Cult ’90s platformer Zool is getting a Steam remake

The classic ’90s platform game Zool is getting a PC remake later this month.

Zool Redimensioned was revealed today by publisher Secret Mode, and has been developed by the Sumo Digital Academy.

The original Zool was released by Gremlin Graphics in 1992 for the Amiga home computer, and was later ported to the SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, Game Boy, PC, Atari ST, Amiga CD32 and Acorn Archimedes.

It follows the titular Zool, a ninja from the Nth dimension who resembles an ant.

When his ship crash-lands on an alien planet, Zool discovers that the evil Krool has infiltrated its various worlds – Sweet, Music, Fruit, Tool, Toy, Fairground and Desert Island – and turned the ordinary inanimate objects that inhibit it into deadly assassins, all out to kill Zool.

The aim is to guide Zool through each world, using his ninja powers to shoot bullets, climb walls and perform jumping spin attacks.

The game was most well-known for two things – its extremely high speed, and the appearance of Chupa Chups lollipop branding in the first world. It was popular enough to spawn a sequel, which introduced a female companion called Zooz.

The new PC remake appears to have a greatly zoomed out view, allowing players to see more of the level. It also appears to be missing the Chupa Chups branding that made the game such a talking point in the first place.

It will feature two different modes: Redimensioned for “a more accessible modern experience”, and Ultimate Ninja for “a true hardcore challenge”.

Players will also be able to play the original Mega Drive version of the game to see how it used to look.

The Sumo Digital Academy is a talent development programme designed to help graduates make their first career move into the video game development industry.

Zool Redimensioned will be released on Steam later this month.