History VideoGame / JazzJackrabbit

** Three level cards in ''2'', [[http://www.oldgames.sk/images/oldgames/action/Jazz.2/jazz2-007.png one copying]] ''VideoGame/{{Doom}} II'', [[http://lparchive.org/Jazz-Jackrabbit-2/Images/39-ep1.png another]] ''[[Music/{{Prince}} Purple Rain]]'', and [[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ANZlh0Uyok/TNRR0QB326I/AAAAAAAAANU/HpT5ssC5nIU/s400/Jazz_Jackrabbit2.png another]], ''Film/BackToTheFuture''.

* TimedMission: In the first game, there is a timer counting down from 10[[note]]less 1/10 of a second[[/note]], 8, 6, or 4 minutes depending on the difficulty. On Easy and Medium modes, running out of time carries no penalty other than not being able to collect a time bonus. On Hard and Turbo modes, however, instant death at 0:00.0 is in force. You can get an extra minute if you collect an hourglass, but you can't have more than 10 minutes at once.

* TimedMission: In the first game, there is a timer counting down from 10, 8, 6, or 4 minutes depending on the difficulty. On Easy and Medium modes, running out of time carries no penalty other than not being able to collect a time bonus. On Hard and Turbo modes, however, instant death at 0:00.0 is in force. You can get an extra minute if you collect an hourglass, but you can't have more than 10 minutes at once.

Developed by [[Creator/EpicGames Epic Megagames]], these games starred the titular rabbit hero with quick feet and a big gun, crossing galaxies to butt heads with the evil Devan Shell and to free the captured princess of his home planet. Once considered PC gamers' response to the likes of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'', the Jazz games sold on fast-paced RunAndGun action (with bonus levels surprisingly similar to Sonic's) and the titular MascotWithAttitude. The first two games in the series received many expansion sets, including Christmas-themed ones, [[{{Vaporware}} and the franchise ground to a halt when the third game failed to ship]]. Surprisingly the games still maintain an active online community, and ''Jazz 2'' is still actively played online by the proud and the few to this day.

!!''Jazz Jackrabbit'' features examples of:

* BareYourMidriff: Lori's outfit appears to be a sports bra and running shorts.

* {{Helicritter}}: Double-jumping with Jazz in the second game triggers his helicopter ears, which are used as a glider. Lori has this ability too.

* HolidayMode: Between Thanksgiving and the end of January of the next year, the game will add a snow particle effect and dress Jazz up in a Santa outfit on the main menu.

* LargeAndInCharge: The queen from the second game is the largest rabbit character. Well, aside [[spoiler:the final boss of the last episode in the first game.]]

** The first Medivo level in JJ 2 features a blue and orange variation of the caged bird (which is usually green and red). Despite still having a gun strapped to its beak, it is a melee variant that will occasionally attack any random enemy on-screen.

** One of the bosses, Zoonic, is a mash-up of VideoGame/{{Zool}} and VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog. And since we're at it, Cliff Bleszinski [[https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1512511948797194246 confirmed]] that Sonic inspired the games.

* TakeThat:
** One of the bosses in one episode of the first game looks like a cross between Zool and VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog.
** The last boss of the final episode of the first ''Jazz Jackrabbit'' is [[spoiler: an evil gray huge superpowered version of Jazz]] which you fight on a spaceship. I wonder if that [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 sounds familiar]].
** The sequel follows up with a returning world having a robotic alien that is painfully simple to defeat riding in a hemispherical machine with a swinging ball on a chain attached to the bottom.
** In early versions of the game, the cheat code "APOGEE"[[note]]The shareware developer/publisher Apogee, later known as 3D Realms, was Epic's main competitor at the time.[[/note]] reduces the color palette to 16 colors, reduces the speed by half, and displays the text "Apology Mode". Apogee wasn't amused by this jab at their company and threatened to sue, leading to the cheat's removal from later versions of the game.

** The boss Schwartzenguard is a tortoise with a spiky shell. However, his WeaponOfChoice is a spiky flail.

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' plus ''ComicBook/BuckyOHareAndTheToadWars'' equals Jazz Jackrabbit. But Bucky O'Hare minus Jazz Jackrabbit equals ''VideoGame/StarFox''.

* AlliterativeTitle

* BigRedDevil: [[ThatOneBoss One of the bosses in the second game is a really fast, nasty devil who can spit fire all over the place.]]

* AbsoluteCleavage: Princess Eva Earlong's dress also exposes part of her abdomen.

* AbsoluteCleavage: Princess Eva Earlong's dress qualifies her for this.

* AccessoryWearingCartoonAnimal: Jazz and Spazz, with their headbands and wristbands, plus Jazz's backpack and Spazz's boots.

* ChristmasEpisode: The "Holiday Hare" levels for 1, and the "Holiday Hare '98" and "Christmas Chronicles" expansions for 2.

* OminousLatinChanting: The final world in the first game's first episode - Medivo. The track during the level fits well for both the music and overall atmospheric components. Though part of the shareware content, that accessibility actually helped to increase the level set's popularity, rather than leaving players tired of it. Cue remixes still popping up almost 15 years later.

* SmoochOfVictory: [[spoiler:Jazz and Eva]] share a BIG one at the end of [[spoiler:the final episode of the first game.]]

* BonusStage: In the first game, every level has a bonus stage which you can enter if you collect a special ruby. In these levels, Jazz has to collect a certain number of gems before the time expires to earn an extra life.

* TheDragon: The original ''Jazz Jackrabbit'' is somewhat unusual amongst platformers in having a main villain, but not using him as the final boss (instead, you fight [[spoiler: an evil Jazz]]). This is a little odd as you fight Devan Shell on the first three boss levels, along with one of the extra levels included in the CD re-release.

* EnergyWeapon: The cheat-code-access-only Laser Shield, although oddly enough its lasers mostly obey physics and are instantaneous.

%%* FieryRedhead: Princess Eva at times.
%%** Also Spaz, a rare male example.

* GoForTheEye: The only way Bolly Boss from the second game can take damage is by shooting it in the eye. The rest of him is MadeOfIron (its spike chain is destructible, but destroying it doesn't damage its LifeMeter, only makes it easier for the player to defeat it).

* HarmlessFreezing: ''2'' introduces an ice-based ammunition that temporarily freezes opponents, but does not kill them so, if left alone, they eventually thaw out and continue their normal routine as if nothing happened. Downplayed however that, while they are in this frozen state, a single shot from any other weapon can shatter and kill them. Averted in multiplayer, where you can shoot them free and damage them, or let them thaw and they will take damage once they break out on their own.

** The first Medivo level in JJ 2 features a blue and orange variation of the caged bird (which is usually green and red).

* ProductPlacement: One of the types of point-giving items found from Tubelectric on is a Gravis Gamepad.

* SmartBomb: The TNT weapon, collected in individual packs, dealt damage to everything on-screen at once in the first game. Some levels had the exit visible from behind a wall as a teaser, and if the player had any TNT, they could activate it without properly reaching it first. The second game downgraded the TNT into a hybrid timed/proximity mine instead.
* SmoochOfVictory: [[spoiler:Jazz and Eva]] share a BIG one at the end of [[the final episode of the first game.]]

* CaptureTheFlag: The multyplayer levels with this name revolve around a blue team and a red team trying to steal each other's flags and bring them to their base. The first team that steals the required number of flags wins.

* GunsFiringUnderwater: All the weapons in both games (including the fire bullets) work under water with no problems.
%%* HairRaisingHare: Spaz.
* HarmlessFreezing: ''2'' introduces an ice-based ammunition that temporarily freezes opponents, but does not kill them so, if left alone, they eventually thaw out and continue their normal routine as if nothing happened. Downplayed however that, while they are in this frozen state, a single shot from any other weapon can shatter and kill them.

%%* {{Shareware}}

* SingleUseShield: In the first game, the green shield, when shot, brings up a couple green gems spinning around you, allowing you to take a hit without getting hurt. There is also a red "fire shield" which protects you from four hits (the remaining shield strength is shown by how many red gems are spinning around you).

* SpreadShot: Your missiles always fire in pairs, in V-like pattern.

** One of the bosses, Zoonic, is a mash-up of VideoGame/{{Zool}} and VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog.

* ChainReactionDestruction: Bosses go down that way in the original game.

* {{Shareware}}
* ShellOfImpalement:
** The boss Schwartzenguard is a tortoise with a spiky shell. However, his WeaponOfChoice is a spiky flail.
** The boss Uterus is a crab-like clam with spikes on his shell. The spikes are mostly visual since every part of him hurts the player.

* DummiedOut: Tons in Jazz Jackrabbit 2, due to rushed production. Everything from secret levels (at least three, including two complete levels) to bosses (one complete and only used in a later bonus pack, another with no attacks and a third that's invisible despite having sprites) to minor enemies (some functional, others not) and powerups ([[EnergyWeapon Frickin' Laser Shield]]!). There's a bunch of unused sprites in the animation file, too, including '3D' views a-la the 3D Bonus Stages in the first game. A complete list can be found [[https://tcrf.net/Jazz_Jackrabbit_2 here]].

** Jazz is a green anthropomorphic rabbit with a gun who travels around space. [[ComicBook/BuckyOHareAndTheToadWars Now where have I seen that before?]]

* NonMammalMammaries: All the female rabbits in the games are [[WorldOfBuxom very well-endowed.]] Also happens on the male side with Jazz’s nippled biceps on the [[IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels difficulty select.]]