Day of the Tentacle

Oh man, I'm not sure which is the best--Maniac Mansion or it's sequel, Day of the Tentacle. They're both fantastic games, although one might be considered better only for graphics value simply because it was released five years later.

Of the six characters from Maniac Mansion, Bernard is the only one who returns (in super nerd format) in the sequel, along with two new friends, Hoagie and Laverne. And, while Dr. Fred was your nemesis in the first game, he returns to help the kids out in their new adventure.

The story begins with Purple Tentacle drinking from a toxic lake behind the old mansion (now an inn), turning him into a power-lusting mutant tentacle with expectations of taking over the world. Bernard learns of this when the Green Tentacle writes to him asking for help. So, Bernard and his friends go to the mansion to figure out what they can do to stop the madness of Purple Tentacle. Only things got out of hand, and now they have to travel through time in Dr. Fred's never-been-tested time traveling porter potties. Once again trouble occurs as Bernard is the only one to return to the present, while Hoagie is transplanted 200 years in the past and Laverne 200 years in the future. Your job is to navigate each friend around the mansion in their respective time periods to collect things that will fix the time contraptions and not only get Bernard's friends back to the present, but also to stop Purple Tentacle.

The game has much funnier qualities than Maniac Mansion because the plot is so outrageous and the characters are so stupid (just take a look at Nurse Edna). You even get to see the Edisons of the past (Red Edison, self proclaimed genius, and his sons) as well as the founding fathers. And, you get to see what a world dominated by Purple Tentacles would be like for us earth bound humans. It's not pretty, but it is funny all the way. This is a game that is sure to deliver good times, even if you've never played the first.

And yes, it is very much like a Saturday Morning Cartoon.

I love video games of all types, but graphic adventures hold a place in my heart like no other. Of all of the great point-and-click adventures that I can give a 10/10 to, which is a lot of games, I put Day of the Tentacle ABOVE even those, because it alone stands the test of time and is just as fun now as it was over 10 years ago... except the Monkey Islands were equally good as well... except part 4 when they dropped the hand- drawn graphics and went 3-D...meh. All I know is: if I was rich, I would produce games for Ron Gilbert and Tim Schafer to create for the public. We need them... ANYWAY

This game is hilarious with gorgeous hand drawn animations/graphics/backgrounds, the voice acting is top-notch, the writing is incredible (dialogue and plot). There are elements to this game that will stay with you forever. The mark of a truly great game.

I have played through tons and tons of games all the way from Pong when I was really young to the Xbox360 and nothing is as meaningful to me as those great adventures where either dying didn't happen or it was at least fun to watch...

One of the greatest of all time. Entertaining, with a great plot, and an excellent follow up to the video game Maniac Mansion. "WKRP in Cincinatti's" Richard Sanders is great as Bernard Bernouli, and gives him the vocal life robbed of him in the video game. Penny Roberts Hope is equally charming in her dual role as the crazed medical student Laverne and kinky nurse Edna Edison. Also of note is Denny Delk, who does a great job as the stereotypical vaudeville villan Purple, a disembodied tentacle. For any kid, for anyone who is a kid at heart, this is recommended to you.

They don't make them like this anymore. Day Of The Tentacle was a wonderfully deranged story of young teenagers warping back and fourth in time to stop the evil tentacle from claiming world domination. With all the heart and soul of a great kids movie, this really was a treat of a game. Playing three different characters in three different times makes the game more dimensional than later work such as Full Throttle (1995) and wonderful puzzles provide a great challenge. In 2006 it might not be as mind blowing as playing Half-Life 2 but it's well worth a go, especially as it still retains it's charm and ingenuity. Not as great as Monkey Island, but still great.

In four words: The best game ever! Cartoon-like graphics, amazing music sound effects and voice talents! And the plot line is the best I ever seen, full of nonsenses and jokes... Too bad that Lucasarts has not released a game like that since.... hmmm Monkey island 3 or Grim Fandango! (With the ol' fabulous SCUMM system :) Now we must pray and implore George Lucas to obtain finally a sequel! (Maniac Mansion 3 :)... I hope that this day will come ;)