Very cute game and loads of fun bit a bit too short.
I first got this game way back in Xmas 1992, which is rather appropriate coz it's a very Xmasy game. Pond's villain Doctor Maybe has seized control of Santa's workshop in the North Pole, kidnapped his workers and halted toy production. Obviously someone has to save Xmas so F.I.5.H. send James Pond to the rescue.

The object of the game is to rescue Santa's workers in all departments of his toy empire (sports toys, candy, bath toys, musical instruments, toy cars) while avoiding Doctor Maybe's minions and collecting zillions of fun, random objects for points.

I have not played the original Genesis version in a few years but recently bought the gameboy advance version. The GBA release is faster and features redesigned levels (still the same themes and colors) but I was sad to see that there is no snowfall on the outside of the Santa's castle and that the bonuses underground were no longer accessible. The only one of the original cheats that remains is the invincibility code (on the roof of the castle collect the Cake, Hammer, Earth, Apple, Tap in that order) but it only lasts for a few minutes now instead of being permanent.

The ending also cuts off pretty quickly instead of showing us Doctor Maybe escaping to the moon (which leads to James Pond 3). But the final score screen says 'theme completed', which confused me. I have no idea what it means.

The best thing about this game is Richard Joseph's impossibly cute music. The main Robocod theme is a brilliant alternate version of Basil Poledouris' Robocop score and the main Robocod jingle is THE most whistleable tune EVER. I first heard that jingle 13 years ago and I can't get it out of my head.

Definitely a keeper for James Pond fans but James Pond 3: Operation Starfish is even better an really ought to be remade of the GBA. Come on...where is it??? And just so you know an even more updated version of this game is due out on Dec 9th 2005 for the Nintendo DS. It will feature touch screen interaction, second screen status, location displays and a save system to replace those lengthy passwords.