Now then, what's all this? Oh, it's a platform game - good heavens above, haven't seen one of those in a while, honest. Who's the hero then? A spiky-
No - it's 75-year-
The star of the show may differ form the norm in that he's as old as McDonald's teacake and doesn't actually have any special powers to speak of (unless you count the ability to make those strange clicking sounds with his false teeth that would frighten off even the most fearsome of foes), but let's face it - the scenario doesn't exactly appear to break new ground, does it?
Oh dear, it appears to be a budget game to make matters worse. Doesn't bode well, chums. Well read on, games-
Here's the brief. Austen Van Flyswatter, mad scientist and would-be world dictator is fed up. He's 72, penniless, and without a suitable pension scheme to see him comfortably through his twilight years.
Lady Phillis Uppenhoofen on the other hand, is most definitely not fed up. She might be 81, but she owns the world's largest diamond collection, so she's laughing. But not for long!
The dastardly Flyswatter steals said diamonds, intending to take them with him to his hiding place on the moon, travelling in his custom-
For reasons unspecified, this is unacceptable to the entire human race, and it's up to you, Captain Dynamo, to prevent this impending catastrophe.
Beginning at the bottom of the launch station, or whatever it's called, Captain Dynamo must vertically scroll his way through six levels of the usual conveyors, fireballs et al, in order to reach Flyswatter before he becomes moon-
Old Cappers look pretty good in his helmet and cape (are those carpet slippers on his feet?), belying his crustiness with a fluidity of movement that even a... er, that even a very fluid mover would be proud of.
His can jump, jump higher, duck (not very low mind, due to a bit of a dodgy back), and run in a typical old-man-
Graphically, Dynamo stands bald head and stooped shoulders above the vast majority of budget offerings. Everything is well detailed, if a little samey - the scrolling is good and the joystick controls responsive (steady on, I'm beginning to sound like a proper reviewer).
One little quibble is that there's not really enough on in the early levels to get you riled up - mind you, having said that, it wasn't long before I was sad enough to phone the Codies begging for a cheat (which incidentally they were kind enough to provide - but you'll have to buy next month's issue to find out what it is. Hal).
The sound isn't up to much - one tune playing incessantly throughout the game and nothing at all in the way of FX are the only reminders that the good Captain hails from Budget City.
So there you have it. Dodge the crushers, vault the spikes, avoid random bolts of electricity and the odd psychedelic earthworm, collecting diamonds aplenty on your way to ultimate confrontation with a geriatric madman.
A fun, challenging, tongue-