Sam and Max Hit the Road - PC Game Review

[@JazGalaxy]

Steve Purcell did an amazing interview where he talked about the origins of Sam and Max. Basically, his brother invented Sam and Max and would draw them in little comic adventures. Purcell, being a jerk, would steal the comics and then draw sarcastic and mean-spirited word bubbles where Sam and Max would mock their surroundings as drawn by the brother. That little insight helped me to put a pin on exactly what the spirit of Sam and Max HIt The Road was. Sam and Max always seemed like they had crashed a normal adventure game and were making fun of it as they went along.

[@aurorauplinks]

Atleast he was honest about it I guess:D

[@CooperGal24]

They were kiddos when Steve did that, in case some of the fans thought he did this at an older age! No, just when he and his brother were kids! Also, his brother gave Steve the rights to use Sam and Max as a Christmas gift one year! So if it wasn't for Steve's brother, he wouldn't have gotten where he is now! And Sam and Max wouldn't be a thing today!

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Yup. Minus will just copy and paste the link for the “history of Sam and max part 1”

[@Never_heart]

That explains so much about this franchise actually

[@rhiannonwinchester3031]

When developing the games and the spin off TV show, Steve Purcell advised the creative teams that one of the few golden rules of a Sam and Max story is that they must cause more chaos and damage through solving a case than the original perpetrators of the crime. So, yeah, trails of annihilation are pretty much de rigeur for them...

[@Calculon1712]

Sam was voiced by Bill Farmer, known for voicing Goofy for Disney. We may have got the Telltale games but it's a shame the LucasArts sequel Freelance Police was cancelled when it was 90% completed.

[@pushinguproses]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!??! That's so cool; I didn't know that! Wow, I will never look at Sam the same way again. :)

[@Calculon1712]

I like the fact that he voices both characters and Goofy's son is called Max haha nice little connection there.

[@sirstrongbad]

in the original game he was voiced by Harvey Atkin, who Canadians will remember from old Leon's commercials.

[@GayLPer]

@@sirstrongbad I think you're thinking of the cartoon, that's when Sam was voiced by Harvey Atkin. I miss him.

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@GayLPer Yeah, Harvey Atkin (who also voiced King Koopa in the old Mario cartoons) is the most notable of all the Sams in sound-based media. Good thing his take on the character was added to Uberduck.

[@TheMrRuttazzo]

Fun Fact: In the German version, Max got the same voice actress who does Bart Simpson's German voice (Yep, it's a woman too) and sounds exactly like Bart. Very fitting choice.

[@LambdaCalculus379]

"I can't think of anything more relaxing and enjoyable than being locked in a moving car with you for thirty-six hours discussing LucasArts graphic adventures, little buddy!" "That's really sweet, Sam! I may weep openly!"

[@Kem1kal13]

"As dry as my grandma's..." *cringes* "...cupcakes"

[@walmaker8372]

oh

[@ince55ant]

Snucky guy is totes bernard from day of the tentacle.

[@Dutchtica]

The mini-rant at 1:12. Love it. Also Snucky... or THREE IDENTICAL BERNARD CLONES O :

[@doctorgene3201]

This game's humor is probably the closet I've seen, read, or heard to being exactly my sense of humor. Usually I might find something funny, but there might be something that still just doesn't really click with me. Sam and Max Hit the Road on the other hand, as I said, is more or less exactly my sense of humor. I don't share my sense of humor with many people I know, and as such I don't often laugh very much at things they find funny. Which is tedious as they often think I have no sense of humor. Then I show them Sam and Max HtR and they're just like "wat" Also the game has my favorite line "Does it involve wanton destruction?" I always ask myself that when I get into any activity.

[@Mattbuildsstuff]

"when are bunnys not cute?" RUN AWAAAAY RUN AWAAAAAAAAY!

[@scouttyra]

"That rabbit's dynamite!"

[@iaincowell9747]

@@scouttyra "JESUS CHRIST!" Did you know that Megadeth's song Chosen Ones is about that scene?

[@NekoMouser]

Man, I loved this game so much when it came out. I probably spent more time playing their in-game battleship clone than anything else. And I've been finding excuses to say "Not if you don't mind me clawing at the dash and shrieking like a cheerleader" whenever possible for 25 years now.

[@Dracomut]

I prefer the more recent games in the series (especially The Devil's Playhouse), but this is still an awesome Sam and Max game

[@Tyger20]

4:26 "This game is as as dry as my grandmas c..." *gasp!* "upcakes" *phew*. Wow that could've gotten awkward.

[@ElTrolldego]

plus points for using the Grim Fandango soundtrack!

[@PatientZero37]

I've been hoping you'd review Sam and Max eventually! This is one of my favourite games of all time, and introduced me to the characters of Sam and Max, the comics and cartoon show and to Steve Purcell's other work, which is a big inspiration to my own art. Awesome review and awesome work as always Roses, I'm a big fan :)

[@pushinguproses]

Thanks!

[@xRocketzFighterx]

I've always loved the S&M games more than any other adventure game. The telltale games are good to but the lucasart game is better.

[@kerbalgerbalgaming3537]

This was one of my favorite games as a kid! Came in a 3 pack with Day of the Tentacle and Fate of Atlantis, always stuck with me. Good stuff as always PUR

[@SageOwl]

8:00, that's Bernard, and so are all the others. At least they may as well be. I found that to be a funny cameo way back since I played the crap out of Day of the Tentacle. Also nice zoom in on Fate of Atlantis, props. As far as this game goes, I played it as a youngin' and really enjoyed it. I never knew the source material, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. The ONE part that was always a pain in the ass for me was the Whack-A-Mole game at the carnival. I remember my brother's friend who lived around the corner asking for me to go over to his place to beat it for him because he couldn't do it. I did play a few of the Telltale Sam & Max games and they were good in their own way, but definitely not as good as this. Keep doing the LucasArts games because they're are way too damn good.

[@pushinguproses]

I like calling him Snuckey. D:

[@SageOwl]

PushingUpRoses Bernard would be the type of person to work at a shitty convenient store rather than being an incredible computer, telephone, or radio technician. I don't know if I have asked you this before, but have you played Heart of China by Dynamix? It is flippin' hilarious, and worthy of a review.

[@pushinguproses]

Dr. Steve Brule I have not! But I love and appreciate a good humorous game. Will check out.

[@SageOwl]

PushingUpRoses I stumbled upon it on Abandonia one night when my bro and I wanted some good DOS adventure gaming, and it definitely delivered. It even has alternate endings to boot. It is still available on there for free download.

[@amshermansen]

Dr. Steve Brule It's clearly the same guy - Except he has a different voice altogether. Maybe they are all distant cousins of one another? Dun dun dunn!

[@Nate3417]

You're looking very hard boiled today.

[@pushinguproses]

Thank you. I had a shot of whiskey and a cigar right before filming this.

[@falconeshield]

@@pushinguproses with an omlette

[@q306005]

As much as I want to believe you that you can't have a tangible loving bond or feel companionship for inanimate objects, my Companion Cube is telling me that you are a liar who works for GLaDOS and you want to destroy our love and I won't let you! (scurries away feverishly)

[@thefonzkiss]

q306005 Nerd

[@OMA2k]

@@thefonzkiss You called him a nerd cause you know what he's talking about, so that makes you a nerd too ;)

[@redgrey85]

Max tells you himself what he is. "I'm not a malefactor, I'm a lagomorph!"

[@Scarfulhu]

I REMEMBER MY CHILDHOOD IN BRIIIGHTOOON.

[@mikechandler]

Where dear old dad would bounce me on his knee...

[@Sgt_Glory]

He'd say Son, there ain't nothin' as exciiiiiiiiiitin'...

[@mikechandler]

...as exposing beasts to inhumanity!

[@jasonblalock4429]

Thaaaat's whhhhyyyyyy I'mmmmmmmmm...

[@KalinTheZola]

Roses: Dry as my grandma's cu- Me: Good god Roses!!! D: Roses: -pcakes! Me: Oh..... well, I need to go scrub my brain now.

[@adambourne5523]

My favourite Lucas game. 20 years on from my first play through i'm still in stitches over the Max's animation during the whack-a-mole game when he takes a stray hit! Also love the VR sword in the stone scene with Sam trying to wrench Max's head off, still makes me crease up!!!!

[@rickygames6646]

It’s like you review most of my childhood. I’m sad I didn’t find your channel sooner.

[@battosaijenkins946]

Oh SNAP! I remember this game it came bundled in a package back in 1995 along with Day of the Tentacle 2 and I think Indiana jones. I loved them all and Sam And max was the funniest!!!

[@np02058]

"It was the day before today. I remember it like it was yesterday."

[@ChristianMJ]

This game is memorable part of my childhood, I played this game all the time on my pc, It was so much fun to play, Sam & Max rocks, Thanks for doing a review of this game Roses, It was great, Keep up the good work. ;-)

[@Heroinedown]

Why thank you Roses, although I already intended to watch each and every vids you made (because they're really fun) this last statement encourages me even more to do so. How charming you are, you always find the right words to motivante your viewers. I love how you change your hair color.

[@fuzzydude64]

You really gotta try the Telltale games. They're fantastic and are a less dry take on the characters. Far better voice acting too.

[@SageOwl]

They really are. I like when you progressed through the episodes, more of the main items, or villans, would end up in the closet for you to hear some funny one liners.

[@doctorgene3201]

I preferred the voice acting in the original. Felt more tongue and cheek and much more fitting. Also I didn't find them funny, probably because I have a very dry sense of humor. So, I would say check them out, but I wouldn't necessarily say that you would like them simply because you like Hit the Road. I think they're good games, they just didn't do it at all for me.

[@geddyb]

I can't feel you on the voice acting.. I remember how hard it was for me to take the new "Sam" voice. I prefer the original... the new Max wasn't as jarring but still I prefer the original.

[@fuzzydude64]

I can't help but feel the same way about Hit the Road. I find it too dry and it's acting a bit stilted.

[@pushinguproses]

***** I'll agree on the dryness not being everyone's cup of tea. I love the game, but sometimes that dry humor got to be a bit much. I love the voice acting though. :)

[@Mrmys1900]

'Son, there ain't nothing as exciting as exposing beasts to inhumanity.'

[@yardwolves2773]

The mini-games were not touched on, but I remember them being fun distractions from the frustrations of being hung up in the main game. There was a car surfing game, where you had to watch out for highway signs, and Car Bomb, which was battleship with cars.

[@fuyingbro]

Your hair is sooooo awesome. Love the sam & max series.

[@Vlad-1986]

Shut up, Tiffany

[@fuyingbro]

Polikarpov Mosca Adventure Time!!!

[@Vlad-1986]

What? No, I mean Tiffany from the asian character in the Daria cartoons which speaks so slow. What the hell is Adventure Time?

[@fuyingbro]

Polikarpov Mosca What the hell is a Daria cartoon.

[@danish211]

FuYing Bro a old late 90's mtv cartoon its pretty good.

[@chuckwagon9973]

Found this review 6 years after it came out but I’d just like to say that this game has a great story. It says something about cheap/tacky commercialism vs letting nature be. I’m not smart enough to know exactly what it’s saying, but it’s definately there throughout the game

[@CamoWolf55]

Wow, this brought me back, one of my absolute favourites from my childhood. I always really liked the part with the largest rubber band ball on the planet, but I can't remember exactly why... maybe I should give it a replay.

[@AtomicF0x]

Hello six years later. One reason I like the Largest Rubber Band Ball part too is because Max wanders far off on his own a lot there. Going up and down the walkways with his little arms out. It's just so funny to me.

[@videooblivion]

Sam and Max had such sophisticated comedy and a David Lynchian tone to it. Disagree with you on the story and ending; it was a statement about humanity’s relationship with nature. And that soundtrack! I consider S&M better than Monkey Island. (Steve Purcell is a real intellect. Ron Gilbert is a bit of a doofus.)

[@tekguru8]

What do you think of the short lived Sam & Max animated series?

[@thebeggs4]

Another great review of one of my all-time favourite games. Excellent job, Roses! I kind of want to disagree about the ending, but...yeah, you do have a really good point there. I think it fits the tone of the game, and like you said, it's more about the journey than the conclusion, but in some ways it is a bit of a letdown. I think it's just supposed to be a slightly bizarre ending to a wacky adventure, exemplified by the clearing out of your inventory of weird stuff that you've collected. Also, I love the final dialogue between Sam and Max: "You know Max, I can't help thinking that we've foolishly tampered with the fragile inner mechanisms of this little spaceship we call Earth." "Gosh, Sam. If a few hundred years of civilisation have to be totalled just to ensure that a bunch of smelly, quasi-human creatures have a safe haven for their disgusting lifestyle...then so be it!" "You crack me up, little buddy."

[@YearoftheKitsune]

When I was a kid and lived in California, there was this place. I think it was called 'The Cosmic Zone' or something. It was this sci-fi themed kids place reminiscent of a Chuck E. Cheese In this place, they had a computer room, which ran Lucas Arts demos and other old computer games And that's where I first played a Sam and Max game

[@nnnpodcast]

- You're back! - And bigger than a bread box! - Three bread boxes even!

[@ShaggyShan]

I think of all the Lucas Arts games, this is the one I played the most as a kid. Really informed my style of writing, I think.

[@dragonthelegend9451]

Max is the killer rabbit. BIG SHHHARRP POINTEY TEETH!!!!

[@ClydeLeeM]

I often feel disappointed I didn't get to play these adventure games as much as a kid. I had a few early serria ones but not until the last few years have I really gotten to play the great Lucas Arts ones. Sam and Max is definitely a hoot.

[@CooperGal24]

I kinda remembered my Dad playing AfterLife from LucusArts, it was like Sim City, but it had a heaven and hell theme to it.

[@jamesdwhite873]

This was the first PC game I ever owned. It's well worth the play through just for the VO work. Great review!

[@TheFeanor74]

I like the poster on your wall. It is... Excellent!

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

Breakfast recipes? Okay. I've got one. Grab a *large* coffee mug. Melt 3 tbsp butter, preferably unsalted. Add 1/2-3/4 tsp vanilla to personal taste, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tbsp white sugar, and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Stir. Add 2 tbsp plain Greek Yogurt and 1 tbsp 2% or whole milk and 1/2 beaten egg. Or you can use 2 tbsp egg beaters. Stir again until consistent and add 6 tbsp all-purpose flour. Stir until the batter is smooth. Then add about 1/4 cup blueberries or more if you want. Just make sure you don't add enough that the batter can't cook properly. Fold in the blueberries and nuke for about 3 minutes. Let it cool for a minute or two and enjoy your blueberry coffee cake.

[@Erik-vp5bm]

I haven't played this game since it was new. This review sums up everything I remember from it; a great adventure as long as it lasts, but with a lackluster ending that I can't even remember.

[@frankm.2850]

You should totally do a review of the Lucas arts droidworks game.

[@jensendash]

Ball blazer was the most impressive Atari game I'd ever played.

[@unbridledenthusiasm]

I love this game. The holy trinity of Lucasarts talkies is this, Fate of Atlantis, and Day of the Tentacle -- all very different but each perfectly Lucasarts.

[@SelectPlayerLP]

Man I love this game, been playing it over and over since I was a kid. I always refused to use a guide so it literally took me like 10 years to beat it. That golf ball retriever and severed hand combo was so ridiculous and gets used in so many weird places hahaha. Weird thing is that I started let's playing this game the day after this video came out, what a coincidence.

[@catiseith]

Oh, Labyrinth! That game was weird. It started as simple text-adventure game in the modern world with your own character. And suddenly, when the movie starts in the theatre: *graphics!* The King of Trolls (David Bowie) appears on the screen (with his epic music theme), traps you in the movie The Labyrinth and now it's a graphic-adventure game based on the movie!

[@mikechandler]

Stumbled upon your Titanic video and then clicked your end-screen to reward through time back to Sam & Max. You're seriously making me relive my childhood. I've started doing world record speedrun reactions videos with my 8 years old son, through the entire Legend of Zelda series, but you've got me thinking I need to include some old PC games from my childhood in the mix. He would be amazed. LOL. I LOVED SAM AND MAX! Gotta find out if this game can be played anywhere online! :)

[@ЯрославКурганский-щ9щ]

I like the grim fandango music in the background. Nice touch :)

[@sleven8013]

Props for using Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle music. :D

[@MrStuartDJones]

I first played this game about fourteen years after its original release, but the animation blew me away regardless. It matched the script in that it had so much personality.

[@TammyRadbody]

I understand your qualms with the ending... But I honestly loved the chaotic nature of the ending...

[@geddyb]

Yep.. What memories.. I bought Sam and Max per a magazine review. I finished it without a walkthrough back in the day. I also dig the Telltale games.. Great stuff.. I hope Telltale can do some more....

[@ImHereFindMe]

I love the dry humor in this game. A lot of the jokes I didn't get as a kid I find hilarious now.

[@LizardGenes]

Just finished this game a few nights ago, Easily rivals Day of the Tentacle for sheer zaniness and great puns. I love the whole roadside oddities Americana: every place you visit is like some natural or man-made wonder. And Bumpus' song...sums up everything great about Lucasarts' point and click games in the 90s.

[@NeverwaY]

I spent so much time in this game as a kiddo. First as the floppy version, then again when i learned the CD version had voice acting!

[@Patmanduu]

Back in the day, I remember it took me months to figure out the cash you needed to buy items at Snucky’s was in the mouse hole. I think I played through every other game in LucasArts Archives Vol 1 before looping hack to Sam and Max.

[@Equalshares]

I had totally forgotten about this game. I liked it a lot back in the day

[@Paul382]

I loved this game as a kid but I think I messed up the install as I don't remember voice. Also I had no idea they added the game to gog. I know I have my old cd somewhere but know that I know it's on gog I have to get it. Thanks Rose for letting me know it was on there.

[@evenberg8499]

I did not mind the heavy amount of dialogue, as I was the proud owner of a SoundBlaster 64. The WTF - feeling was there, when I ended it, and it is sadly a game I do not remember very much at all, despite the three months it took to complete playing without the internet.

[@cthulhujack]

Missed oppertunity at 0:17 to say "You know... the Howard the Duck guy"

[@AudieHolland]

The only down side to the ending was that it was The End. Suddenly I was alone without my two pals, Sam and Max.

[@starkiller18]

I played this game for countless hours when i was younger. good times.

[@FischerFilmStudio]

My favorite part of the game is definitely the hidden “I can’t pick that up.” Dialogue part.

[@beyondinfinate]

One of my ALL TIE FAVORITES! Thanks for another classic review! I think it would be ok to have a relationship with Sam and Max Hit the Road....but it is the exception to the rule.

[@Eleochess]

You have to mention "Spoiler alert" a lot earlier. Using Max on the mammoth took me weeks to figure out. Luckily I passed this game a lot of years ago. Ah btw, excelent video c:

[@elliottvaughn700]

I know I'm late to the party but my mother got me this game when I was a kid. I thought it didn't have voice acting and would play it over and over until I learned how to configure the "soundblaster"(?) on my even at the time old computer. To this day at the ripe old age of 34 when I watch coverage of the game the voices and pronunciations I made up playing the game without a voice track still harken back to me. For a tiny example, according to child Elliott it was CORNEY Bumpus, not Conroy.

[@Dilandau3000]

Driving to different parts of America in a few seconds might be hard to believe, but then we are talking about a bunch of guys who once drove their car to the moon. Somehow.

[@KottabosGames]

well now I have the urge to go to the store to buy eggs now, mmmm deviled eggs (you have to hard boil them first so they count)

[@patrickmilne828]

I'm your biggest fan PushingUpRoses

[@psukebariah3435]

I loved those LucasArts and Sierra Games back in the day. I should find where/how I can play them now.

[@allanau]

Been waiting for you to do this game!

[@JazGalaxy]

woah woah woah, Roses, you not knowing that the Snucky guy is Bernard might mean you never played Day Of The Tentacle? I know that's a stretch, but if you haven't, go play it! It's the best adventure game ever made, in my opinion. It's as funny as any of Tim Schafer's later games, but has a level of gameplay that most latter Lucas Arts adventure games never quite achieve.

[@heavysunlight5161]

I would love to see an LP of this from you!

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

And now I totally want you to check out the LucasArts game, Armed and Dangerous. Seriously, that game is fucking hilarious!

[@anevilscientist]

I played this game so much as a kid that I still know all the puzzles

[@fethry]

The Snuckey's guy is Bernard form DOTT ! with moustaches, no glases and other changes!

[@superbunnybun]

Now that I think about it, I'm shocked it took so long for anyone to review this. This is a beloved classic, but many younger people don't know about most lucasarts games

[@NormanRafferty]

Yes! This game, ne plus ultra. :D I never figured out the second cat. That is, if you go back to your PI office, there's a second cat who randomly spawns on the alley fence. It apparently has no purpose. Also, there's an Easter egg in the S&M game of bizarre screen savers if you let the game sit idly. Yay for PUR!

[@retrodavide]

Your review..always so vibrant!I love it!

[@andersdenkend]

Quite possibly LucasArt's zenith. They really hit all the right buttons around this time. Jesus, what a perfect game.

[@darkinertia2]

oh shit, i totally thought you were gonna say something besides "grandmas cupcakes" lol

[@smorgasbord26]

Hardboiled is a cool word. Its also one of my favourite awesome John Woo action films

[@SimmyBassline]

I picked this a little while ago from a charity shop, but havent really played it yet, I have played about an hour of Sam & Max: Season 1 on the Wii and rather enjoyed it. Deffo need to go back and play the original

[@SomeOrangeCat]

This game is adventure gaming royalty.

[@dafunken]

strange you didn’t mention that ”snucky" is obviously the character model of bernard from day of the tentacle

[@SvenQ45]

Sam and Max ist like my alltime fav: Dott. Less story but I do love it! I just love that you pointing and clicking yourself to death. :D In Dott you have so many things to do!

[@BennSimonn]

I love how the fisherman is implied to be Woody Allen.

[@ItsSoDane]

I'm a huge sam and max fan. I have all the games, some of the comics and even a skin for my 3DS XL with them on it.

[@zenithquasar9623]

Art of this game is just sooo gorgeous!

[@Julayla]

Honestly, when it comes to Sam & Max. I think the game was focusing more on both humor and surrealism rather than story. I mean some people usually turn to this game for the wise crack humor and such.

[@grimlock047]

All the employees of the Snukey's stores (or whatever the name is) look like the same character with some little detail that differentiates them, but if you look closely they resemble Bernard as he looked in DoTT

[@Greycap96]

"Snuckey" is actually Bernard Bernoulli (from Day of the Tentacle) with a Moustache.

[@charleswesthoff5954]

I’ve always enjoyed this games style of humor

[@WakoDoodle]

Max: That really burns me up! Sam: That he can call us charletens and get away with it? Max: No! He got to jump off first! JERANIMOOOOoooo!... Sam: You crack me up little buddy! Btw they way sam and max can go anywhere really fast, the explained it in the show. They fold the map and drive over... O-O yup... Also I hope they come back in glory again, though leaving 4 game legacy and an old tv show is pretty much fulfilment in my book :D P.s: nice highlights as always :D