Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman

Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman

Overview & History

Developed by Vivid Image and published by Codemasters, Dinobasher: Starring Bignose the Caveman represents the final swan song for the Sega Master System in Europe, quietly arriving in 1993 long after the Mega Drive dominated the market. Serving as the third and final installment in the Bignose trilogy, this prehistoric platformer shifts the series formula toward an open-ended, map-driven adventure. The storyline revolves around our bulbous-nosed hero, Bignose, who must navigate a series of treacherous prehistoric zones to rescue his captured dinosaur companion and defeat rival cavemen. While earlier games focused on linear level progression or currency grinding at shops, *Dinobasher* refines the formula by introducing interconnected stages, environmental puzzles, and distinct vehicle segments, making it a unique technical achievement for Sega’s aging 8-bit architecture.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard run-and-gun platformers, *Dinobasher* incorporates a dynamic inventory system and vehicular traversal. Players navigate Bignose across a sprawling overworld map, selecting stages that range from lush jungles to volcanic craters. Bignose's primary offensive maneuver involves wielding a heavy stone club to smash advancing raptors, pterodactyls, and rival Neanderthals. Additionally, players can collect bones scattered throughout the terrain to upgrade weapons and purchase rideable mechanical contraptions, such as a pogo-stick or a primitive flying machine, which are essential for crossing bottomless chasms and reaching hidden collectibles. The level design emphasizes verticality and exploration rather than mindless speed, rewarding players who carefully manage their weapon durability and health meters against relentless enemy swarms.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause