Captain Novolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Captain Novolin |
|
|---|---|
Packaging artwork
|
|
| Developer(s) | Sculptured Software |
| Publisher(s) | Raya Systems |
| Director(s) | Perry Rodgers |
| Designer(s) | Perry Rodgers |
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) | Kelly Kofoed |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Platform(s) | SNES |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Genre(s) | Educational, platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Captain Novolin is a special video game released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It's an educational platform game. This means you jump and run through levels, but you also learn things! The game was made by Sculptured Software and published by Raya Systems.
The main character is a superhero named Captain Novolin. He has type 1 diabetes. In the game, you help Captain Novolin save the mayor of Pineville from a supervillain called Blubberman. This game is part of a series of educational games from Raya Systems. Other games in the series include Rex Ronan: Experimental Surgeon, Packy and Marlon, and Bronkie the Bronchiasaurus.
Companies like Novo Nordisk (who make Novolin insulin) and the National Institutes of Health helped fund the game. Novo Nordisk even gave away 10,000 free copies to hospitals. When it first came out, doctors and kids with diabetes liked the game. Later, some video game critics didn't think it was a great game, but it was still helpful for teaching about diabetes.
Contents
Playing as Captain Novolin
Captain Novolin is a 2D side-scroller. This means you move the character from one side of the screen to the other. The game's story is about Captain Novolin trying to rescue Mayor Gooden of Pineville. The mayor also has diabetes, and he only has enough insulin for 48 hours! He's been captured by aliens and their leader, Blubberman.
Learning About Diabetes
Before you start playing, a doctor and a dietitian (someone who helps people with food choices) give you advice. They teach you how to manage your diet and insulin. This is a big part of the game's learning goal.
Avoiding Junk Food Aliens
As you play, Captain Novolin needs to avoid alien invaders. These aliens look like junk food! You might see enemies like "Cereal Killer" or "Larry Licorice." It's a fun way to show what foods to be careful about.
Managing Blood Sugar
A key part of the game is keeping Captain Novolin's blood glucose (sugar in his blood) in a safe zone. You do this by eating healthy meals throughout the game. If his blood glucose goes too high or too low, Captain Novolin can lose a life.
You can earn points by keeping Novolin's glucose level just right. You also get points for defeating the alien enemies. There are even bonus points for correctly answering questions about diabetes. The game also has a cool feature: if a player has diabetes in real life, they can tell the game how often they take their insulin shots.
How People Liked the Game
Captain Novolin was well-liked by children who had diabetes and their parents. In one study, 23 children with diabetes (ages 6 to 16) were asked what they thought. They were very excited about the game! Many of them said it would be helpful for explaining diabetes to their friends.
Another group of children (ages 8 to 14) and their parents also shared their thoughts. They felt the game could help parents and children talk about diabetes more easily. It also helped kids explain their condition to their friends. Even John Ratzenberger, a famous actor from the TV show Cheers, thought the game was fun. He was a volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and felt the game taught children how to manage their diabetes in a fun way.
Images for kids
-
Typical gameplay of Captain Novolin
See also
In Spanish: Captain Novolin para niños
