The Muppet CD-ROM: Muppets Inside is a CD-ROM game developed and published by Starwave and Jim Henson Interactive for Windows 95. It was advertised for a January 1996 release,[1] and available in stores beginning in March.[2]
At the start of the game, Bunsen Honeydew accidentally digitizes the Muppets and traps them inside the player's computer, along with bits and pieces of the games they were working on. Only Rizzo and Statler and Waldorf remain outside. Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear travel around the Bitmap on a Databus to save their friends. The player helps Kermit and Fozzie clear blocked passages on the map by playing the Muppets' mini-games, as well as collecting various Muppet Show clips and Muppet props.
The game uses a mix of full motion video (FMV) and digitized sprites for the Muppets. The Muppet performers used Waldo remote manipulators to provide movement for the digital puppets.
Mini-games[]
- Beaker's Brain: The player helps Bunsen unscramble Beaker's memories of The Muppet Show clips.
- Statler and Waldorf: Two Thumbs Down: The player rotates boxes to unscramble Statler and Waldorf's video clips.
- Wocka on the Wild Side: In a parody of Missile Command, the player shoots down flying tomatoes, pies, and other things that the audience throws at Fozzie as he crosses The Muppet Theatre stage.
- Death-Defying Acts of Culture: The player positions Gonzo's cannon so he flies through a target.
- Scope That Song: Clifford hosts a version of Name That Tune, with the songs played by Lew Zealand's fish, Marvin Suggs and the Muppaphone, or The Leprechaun Brothers.
- Kitchens of Doom: A parody of Doom, with the Swedish Chef fighting giant vegetables in a crypt-like kitchen.
- Trivial But True!: A Hollywood Squares game, with Fozzie as the center square.
Performers[]
The game used all of the current Muppet performers to provide voice and movement for the puppets:
- Steve Whitmire: Kermit the Frog, Rizzo, Beaker, Rat-torneys at Law
- Frank Oz: Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle, Marvin Suggs
- Dave Goelz: Gonzo, Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
- Jerry Nelson: Floyd Pepper, Statler, Lew Zealand, the Newsman, Crazy Harry, Robin the Frog, Announcer, Rat-torneys at Law
- Kevin Clash: Clifford, Rat-torneys at Law
- Bill Barretta: The Swedish Chef, Old Joe, boot, Rat-torneys at Law
Notes[]
- The original video footage for the game was shot in London during the production of Muppet Treasure Island (concurrent with the footage for the film's CD-ROM game).[3]
- The title is a play on Intel's advertising slogan, "Intel Inside," meaning that one could find an Intel processor inside a computer marked with its sticker.
- The box describes Clifford as "the newest Muppet."
- A bonus "Muppetizer'" feature provided custom cursors, sounds and wallpaper.
- The game came with a 6x6 inch, 30-page booklet with Henson history, character profiles, game instructions and credits.
Gallery[]
Introduction[]
Data bus and Bitmap[]
Cut scenes[]
Beaker's Brain[]
Death-Defying Acts of Culture[]
Kitchens of Doom[]
Scope That Song[]
Statler and Waldorf: Two Thumbs Down[]
Trivial But True![]
Wocka on the Wild Side[]
Closing[]
Packaging[]
Cast[]
- Muppet Performers: Frank Oz, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash, Bill Barretta
- Performers (Archive Material): Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Brian Meehl, Kathryn Mullen
- Muppet Characters (new material): Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Animal, Rizzo the Rat, Statler and Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Sam the Eagle, the Swedish Chef, Lew Zealand, Marvin Suggs, The Muppaphone, Clifford, Crazy Harry, The Newsman, Robin the Frog, Beauregard, Old Joe, Undertaker, Pirate, Whatnots
Credits[]
- Director: David Gumpel
- Writer: Craig Shemin
- Producer: Ritamarie Peruggi
- Executive Producer: Eddie Dombrower
- Designer/Producer: John Cutter
- Art Director: John Delahanty
- Original Music: Nathan Wang
- Muppet Workshop: Laurent Lynn, Darryl Worby, Tacey Kneale
- Special Thanks: Janelle Courts, Michael Frith, Jim Lewis, Halle Stanford, Kirk Thatcher
Sources[]
- ↑ MuppetZine #15
- ↑ Reuters "Deep Space Nine: Best Star Trek Game?" by Gene Emery via (clari.tw.new_media)
- ↑ Tough Pigs An Interview with Craig Shemin, Part 1: Through the Eyes of a Fan April 9, 2014