Released late in the Master System’s lifespan in 1993, The Ottifants is a surprisingly polished platformer based on the popular German comic characters created by comedian Otto Waalkes. Players control Bruno, a small blue elephant who must navigate various household and outdoor environments to find his father, who has been "abducted" by what Bruno perceives as aliens. The game leverages the Master System hardware remarkably well, offering vibrant colors and detailed sprites that rival some of the console's top-tier titles like Sonic the Hedgehog or Castle of Illusion.
The gameplay follows standard platforming tropes but adds unique flair with Bruno’s trunk abilities, allowing him to shoot bubbles or manipulate objects to reach higher platforms. The level design is imaginative, taking Bruno through giant-sized kitchens and construction sites, providing a "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" perspective that was a staple of the 16-bit era. While the physics can occasionally feel a bit floaty, the overall control scheme is responsive, and the difficulty curve is well-balanced for both younger players and seasoned veterans looking for a hidden gem.
Developed by the legendary Graftgold, the game showcases technical mastery over the Z80 processor with smooth scrolling and impressive boss encounters. Although it arrived when the Mega Drive was already the dominant force in the market, The Ottifants remains a standout title in the European library. It serves as a testament to Sega’s commitment to supporting their 8-bit hardware in PAL territories with high-quality exclusives long after the console had been retired in North America and Japan.
