Portal Runner (2001). Play online

Summary

Portal Runner drops the iconic Army Men cast onto the Game Boy Color, handing the reins to Vikki Grimm as she tries to outwit the scheming Brigitte Bleu. The side‑scrolling action ramps up quickly, pushing you from tiny play‑set stages into fully realized worlds spanning more than seven distinct locales. Across the 43 levels you’ll trek through murky swamps, claustrophobic dungeons, even the sleek corridors of an intergalactic spaceship, and some stages let you commandeer quirky vehicles for a fresh tactical edge.

Hidden realms pepper the map, rewarding exploration with bonus challenges and extra power‑ups, while a password system records your progress between sessions. Visuals are surprisingly crisp for a handheld of the era, lending each environment a pop‑in‑your‑face feel that belies the modest hardware. The game’s blend of platforming grit and collectible secrets promises hours of replay, though Nintendo Power’s 2½‑star preview hinted that the difficulty spikes could sting less seasoned players.

Storyline

In Portal Runner, Vikki Grimm receives a mysterious package that launches her into a series of toy‑themed worlds. She dashes through a prehistoric jungle, a medieval castle, and even a Space World populated by Martians. Along the way Vikki befriends a lion named Leo and rescues the wizard Merlin, who aids her quest. The scheming villain Brigitte Bleu has taken control of Vikki’s boyfriend Sarge, planning to force a marriage with a love gun stolen from the Martians. Vikki and Leo crash the wedding, halt an inter‑dimensional attack, and return home safely, while Brigitte ends up locked away in a cell with the notorious General Plastro.