Editing Zool (section)

==Development and release==
George Allan came up with the idea of ''Zool'' as he was criticized on his previous game ''[[Switchblade II]]'' for having a lack of enemies. In development, Zool could cast spells to get him out of trouble by collecting potions. For example, Zool could escape from pits with high jump spells and cast a shadow spell to make a clone of him that follows his actions (thus doubling the fire power). In the final version, the spells were replaced with collectible power-ups. The very early name for the project was ''Pootz''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_28495 |title=Zool preview from CU Amiga (Mar 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack |publisher=Amr.abime.net |access-date=2015-05-28}}</ref> The soundtrack by [[Patrick Phelan (composer)|Patrick Phelan]] overlaps with the ''[[Lotus (video game series)|Lotus 3]]'' soundtrack and inspired several modern electro/techno remixes. Candy company [[Chupa Chups]] sponsored the game's production, with the company logo featured prominently within the game. The game was heavily hyped upon its initial release, including being bundled with the then-newly launched [[Amiga 1200]], although not the [[Advanced Graphics Architecture|AGA]] version with enhanced graphics which followed later. In 2000, the Amiga version of ''Zool'' was re-released as part of ''The Best of Gremlin'' compilation.

''Zool'' was also ported to the [[Atari ST]], [[Game Boy]], [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], [[Master System]], [[Game Gear]], [[Amiga CD32]], [[IBM PC Compatible]]s, and [[RISC OS]], as well as an arcade machine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/zool-ninja-of-the-nth-dimension/ |title=Zool: Ninja of the 'Nth' Dimension |publisher=GameSpot.com |access-date=2015-05-28}}</ref> The Amiga CD32 version has original [[Red Book (CD standard)|red book]] audio tracks by Neil Biggin and has the option to have both sound effects and music. This and the Acorn Archimedes port are the only two incarnations of the original Amiga version to have this. For the Atari ST, the programmers and graphics artists choose to incorporate the redesigned sprites from their upcoming sequel ''Zool 2'' (in development at the time) to use for their star character on the Atari version to address the criticism that the original ''Zool'' character sprites were not cute enough.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/atari-st-user-issue-92.pdf|title=ON THE Drawingboard: Zool (October 1993, Issue 92, page 72 - 73)|website=Atari ST User}}</ref> Most computer ports are close to the Amiga original but the Genesis and SNES ports both feature different levels which are structured differently, different background graphics, and unique bosses. The Sega Master System version features smaller, more scaled down stages and a more strict quota on collectible items, but also features unique gameplay moves like a wall climb. With the exception of the CD32 version, all console versions feature the soundtrack of the Amiga original, remixed appropriately for each console's unique sound systems.