Have you stepped foot in the vicinity of a department store in the past several weeks, you're doubtless keenly cognizant that maximum Grinch saturation is here. All around, festive trimmings, cheaply made underpants, and knock-off tumblers featuring the smirking face of the famous author's yuletide-loathing creation can be found. Although this may appear a modern trend, the Grinch industrial complex has operated for many years, and the year 2000 cash-grab video game The Grinch remains a supremely unnerving examples. Furthermore, its conclusion could haunted dreams.
The Game's Underwhelming Debut
To coincide with the turn-of-the-millennium release of Jim Carrey's starring role as the sour-faced villain, The Grinch game became available for PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, and personal computers. Konami, the company behind it, is Konami, a famous developer that hasn't exactly made a habit of causing controversy. In essence, the story revolves around the Grinch losing the blueprints required to steal Christmas and embarking on a kid-friendly rampage around the Who village, snatching and smashing gifts while searching for his valuable diagrams. Y'know, typical Grinchery.
Poor Sales and Scathing Reviews
In any case, The Grinch was not a sales success very well (to the tune of approximately 20,000 units) and appeared to receive scant praise. Contemporary reviewers were not kind. A review famously said, "Although a handful of The Grinch's challenges are fun, the others are boring, irritating, or both". Typical scores were in the region of 5 out of 10, which constituted a fatal blow even 25 years ago. This means, like many, chances are you missed the finale of this largely forgotten release almost no people experienced or found enjoyable. Fortunately, an intrepid internet user has stepped up to bridge the knowledge gap.
To his absolute horror, the Grinch begins to experience warm feelings about Christmas. While delivering a voice performance that hovers somewhere between pained and slurred, he cries out, "I adore you! And everybody! Even the Whos!" Then he proceeds to fly his sleigh down from his mountain peak to restore the stolen items he took, tossing them around the Whoville town square, and pleads for pardon from the assembled crowd.
Where Things Get Seriously Creepy
It is then the scene takes a sinister twist: "Join us in song!" chirps a cheerful Cindy Lou Who, with her string-like limbs undulate strangely, and her teeth phase through her low-poly nose. Then the ugly, ugly children of Whoville perform an irritating melody with static mouths. Curtain. or maybe not?
A Secret Reward for the Dedicated
Thanks to additional digging, it has been revealed that the developers had more things in store for this bargain-bin Grinch: Upon fully finishing the game, you will access a bonus ending that contains a radical ride and a quick race event located in Whoville.
Merry Christmas, Without the Grind
Clearly, no one in their right mind ought to get everything in The Grinch for PS1, but it is a neat bonus for this title's four dedicated players. And today, thanks to the miracle of online video, you don't have to suffer through the tedious gameplay to see the fun. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
