Adventures of Dr. Franken, The (USA)

Adventures of Dr. Franken stands as one of the most unique retro games from the Game Boy era, offering players a quirky horror-themed adventure released in 1992. This platformer puts you in control of Franky, a small Frankenstein monster who must explore a sprawling castle to recover the scattered body parts of his girlfriend, Bitsy. What makes Adventures of Dr. Franken distinctive among retro games is its metroidvania-style gameplay spanning 230 different rooms across seven floors, creating an intricate maze-like experience that challenges players' exploration skills and problem-solving abilities.

The Adventures of Dr. Franken combines horror aesthetics with platforming mechanics, featuring Franky's electrical attack that allows him to zap certain enemies while avoiding others immune to his powers. The game's atmosphere is enhanced by classical music, including Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, adding a haunting ambiance that perfectly complements the Adventures of Dr. Franken's spooky theme. As you navigate through the castle searching for keys and items, Adventures of Dr. Franken's password-based saving system allows players to track their progress through this challenging quest.

Developed by Elite Systems and published by Kemco in 1992, Adventures of Dr. Franken brought horror-themed platforming to the Game Boy. The game later received a Super Nintendo port called The Adventures of Dr. Franken in 1993, with planned but unreleased versions for NES and Game Gear. Despite being a lesser-known title in the vast library of retro games, Adventures of Dr. Franken has maintained a cult following among vintage horror game enthusiasts who appreciate its unique premise and challenging gameplay.