The title is a single-player platformer in which the player controls Cool Spot. In each level the player must collect a certain number of "spots" that increases as the game progresses. "Spots" are placed around the level in large quantities. The player's health is monitored by a humorous Cool Spot face that gradually bends forward and eventually falls from its position as damage occurs. Damage is taken by touching enemies and their projectiles and certain other obstacles. There is also a time limit for each level. The game has no save feature but does include checkpoints in the form of flagpoles.
Controls[edit]
- D-Pad: In the Sega Genesis, SNES, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear and Nintendo Game Boy versions of the game you must use the D-Pad to make Spot walk left and right, as well as climb up and down; however, for the Commodore Amiga one, you must use a joystick instead. In the MS-DOS version, you must use the arrow keys by default.
: In the Sega Genesis version, you must use this button to make Spot throw "Cool Shots" at his enemies; for the SNES version, it is replicated by 
, while in the SMS and Game Gear ones it is replicated by 
, and in that Game Boy one it is replicated by 
. In the Amiga version, you have to use the joystick's button - and in the MS-DOS version you will have to use by default, but it can again be changed on the options screen.
: In the Sega Genesis version, you must use this button to make Spot jump; in the SNES version, this is replicated by 
, while in the SMS and Game Gear ones it is replicated by 
, and for the Game Boy one it is replicated by 
. In the Amiga version, you must push the joystick up while Spot is not holding onto a rope - and for the MS-DOS one, you will have to use by default (but it can again be changed on the options screen).
: In the Sega Genesis, SNES, SMS, Game Gear, and Game Boy versions, you can press this button to pause the game; however, in the Amiga and MS-DOS ones you must use instead. The game shall stay paused until you press (or ) again, at which point play will be resumed.
Options[edit]
From the title screen, you may change options for the game. You can choose to play the game on "Easy", "Normal" or "Hard" skill level. You may also toggle the music and effects on and off. The MS-DOS version has two added options of redefining the keys and switching control to joystick, if one is connected.
Levels[edit]
Cool Spot must collect 60 Cool Points on "Normal" skill level, 30 on "Easy" skill level and 90 on "Hard" skill level. Once collected the text "FIND CAGE" will appear on the screen, at which point he must find the cage in which his friend is imprisoned. To unlock the Bonus Level, you must collect 30 Cool Points on "Easy", 85 on "Normal", or 99 on "Hard" skill level at which point the text "BONUS LEVEL" will appear on the screen. Once the level is complete, he will proceed to a Bonus Level. Spot's energy is indicated by a sticker of his face; every time an enemy hits him, it will peel off the screen. If the sticker peels off the screen completely Spot will die and be resurrected at the last checkpoint he passed. Cool Spot's sticker can be reapplied by collecting beakers of 7UP, or Virgin Cola in the EU versions. Cool Spot will also die if he falls into pits or into water, or runs out of time. Time can be extended by collecting stopwatches.
Bonus Level[edit]
If the player successfully collects enough Spots to enter the Bonus Stage after defeating a level, it is possible to collect Continues by grabbing a letter hidden within the stage. Depending on the version of the game, all letters either spell "UNCOLA" (7 Up's slogan), or "VIRGIN" (the game's developer). If a Continue letter is collected, Spot will be able to restart on the level he was on at the time of losing his last life, although his total points will be reset.
Versions[edit]
The Game Boy game is in greyscale. The SMS and Game Gear versions only have 8 levels as Level 5, Level 7, and Level 8 are omitted. For the EU versions the 7UP logos were changed to Cool Points with Virgin's V logo on them.