Doki Doki Penguin Land

Doki Doki Penguin Land
Publisher: Sega, Pony Canyon Developer: Sega System(s): Arcade, MSX, SG-1000 ROM Size: 32kB Genre: Puzzle Release Date RRP Code JP 1985 ¥?  ? JP 1985 ¥4,800 C-50 JP 1985 ¥?  ?

Doki Doki Penguin Land (どきどきペンギンランド) is a 1985 game initially developed by Sega for the SG-1000. It is a platform-based puzzle game, where a penguin must guide an egg down the screen making sure not to break it.

Gameplay

The basic aim of Doki Doki Penguin Land is to guide an egg from the top of the screen to the bottom. To do so means digging downwards, making sure it does not smash in the process. As a puzzle-platformer, everything is affected by gravity, and if the egg falls from a great hight, it will smash. Success is achieved by making your way down the playfield carefully.

You control a penguin. jumps, digs. The penguin can push the egg left or right, and can jump on it to make sure it doesn't get stuck against a wall. Digging affects the tile one block left (or right) and one block down away from the penguin's position, meaning it is impossible to dig straight downwards. If the egg gets into a position where it cannot be moved left or right, jumping and landing on it will cause it to smash.

Th penguin cannot be damanged, but can be temporarily stunned, the objective being to protect the egg, not necessarily yourself. If the player leaves the screen from the bottom he/she will emerge from the top.

Common objects are as follows:

	Normal blocks hinder progress but can be smashed without any problems. Once gone, they never return.
	Solid blocks cannot be moved or altered in any way.
	These yellow blocks will allow the egg to fall through, but not the penguin.
	Rocks can be pushed around horizontally, but will fall if there is space below. They are the best tool for defeating enemies, but as they cannot be destroyed, can also double up as an obstacle. They can also be hit from above or below to help them fall.
	Hearts merely add points. Some can be found within blocks.
	These polar bear creatures are the most common enemies, walking side to side along platforms. They will destroy eggs. They will fall down holes created by the penguin but will survive.
	These types of polar bear will wait on the edge of a block, jumping down if you are close.
	These mole things will rise up from the ground and cannot be defeated. They only show up if you spend too much time in one place.

If the player gets to the bottom of the screen, he/she will be rewarded depending on the time it took to get there.

Sequels and Re-releases

Doki Doki Penguin Land is often considered by Sega to be a classic, even though it has rarely been seen outside of Japan. An arcade version was developed running on hardware derived from the SG-1000, and as such is largely identical to the home version. There was also an MSX port handled by Pony Canyon with is nearly identical also.

The game was released as part of Sega Ages Memorial Selection Vol.2 for the Sega Saturn as well as Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection (with an updated version available).

The game was followed by a Sega Master System sequel, known only as Penguin Land (known as Doki Doki Penguin Land: Uchuu Daibouken in Japan). Penguin Land was released worldwide, and is therefore the most remembered of the series. It was also followed by a third game, Doki Doki Penguin Land MD which was released on the Mega Drive in 1991 which did not leave Japan.

Physical Scans

SG-1000 Version

SG-1000, JP
Cover
Card

MSX Version

MSX, JP
Cover

Games in the Doki Doki Penguin Land Series
Doki Doki Penguin Land (1985) | Penguin Land (1987) | Ikasuze! Koi no Doki Doki Penguin Land MD (1992)