Jazz Jackrabbit ported to the PSVita – You can now enjoy NATIVE blast processing, via OpenJazz, on the go!
Developer ‘usineur’ seems to really like porting great software to the PSVita and he’s done it yet again. This time, we got OpenJazz which a port of Jazz Jackrabbit, a game that gives Sonic a run for his money!
What is Jazz Jackrabbit and OpenJazz?
If you were a child in the mid-90s and didn’t own a Sega Genesis, then Jazz Jackrabbit would’ve surely caught your interest! As you might’ve guessed by now, Jazz Jackrabbit is a Sonic-esque platform game that was released in 1994 by Epic MegaGames for DOS machines. Jazz Jackrabbit offers the following:
- A jackrabbit on steroids that runs even quicker than Sonic. This means that it has even more BLAST processing 😉
OpenJazz in action on the PSVita!
- Jazz also shoots so no jumping on enemies in Sonic fashion.
- Very colourful levels that have secret areas which you may explore
- 6 episodes + 4 extra episodes along with bonus stages
- Many other great stuff such as an awesome soundtrack and great 2D graphics!
As you can see, this is surely a game to try out if you’re a fan of Sonic or other fast-paced platformers.
OpenJazz is an open-source version of Jazz Jackrabbit’s game engine that was developed by Alister Thomson in 2005/2006. As it’s open-source, it’s available for a variety of platforms including Windows/Linux/Mac computers, the PSP, Dreamcast, Wii and many others.
What about the PSVita port?
You even get all the menus intact so you get the full game experience!
The PSVita’s port of OpenJazz was made by porting-guru ‘usineur’ and allows you to play Jazz Jackrabbit 1 on the go or on your PSTV. OpenJazz for the Vita has the following features:
- Support for Jazz Jackrabbit 1 and the CD version (which is the one I used).
- Good sound emulation.
- Pretty good performance as I wasn’t able to notice any FPS dips in my short play session.
- A configuration scheme that uses the Vita’s controls in a good manner.
As Jazz Jackrabbit is still being sold on sources such as GOG, you need to supply your own data files. While it’s an old game, acquiring them without paying is still piracy!
You need to put the game’s data files in ux0:/data/jazz.
Your ux0:/data/jazz folder will be full of files when you install this. Don’t worry 🙂
Conclusion
To get this game, simply follow the link below and check out the instructions. It’s also available on VitaDB but you still need to supply your own game files.
If you find any issues, report them on the GitHub link below in a civil manner.
OpenJazz GitHub link: https://github.com/usineur/openjazz/releases/latest
OpenJazz website: http://www.alister.eu/jazz/oj/
Sweeeet! Loved this game growing up, favorite “Christmas” game. lol
Oh ***. My childhood. Playing it every year in dosbox. Memories <3
Get Port of moonstone and the lost dutchan ,i know you can use dos box but it would be awesome to see it ported
this definitely looks like it drew inspiration from sonic the hedgehog
Oh man the nostalgia! if only someone ported Jazz Jackrabbit 2…
Would be great. I don’t get it why they always port first version.
Ah “blast processing” the “polygon count” of the ’90s (although I think polygon count kind of died out as a boast after the PS2). It’s all about the resolution/FPS now!!
good times….
Is pity that in’t Jazz Jackrabbit 2. First ver is so-so.
Oh thank you, Jazz Jackrabbit was an amazing game, and with the way Windows 10 treats everything, this is a wonderful addition to the Vita.
I’m not gonna lie, when I read the title, I swear I leapt from my seat while shouting “OMG Yes!”.
I think I still have an original copy. It’s not hoarding, it’s saving to show future generations… Right?
It’s not working on my Vita with FW 3.60 HENkaku Ensō. It back me to the menu.
I’m having trouble with getting this to work. I put files to folder but the vpk doesn’t start.
Also this page gives me headache… it says I’m posting comments too quickly when the last one I posted was year ago…