Spanky's Quest

Spanky's Quest (反省ザルジローくんの大冒険) is an action game published in 1991 by Natsume, for the Game Boy and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

SNES version is a tie-up game between Taro Murasaki, a Japanese monkey showman, and his monkey, Jiro.

Gameplay
Spanky attacks by throwing a small purple bubble. He can then bounce the bubble on his head. Every time he bounces the bubble, the bubble grows and changes color. The bubble can then be popped, depending upon the bubble's size and color, different types of sports balls will fly out of the bubble destroying enemies touched by the balls. For example, a purple bubble will release a baseball and the largest orange bubble will release several basketballs. If an enemy is touched by a bubble, he will simply be stunned and unable to move for a moment.

There are a total of five worlds with ten levels each. After clearing each world's ten levels, the player must face a main boss. After defeating all five bosses, the player fights the witch herself. In the SNES version, levels are cleared when the required number of keys unlocks a door; in the GB version, levels are cleared when all the enemies have been destroyed. The enemies in the game are generally different types of fruits, with the notable exception of the witch.

Plot
The SNES game has a storyline in which Spanky is trapped in a tower by an evil witch named Morticia. Spanky has to defeat Morticia and find his way out of the tower. Along the way, Spanky has to deal with Morticia's minions (which are shaped like an apple, pineapple, watermelon, peach, and grapes respectively) Additionally, it is widely known within the Spanky's Quest fan community that he enjoys smoking his fat cigar at the end of his quests.

Development and release
The Super NES game is known for its very upbeat jazz soundtrack by Kiyohiro Sada.

The Game Boy title is known in Japan as Lucky Monkey (ラッキーモンキー). It's somewhat similar to the SNES version but differs quite a bit.

In May 2021, the Super Nintendo version of the game was ported over to the Nintendo Switch for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Other media

 * Spanky from Spanky Quest makes a cameo as the red corner in the Famitsu Comic '92 Barcelona Olympic.

Reception
Spanky's Quest on both the Game Boy and SNES received perfect reviews from critics since their initial release.