Joe & Mac

Infobox VG
title = Joe & Mac


developer = Data East Corporation, New World Computing, Inc., Elite Systems, Ltd.
publisher = Elite Systems, Ltd. (Europe), Data East (America & Japan)
designer =
engine =
released = 1991
genre = Platform game
modes = Two player
ratings =
platforms = Arcade, Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga and DOS
media = cartridge, floppy disk
requirements =
input = gamepad, keyboard

"Joe & Mac", also known as "Caveman Ninja" in North America, "Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja" in Europe, and nihongo|"Joe & Mac: Tatakae Genshijin"|ジョーとマック 戦え原始人|Jō to Makku Tatakae Genshijin|"Joe and Mac: Fighting Cavemen" in Japan, a 1991 platform game released for the arcades by Data East. It was later adapted for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga and PC.

It stars the green-haired Joe and the blue-haired Mac, cavemen who battle though numerous prehistoric levels using, weapons such as boomerangs, bones, fire, flints, electricity, stone wheels, and clubs. The objective of the game is simply rescuing a group of girls who were kidnapped by a rival gang of cavemen. The gameplay is somewhat similar to Contra and has a Gauntlet style health system, where the player loses health over a period of time apart from in boss battles. This health system is also not unlike that of Sega's Wonder Boy.The original arcade version had the distinction of allowing the player to select between different routes (not unlike Taito's "Darius") at the end of a boss battle. Also, after defeating the final boss, the players can choose between three exits, which each one enables a slightly different ending.

The Mega Drive/Genesis port is the most accurate to the arcade version, with only slightly reduced graphical and aural detail. The Super NES port features an overworld map in order to choose the levels (unlike other versions all of them have to be played), which were longer, plus some bonus stages (either in the levels or out in the world map). Some of the weapons are missing and can no longer be charged up. The final boss is also different and there is only one ending.

The NES and Game Boy versions are much downgraded versions of the original arcade version, and lack the possibility of choosing levels.

The game could be played in either single player or two player mode. In the two player mode, both characters could hurt each other.

The game was notable for its cartoony graphics, humor, and sound effects.

The game later got two SNES sequels, "Congo's Caper" (though this is only referred in the Japanese version) and "", as well an arcade sequel titled "Joe & Mac Returns".

External links

* [http://www.dataeastgames.com/title_joeandmac.html Official G-Mode webpage of the Joe & Mac series]
* [http://www.sydlexia.com/cavemanninja.htm Prehistoric Ninjitsu with Joe & Mac]
*moby game|id=/joe-mac-caveman-ninja|name="Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja"
*KLOV game|id=7296|name=Caveman Ninja
*KLOV game|id=8236|name=Joe & Mac Returns