Pen Pen TriIcelon
| Pen Pen TriIcelon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | General Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Infogrames |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Pen Pen TriIcelon (ペンペントライアイスロン), known simply as Pen Pen in Europe, is a video game created by one of the first Japanese companies to reveal Dreamcast development, General Entertainment, otherwise known as LAND HO!. It was released in Japan as one of four launch titles.
Gameplay
A TriIcelon is similar to the human triathlon. Tri-Ice-alons consist of three separate sporting styles in one game: running, sliding, and swimming. These three things combine to make a race where everyone competes for first place.
The player controls little penguin-like characters called Pen Pen, in a race consisting of the three separate sporting styles. Both the sliding and swimming parts are raced by tapping and holding the action button in a rhythmic motion to maintain a smooth flowing pace. The running section is controlled simply with the analogue stick, also with the ability to jump, and charge into other competitors.
Story
The Pen Pen are said to live on a small world called Iced Planet, and was here that the strange alien race were first discovered. Since the closest animal on Earth they resemble is the Penguin, they were first given the name Pen Pen. The Pen Pen pretty much inhabit most of the planet's surface. It is believed they do, in fact, have their own language, but if so, it is totally incomprehensible to humans.[2]
It was later discovered that they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Other types came from other planets to visit the Iced Planet. Six types have been discovered so far.
In a world of snow, ice and water, the Pen Pen have mastered the arts of running, sliding and swimming, and always used to play about on an iced field. These creatures saw the Pen Pen and came up with an idea, and thus, the TriIcelon was born. This soon became the most popular sport on the Iced Planet. Pen Pens enjoy this sport everyday and never get bored of competing, but once a year, they hold a grand TriIcelon race to determine the number one TriIcelon player.
Characters
Sparky
TYPE: Pen Pen
SEX: Male
Sparky is a light blue Pen Pen with red eyes and first appears wearing a helmet. He is described as an active and happy-go-lucky Pen Pen who loves speed, although he can also be a bit childish at times. However, he always likes to give his best performance when racing. He is voiced by Etsuko Kozakura.
Tina
TYPE: Pen Pen
SEX: Female
Tina is a red Pen Pen with red lips, yellow hair, green eyes and heart-shaped breasts. She is one of three female characters (Pen Pen included), the others being Ballery and Mrs. Cream. Tina is described as Sparky's ideal rival who is a bit of a snob and very proud of herself. Tina likes to dress up and make herself look as good as possible. She is voiced by Aya Sakaguchi.
Ballery
TYPE: Pen Hippo
SEX: Female
Ballery is a pink Pen Hippo. She is one of three female characters (Pen Pen included), the others being Tina and Mrs. Cream. Ballery likes to pretend she's a cute, sweet girl that is excited by the slightest thing. However, she is actually very jealous and likes to meddle in the affairs of others. She is voiced by Run Sasaki.
Jaw
TYPE: Pen Shark
SEX: Male
Jaw is a purple Pen Shark with a red X-shaped scar on his stomach. Jaw is a bit wild and an all-around bad fellow. When he gets angry, he tends to get a little rough. He is voiced by Eiichiro Suzuki.
Back
TYPE: Pen Walrus
SEX: Male
Back is an orange Pen Walrus with a sun on his stomach. He is described as a very laid back guy who likes to take things nice and easy. Back is also extremely strong and when he gets angry (which isn't very often) he can be very frightening. He is voiced by Tose Tanaka.
Sneak
TYPE: Pen Octopus
SEX: Male
Sneak is an orange Pen Octopus. He is described as a joker who loves to play tricks. He is very mischievous and that can sometimes be a bad thing for himself. He is voiced by Takashi Matsuo.
Mr Bow
TYPE: Pen Dog
SEX: Male
Mr Bow is a blue Pen Dog that first appears wearing a red top hat. With no regard for his safety, this reckless guy tends to leap before he looks. Bordering on stupidity, the foolhardy Mr Bow will always dive straight into things with reckless abandon. He is voiced by Bakabon Onizuka.
Hanamizu
TYPE: ???
SEX: Male
Hanamizu is an unknown species of Pen Pen, but looks somewhat like a cat or otter due to his long whiskers. Aside from his perpetually running nose, his surprisingly excellent skills in the game and being the only unlockable character, not much is known about this Pen Pen. He is voiced by Masaru Hachinohe.
The game also has an unseen announcer who can be heard in the background saying some words at the beginning or at the end.
Courses
Sweets
Owner: Mrs Cream
Mrs Cream is the mayor of the Sweets Town. She is one of three female characters (Pen Pen included), the others being Tina and Ballery. She is kind and friendly.
Jungle
Owner: Unga Pogo
He is a young leader in the Jungle area. He loves animals and nature.
Toys
Owner: Bambi Mask
A colourfully dressed gentleman. He is always wearing a mask to make kids smile, and no one has seen his true appearance.
Horrors
Owner: Horror Man
He is a count from the Horror family, which rules all monsters and ghosts on the Iced Planet. According to the game manual, he is 4771 years old and loves scaring others.
Reception
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The game received "mixed" reviews according to video game review aggregator GameRankings.[3]
References
- ↑ "PenPen TriIcelon - Dreamcast". IGN. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ From Issue #36 of Sega Saturn Magazine
- 1 2 "Pen Pen TriIcelon for Dreamcast". GameRankings. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "PenPen TriIcelon - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Edge staff (January 1999). "PenPen TriIcelon". Edge (67).
- ↑ "Pen Pen TriIcelon". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 1999.
- ↑ Helgeson, Matt (October 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon". Game Informer (78). Archived from the original on May 31, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (1999). "Pen Pen Tri Icelon [sic] Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 20, 2005. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Dr. Moo (September 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon (Japan) Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 11, 1998). "Pen Pen TriIcelon Review". GameSpot. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Fragmaster (September 10, 1999). "PenPen TriIceLon". PlanetDreamcast. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (September 8, 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon". IGN. Retrieved November 7, 2015.