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[td]|platforms=[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]][/td] [td]}}[/td]
[td]}}[/td] [td]'''''Big Nose the Caveman''''' is a side-scrolling [[platform game]] developed by [[Optimus Software]] and released in 1991 by Camerica for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and by [[Codemasters]] for the [[Amiga]] and the [[Atari ST]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System |year=2019 |publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]] |location=Yorkshire |isbn=978-1-5267-3780-9 |page=221 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IE8IEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA221 |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=December 8, 2023 }}</ref> A [[Master System]] and [[Game Gear]] version called ''Dinobasher'' was completed, but never published.[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]= Big Nose the Caveman =[/td] [td]The game was followed by a sequel, ''Big Nose Freaks Out'', in 1992.[/td] [td]'''Big Nose the Caveman''' is a side-scrolling platform video game developed by British studio '''Optimus Software''' and published in 1991 by '''Camerica''' for the '''Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)'''. It was later released by '''Codemasters''' for the '''Amiga''' and '''Atari ST''' home computers. Versions for the '''Sega Master System''' and '''Game Gear''', titled ''Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman'', were completed but never officially released.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman |url=https://www.smspower.org/Games/Dinobasher-SMS |website=SMS Power |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]The game was followed by a sequel, '''Big Nose Freaks Out''', released in 1992.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |last=Hulse |first=Chris |title=Big Nose Freaks Out Review |url=https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1333 |website=Lemon Amiga |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]==Gameplay==[/td] [td]----[/td] [td]Big Nose runs through many islands to find his dinner, because he is very hungry. Along the way, Big Nose collects [[bone]]s that he can use to buy items from the various shops that include spells, upgrades to his abilities and items.[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]== Gameplay ==[/td] [td]This game is difficult due to the inability to restart from the last checkpoint once all lives are gone. It is also very long, with four islands (Paradise Island, Monster Island, Terror Island, and Chaos Island) each containing several levels. Big Nose the Caveman dies in a single hit unless he has stones. The stones can shoot out of his [[Club (weapon)|club]], killing enemies. As many as three stones can come out of the club. There are also many [[pitfall trap|pitfalls]], traps and deadly [[lava]]/water since Big Nose cannot swim.[/td] [td]Players control '''Big Nose''', a caveman who must traverse a series of islands in search of food. The character collects '''bones''' throughout each level, which serve as an in-game currency to purchase items from shops. These include '''spells, power-ups, and ability upgrades''' that assist in overcoming obstacles and enemies.[/td] [td][/td] [td]The gameplay is notable for its '''high difficulty level'''. Once all lives are lost, players must restart from the beginning of the island rather than the last checkpoint. The game spans '''four themed islands'''β''Paradise Island, Monster Island, Terror Island,'' and ''Chaos Island''βwith multiple levels each.[/td] [td][/td] [td]Big Nose initially dies after a single hit, but can collect '''stones''' which act as projectiles, allowing him to defeat enemies with his club. Players can accumulate up to three stones at once. Hazards include pitfalls, traps, lava, and water, since Big Nose cannot swim.[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Development and release ==[/td] [td]''Big Nose the Caveman'' was developed by '''Optimus Software''', a U.K.-based studio that also created other Codemasters titles for 8-bit and 16-bit platforms. The NES version was released in 1991 by '''Camerica''', a company known for producing unlicensed NES cartridges that bypassed Nintendoβs lockout chip.<nowiki><ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. |title=The Ultimate History of Video Games |publisher=Three Rivers Press |year=2001 |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 |pages=418β420}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]The Amiga and Atari ST versions were published shortly afterward by '''Codemasters''', which distributed many of its games through the low-cost "budget" games market in Europe.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman |url=https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1332 |website=Lemon Amiga |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]Although ''Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman'' for the Sega Master System and Game Gear was completed, it was never commercially released, and prototype ROMs circulated among collectors.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Unreleased Sega Game Gear and Master System Games |url=https://tcrf.net/Category:Unreleased_Sega_Game_Gear_games |website=The Cutting Room Floor |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Reception ==[/td] [td]The NES version received mixed reviews from contemporary critics. Some praised its colorful graphics and humor but criticized the repetitive gameplay and steep difficulty curve.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman (NES) Review |url=https://www.nesguide.com/games/bignosethecaveman/ |website=NES Guide |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]The Amiga and Atari ST versions were similarly regarded as average platformers in a crowded market. Retrospective reviews note the gameβs charm as an example of Codemastersβ quirky, low-cost titles from the early 1990s.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman Review |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/big-nose-the-caveman/ |website=Retro Gamer |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Legacy ==[/td] [td]The character of Big Nose appeared again in the sequel ''Big Nose Freaks Out'' in 1992, which adopted a different gameplay style with more emphasis on action and less on platforming.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose Freaks Out |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/6805/big-nose-freaks-out/ |website=MobyGames |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]Unreleased builds of ''Dinobasher'' have since been preserved by retro gaming communities, and the game remains a minor cult title among collectors of unlicensed NES and Sega games.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Dinobasher Prototype |url=https://hiddenpalace.org/Dinobasher:_Starring_Bignose_the_Caveman |website=Hidden Palace |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== See also ==[/td] [td][/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[Big Nose Freaks Out]]</nowiki>[/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[List of unlicensed NES games]]</nowiki>[/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[Codemasters]]</nowiki>[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]==Reception==[/td]
[td]==Reception==[/td]
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[td]|platforms=[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]][/td]Revision as of 07:34, 2 September 2025
[/td][td]|platforms=[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]][/td] [td]}}[/td]
[td]}}[/td] [td]'''''Big Nose the Caveman''''' is a side-scrolling [[platform game]] developed by [[Optimus Software]] and released in 1991 by Camerica for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and by [[Codemasters]] for the [[Amiga]] and the [[Atari ST]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System |year=2019 |publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]] |location=Yorkshire |isbn=978-1-5267-3780-9 |page=221 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IE8IEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA221 |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=December 8, 2023 }}</ref> A [[Master System]] and [[Game Gear]] version called ''Dinobasher'' was completed, but never published.[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]= Big Nose the Caveman =[/td] [td]The game was followed by a sequel, ''Big Nose Freaks Out'', in 1992.[/td] [td]'''Big Nose the Caveman''' is a side-scrolling platform video game developed by British studio '''Optimus Software''' and published in 1991 by '''Camerica''' for the '''Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)'''. It was later released by '''Codemasters''' for the '''Amiga''' and '''Atari ST''' home computers. Versions for the '''Sega Master System''' and '''Game Gear''', titled ''Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman'', were completed but never officially released.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman |url=https://www.smspower.org/Games/Dinobasher-SMS |website=SMS Power |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]The game was followed by a sequel, '''Big Nose Freaks Out''', released in 1992.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |last=Hulse |first=Chris |title=Big Nose Freaks Out Review |url=https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1333 |website=Lemon Amiga |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]==Gameplay==[/td] [td]----[/td] [td]Big Nose runs through many islands to find his dinner, because he is very hungry. Along the way, Big Nose collects [[bone]]s that he can use to buy items from the various shops that include spells, upgrades to his abilities and items.[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]== Gameplay ==[/td] [td]This game is difficult due to the inability to restart from the last checkpoint once all lives are gone. It is also very long, with four islands (Paradise Island, Monster Island, Terror Island, and Chaos Island) each containing several levels. Big Nose the Caveman dies in a single hit unless he has stones. The stones can shoot out of his [[Club (weapon)|club]], killing enemies. As many as three stones can come out of the club. There are also many [[pitfall trap|pitfalls]], traps and deadly [[lava]]/water since Big Nose cannot swim.[/td] [td]Players control '''Big Nose''', a caveman who must traverse a series of islands in search of food. The character collects '''bones''' throughout each level, which serve as an in-game currency to purchase items from shops. These include '''spells, power-ups, and ability upgrades''' that assist in overcoming obstacles and enemies.[/td] [td][/td] [td]The gameplay is notable for its '''high difficulty level'''. Once all lives are lost, players must restart from the beginning of the island rather than the last checkpoint. The game spans '''four themed islands'''β''Paradise Island, Monster Island, Terror Island,'' and ''Chaos Island''βwith multiple levels each.[/td] [td][/td] [td]Big Nose initially dies after a single hit, but can collect '''stones''' which act as projectiles, allowing him to defeat enemies with his club. Players can accumulate up to three stones at once. Hazards include pitfalls, traps, lava, and water, since Big Nose cannot swim.[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Development and release ==[/td] [td]''Big Nose the Caveman'' was developed by '''Optimus Software''', a U.K.-based studio that also created other Codemasters titles for 8-bit and 16-bit platforms. The NES version was released in 1991 by '''Camerica''', a company known for producing unlicensed NES cartridges that bypassed Nintendoβs lockout chip.<nowiki><ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. |title=The Ultimate History of Video Games |publisher=Three Rivers Press |year=2001 |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 |pages=418β420}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]The Amiga and Atari ST versions were published shortly afterward by '''Codemasters''', which distributed many of its games through the low-cost "budget" games market in Europe.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman |url=https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1332 |website=Lemon Amiga |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]Although ''Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman'' for the Sega Master System and Game Gear was completed, it was never commercially released, and prototype ROMs circulated among collectors.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Unreleased Sega Game Gear and Master System Games |url=https://tcrf.net/Category:Unreleased_Sega_Game_Gear_games |website=The Cutting Room Floor |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Reception ==[/td] [td]The NES version received mixed reviews from contemporary critics. Some praised its colorful graphics and humor but criticized the repetitive gameplay and steep difficulty curve.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman (NES) Review |url=https://www.nesguide.com/games/bignosethecaveman/ |website=NES Guide |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]The Amiga and Atari ST versions were similarly regarded as average platformers in a crowded market. Retrospective reviews note the gameβs charm as an example of Codemastersβ quirky, low-cost titles from the early 1990s.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose the Caveman Review |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/big-nose-the-caveman/ |website=Retro Gamer |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== Legacy ==[/td] [td]The character of Big Nose appeared again in the sequel ''Big Nose Freaks Out'' in 1992, which adopted a different gameplay style with more emphasis on action and less on platforming.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Big Nose Freaks Out |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/6805/big-nose-freaks-out/ |website=MobyGames |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td][/td] [td]Unreleased builds of ''Dinobasher'' have since been preserved by retro gaming communities, and the game remains a minor cult title among collectors of unlicensed NES and Sega games.<nowiki><ref>{{cite web |title=Dinobasher Prototype |url=https://hiddenpalace.org/Dinobasher:_Starring_Bignose_the_Caveman |website=Hidden Palace |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref></nowiki>[/td] [td]----[/td] [td][/td] [td]== See also ==[/td] [td][/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[Big Nose Freaks Out]]</nowiki>[/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[List of unlicensed NES games]]</nowiki>[/td] [td]* <nowiki>[[Codemasters]]</nowiki>[/td] [td][/td]
[td][/td] [td]==Reception==[/td]
[td]==Reception==[/td]
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