JACKIE CHAN STUNTMASTER

Developed by Radical Entertainment / Published by Midway

A long time in the making, this action based brawler was scheduled for release in 1999 but didn't find its way to the store shelves until 2000 (mainly due to some financial trouble and employee changes). Everything from the story line to the art style changed over the years it was in development.

(examples of how the art style changed over the years)

Aside from the cosmetic changes (as seen above) the actual meat of the game was in constant flux. Based on previews throughout its creation and previous E3's here is a run down of what it was and what it became:

Original Concept: Jackie Chan's Stuntmaster - In the beginning the story was that you played the role of Jackie Chan as he was making his newest movie 'Stuntmaster'. The director would tell you what you needed to do for the scene and you had to figure out the quickest and most entertaining way to do what he said. You would be scored on your performance, and if you did not do a good enough job then you had to do a retake. As if this weren't a cool enough concept as it was there was also a bad guy who was jealous of Jackie's talents and out to destroy his career even if it meant his death. What first seemed to be faulty sets and over enthusiastic actors turns out to be sabotage and paid thugs. Come the end of the game Jackie gets his box office hit made and his antagonist sent to jail. Some level designs and little segments found therein gave homage to old-school games (like how Jackie pays homage to his predecessors Buster Keaten and others) such as Frogger (there was a scene where you had to run across heavy traffic) and Donkey Kong (jump from ladder to ladder as baddies toss barrels down at you).

Final Concept: Jackie Chan Stuntmaster - You still are playing the role of Jackie, but the story this time is that you are working at your uncle's Golden Dragon Delivery service in Chinatown when a mysterious package to the Shaolin Temple arrives. Thugs grab your uncle and the package and it is up to you to save them both. A pretty cut and dry story like a number of Jackie's movies, but also like his movies it is more about the fun you have viewing (in this case playing) than what the actual plot is. To unlock new stages and progress through the game you must search for the hidden (and not so hidden) Red Dragon Icons scattered through each stage. You are still graded on your performance and are rewarded with extra lives, points, and the occasional Golden Dragon Icon.

Various Images