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Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a platform game produced by Epic MegaGames, now known as Epic Games. It was released in 1998 for PCs running Windows, and later for Macintosh computers. It is the sequel to Jazz Jackrabbit.

Jazz chases Devan Shell through time, in order to retrieve the ring with which he planned to wed Eva. Jazz's brother, Spaz, and in later versions Jazz's sister Lori, are introduced as playable characters. The game features multiplayer options, including the ability to play over a LAN or the Internet.

Characters [link]

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 has two playable characters, Jazz and Spaz; a third character, Lori, was added in Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files, and The Christmas Chronicles.

Gameplay [link]

Just like it's predecessor, Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a 2D side-scroller that incorporates elements of shooting and platforming. The player must venture through a series of levels populated with enemies and environmental hazards that may hinder the players's progress. The player's goal is to reach the level's exit, usually indicated by an exit sign, whilst overcoming obstacles and hazards through the use of running and jumping as well as removing enemies and obstructions through the use of shooting and stomping.

The Player is given a selection of characters to choose from, namely, Jazz, Spaz and, eventually in the subsequent expansions, Lori. Each character has certain traits that are exclusive to each other. For an example, Jazz can launch himself vertically higher than others, Spaz can double-jump, and Lori can dash across the screen whilst eliminating almost any enemy or obstacle in her path. Each Character is equipped with a gun that can fire an inexhaustible supply of projectiles in a straight manner. During the course of the game, however, the player can encounter additional ammunition that can provide the player with greater fire-power and range but with limiting ammo. These ammo types can result in different effects from flamethrowing to firing ice-shards that freezes almost any enemy or object on contact.

In addition to ammo, players will usually come across certain items and power-ups to aid the player. Some of these may include a 1-up that gives the player an extra life. A massive variety of food that, when enough is collected, gives the player a short period of invincibility in the form of a "sugar rush". A variety of diamonds that, when enough is collected, gives the player an extra life. A Carrot that boosts the player's health. And a bird in a cage that, once it is liberated by the player, will follow the player around and will automatically fire at any nearby enemy.

Players could also participate in multiplayer. The game's Splitscreen mode could support up to 4 players, where as the Online mode could support up to 32. The game also has a local TCP/IPX network support. In Multiplayer there are five game types that players could participate in, namely, Cooperative (where players could work together in the game's single player campaign), Battle (which is basically Deathmatch), Race (in which the first to complete all laps wins the race), Treasure Hunt (in which the first to to collect 100 diamonds and find the exit wins the match), and Capture the Flag.

Jazz Creation Station [link]

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 has a bundled level editor called Jazz Creation Station, allowing players to create their own levels. often shortened to JCS. JCS is not available for Mac users.

Other releases [link]

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Shareware Edition [link]

Released in 1998, this is a promotional shareware game. It featured three single-player levels and two multiplayer levels.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Holiday Hare '98 [link]

This Christmas edition was released in 1998 for the PC, but only in North America. Unlike the previous holiday editions, this game is commercial rather than shareware. It includes three single-player levels as well as a new boss and additional multiplayer levels.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files [link]

This Easter edition was released in 1999 for the PC, but only in Europe. This game introduces Jazz's sister Lori as another playable character. When Lori dies, her face is immolated and she falls over. It also adds an extra episode to the original Jazz Jackrabbit 2, called "The Secret Files". This episode consists of three different zones, each one with three levels. New tiles are also added to The Secret Files, most of them from the first Jazz Jackrabbit.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files Shareware Edition [link]

Released in 1999, this is a shareware game to promote The Secret Files. It is identical to the standard shareware version, but it includes the ability to play as Lori, as well as two new single-player levels in addition to the standard shareware version's levels.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Christmas Chronicles [link]

This Christmas edition is an enhanced version of Holiday Hare '98, featuring Lori as a playable character. It was going to be released in 1999 for the PC, across Europe. However, the publisher, Project 2, went bankrupt before the release date. It was eventually released in Poland in 2000. A limited European release followed shortly after. This version is based on the engine of The Secret Files.

External links [link]

• JazzJackrabbit.com archived, a list of archived versions of the official website

References [link]