View source for Zoop

{{short description|1995 video game}}
{{About|the video game|other uses|Zoop (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Zoop
| image = Zoop cover art.jpg
| developer = Hookstone<br />PanelComp (SNES, Genesis)<br />Electric Spectacle Productions (Jaguar)
| publisher = [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom New Media]]<br />[[Tectoy]] (MS-DOS)<br />[[Atari Corporation]] (Jaguar)<br />Media Quest (PS, Saturn)<br />Yanoman (Game Boy)
| director = Jim Hanson
| producer = I. Kenneth Miller
| designer = Jason McGann
| programmer = John Rocke
| artist = Ian J. Bowden<br />Malcolm Cooper<br />Peter Tattersall
| composer = Bob Scumaci<br />Mark Davis<br />[[Brian L. Schmidt]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/zoop-usa/page/n5/mode/2up|title = Zoop ( USA)}}</ref>
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Game Boy]], [[Game Gear]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Atari Jaguar]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|1 June 1995}}|'''Genesis'''{{vgrelease|NA|1 June 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|EU|28 October 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}}} '''Super NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995|EU|1995}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|30 September 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|BRA|1995}} '''Macintosh'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|20 November 1995<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}</ref>|JP|22 November 1996<ref name="ZPS1jp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SNC1_PS1996.html|title=PlayStation Soft > 1996|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817124931/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SNC1_PS1996.html|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|NA|5 November 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|EU|1995|JP|31 January 1997<ref name="ZGBjp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1997.html|title=GAMEBOY Soft > 1997|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113114110/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1997.html|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}} '''Game Gear'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995}} '''Jaguar'''{{vgrelease|NA|5 January 1996<ref name="Zjsii">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|title=Atari Jaguar Timeline|website=jaguarsector.com|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629025431/http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>|EU|5 January 1996<ref name="ZJAGuk">{{cite web|last=Castle|first=Justin|url=https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf|title=Historical Atari Jaguar UK Magazine Advert/Reviews Collection|publisher=[[Issuu]]|format=PDF|date=21 July 2018|page=340|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104221625/https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|29 November 1996<ref name="ZSATjp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC3_SS1996.html|title=SEGA SATURN Soft > 1996|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923085535/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC3_SS1996.html|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] (Game Boy)
}}

'''''Zoop''''' is a [[puzzle video game]] originally developed by Hookstone and published by [[Viacom New Media]] in 1995 for the [[Sega Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Game Gear]], and [[Game Boy]], then in 1996 for the [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]]. ''Zoop'' has similarities to [[Taito]]'s 1989 [[arcade video game]] ''[[Plotting (video game)|Plotting]]'' (also known as ''Flipull''), but ''Zoop'' runs in [[Real-time game|real-time]] instead. Players are tasked with eliminating pieces that spawn from one of the sides of the screen before they reach the center of the playfield. By pointing at a piece and shooting it, the player can either swap it with the current player color and thus arrange the same color pieces in a row or column, or match the color.

A month before release, ''Zoop'' was one of four games played in the preliminary rounds of the Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II competition, a rare instance of an [[Release to manufacturing|as-yet-unreleased]] game being used in a video game competition.<ref name=GPro81>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_071_June_1995|title=Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II 1995 Strategy Guide|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=81|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=June 1995|pages=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_071_June_1995/page/n122 121]–135}}</ref><ref name=GPro87>{{cite magazine|author=The Creature Feature |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=Special Feature - Blockbuster Champs Invade GamePro!|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|pages=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n51 50]–52}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
[[File:MD Zoop (Stage 4).png|thumb|left|The fourth stage (Genesis)]]

''Zoop'' is a real-time puzzle game, like ''Plotting'', where the player controls a triangle in the center of the screen. Every second (or more often in advanced levels), a piece comes in from the side and possibly pushes other pieces forward. Two [[consecutive]] pieces will never come in from the same quadrant, and runs of consecutive identical pieces on one row are longer, statistically, than one might expect. If a piece falls into the center square, the game is over.<ref name="NPSNESzoopa">{{cite magazine|title=Full Coverage - Zoop|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=78|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=November 1995|pages=76–77}}</ref>

If the player shoots a piece of the same color as their triangle, it will be "zooped" (cleared) and points are earned. If the piece behind the target piece is also of the same color, it is also "zooped". The same goes for the next piece, and so on. If a piece of a different color from the player's current piece is shot, the player's piece will switch colors with it. This is also what happens when a piece of a different color is encountered after zooping one or more pieces of the same color. When the quota of "zooped" pieces is met, the game speeds up, and (before level 10) the background changes. Various special pieces do different things, such as a proximity bomb (shaped like a lightning bolt) that blows up pieces in a 3×3 area centered at the target piece, or a line bomb (often shaped like a gear) that clears a whole target line of pieces.

To make gameplay more difficult, the game also employed what was referred to as "Opti-Challenge" backgrounds. As the levels progressed, the backgrounds would become increasingly distracting. Early on, this would involve the use of contrasting colors and increasingly intricate color schemes. Background patterns would also become more intricate and would make subtle use of asymmetrical elements. Although the "Opti-Challenge" technique of the game was used as a selling point, very little information exists about the technique itself, and no other game on the market has ever claimed to use "Opti-Challenge" graphics. The sound effects have a cartoonish tone to match the vivid colors used through the stages, while the music is [[smooth jazz]] and "evolves" with the game. As the levels get harder, the music becomes more tense, adding to the fast-paced atmosphere of the game.

== Development and release ==
Along with ''[[Dracula Unleashed]]'', ''Zoop'' is one of the few original properties that were released by Viacom New Media, who only published games that are based on existing [[intellectual properties]] (including [[Viacom Media Networks]]' programming) until their closure in 1997. The title was extensively marketed by Viacom, who wanted the game to replicate the level of success of ''[[Tetris]]'', which can be evidenced by its release on many platforms, as well as the game's slogan, "America's Largest Killer of Time!".

The team at Hookstone stated in an interview with Spanish magazine ''PC Manía'' that ''Zoop'' spent several years in development and that the concept proved to be difficult to explain to their producers and as such, the team presented a nearly-finished build.<ref name="PCManía33">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/pcmania38#page/n13/mode/1up|title=Primera Línea - Entre Bytes: Zoop - Algo diferente|magazine=PC Manía|volume=4|issue=38|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|page=14|lang=es}}</ref> The PC was chosen as the lead platform, despite the development team never having done anything for the PC before.<ref name="PCManía33"/> According to Aaron Fothergill, one of the programmers for the Atari Jaguar version of ''Zoop'', Electric Spectacle Productions wanted the Jaguar version to have more advanced visuals than the PlayStation version, but Viacom requested the developer to disable the extra graphics to make the PlayStation version more appealing than the Jaguar version.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian |url=https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/aaron-fothergill/|title=Aaron Fothergill (Amiga/Atari) – Interview|publisher=arcadeattack.co.uk|date=12 October 2018|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101322/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/aaron-fothergill/|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=AmwAFZMC>{{cite web|last=Contreras|first=Chris|url=http://www.3do.cdinteractive.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3829|title=A moment with Aaron Fothergill -Zoop, Magic Carpet |website=3do.cdinteractive.co.uk|date=July 13, 2019|access-date=2021-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028142753/http://www.3do.cdinteractive.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3829|archive-date=2020-10-28|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2018, the rights to ''Zoop'' are held by [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom International]].

Before it was officially released to the general public, the game was featured and played during the preliminary rounds on the Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II competition.<ref name=GPro81/><ref name=GPro87/><ref name=DKCcc>{{cite web |last=G.|first=Evan|url=https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0910|title=Donkey Kong Country Competition Cart|website=snescentral.com|date=20 June 2009|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052521/https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0910|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after its release, the Super NES version was offered as part of a limited "rent one, get one free" promotion by [[Blockbuster LLC|Blockbuster]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeanne |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop/adblurbs|title=Zoop - Ad Blurbs|publisher=[[MobyGames]]|date=10 June 2004|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208023946/https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop/adblurbs|archive-date=8 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Ports==
The Genesis and Super NES versions of ''Zoop'' are identical in terms of gameplay, aside from graphical and audio differences between the two. The MS-DOS version of the game has support for various sound cards, and it uses wavetable-like MIDI music. The PlayStation version was released a month after the system was launched and has more advanced visuals. The Game Boy port is the only version across all platforms that features a multiplayer mode. It also received a port to the Atari Jaguar that was developed by Electric Spectacle Productions and published by [[Atari Corporation]] on 5 January 1996,<ref name="Zjsii"/><ref name="ZJAGuk"/> with graphics that are more in line with the previously released versions but sporting a more [[jazz]]-style soundtrack. It was one of the last releases for the Jaguar. ''Zoop'' was also released for the [[Sega Saturn]] in Japan only by Media Quest on 29 November 1996.<ref name="ZSATjp"/> The Saturn version uses the same enhanced visuals as the PlayStation port.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|title=Reception
|state=expanded
|SMD=true
|SNES=true
|DOS=true
|PS=true
|SGG=true
|JAG=true
|SSAT=true
|na=true

|Allgame_SMD={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AGGENzoop">{{cite web|last=Alan Weiss|first=Brett|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7616&tab=review|title=Zoop (Genesis) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045602/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7616&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Allgame_SNES={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AGSNESzoop">{{cite web|last=Alan Weiss|first=Brett|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7500&tab=review|title=Zoop (SNES) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045605/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7500&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Allgame_PS={{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AGPS1zoop">{{cite web|last=Couper|first=Chris|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8004&tab=review|title=Zoop (PlayStation) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045609/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8004&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|EGM_SGG=5.875 / 10<ref name="EGMGGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_076.pdf&page=52|title=Review Crew: Zoop|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=76|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1995|page=52|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131413/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_076.pdf&page=52|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Fam_SSAT=58 / 100<ref name="WFTSSATzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/14954/reviews/|title=ズープ (セガサターン) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=416|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=6 December 1996|page=33|lang=ja|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|GameFan_PS=263 / 300<ref name="DHGFPS1zoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_4_Issue_01|title=Viewpoint - Zoop - Playstation|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=4|issue=1|publisher=Shinno Media|date=January 1996|page=[https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_4_Issue_01/page/n17 18]}}</ref>
|GI_SNES=8.0 / 10<ref name="GISNESzoop">{{cite magazine|title=Retro Review: Zoop (SNES)|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=187|publisher=Sunrise Publications|date=November 2008}}</ref>
|GP_SNES=74%<ref name="GPSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|last=Baggatta|first=Patrick |url=https://archive.org/stream/Game_Players_Issue_58_November_1995#page/n79/mode/1up|title=Super NES - Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Game Players]]|issue=77|publisher=Signal Research|date=November 1995|page=78}}</ref>
|GSpot_DOS=7.0 / 10<ref name="GSpotDOSzoop">{{cite web|last=Dulin|first=Ron|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/zoop-review/1900-2560015/|title=Zoop Review - Once you do break through the initial frustration, Zoop will gradually become an addiction|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2 May 2000|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|IGN_PS=5.0 / 10<ref name="IGNPS1zoop">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/27/zoop|title=Zoop Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=26 November 1996|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725092617/https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/27/zoop|archive-date=25 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|NGen_SNES={{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="NGSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-011/page/n192|title=Finals - Super NES - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|page=191}}</ref>
|NGen_PS={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGPS1zoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25|title=Every PlayStation Game Played, Reviewed, and Rated - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=25|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=January 1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25/page/n61 60]}}</ref>
|NGen_JAG={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGJAGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Next-Generation-1996-05/Next%20Generation%201996-05#page/n99/mode/1up|title=Finals - Jaguar - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=17|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=May 1996|page=94}}</ref>
|NP_SNES=12.7 / 20<ref name="NPSNESzoopb">{{cite magazine|title=Now Playing - Zoop|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=78|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=November 1995|page=107}}</ref>

|rev1=''[[Computer Game Review|CGR]]''
|rev1_DOS=263 / 300<ref name="CGRDOSMACzoop">{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Frank |last2=Chapman|first2=Ted|last3=Honeywell|first3=Steve|url=http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9601/zoop/zoop.htm|title=Zoop Is Good Food|work=[[Computer Game Review]]|publisher=[[Ziff-Davis]]|date=1996|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221191819/http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9601/zoop/zoop.htm|archive-date=21 December 1996|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev2=''[[Entertainment Weekly|EW]]''
|rev2_DOS=A-<ref name="EWDOSzoop">{{cite magazine|last=Strauss|first=Bob|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/11/10/zoop/|title=Article - Zoop|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|issue=300|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|date=10 November 1995|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903114936/https://ew.com/article/1995/11/10/zoop/|archive-date=3 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev3=''[[Mean Machines Sega]]''
|rev3_SMD=63 / 100<ref name="MMSGENp:tma">{{cite magazine|author1=Marcus|author2=Gus |url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-38#page/n84/mode/1up|title=Megadrive Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]]|issue=38|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1995|page=85}}</ref>
|rev4=''[[Micromanía]]''
|rev4_SMD={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="MMGENzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicromanaTerceraEpocaSpanishIssue11#page/n86/mode/1up|title=Punto De Mira...y además: Bueno En Cualquier Forma - Zoop (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Micromanía]]|volume=3 |issue=11|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|page=87|lang=es}}</ref>
|rev4_DOS=92%<ref name="MMDOSzoop">{{cite magazine|author=F.D.L.|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicromanaTerceraEpocaSpanishIssue11#page/n107/mode/2up|title=Zoop - La Sencillez Al Poder|magazine=[[Micromanía]]|volume=3|issue=11|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|pages=108–109|lang=es}}</ref>
|rev5=''[[Sega Pro]]''
|rev5_SMD=85 / 100<ref name="SProGENzoop">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive – ProReview: Zoop|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=December 1995|page=55}}</ref>
|rev6=''[[Sega Saturn Magazine|SSM]]''
|rev6_SMD=62%<ref name="SSMukGENzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Sega_Saturn_Magazine_Issue_02_1995-12_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n91|title=Sega 16-Bit Magazine - Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=2|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1995|page=92}}</ref>
|rev7=''[[Future plc|UFG]]''
|rev7_DOS=68%<ref name="UFGJAGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=http://retrosprite.proboards.com/post/46/thread|title=Zoop Back to basics?|magazine=[[Future plc|Ultimate Future Games]]|issue=13|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=December 1995|page=75}}</ref>
|rev8=''[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames]]''
|rev8_SNES=7 / 10<ref name="VGTUGMSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_82_November_1995#page/n100/mode/1up|title=Reviews - SNES - Zoop|magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment#VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]]|issue=82 |publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications|L.F.P., Inc.]]|date=November 1995|page=94}}</ref>

|award1Pub=''[[Nintendo Power]]'' (1995)
|award1=Best Puzzle Game<ref name="NPAzoop">{{cite magazine|title=The Nintendo Power Awards - 95 Winners - Best Puzzle Game|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=84|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=May 1996|page=42}}</ref>
|award2Pub=''Power Play'' (1995)
|award2=Biggest Hype in 1995<ref name="PPA">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1996-02/page/n137|title=Special - Jahres Überflieger '95 - Hype Des Jahres|magazine=Power Play|issue=95|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=February 1996|page=170|lang=de}}</ref>
}}

The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' criticized the Game Gear version as having poor audio even by Game Gear standards but otherwise were divided about the game. One of them said "it is more like work than anything else, and it certainly isn't addictive", two of them said it lacks anything special but is still addictive and enjoyable for players of all skill levels, and the fourth called it "a must-try".<ref name="EGMGGzoop"/>

Reviewing the SNES version, a critic for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' found the gameplay to be too complicated, concluding that "it's not bad really, but the idea isn't that intuitive, and once you get past the learning curve it lacks the addictive quality this kind of game needs."<ref name="NGSNESzoop"/> ''[[GamePro]]''{{'}}s The Axe Grinder similarly said that, while the game is fun and has good graphics and music, it lacks the addictive pull that an action puzzler needs to distinguish itself.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=The Axe Grinder|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=ProReview: Super NES - Zoop|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|page=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n105 104]}}</ref>

''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' (previously ''[[Sega Magazine]]'') gave the Genesis/Mega Drive version a 62%, saying the game "has the curious compulsiveness of ''[[Tetris]]'' to a degree", but that it is overshadowed by more complex and graphically impressive games then on the market.<ref name="SSMukGENzoop"/> Cover Girl of ''GamePro'' was pleased with the music and graphics, particularly the use of eye-tricking background contrasts in the later levels. She found the level select and five difficulty modes broaden the accessibility, but criticized that the game sends the player back to the beginning whenever they lose. She concluded that while falling short of classics like ''Tetris'', ''Zoop'' is an enjoyable enough puzzler to merit a buy.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Cover Girl|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=ProReview: Genesis - Zoop|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|page=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n87 86]}}</ref>

Reviewing the Jaguar version, ''GamePro'' noted that it made no changes from previous versions of the game. They said of the game itself: "A classic? No. Addictive? Yes."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_081_April_1996#page/n90/mode/1up|title=Quick Hits: Zoop |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=81|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1996|page=89|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104224940/https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_081_April_1996#page/n90/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Next Generation'' similarly stated that "while ''Zoop'' is an enjoyable game, it's not exactly the second puzzling. ... Games like ''Tetris'' and ''[[Bust-a-Move]]'' have undeniable magic, and while ''Zoop'' has the mechanics of a great puzzle game, it lacks that magic." They praised the pace of the action, in that the game demands the player's full attention from the beginning.<ref name="NGJAGzoop"/>

''GamePro''{{'}}s brief review of the PlayStation version called it "an uncomplicated puzzle game that's only slightly hampered by squirrelly controls" and "a great addiction for puzzle fans."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_080_March_1996#page/n74/mode/1up|title=Quick Hits: Zoop |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=80|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1996|page=73 |access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104230323/https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_080_March_1996#page/n74/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A brief review from ''Next Generation'' commented, "Action puzzle games should be simple but addicting; ''Zoop'' is complicated but kind of compulsive."<ref name="NGPS1zoop"/> ''[[IGN]]'' rated the PlayStation version of the game a 5/10, stating, "''Zoop'' has all the makings of a good puzzle game, it just doesn't deliver the goods."<ref name="IGNPS1zoop"/>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the DOS version an A− and said it wasn't as addictive but was as much fun as ''[[Tetris]]''.<ref name="EWDOSzoop"/>

The game was awarded "Best Puzzle Game" in the 1995 ''[[Nintendo Power Awards]]''.<ref name="NPAzoop"/>

== Legacy ==
The game was featured in 1995 in series 5 episode 4 of the British TV series ''[[GamesMaster]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 June 2018|title=GamesMaster Series 5 Episode 4|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzB8V6aO17c|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105013617/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzB8V6aO17c|archive-date=5 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2018|work=YouTube}}</ref>

In September 2003, the trademark renewal for ''Zoop'' was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hallie|first=Michelena|url=https://trademarks.justia.com/746/66/zoop-74666188.html|title=ZOOP - Trademark Details|publisher=justia.com|date=20 September 2003|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareID=2553 ''Zoop''] at [[AtariAge]]
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/genesis/586629-zoop ''Zoop''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.giantbomb.com/zoop/3030-4938/ ''Zoop''] at [[Giant Bomb]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop ''Zoop''] at [[MobyGames]]
{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2022-07-20|en-Zoop-article.ogg}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|United Kingdom|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoop}}
[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Viacom New Media games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brian L. Schmidt]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Yanoman games]]
[[Category:Tectoy games]]