Play James Pond 3 - Operation Starfish (USA, Europe) Online

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish came out in 1993 for the Sega Genesis, developed by Vectordean and published by Electronic Arts. It was part of that wave of platformers that tried to stand out with a quirky personality and some unusual mechanics, rather than just being another mascot clone. The game had a certain charm that made it memorable, even if it wasn't always the smoothest experience.

You control James Pond, a stretchy secret agent fish, navigating through side-scrolling aquatic levels. Your main goal is to stop Dr. Maybe by collecting starfish pieces across various missions. The signature mechanics include stretching your body to reach high platforms or squeeze through narrow gaps, and using a variety of silly gadgets like spring shoes for extra bounce. The pacing is uneven, with some levels feeling inventive and others frustrating due to awkward controls or unclear objectives. It feels like a mix of creative ambition and janky execution, but pulling off a tricky stretch or finding a well-hidden item brings a genuine sense of accomplishment.