Play Zool - Ninja of the 'Nth' Dimension Online

Summary

Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension (often just called Zool) feels like a high‑octane sprint through a neon‑lit arcade, letting you run, jump, cling to walls and blast enemies with a blaster. The most eye‑catching quirk is the “twin” power‑up – a shadow copy that mimics your moves a few seconds later, turning every jump into a double‑trick.

Beyond the core platforming, the game hides whole mini‑adventures: a retro‑style arcade cabinet, a scrolling space‑shooter, and even a secret piano‑tune level that rewards curiosity. Power‑ups range from life‑spending hearts to smart bombs, shields, and a super‑jump boost, while the options menu lets you toggle difficulty, double the game speed, and swap the soundtrack between rock and funk.

During early development the hero could cast spells like high‑jump and shadow‑clone, but those were swapped for the collectible power‑ups we now know. The project started under the codename Pootz, and the sugary Chupa Chups logo even appears in‑game, a nod to its unlikely sponsor. Patrick Phelan’s soundtrack, originally overlapping the Lotus 3 score, was remixed for each console’s sound chip.

The Genesis port isn’t a straight conversion – it sports re‑arranged levels, fresh background art and unique bosses, earning an 81 % rating from Power Unlimited. It originally shipped bundled with the Amiga 1200, later resurfaced in the Best of Gremlin collection, and now lives on in the remastered Zool Redimensioned, which includes an emulated Genesis version.

Storyline

Zool – Ninja of the “Nth” Dimension follows the gremlin hero Zool, a ninja hailing from the 2345th (or Nth) dimension. After being forced to crash‑land on Earth, he must prove his skill by clearing a series of realms. The game’s structure consists of six worlds, each broken into three stages, and a total of seven distinct lands that must be traversed. At the end of every land a boss awaits, and defeating each one earns Zool a higher ninja ranking. The blend of multiple worlds and boss battles drives the core progression of this classic Genesis title.