| Official Blurb
With a name like Bond, you know that intense
action and daring adventure are here! Join James
Bond Jr. on several missions to root out and
destroy the evil forces of S.C.U.M. Criss-cross
the globe as you battle the evil Dr. Derange
in Central America and the wicked Maximillan
Cortez in the shadowy canals of venice!
All the while collect fabulous items that
enhance your personal weapons into an unstoppable
arsenal! Take on the scores of enemy jets, missile
launchers and robot devices designed to tend
your adventures - permanently. Do you have what
it takes to fight you way the the deadly confrontation
with the S.C.U.M. Lord?
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Above: Front box art for
the SNES version.
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- Use flying kicks and body rolls to keep their
agents off guard!
- Your buddy IQ provides you with special items
that'll blow S.C.U.M. away!
- Take a wild ride in a minicopter, a speedboat
and jet - all customized with the latest in high-tech
weaponry!
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Super
Nintendo (SNES) introduction screenshots |
The Scourge of S.C.U.M.
Three missions await James Bond Jr. - each one more
perilous that the one before it... His first stop
is the jungles of Central America. There he must find
and defeat Dr. Derange before the evil genius discovers
the treasure of the Temple of Gold. James must face
S.C.U.M. agents on land and in the air (in his minicopter)
to make it to his confrontation with the sinister
doctor! Next, he'll dive into action in the canals
of Venice, Italy. This is where the legendary DaVinci
papers have led Maximillian Cortex on his quest for
a secret invention. James has to pilot a specially
armed speedboat through the deadly canals in search
of the ancient item! In his final mission, James faces
his ultimate enemy - S.C.U.M. Lord. And he can only
be found on the coldest, most remote place on Earth.
Remember the spy's motto - "Danger lurks within
every shadow."
History
James Bond, Jr. was published by THQ - an American
video game publisher and developer, located in Calabasas
Hills, California. It produces games for video game
consoles and Windows-based PCs. The name "THQ"
formerly stood for "Toy Headquarters", dating
from when the company was also a toy manufacturer.
However, THQ has produced only video games since 1994.
James Bond, Jr. was an animated spinoff, from the
famous franchise, that centred around 007's nephew.
When the series was created in 1991, the James Bond
franchise was in its infamous limbo period following
the release of "Licence to Kill" in 1989
and preceding the release of "Goldeneye"
in 1995.
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Super
Nintendo (SNES) screenshots |
MI6 Review
Following a long run of videogames by Domark, the
licence to thrill (or rather, licence to shill) was
passed to THQ for a spin-off game from the spin-off
creation James Bond Jr. As with the TV cartoon, the
game is also a bit of an anomaly in the history of
Bond games. This was the first and last "Bond"
game published by THQ, and there are very good reasons
why.
Unlike "James Bond: The Duel", released
by Domark a year later, the 8-bit (NES) and 16-bit
(SNES) versions of "James Bond Jr." differ
wildly. The NES version is a platform and puzzle game,
whereas the SNES version incorporates vehicle shoot-em-up
levels and drops the puzzle elements completely -
although both versions follow the same plot!
Above: Reverse SNES box
art
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With the NES version, missions
are passed after solving puzzles such as rearranging
blocks to match the pattern on a computer console
to disarm a missile, bouncing on a series of
trampolines to reach a higher platform to retrieve
an object from an enemy, and navigating a series
of maze-like passages.
Bond tends to rely on brains as well as braun,
but in the SNES version, success if mostly achieved
using the fire buttons rapidly. The introduction
of vehicle missions (helicopter, speedboat,
and jet) are simply disguised shoot-em-up mini-games
that detract from Bond's image completely -
even Bond Jnr. The removal of the puzzle elements
cripple the game for players who prefer to think
rather than bash controllers.
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The common element between both versions are the
platform based missions, which as with most Bond games,
is a genre better developed and deployed in countless
other titles. The gameplay is bog standard and enjoys
no innovation over the common run-jump-duck-shoot
action players have seen over and over before.
| Villains and allies form the
children's TV cartoon series are utilised in
the game, with accurate likenesses in the cut
scenes and quite well delivered animation during
gameplay. The SNES version makes the most of
it's superior 16-bit hardware and delivers better
graphics than the NES version, although neither
is particularly special for it's platform.
The music of the game, as with many Bond titles,
is one of the highlights in an otherwise run
of the mill outing. The James Bond Jnr theme
makes the transition quite well, along with
a couple of new compositions for background
music.
Compared to other "Bond" games, where
this title shines is it's solid and polished
delivery, despite the mediocre gameplay and
lack of originality. Bugs are very few and far
between, but that could be expected of a game
engine that tries very little, and avoids anything
difficult or innovative.
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Above: NES version box
art
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On the whole, the SNES version works quite well
as a kid's action game, with the NES version offering
something different for those who look for more in
a game than simple button bashing. The game is delivered
competently, but is lacking anything special - and
this is why James Bond Jr fails. Lacklustre gameplay,
average graphics and an uninspired plot leave this
game totally forgettable.
Viewed within the era that "James Bond Jr."
was released, with the Bond films on hold until 1995,
THQ produced a competent but dull outing with a spin-off
licence that could have dared to do something new.
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Nintendo
Entertainment System (NES) introduction screenshots |
| Manual
What would a Bond saga be like without a bunch
of really cool gadgets to make his life a little
easier?
Levels 1, 3, 5 and 7
Small Silver Grenade - Adds one grenade to your
total
Large Red Grenade - Adds five grenades to your
total
Dart - Adds five darts to your total
Health - Adds one health point (maximum of 5)
1-Up - Adds one life and increases health points
to five!
Each level has special items or weapons that
might not be found in other levels.
Level 1 (The Chase is On)
Super Jump Sneakers - Allows James
to jump higher than usual.
Level 2 (Flight to the temple)
Shield - Gives three shield balls to
absorb enemy attacks or collisions. Does not
protect against flying into terrain
Shrapnel Tipped Missiles - These explode after
reaching a certain distance (or the edge of
the screen). They also burst into pieces that
also damage enemies
Level 3 (The Temple of Gold)
Snake Charming Electro-Flute - Stuns
all snakes for several seconds
Superjump Sneakers - Allows James to jump higher
than usual
Level 4 (The Canals of Venice)
Airfoil Wing - Allows the boat to jump
farther
Nitro Boost - Allows boat to go faster and also
jump farther
Level 5 (The Sewers of Venice)
Freeze Bomb - Freezes liquids for several
seconds
Gas Mask - Allows James to move through poison
gas clouds without suffering any damage
Level 6 (Flight to S.C.U.M. HQ)
Triple Shot Laser Canon - Powerful
laser weapon to destroy enemy ships
Shield - Gives three shield balls to absorb
enemy attacks or collisions. Does not protect
against flying into terrain
Level 7 (Assault on S.C.U.M. HQ)
Rocket Shoes - Allows James to fly
Thermal Jacket - Prevents icicles from injuring
Bond
Laser Ring - Powerful weapon, especially when
used against S.C.U.M. |
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Above: Screenshots for the 8-bit NES version.
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Super
Nintendo (SNES) game climax screenshots |
Controls
Levels 1, 3, 5 and 7 feature the James Bond Jr. character.
Left or Right - run in those directions
Left or Right and X Button - Flying kick
Up or Down - Climb ladders in those directions
Down - Duck
Down and Left or Right - Roll in those directions
Select Button - Change current item
A Button - Punch enemies
B Button - Jump. The longer you hold the button down
the higher James will jump
X Button - Kick enemies. If James is running when
this is pressed, he will do a flying kick
Y Button - Use currently selected item. Note: While
James has the Rocket Shoes, you must hold the Y Button
continuously to make him fly.
Vehicle Levels
Levels 2, 4 and 6 each have a different vehicle
for james to use.
Level 2 (Minicopter)
Control Pad - Directs the movement of the
minicopter on the screen
A Button - Drop bombs
B Button - Fire cannon or special weapon
Level 4 (speedboat)
Right - Speed up
Left - Slow down
Up and Down - Move the speedboat up and down the screen
B Button - Fire cannon
Level 6 (Jet)
Control Pad - Directs the movement of the
jet on the screen
A Button - Drop bombs
B Button - Fire cannon or special weapon
Walk Through (SNES)
Mission I
Jump onto the ledge to the right of you
and get the tennis shoes hanging on the
vine. Go to the right. Collect the things
near the ceiling as you continue to the
right and eventually you will emerge outside
in a helicopter. Eventually, you will
come to a cavern. After the cavern, you
will emerge outside again and you will
face a giant helicopter. Shoot the wall
that the helicopter pad is on and it will
damage the helicopter. Keep shooting it
until the helicopter blows up and you
will proceed to the next level.
Mission II
Head to the right until you get to the
dark brown or black wall with the ladder.
Head down the two ladders. To your right,
you will see a hole with spikes at the
bottom and a platform moving across. Cross
the pit and take the path down. Eventually
you will come to another brown ladder
like you saw in the beginning of the level.
Head down then head left. Head up the
fourth ladder you see. Head left and you
will come to another part of the temple.
Head right and go up the second ladder
you see. Continue to head to the right.
You will come to some more ladders so
head down them. When you come to another
ladder, head down, and get the shoes near
the snakes. Head to the left and you will
come to another part of the temple that
is red. When you get the 2nd ladder you
see head down and jump across the pit
of lava. When you get to the 3rd or 4th
ladder you see head down. You'll know
that as it's the right ladder if you are
facing a dead end. Head down and go to
the left to find a pit of lava. Jump from
the moving platforms to get across and
head up the ladder. Head left. Eventually
you will come to a place where there are
quite a few moving platforms. Head all
the way down and to the right. Eventually,
you will come to a single screen with
a man dressed in green throwing...stuff
at you.
Mission III
This level is fairly simple and is similar
to the first section of Mission I. Simply
drive along peacefully in your boat enjoying
the view while destroying the enemies
and getting the upgrades. Go up the ramps
when you get the chance as they sometimes
pass over land. Get the upgrades as well
as they will get you over the land jumps
in this mission. It is recommend that
you do not blow up the civilian boats
as they usually just jump on top of yours
and you lose a life.
Mission IV
Go to the right and you will come to a
barrier. Use a grenade to destroy it.
Keep heading right and keep using grenades
to destroy the barriers and you will come
to another part of the level. You can
use your grenades to destroy the eels.
When you get to the pit where you do not
see a platform to jump on switch to your
weapon that looks like a snowflake and
use it on the water. The water will freeze
and create a temporary bridge for you
to walk across. Walk across the bridge,
go up the ladder, and continue to the
right. Do this for the next pit you come
across and jump onto the metal platform
and continue to the right. After a few
seconds, you will come to another part
of the level. Be careful in this section
of the level as there are some spears
that can pop out of the platforms you
jump on, and in one section of water,
they pop out in the water. After passing
over the radioactive water, you will come
to a dead end with a steel platform above.
Jump around a bit and you will discover
a secret springy thing that can send you
up into the air that allows you to access
the above platform. Continue to the right,
destroy the steel pillars with your grenades,
and you will be faced with a level boss.
From a position, throw grenades at the
bow or stern of the submarine and it will
eventually blow up.
Mission V
This mission is a bit difficult at first.
Use your cannon to destroy the little
blue ships and for the large yellow ships,
approach right in front of them, and fire
as fast as you can. As their cannons only
fire up and down at certain angles, you'll
be safe in the middle. After destroying
about three or four large yellow ships
and destroying numerous small ships, you
will come to a gigantic blue ship. Using
your cannon, destroy the turret, and then
using your bombs, destroy the red spot
to proceed. You need to do this about
three or four times and you will come
to a thing that fires red balls. Just
bomb the red spot and you will start on
the second part of the level. Here, be
careful how you jump as you can sometimes
slide and end up in a pit. Be careful
where you step as well as there are icicles
that will drop from the ceiling. When
you get to the cube in the middle of the
hole, push it by running into it and use
it to get up to the ledge. When you get
to what seems like a dead end with a ledge
above you, switch to your rocket shoes
the way you switch weapons and press the
fire button to get up. When you get to
the ice barriers, use your grenades on
them like you did with the steel barriers
in the previous level. When you head down
the first ladder that goes down, head
to the right and destroy the ice barrier
to get the laser ring. When you get to
the boss fight, destroy the round ball
with your laser ring and a few grenades
and then kill the guard with a few kicks
and explosives. Now, you will have beaten
the game! Congratulations!
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Cheats
Level Passwords (SNES)
2 0007
3 3675
4 9025
5 1813
6 3353
Level Passwords (NES)
1-2 033481
1-3 258600
1-4 320370
2-1 113674
2-2 136547
2-3 873014
2-4 687012
View Credits
Password: 888888 & press START
Sound Test
Password 012345 & press START
Many thanks to "Lethal Weapon"
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