Tonic Trouble - Nitro Rad 

I can absolutely confirm this game was made to gear up for Rayman 2's development. I've read about it in a french book called "L'Histoire de Rayman", published by Pix'n Love.

"what the hell is this" immediately consumes mystery liquid

So you didn't realize that in a setting where the "healthy fruits and vegetables" turned into bloodthirsty monsters, trying to eat them would be... unadviseable.

The PC version I had used Nestle Crunch machines instead of popcorn machines to turn Ed into Super Ed.

I remember having a plush toy of the main protagonist of this game... but I didn't know he was from a game when i was young... i wish i still had him.

There's actually more connection with Tonic Trouble with other Ubisoft games as well! Beyond Good & Evil would have news or Alpha Section propaganda play on TV screens across the city and in between them it had a commercial for one of the snack foods in the game that would heal you up and turns out Ed became the mascot for Space Nacho Chips and he would show up during those commercials. It's honestly kinda cool they even referenced the little guy after so many years! Guess someone on the team liked Ed.

Finally! Nitro reviews the Rayman with violet characters! :D

There are actually multiple beta versions of Tonic Trouble (AKA the Special Editions) and they were definitely not accidental because Ubisoft released them around a year before the final version. The earliest beta version of Tonic Trouble known to exist was compiled on January 30, 1998, literally around 20 months before the final version was compiled.

We rented this game as kids (plus Rayman 2) and my brothers and I thought Ed and Rayman were related. I don't think we liked the game much, but we latched on to Ed and drew like a million comics and fanart of the two going on adventures together. I kind of forgot about all that -- what a blast from the past.

7:37 "... You'd think it'd be something healthy, like an apple or something." *cronch* *big boi* "AAAAA-" Too good. EDIT: More accurate quote

Coincidentally enough, I watched your Rayman 2 video, where you mention Tonic Trouble, just yesterday.

Something interesting to note is that the level’s name “Glacier Cocktail” is reused in Rayman Origins for a track

Dude, when I was a child I rented this video game at the video rental shop of my city without knowing the name. I have been looking for this game for almost 20 years now, thank you !

man Rayman 2 still looks fantastic even to this day

I love how you're gradually including more of your sketch comedy into your reviews.

YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND FOR HOW MUCH TIME I'VE SEARCHED FOR THIS GAME! Thank you, THANK YOU! I have stuck in my head that "Super Ed!" voice after you have eaten a mars bar! And yes, i remember i got my copy in a box of cereals!

Man the colors and art in this game are absolutely master class

I got this game with a graphics card when I was a kid. Never got far, only to the level with the ice blocks and the furnaces. I remember also being creeped out by the carrots and tomatoes.

Oh no, he’s been arrested by the policiAAA. Best thing I could come up with.

I LOVE that perfectly cut scream it makes me giggle every time. 😂

I feel like they should just incorporate Ed into the Rayman universe. He'd be a great "Luigi" to Rayman. Similar looking dude but with different colors.

Ed made a cameo in Beyond Good and Evil, there's an ad at the race track's tv and he's in it.

Seeing that green Rayman 2 n64 cartridge makes me soo happy!

I love your editing, specifically the sudden cuts and pop ins like the AC joke

That sucks about Rascal. It could have been good but failed because the publisher forced the developers to use tank controls, because it was popular at the time.

Fair warning, the Billy West IMDB credit is more likely than not fake. This game didn't credit the voice actors, a big no no for someone as higher scale in the VO world as Billy. The game's VO was more likely than not done entirely in France, which is where David Gasman lives. Hazarding a guess, the "Super Ed" voice is probably also just David Gasman.

Kind of a shame this didn't get a sequel, it would have been interesting to see how they could have differentiated it from Rayman.

Oh wow, this is one of those games that as a broke-family kid shaped my childhood since I we'd just pirate whatever instead of buying the most popular stuff. Cool to see it again :D

Yes! Love to see you tackle this - maybe in the future you can cover Beyond Good and Evil or the other Rayman games.

Brady became so buff that quick that his skin color changed.

Well this is an interesting game Edit: I love finding these obscure games on this channel and learning loads of stuff about them

That character design makes me think of Fanboy and Chum Chum. I didn't really want to think of Fanboy and Chum Chum today.

This video is the "cherry on-top" of an already very good day. Thank you so much for the great videos!!

Im really glad you reviewed this game its been stuck in my head ever since I saw another less in depth reveiw of the game years ago. Im glad I got to see more of it

Hey man, I managed to find the source for that affirmation, took me a while but it's in a official french only book called Histoire de Rayman which talks about all games including never seen before games like Rayman 2000 and shows concepts for rayman 4 this is what it says: "- Tonic Trouble was created in purpose to test the new engine and ensure it wouldn't harm R2"

Oh wow, I always felt like that the robot salesman in Rayman 2 was supposed to be a reference to something. Now I know what!

I love how he becomes french for that one studio

15:33 I think this is why I love Metroid so much, but had difficulty getting into Demon’s Crest or some of the Mega Man games. Gaining new abilities that help you explore old areas is my jam, but when those areas are linear gauntlets you have to play through multiple times to get to the one spot where something’s hidden, it kind of sucks away the joy of discovery.

This game was my very first game I played on the Nintendo 64 and still remains to this day as my favorite game to this game. Im so happy to see this old relic being talked about because no one i know has ever heard of it.

19:17 that is some great acting holy shit, someone hire him for a role lmao

Whoa whoa whoa! Who told you the bundle version was accidental? There were several promotional releases with those early builds. The version numbers varied slightly, but they were all the same tank-control edition. Differences were mostly in little tweaks of object placement. There was a DVD print which contained a unique Making Of music video, and some gameplay footage. One of the releases even had a "Special Edition" insignia to differentiate it from the retail releases. That's a pretty major accident. I'd need to see a source for *that* ! I think you dropped the ball on research for this one. There's a lot more out there, and a lot of it you could have brought into the limelight. You bemoan the lack of cited sources on the websites you found, which is a fair point, but then again you recieved an email from me a few months ago with an invitation to a Tonic Trouble Discord server. We invited you to pay us a visit, as we've managed to dig up quite a lot of background on this game over the course of 5+ years, and we'd be able to source most of it. I know you saw it too, because you responded to it, saying you already had the beta in mind, and would "do" it but were going to look at the PC retail too thanks to my tip. As it is, you didn't really "do" the beta. I won't argue with you that the beta has bad movement mechanics compared to its contemporaries, but the level mechanics don't conflict with it to the point that it's unplayable. Once you get used to the tank controls and gravity physics, you can beat in a couple of hours. I found the game pretty easy as a child, and I've recently watched novices get the hang of it after an hour or so. The platforming section you had trouble with in the third level (veg HQ) is probably the most unforgiving in the whole game. If you had finished the beta, I think you would have at least found that it's level design was way more ambitious than the retail releases. Our understanding based on our research is that TT was a PC game first, but the demand for an N64 version quite far into development, meant that the beta maps had to be scrapped and reworked to support the N64s hardware. That's my friends research. He's on the server. He can cite most of it. I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you. That is if theres any reason to? There is something to be said for the evolution from the beta, to the retail, and to Rayman 2. An example is the way level segments are split up: The beta masked loading zones seamlessly with corridors, the retail masked it rather abruptly with internal portals, and Rayman 2 stuck to the retail mechanic, but made it way less jarring because each transition was a unique cutscene that took advantage of the levels own geography. Whilst the development teams were not the same, there is reason to believe they were taking notes from eachother, in both directions. There's also plenty of cut content. Plenty of characters as well as few levels, and fair bit of b-roll media out there proving they once existed. The review was otherwise fair and entertaining as usual. Props! I just think it could have been way better. You've covered development history more extensively in your other videos, I was dissapointed you didn't cover it more here. I was really looking forward to this one, and I figured that as a big Rayman fan you'd give this game a bit more time of day. -SilverSpade92 Kind of a Tonic Trouble fan. PS. That invite should still work, if you're interested in knowing more. If not, the server is open to anyone. I won't leave the link here, but its not hard to find.

This game was my childhood. The N64 soundtrack is amazing!

Your show is so often such a nostalgia trip. I never played this game, but I do remember it from gaming magazines, but only after you talked about it for a bit, particularly the part with the muscleman form, did those old memories spark, same for the Rayman or a man named Ray ads. Wow, pc games from cereal boxes, that takes me back. The only one I ever got was Chex Quest, but man did I play the heck out of that awesome Doom-clone game. Well, that and a Captain Crunch game where I believe you raised some sort of Captain Crunch eating creature to do... something, I don't remember much about it.

Yeaah Rayman 1.5 babyyy

Something I'm noticed is that due to the consistant level of genuine skill in writing, acting and timing in even your earliest videos really make them rewatchable. It's almost like a TV Show that grows more comfortable in its boundaries, except it's made by one guy (or two, love you brady). And its consistently good. I love that, honestly!

You should check out "Rocket: Robot On Wheels" for the N64, it seems right up your ally!

I love how professional and polished your videos look, and how you like to talk about more interesting obscure games rather than the flavor of the week. I'd love to see your take on Neopets: The Darkest Faerie, since that's a game I grew up on and have become a bit of an expert on over the years

Funny thing about the version included with cereal boxes. Definitely was a thing and definitely was broken lol I remember playing it so much trying to figure out how to progress and never could. Felt like a demo more than anything, looking back on it now. Great vid!

Sometimes, holding back the developers are necessary, they can get really crazy, especially the writers.

The contrast between you and your aggressive/excited side is simply amazing.

HOLY SHIT! I’ve been trying to find the name of this game for just over 20 years now. I really can’t put it into words how happy I am right now. Hours and HOURS of googling over the years and watching full play throughs of rayman 1 & 2 because I was hoping they were this game and now I can finally stop searching. But alas! This video popped up in my feed today and I CAN FINALLY DIE A CONTENT MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had this when I was a kid, and I vividly remembered Super Ed, and dying a lot.

9:37 lol that sounds like the mario maker sound effect

LOL, I laughed at the magazine ads for Rayman 2 compared to Tonic Trouble. XD

One of my first N64 games, for some reason. Much preferred Rayman 2 when I got that afterwards. Something about Tonic Trouble was so draining. While the art and characters had a lot of life it still felt so lifeless and quiet and I always felt like falling asleep playing it, and I never really got very far, just replayed the first areas and the mountain sliding game all the time. But I still have way too many memories of this game and it's very nostalgic, more so than Rayman.

I like the part where SpikeVegeta came in and carried him out of the room. In all seriousness, though, great video! Might have to check this one out for myself sometime!

I loved this game when I was a kid! I wasn't smart enough to care about the actual gameplay, I just loved the visuals and humor. Do you think you'll ever cover Rocket: Robot on Wheels?

I had the beta version of tonic Trouble that was sold sometimes but my version wasn't bundled with anything and was in a proper case. The disk said grabit on it which I think was a UK company and the company that produced the disks over here so that may be why.

Soooooooo friggin happy you went over this game! I've been waiting forever to see this pop up on my feed! Thank you!! On another note, I know stuff like this doesn't really matter as much these days, but as a kid it always blew my mind to see the Magic Mushroom guy say the word "damn" lol

Another quality video! I’ve seen the advertisements for this game back when I was a kid, but I never knew anything about it. This is why I love your channel! You give such good insight into popular and obscure games. Thanks a ton!

I used to play tonic trouble as a kid XD we even had both versions, the old one is really difficult c':

underrated the last boss fight in this game was fun.

Your videos are so entertaining to watch. When I watch your older videos, I find that they hold up extremely well, with the overall quality has improving greatly over time. Nice work!

I have been looking forward to this episode ever since I found your channel, I feel like it just made sense you know.

The other Ubisoft platformer no one talks about.

RU-vid recommended this because “Somecallmejohnny viewers also watch this channel

Your videos are great and i always view your channel for wholesome cartoony platformer content. It also helps me mellow my anxiety enough to sleep.

Woah! It's name was Tonic Trouble? Thank you so much for reviewing this game, I used to play it when I was so little I could only remember how it looked! No wonder Rayman 3D 2 and 3 were my favorite. Funny thing is that I never got to see much of the game since I always died at the snow sliding, I can't believe it was only the beginning xd Also now that you mentioned the tank control version... maybe that was the version I used to play? I don't know but one thing I do remember was that the hud never had a thermometer, that would explain why I could never get past the beginning.

I remember seeing this in a flea market when I was about 12 and passing it up coz I didn't have an N64. Kinda wish I picked it up now, looks a good bit of limbless platformery fun ^_^

I know it's controversial but I think this thing was one of the best things I played since back then. It just stood out so much and the design without arms and legs is just win. It's easily relatable and out for fun.

Been watching your videos for a few years now and the quality is continuing to improve. So great to see your increasing subscriber account reflecting this consistent quality - keep up the good work!

That apple skit genuinely made me burst out laughing, good stuff.

Anybody noticed that he actually looks like Rayman?👀

hey you should check out Rocket: Robot on wheels, made by suckerpunch and i think published by ubisoft on the N64. its a red cartridged game too.

I really love the little skits you do, like the one at the end. I enjoy your other channel and subscribed after you mentioned it in a previous video. Please do more little things like this. ^^

I binged watched nearly all of your videos in the span of a week starting with the Mega Man Sprite Game review, nearly all the horror, platforming & RPG videos, to see this video be posted made me scream “YEEEES” in my mind!

Rayman M would be a pretty fun review

The way you put it, it's as if Ubisoft just told their employees: all right, split in two teams, we're going to make two games. Sure, that sounds a little silly, but look at it this way. In order to train a less experimented team, you give them a sequel of their own and you let them work separately to see how they use what they learned. If they are having trouble, you can always give them a hand since they're making a kind of game you are familiar with. A little bit of inside info from a former intern: when Ubisoft releases a game every year for the same series, they often have two studios working on titles in parallel, so each studio has two years to make one game. It's much less expensive to make more games in one series than to invent completely new games. I tried AC Odyssey's alpha build before the release of AC Origins. But yeah, as a player... I don't know any game series that managed to keep me entertained with yearly sequels for very long, especially when not all games are made by the same people, and especially when it takes so long to beat one of these games. Assassin's Creed, Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted, Kingdom Hearts... so many disappointments. So I totally agree with the final message you've got: publishers need to listen to their creative people more :P

I love the skits in this and how you just immediately go back to what you were talking about

2:48 The intellectual honesty here is... just lovely. Kudos.

"Absolutely no game in the world compared to Rayman" MY DUDE, you've gotta play Plok on Super Nintendo.

Within 30 seconds there is already a dislike wtf

Just binge watching your channel and I really love your content! Turns out today is your birthday too so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎊 I wish you many more to come and that you keep busting out great videos!

so happy to stumble across this review! it brought me back to childhood so much that i got myself a copy of the game on N64 alongside with Rayman 2 on N64! great stuff dude!

The "Special Edition" has its fans. :) I really can't stand the "soapy" controls of the retail version, and while the levels are not really comparable because different, I also prefer not having these "mid level" portals, and less puzzles To be honest, the "retail" version feels less polished / a step back from the special edition, which feels, to me, closer to Rayman 2. (The guy crashed in the wall in Ski Slope is NOT a Rayman cameo. :) I also thought the same when I was young) The intro video is also present on the special edition when you start the game, and exists in a much better resolution / different languages on the DVD release of the said edition

got here faster than the notification itself

Tonic Trouble was my very first video game I've ever played

I had a big box PC version of Rayman 2 back in the day, and it had the intro cutscene for this game on the disc, and I was always curious about it, but never enough to actually play it through.

So Tonic trouble is a prototype Rayman 2?

Brady’s bizarre adventure (2019)

I was a big fan of Rayman and Rayman 2 as a kid. I remember seeing Tonic Trouble at Hollywood Video and decided to rent it. I really liked it but thought it could use some polish. Eventually, Hollywood Video was selling all their N64 games and I picked it up. I got to the gliding volcano level and I remember not being able to complete it because I couldn't find all the items. I got really frustrated with that level and never played the game again.

You’re doing a great job with your videos man, I look forward to your uploads. Keep it up

7:38 r/PerfectlyCutScreams

Why dont you use footage from the PC version? It's the same.. just.. looks better.

I love how lately, you've been playing all these N64 games I kept hearing about but never got around to trying.

As a child I had taken this PC game thanks to an Italian magazine (I'm Italian) and I really only played the initial part where you slid down the slope but I liked it a lot and I kept the game considerably, I had always found another equal in the paper case like yours but it seems to me that it was scratched in fact I threw it ... I still remember that I was particularly fond of Ubisoft and that I wanted some similar game, coincidence was that I later discovered by a friend of mine Rayman 3 on PS2 and that I liked a lot, not by chance the powers reminded me very much of this game! Many thanks for reminding me! Nice video!

I had this! I traded it in for Mystical Ninja 64, and I still think about it sometimes.

Why do you have 2 dislikes 5 minutes after publishing?

I almost cried watching this video :( It brings so many memories. I remember having my N64 with Ocarina of Time and my dad told me that he wouldn't buy me another game until I finished OoT. I never finished it :( but however he still brought me to a 2nd hand store and I chose this game because the cover seemed funny. I recall the flying sections (I did the flying sections of this game BEFORE mario 64!!) and also remembered that because there were references to rayman 2 (even in the game there was an ad for rayman 2) me and my brothers thought that if we finished the game we would be able to play rayman 2, poor us... I got stuck in the ice world and since I never finished and lost the cartridge :( thank you for making this video, this game deserves all the praise rayman 2 got.

I played this game back in the day (probably a rental from Blockbuster, can't remember), and I had completely forgotten it existed until RU-vid recommended your video and I was like "hey, it's that game."