Never one to be outdone The Artist released a video game of his own on the heels of Michael Jackson's "personally designed" Moonwalker arcade game for the Sega Genesis. However, Prince took his game in a much different direction, a sexier direction...relying on a combination of RPG elements, frou-frou mini games and graphic, adult themed cut scenes contrasting Moonwalker's beat-em-up style of play. These "stylistic choices" likely doomed the game from the start since it relegated its release to shady retailers and the Prince Fan Club Merchandise Catalog, causing it to become one of the most sought after SNES cartridges.
The storyline for this game is based loosely on the content of the album, as well as the aborted script outline for a feature film of the same name. It revolves around the idea of Prince and his cohorts in the Revolution traveling around the world in a hot air balloon rescuing various Prince liaisons from the clutches of Morris Day and the Time, while also increasing HP by playing "gigs" in different cities. The player controls Prince as the leader of the party while simultaneously directing the actions of the posse as a whole which includes; Wendy and Lisa, Fink, Bobby Z and Brown Mark. All of whom have unique abilities that correspond with their particular instrument. As they travel amongst the whimsical landmarks of the world collecting and upgrading sexual prowess The Revolution encounter various villains of increasing difficulty in their quest to rescue Sheena E, Sheila E, Vanity and Appollia - culminating in a final showdown with Morris Day. Featured sub-bosses in the game include the other members of The Time, Terrence Trent D'arby, Shalamar, Lenny Kravitz and Ready For The World, who attempt to steal the Purple One's ideas and thus prevent him from being able to put on a good show, which thus prevents him from saving his girlfriends, and thus accomplishing his goal in the allotted twenty four hours. Confusing, huh?
Of course, you may be wondering about the music? Well, as with Moonwalker this game also spared every expense. Most levels feature one of only five (that's right five) instrumental versions of assorted Prince classics (only two of which actually come from the album of same name) played repetitiously throughout the stage's completion until, by the end of which, you want 2 purify Urself at the bottom of lake Minnetonka.
Around the World in a Day (of course) plays non-stop throughout every cut-scene and travel segment for the first three levels.
After that we hear the main verse riffs of Let's Pretend We're Married and Delirious. The only change of pace occurs when Erotic City plays as you interact with other characters; conversation that feature Prince's version of the English language (numbers 4 letters, U for you, etc).
Finally, if you ever have the inclination to get through the entire convoluted game you will be treated to a credit sequence version of Raspberry Beret in which a 16-bit Prince and friends do the dance moves from the music video, after which you hear a grainy recording of Prince saying "congratulations, you made it around the world in a day" followed by the trademark Prince shriek, your score and completion time...which in my case took well over a day. Then finally the screen goes blank, self destructing... I hope.
And there you have it... If you happen to find this elusive gem for the Super Nintendo be sure to drop a truckload of acid first.
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