Baku Baku Animal

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • ST-V
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-U
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Saturn
    PAL
  • Sega Game Gear
    US/EU
  • Sega Game Gear
    JP
  • Master System
  • Windows PC

Baku Baku Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal Saturn US Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal Saturn JP SSTitle.png

BakuBaku Saturn EU Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal GG Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal GG JP Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal SMS Title.png

BakuBakuAnimal PC US Title.png

Baku Baku Animal
System(s): Sega Titan Video, Sega Game Gear, Sega Saturn, Windows PC, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Sega Master System
Tec Toy
Windows PC
Sega Entertainment Inc. (US)
Windows PC
Sega PC
Developer:
Distributor:
Windows PC
Tec Toy (BR)
Windows PC
Worldwise Enterprise (TW)
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (22 tracks)
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Sega Saturn
Saturn Backup Memory
Genre: Puzzle[2][3][4][5]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (Sega Titan Video)
JP
¥? ?























Sega Saturn
JP
¥4,8004,800 GS-9040
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
JP
(Satakore)
¥2,8002,800 GS-9144
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US
$39.9939.99[9][10] 81501
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81501-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE
MK81501-50
USK: 0
Sega Saturn
PT
Sega Saturn
UK
£44.9944.99[12] MK81501-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
Sega Saturn
AU
FBAK00SSC
OFLC: G
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,8003,800 G-3378
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Game Gear
US
$29.9929.99[13] 2451
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Game Gear
EU
2451-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[15] 2451-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Master System
BR
025470
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Windows PC
JP
¥5,800 (6,090)5,800 (6,090)[4] HCJ-0103
Sega Rating: All Ages
Windows PC
JP
(Ultra 2000 Series)
¥2,000 (2,100)2000e[18]
Windows PC
US
85040
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Windows PC
DE
MK-85040
USK: 0
Windows PC
UK
£44.9944.99[19] MK-85040
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Windows PC
BR
Windows PC
TW

Baku Baku Animal (ばくばくアニマル), known only as Baku Baku in some regions, is a falling block puzzle game released for the Sega Titan Video arcade hardware. The phrase "Baku Baku" is Japanese onomatopoeia meaning roughly "Chomp Chomp".[20]

Baku Baku Animal was ported to the Sega Saturn and Windows PC in 1996. It was also one of the last titles released for the Sega Game Gear, released in the same year. In Brazil, Sega's distributor Tec Toy released a version for the Sega Master System in 1998, which is almost identical to the Game Gear version but with a reduced color palette and added borders. There was also a mobile phone release in 2002 and a new mobile release in 2013. The spin-off game Baku Baku Camera was released in 2015.

Curiously, artwork used in Baku Baku Animal was recycled in the PAL versions of Sonic CD (PC) and Sonic Jam.

Story

Polly and Gon

The King of a faraway land is seeking a Royal Zookeeper to tend to the many pets of the Princess. The King's Minister has arranged a contest to find the most capable person in the land for the job, and two young contenders, Polly and Gon, have entered.

Gameplay

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Victory.png

Victory

Baku Baku Animal is a competitive two-player falling block puzzle game in which players compete to clear containers of blocks, similar in nature to Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. The player must line up falling blocks of animals and foodstuffs. When an animal is aligned adjacent to a block of its favored food, the animal eats the food. All contiguous blocks of the food are consumed, along with corresponding animal blocks. Larger groups of connected food of the same type scores higher when eaten.

Blocks fall in pairs, which the player can position horizontally and rotate. Blocks are locked in place when they land on the bottom of the container or onto another block. Similar to Puyo Puyo, blocks are subject to gravity. A block falls to the block below it when it is placed over an empty space or when the block below it is eliminated. With correct positioning, it is possible to destroy two or more sets of food blocks in succession, thereby creating chains that send extra blocks to the opposing player to disrupt their play. When the container is filled with blocks, the player is defeated. The object of the game is to make one's opponent unable to place more blocks.

The game has a single-player mode where the player competes against computer-controlled opponents as well as a two-player mode where two players can challenge each other. Player one plays as Polly, and player two plays as Gon.

Blocks

The Saturn version lets the player decide how many different animals to use (3, 4, or 5, with a default of 4).

Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
Pandas
Pandas are green blocks and eat bamboo.
Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
Dogs
Dogs are blue blocks and eat bones.
Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
Rabbits
Rabbits are red blocks and eat carrots.
Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
Monkeys
Monkeys are yellow blocks and eat bananas.
Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
Mice
Mice are purple blocks and eat cheese.
Baku Baku Animal, Blocks.png
BB Coins
When they are dropped on a block, all blocks of that type disappear from the player's container. If they fall on two different types of blocks, both types disappear. Animals and their foodstuffs are treated as different types of blocks.

Stages

There are three difficulty levels (Beginner, Normal, and Expert), which feature different casts of opponents.

Normal

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 1.png

Gallopy
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 1.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 2.png

Silver Angela
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 2.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 3.png

Rival Soldier
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 3.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 4.png

Nurse Grape
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 4.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 5.png

T3
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 5.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 6.png

Gon
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 6.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 7.png

Minister
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 7.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 8.png

Queen
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 8.png

Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 9.png

Princess
Baku Baku Animal Saturn, Stage 9.png

History

During development, the Western Game Gear version was known under the working title of Zany Zoo.[21][22] Sega Logistics Service announced it would end service on the arcade machines on March 31, 2017.[23][24]

Production credits

Main article: Baku Baku Animal/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Baku Baku Animal/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Baku Baku Arcade Flyer.jpg
Sega Titan Video JP flyer
Baku Baku Arcade Flyer.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Saturn print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1995-12: "December 1995" (1995-11-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) #9: "July 1996" (1996-06-20)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Magazin (DE) #34: "September 1996" (1996-08-14)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
PCGamer PL 06 Sega.jpg
Printed in PC Gamer Po Polsku (PL) #6: "Grudzień 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
PCGamer PL 06 Sega.jpg

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Titan Video version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[27]
Arcade (Sega Titan Video)
80
Based on
1 review

Baku Baku Animal

Sega Titan Video, JP
Notavailable.svg
"Long" instructions
BakuBakuAnimal STV Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)
Sega Titan Video, JP (Rev. A)
Notavailable.svg
"Long" instructions
BakuBakuAnimal STV JP Cart RevA.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
CD Consoles (FR) PAL
40
[28]
Consoles + (FR)
90
[29]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[30]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[31]
Fun Generation (DE)
70
[32]
Gambler (PL)
68
[33]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
87
[34]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
85
[9]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[20]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
61
[35]
Intelligent Gamer's Fusion (US) NTSC-U
67
[36]
Joypad (FR)
95
[37]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
74
[38]
Maximum (UK)
75
[39]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
74
[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-J
84
[41]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[12]
neXt Level (DE)
70
[42]
Power Up! (UK)
88
[43]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
73
[44]
Saturn+ (UK) NTSC-J
91
[45]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
85
[46]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC
92
[47]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
90
[48]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
63
[49]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
82
[50]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
83
[51]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
67
[52]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[53]
Sega Saturn
78
Based on
29 reviews

Baku Baku Animal

Saturn, JP
Bakubaku sat jp backcover.jpgBakubaku sat jp frontcover.jpg
Cover
BakuBakuAnimal Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Bakubaku sat jp manual.pdf
Manual
Bakubaku sat jp card.pdf
Reg Card
Saturn, JP (Satakore)
BakuBaku Saturn JP Box Back Satakore.jpgBakuBaku Saturn JP Box Front Satakore.jpg
Cover
BakuBakuAnimal Saturn JP Spinecard Satakore.jpg
Spinecard
BakuBakuAnimal Saturn JP Disc Satakore.jpg
Disc
Saturn, US
BakuBaku Saturn US Box Back.jpgBakuBaku Saturn US Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku Saturn US Disc.jpg
Disc
Bakubaku sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
BakuBaku Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Bakubaku sat eu disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, PT

Saturn, AU
BakuBaku Saturn AU back.jpgNospine.pngBakuBaku Saturn AU cover.jpg
Cover
Bakubaku sat eu disc.jpg
Disc

Master System version

Master System, BR
BakuBaku SMS BR Box Alt.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR (newer)
Baku Baku SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Baku Baku SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
BakuBakuSMSBRManual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
74
[54]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
55
[55]
Joypad (FR)
95
[56]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[15]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
90
[57]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[58]
Sega Game Gear
80
Based on
6 reviews

Baku Baku Animal

Game Gear, JP
BakuBakuAnimal GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngBakuBakuAnimal GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
BakuBaku GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Baku Baku GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Baku Baku GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
BakuBaku GG EU Box Back.jpgBaku Baku GG EU BoxSpine.jpgBakuBaku GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
BakuBaku GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
BakuBaku GG EU pcb.jpg
PCB

PC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
50
[59]
Hacker (HR)
74
[60]
LeveL (CZ)
86
[61]
PC Gamer (US)
83
[62]
Secret Service (PL)
85
[63]
Windows PC
76
Based on
5 reviews

Baku Baku Animal

PC, JP
BakuBaku PC JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBakuBaku PC JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PC, JP (Ultra 2000 Series)
BakuBaku PC JP Box Front Ultra2000.jpg
Cover
PC, US
BakuBaku PC US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBakuBaku PC US Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku PC US Manual.pdf
Manual
BakuBaku PC US Box Back JewelCase.jpgBakuBaku PC US Box Front JewelCase.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, EU
BakuBaku PC EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBakuBaku PC EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku PC EU Disc.jpg
Disc
BakuBaku PC EU Box Back JewelCase.jpgBakubaku PC EU Box Front.jpg
Jewel Case
BakuBaku PC EU Box Inlay.jpg
Inlay
PC, BR
BakuBaku PC BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBakuBaku PC BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
BakuBaku PC BR Box Back JewelCase.jpgBakuBaku PC BR Box Front JewelCase.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, TW

Technical information

Main article: Baku Baku Animal/Technical information.

Extra content

This game has extra content which can be viewed when accessing the disc on a PC.

Saturn (JP) Extra files
Folder / File Type Size description
README.TXT TXT 8,659 Messages from the developers.


External links

  • Sega of America webpage: PC
  • Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Saturn, PC

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 136
  2. File:Bakubaku sat jp backcover.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-04 08:13)
  4. 4.0 4.1 http://sega.jp/pc/bakubaku/ (Wayback Machine: 2002-02-11 17:35)
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  6. http://sega-saturn.com/saturn/software/baku.htm (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-15 06:10)
  7. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/OTRAW2W9QSU/m/M1gZPQAU14MJ
  8. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/gKpB9z9Gm_8/m/yGqAFXPHmGgJ
  9. 9.0 9.1 Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 8 August 1996" (US; 1996-07-09), page 69
  10. 10.0 10.1 Sega FY 1997 Brand Review, page 10
  11. File:LeicesterMercury UK 1996-06-22 12.jpg
  12. 12.0 12.1 Mean Machines Sega, "July 1996" (UK; 1996-06-03), page 90
  13. Sega FY 1997 Brand Review, page 6
  14. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-07-15), page 17
  15. 15.0 15.1 Mean Machines Sega, "July 1996" (UK; 1996-06-03), page 78
  16. Press release: 1996-08-26: Sega Entertainment kicks off fall line-up with free PC games promotions
  17. http://www.sega.co.jp:80/sega/athome/pc/baku/baku.htm (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-24 11:33)
  18. 18.0 18.1 http://www.media-kite.co.jp/product/new12/ (Wayback Machine: 2001-05-01 10:26)
  19. Mean Machines Sega, "September 1996" (UK; 1996-08-05), page 91
  20. 20.0 20.1 GamePro, "June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 68
  21. https://www.smspower.org/forums/15531-UnreleasedMasterSystemGameWallball3D (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-13 03:13)
  22. https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/sega-fy1997-brand-review.41852/#post-1046447
  23. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-11 JP.pdf
  24. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-12.pdf
  25. Sega Magazin, "Oktober 1996" (DE; 1996-09-11), page 100
  26. Sega Magazin, "November 1996" (DE; 1996-10-09), page 99
  27. Computer & Video Games, "August 1995" (UK; 1995-07-12), page 72
  28. CD Consoles, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 132
  29. Consoles +, "Juin 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 106
  30. Computer & Video Games, "February 1996" (UK; 1996-01-12), page 68
  31. Famitsu, "1995-11-10,17" (JP; 1995-10-27), page 31
  32. Fun Generation, "07/96" (DE; 1996-06-12), page 79
  33. Gambler, "5/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  34. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 5: May 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 14
  35. Game Informer, "August 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 51
  36. Intelligent Gamer's Fusion, "Volume 2, Number 8: May 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 1
  37. Joypad, "Juin 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 100
  38. MAN!AC, "07/96" (DE; 1996-06-12), page 65
  39. Maximum, "February 1996" (UK; 1996-xx-xx), page 139
  40. Mega Fun, "05/96" (DE; 1996-04-xx), page 68
  41. Mean Machines Sega, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-xx), page 74
  42. neXt Level, "Juni 1996" (DE; 1996-05-15), page 72
  43. Power Up!, "Saturday, July 13, 1996" (UK; 1996-07-13), page 1
  44. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 3" (JP; 1996-01-19), page 78
  45. Saturn+, "Christmas 1995" (UK; 1995-12-14), page 14
  46. Sega Power, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-01-18), page 32
  47. Sega Pro, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-28), page 40
  48. Sega Saturn Magazine, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-02-24), page 74
  49. Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (JP; 1995-11-08), page 186
  50. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 12
  51. Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 11
  52. Video Games, "6/96" (DE; 1996-05-29), page 98
  53. VideoGames, "June 1996" (US; 1996-05-21), page 63
  54. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 28
  55. Famitsu, "1996-02-02" (JP; 1996-01-19), page 34
  56. Joypad, "Septembre 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 81
  57. Sonic the Comic, "30 August 1996" (UK; 1996-08-21), page 11
  58. VideoGames, "September 1996" (US; 1996-08-20), page 69
  59. Computer & Video Games, "September 1996" (UK; 1996-08-11), page 80
  60. Hacker, "10/1996" (HR; 1996-xx-xx), page 32
  61. LeveL, "Září 1996" (CZ; 1996-09-03), page 35
  62. PC Gamer, "Vol. 4, No. 1: January 1997" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 251
  63. Secret Service, "Listopad 1996" (PL; 1996-11-01), page 33


Baku Baku Animal

Baku Baku Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Credits | Passwords | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Technical information


Sega Saturn
Prototypes: 1996-04-26