade-style graphics for their quality and spritework, varied level design and gameplay but most reviewers felt mixed regarding the audio and difficulty, while criticism was geared towards the lack of additional levels, difficulty settings, innovation and originality.
== Gameplay and premise ==
[[Image:Ruff 'n' Tumble ingame.png|thumb|left|Ruff Rodgers at the beginning of the first level]]
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' is a [[Platform game|platform]] [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]] starring Ruff Rodgers, an eight-year-old boy who loses one of his marbles while playing in the park and follows it down a rabbit hole, which turns out to be a portal to an alien planet. The planet, ruled by the mad Dr. Destiny, is home to fearsome army of robots called Tinheads. Ruff finds that his marble collection has been scattered across the planet, and embarks on a quest to reclaim his collection, and free the planet from Destiny and his Tinhead Army.<ref name="RnTmanual">''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' Manual (Amiga, EU)</ref>
The player progresses through each level by running, jumping, and shooting at enemies with his multi-projectile gun, capable of shooting [[bullets]], [[laser]], [[missiles]] or becoming a [[flame thrower]] (depending on what power-ups are collected during the level). Each level is completed by collecting a set number of coloured marbles (red, green and blue). Upon collecting all of the marbles, the exit to the level is unlocked. There are four worlds in the game, each with four main levels in them, and a fifth [[Boss (video games)|boss]] level. Each world features its own variety of enemies and traps. The game uses a password system that enables the player to access the first level of the specific world.<ref name="RnTmanual"/>
== Development and release ==
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' was created by Wunderkind, a group within [[Renegade Software]] consisting of programmer Jason Perkins, artist Robin Levy, and composer Jason Page.<ref name="TOfAG68">{{cite magazine|last=Nutall|first=Andy|url=https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-68/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Work In Progress: Ruff & (Very Nearly) Ready|magazine=[[The One (magazine)#History|The One for Amiga Games]]|issue=69|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=June 1994|pages=32–35}}</ref><ref name="RnTsr">{{cite video game|title=Ruff 'n' Tumble|developer=Wunderkind|publisher=[[Renegade Software]]|date=July–August 1994|platform=[[Amiga]]|level=Staff roll}}</ref> Perkins previously worked on ''[[Monty on the Run]]'', ''[[Thing on a Spring]]'' and ''Apocalypse'' (1994) for [[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]].<ref name="TOfAG68"/><ref name="CUAm52">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-052/page/n52/mode/1up|title=First Impressions: Ruff n' Tumble (Renegade)|magazine=[[CU Amiga]]|issue=52|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=June 1994|page=53}}</ref> Levy's past works include ''[[Armalyte]]'', ''[[Myth: History in the Making]]'' and the [[Commodore 64]] version of ''[[Last Ninja 3]]''.<ref name="TOfAG68"/> Page began his career at [[Graftgold]], taking over the role of in-house musician from founder [[Steve Turner (game programmer)|Steve Turner]], before moving to [[Sony Computer Entertainment Europe]].<ref name="R64">{{cite web|last=Carr|first=Neil|url=http://www.remix64.com/interviews/interview-jason-page.html|title=An Interview with Jason Page|work=Remix64|date=May 27, 2002|access-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426161633/http://www.remix64.com/interviews/interview-jason-page.html|archive-date=April 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Both Perkins and Levy acted as co-designers of the title, while Perkins came up with the original concept.<ref name="RnTsr"/> Graeme Boxall led development of the project as producer at Renegade.<ref name="RnTsr"/> Andrew "Andy" Nuttall and Sarah Tanser, two journalists from the [[Amiga]] gaming press, were responsible for writing the game's manual text.<ref name="RnTsr"/> Both Perkins and Levy recounted its development process and history.<ref name="TOfAG68"/>
Levy received a call from Perkins, due to their previous working experience on ''Apocalypse'', and was asked if he was interested in making a game with him.<ref name="TOfAG68"/> Perkins wanted to make a platform game while Levy preferred a [[shoot 'em up]], the latter of whom claimed that the original idea for the game was a "platform-based ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]''".<ref name="TOfAG68"/> Emphasis was placed on playability to make it fun compared to similar titles, with the team's aim being to make the most playable and "perfect" action-platform game for Amiga.<ref name="TOfAG68"/><ref name="AmPower38">{{cite magazine|last=Davies|first=Jonathan|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_17716|title=True Stories: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga Power]]|issue=38|date=June 1994|page=19}}</ref><ref name="U64">{{cite web|url=https://www.unseen64.net/2017/11/13/ruff-n-tumble-beta-amiga/|title=Ruff 'n' Tumble [Beta – Amiga]|work=Unseen64|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113174430/https://www.unseen64.net/2017/11/13/ruff-n-tumble-beta-amiga/|archive-date=November 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> To build each level, the staff made use of an in-house map editor by Renegade, which allowed puzzles and traps being quickly designed and placed on-screen.<ref name="AmPower38"/> Perkins also implemented an "auto-scroll controller" feature, in which each block making up the screen is given an attribute to tell the game where to scroll and let the player see their path.<ref name="TOfAG68"/> The lack of parallax scrolling was a decision taken by both Perkins and Levy, feeling they could not make the game fast and playable.<ref name="TOfAG68"/> The team remarked they did started making a 16-color parallax scrolling background until Levy created 32-color screens without parallax before coming up with "non-parallaxing parallax", a technique where backgrounds are blurred to create a sense of depth and add a three-dimensional aspect to them.<ref name="TOfAG68"/>
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' was first announced in 1993 and showcased at Renegade's booth during the [[European Computer Trade Show]] of that year.<ref name="CUAm42">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-042/page/n13/mode/1up|title=News: The Shape of Games to Come — Renegade|magazine=[[CU Amiga]]|issue=42|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=August 1993|page=14}}</ref><ref name="AmJoker39">{{cite magazine|last=Bosmeier|first=Carsten|url=https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1993-10_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n11/mode/1up|title=Newsflash: European Computer Trade Show London '93 — Renegade|magazine={{ill|Amiga Joker|lt=Amiga Joker|de|Amiga Joker}}|issue=39|publisher=Joker-Verlag|date=October 1993|page=12|lang=de}}</ref><ref name="AmFormat53">{{cite magazine|last=Mead|first=Rob|url=http://amr.abime.net/issue_209_pages|title=Game Previews: Coming Attractions|magazine=[[Amiga Format]]|issue=53|date=December 1993|pages=50–51}}</ref> Early previews showcased several differences compared to the final version such as a minecart setpiece in the second world and a different [[Head-up display|HUD]].<ref name="CUAm42"/><ref name="AmFormat53"/><ref name="ACD32G2">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/amiga-cd-32-gamer-issue-2/page/9/mode/1up|title=News: You're Surrounded|magazine=Amiga CD32 Gamer|issue=2|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=June 1994|page=9}}</ref> According to contemporary game publications such as ''Amiga Dream'' and ''[[Amiga Power]]'', the game was reportedly slated for launch between July and August 1994.<ref name="AmPower38"/><ref name="AmDream8">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/amigadream-french-08/page/n33/mode/1up|title=Avant première: Ruff'n tumble|magazine={{ill|Amiga Dream|lt=Amiga Dream|fr|Amiga Dream}}|issue=8|publisher={{ill|Posse Press|lt=Posse Press|fr|Posse Press}}|date=June 1994|page=34|lang=fr}}</ref> ''Amiga Power'', as well as other publications within the Amiga gaming press like ''[[CU Amiga]]'' and ''[[The One (magazine)#History|The One for Amiga Games]]'' wrote that it was released between September or October 1994.<ref name="AmPowerRnT"/><ref name="CUAmRnT"/><ref name="TOfAGRnT"/> A version for the [[Amiga CD32]] was planned but never released.<ref name="TOfAG68"/><ref name="AmPower38"/><ref name="ACD32G2"/><ref name="AmDream8"/> It was Wunderkind's only game, as the group never developed another title, while both Perkins and Levy went separate ways after finishing the project.<ref name="U64"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hol.abime.net/hol_search.php?N_ref_developer=645|title=Wunderkind – Developer Information|work=Hall Of Light|publisher=HOL Team|year=2022|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016124352/http://hol.abime.net/hol_search.php?N_ref_developer=645|archive-date=October 16, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|ASM = 8/12<ref name="ASMRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Borngießer|first=Jürgen|url=https://archive.org/stream/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1994.11#page/n21/mode/1up|title=Review: Blechbüchsenarmee – Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|issue=93|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=November 1994|page=22|lang=de}}</ref>
|AmAction = 91%<ref name="AmActionRnT">{{cite magazine|last1=McNally|first1=Paul|last2=Roundell|first2=Paul|url=https://archive.org/stream/amigaaction62#page/n25/mode/2up|title=Action Review – Platform: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga Action]]|issue=62|publisher=[[Europress Interactive]]|date=October 1994|pages=26–27}}</ref>
|AmComputing = 89%<ref name="AmComputingRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Maddock|first=Jonathan|url=https://archive.org/stream/amiga-computing-magazine-081#page/n123/mode/2up|title=System Spotlight: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga Computing]]|issue=81|publisher=[[Europress]], [[International Data Group|IDG Media]]|date=Christmas 1994|pages=124–125}}</ref>
|AmFormat = 87%<ref name="AmFormatRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Bradley|first=Stephen|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_2756|title=Game Review: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga Format]]|issue=64|date=October 1994|pages=50–51}}</ref>
|AmPower = 88%<ref name="AmPowerRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Davies|first=Jonathan|url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Power_Issue_42_1994-10_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n35/mode/2up|title=Game Reviews: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga Power]]|issue=42|date=October 1994|pages=36–38}}</ref>
|AmUI = 90%<ref name="AmUIRnT">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_User_International_Volume_09_No_01_1995-01_AUI_Limited_GB#page/n82/mode/1up|title=AUI Entertainment Now! – Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Amiga User International]]|volume=9|issue=1|publisher=AUI Limited|date=January 1995|page=83}}</ref>
|Gen4 = 88%<ref name="Gen4RnT">{{cite magazine|last=Houng|first=Michel|url=https://archive.org/stream/generation4-magazine-071#page/n109/mode/2up|title=Test: Ruff 'n' Tumble – Violence infantile|magazine={{ill|Génération 4|lt=Génération 4|fr|Gen4}}|issue=71|publisher=[[Computec]]|date=November 1994|pages=110–112|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''Amiga Concept''
|rev1Score = 92%<ref name="AmConceptRnT">{{cite magazine|last=De Graeve|first=Cyril|url=https://archive.org/details/amiga-concept-09/page/n39/mode/2up|title=Test – Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=Amiga Concept|issue=9|publisher=Delta Publishing Group |date=November 1994|pages=40–42|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''Amiga Dream''
|rev2Score = 94%<ref name="AmDreamRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Halliday|first=Grégory|url=https://archive.org/stream/amigadream-french-12#page/n39/mode/2up|title=Jeux du mois – Ruff and tumble|magazine={{ill|Amiga Dream|lt=Amiga Dream|fr|Amiga Dream}}|issue=12|publisher={{ill|Posse Press|lt=Posse Press|fr|Posse Press}}|date=November 1994|pages=40–41|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Computec#History|Amiga Games]]''
|rev3Score = 79%<ref name="AmGamesRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Preißner|first=Oliver|url=https://archive.org/stream/amiga-games-1994-12#page/n37/mode/2up|title=Jump & Run Review: Keine Verschnaufpause! – Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Computec#History|Amiga Games]]|issue=27|publisher=[[Computec]]|date=December 1994|pages=38–39|lang=de}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''Amiga Joker''
|rev4Score = 91%<ref name="AmJokerRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Magenauer|first=Max|url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Joker_1994-11_Joker_Verlag_DE#page/n15/mode/2up?view=theater|title=Ruff 'n' Tumble – Das Platform-Wander|magazine={{ill|Amiga Joker|lt=Amiga Joker|de|Amiga Joker}}|issue=51|publisher=Joker-Verlag|date=November 1994|pages=16–17|lang=de}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[CU Amiga]]''
|rev5Score = 92%<ref name="CUAmRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Dillon|first=Tony|url=https://archive.org/stream/cuamiga-magazine-056#page/n71/mode/2up|title=Game Review – Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[CU Amiga]]|issue=56|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=October 1994|pages=70–71}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[The One (magazine)#History|The One for Amiga Games]]''
|rev6Score = 92%<ref name="TOfAGRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Byron|first=Simon|url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-70#page/n45/mode/2up|title=Review: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[The One (magazine)#History|The One for Amiga Games]]|issue=70|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=August 1994|pages=46–49}}</ref>
}}
''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' received favourable reception from the Amiga gaming press.<ref name="DatorMagRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Hagberg|first=Erika|url=https://archive.org/stream/Datormagazin1994/Datormagazin_1994_nr21#page/n39/mode/1up|title=Recensioner: Ruff 'n' Tumble – Mordisk jakt på spelkulor|magazine={{ill|Datormagazin|lt=Datormagazin|sv|Datormagazin}}|issue=95|publisher=[[Hjemmet Mortensen AB]], [[Egmont Publishing]]|date=November 1994|page=40|lang=sv}}</ref><ref name="PTRnT">{{cite magazine|last=Held|first=Ingolf|url=https://archive.org/stream/playtime199501#page/n94/mode/1up|title=Amiga Review: Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Computec#History|Play Time]]|issue=43|publisher=[[Computec]]|date=January 1995|pages=95–96|lang=de}}</ref><ref name="TSRnT">{{cite magazine|author=Ferion|url=https://archive.org/stream/TopSecret40#page/n18/mode/1up|title=Ruff 'n' Tumble|magazine=[[Top Secret (magazine)|Top Secret]]|issue=40|publisher=Bajtek Publishing House|date=July 1995|page=19|lang=pl}}</ref> ''[[The One (magazine)#History|The One for Amiga Games]]''{{'}} Simon Byron praised the graphics for its style and spritework, level design, setpieces, enemy AI, fine-tuned gameplay, soundtrack and overall longevity.<ref name="TOfAGRnT"/> ''[[Amiga Action]]''{{'}}s Paul McNally and Paul Roundell praised commended its high-quality graphics, ''[[The Chaos Engine|Chaos Engine]]''-esque sound design and playability, stating that it was as good as ''[[Putty Squad]]'', though they noted that its difficulty was tricky due to the more manic gameplay compared to the latter game and criticized its high asking price.<ref name="AmActionRnT"/> ''[[Amiga Format]]''{{'}}s Stephen Bradley gave positive remarks to the title's sprite animations, smooth scrolling, varied level design, sound department and addictive playability, although he ultimately stated that the game was not very original.<ref name="AmFormatRnT"/>
''[[Amiga Power]]''{{'}}s Jonathan Davies gave positive commentary to the firm but fair stage designs, slick visuals and sound effects but criticized its high difficulty and music for being awful.<ref name="AmPowerRnT"/> ''[[CU Amiga]]''{{'}}s Tony Dillon called it an "CU Amiga Super Star", giving positive remarks to Jason Perkins and Robin Levy for blending platforming action and [[shoot 'em up]] to create a playable and polished product.<ref name="CUAmRnT"/> ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]''{{'}}s Jürgen Borngießer noted that ''Ruff 'n' Tumble'' felt like a console game due to its use of a joystick or joypad for controls and commended its visuals, audio, presentation and fun factor.<ref name="ASMRnT"/> Both ''Amiga Concept''{{'}}s Cyril De Graeve and ''Amiga Dream''{{'}}s Grégory Halliday also gave positive remarks to the game's colorful and detailed graphics, sprite animations, music and sound, difficulty, longevity and overall controls.<ref name="AmConceptRnT"/><ref name="AmDreamRnT"/>
''Amiga Joker''{{'}}s Max Magenauer considered it an "Amiga Joker Mega Hit" and the best action title on the Amiga, highly praising its animated visuals, sound design, controls and fun factor.<ref name="AmJokerRnT"/> ''Génération 4''{{'}}s Michel Houng praised the sprite animations, playability, arcade-style graphics and good sound effects but noted its music and the lack of additional levels as negative points.<ref name="Gen4RnT"/> ''[[Amiga Computing]]''{{'}}s Jonathan Maddock referred the graphics as "exquisite" and "gorgeous", comparing it with [[The Bitmap Brothers|Bitmap Brothers]]{{'}} ''[[Gods (video game)|Gods]]'' and ''[[Magic Pockets]]''. Maddock also regarded the music as adequate and the gameplay as addictive, while he felt that its difficulty was appealing as well.<ref name="AmComputingRnT"/>
In contrast to most reviewers, ''[[Computec#History|Amiga Games]]''{{'}} Oliver Preißner criticized its gameplay for the lack of innovation and absence of additional difficulty levels but gave the game positive commentary for its visual presentation.<ref name="AmGamesRnT"/> In a similar tone as Dillon, British magazine ''[[Amiga User International]]'' commended both Perkins and Levy for creating a balance between platforming and shooting with the title's design, praising its gameplay, audio and graphics.<ref name="AmUIRnT"/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Portal|1990s|Amiga|United Kingdom|Video games}}
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/amiga/935012-ruff-n-tumble ''Ruff 'n' Tumble''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/ruff-n-tumble ''Ruff 'n' Tumble''] at [[MobyGames]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruff 'n' Tumble}}
[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amiga-only games]]
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Video games about children]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Renegade Software games]]