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Game Info

Cover art of Gift

2.9 / 5

1 vote

Platform
Game Boy Color
Genres
Action
Player Perspective
Third person
Developers
Cryo Interactive
Publishers
Cryo Interactive
Release date
December 31, 2000

Summary

Gift, the quirky little creature of the Game Boy Color edition, roams a series of whimsical worlds in search of seven garden gnomes that have scattered themselves across the landscape. The handheld version leans heavily into action, giving the player a fast‑paced platform experience that feels tighter than its PC and PS2 siblings. While the original concept was a parody of classic adventure titles, the GBC spin‑off keeps the humor alive through exaggerated enemies like the light‑loving "Little Clears" and the shadow‑dwelling "Little Darks." What makes Gift stand out is its toolbox of oddball abilities: you can fly, swim, climb, and pull off death‑defying leaps, all while wielding an energy‑charged staff, water jets, and even cannon fire. Light isn’t just a visual cue—it’s a gameplay mechanic; staying in illuminated areas keeps the Clears at bay, and a well‑timed fireball can expose hidden Darks. The game even lets you toggle between third‑person and first‑person views, a rare feature for a handheld platformer of its era. Released in 2000 by Cryo Interactive, the title received mixed reactions, with some critics calling it simplistic and too brief, while Console Plus gave it a modest 77 % score, noting the disappointment compared to its more ambitious console counterparts. Despite the critiques, the quirky premise and inventive light‑based puzzles give Gift a memorable charm that still catches the eye of retro enthusiasts today.

Storyline

Gift, the quirky, overweight hero with a big mouth, steps up as the latest rescuer for Princess Lolita Globo. Armed with a magic staff, he must confront the Shadow of the Black Deep Dark Night and free the princess, who suffers from Snow White delusions. The adventure spans eight worlds, each packed with parodies of famous games and films. In the first seven worlds—Tiptanic, Alcatraz, Star Stress, Drakuland, Iceland, Paztec, and Mine of Horror—Gift gathers a dwarf representing one of the seven deadly sins: lust, envy, anger, laziness, miser, greed, and vanity. Each dwarf offers clues to Lolita’s location and leads its own themed realm. In the final, eighth world, Gift must encircle the princess with all seven dwarves, allowing him to rescue his true love and defeat the looming darkness.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Videos

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Gift

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single