Small Consolation - Console Video Games Quiz

Answer: Sonic the Hedgehog

Principally created by Yuji Naka and artist Naoto Ōshima, Sonic is recognized worldwide as a symbol of speed in video gaming. For years he has battled against the dastardly Dr. Robotnik, as well as a host of other baddies.

Answer: Wolf

Crash Bandicoot was, for a long time, billed as Sony's main contender to Mario. His platformer games still have a devoted following, even today. A Gecko appears as the television-obsessed star of the "Gex" games, and Parappa the Rapper is, of course, a dog.

Somewhat surprisingly (considering games exist starring everything from bees to camels), the Playstation 1 had no game starring a wolf. Sony Gamers would have to wait for the brilliant Okami, released for the Playstation 2 (among other consoles), to experience life as a lupine predator.

Answer: "Donkey Kong Country"

"Donkey Kong Country", released for the Super Nintendo in 1994, featured ground-breaking graphics thanks to the use of pre-rendering. Animators spent a lot of time visiting the local zoos in order to perfectly capture the movement of the gorillas that would later shoot to fame in the "Mario" spin-off title.

The Donkey Kong who was Mario's enemy would appear in the new franchise as Cranky Kong, Donkey's grandfather!

Answer: Rare Ltd.

Established in 1985, Rare Ltd produced such console gems as "Battletoads," "Donkey Kong Country", "Goldeneye", "Perfect Dark", "Banjo-Kazooie", "Killer Instinct", and "Viva Piņata". The world also owes them, of course, for the creation of the foul-mouthed, hilarious protagonist of the Bad Fur Day games - Conker.

Originally intended to star in a kid's game, Conker first appeared in the karting classic "Diddy Kong Racing", although he didn't show his true nature until his own platformer was released later.

Answer: Halo

Ever since "Halo: Combat Evolved" in 2001, Halo has been amongst Microsoft's most important exclusive franchises. The series is notable for its lively Xbox Live community and the (relatively) high degree of customisation it allows its players with the mapmaker "Forge" mode.

Answer: Frost

Firion was one of the main four characters of "Final Fantasy II", Squall was the moody hero of "Final Fantasy VIII" and Lightning was the mysterious heroine of "Final Fantasy XIII". Many of the "Final Fantasy" protagonists are named after forms of weather.

Answer: Mega Drive

Ecco the Dolphin is easily one of the most memorable and charismatic dolphin heroes we've seen across the whole spectrum of console gaming, fins down. The games, principally for Mega Drive and Dreamcast, have built up a devoted cult following.

Answer: "Mass Effect"

"Mass Effect" is one of the most talked-about franchises in recent years, with the ending of the third game in the trilogy sparking a controversy to a degree never before seen within the gaming community. Love it or hate it, you can't deny the groundbreaking steps the series took in terms of player choice and world building.

Answer: The Police Station

The skinless licker is completely blind and relies upon its well developed sense of hearing in order to hunt - that and its lengthy tongue, razor sharp claws and teeth! It remains one of the most iconic and feared enemies of video game history.

Answer: Egypt

Egypt is the only location to pop up in all four games - it was the third world in "Tomb Raider", the location of a secret level in "Goldeneye 64", the basis for the Egyptian Pyramids that acted as one of the dungeons in "Illusion of Gaia" and formed part of the British Campaign in "Call of Duty 2".