Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy is a side-scrolling action platformer based on the iconic detective from the comic strips and the 1990 film. The story picks up after the NES game, with Big Boy Caprice escaping prison and kidnapping Tracy's love interest, Tess Trueheart. As Detective Dick Tracy, players battle through five levels, fighting henchmen and confronting villains like Shoulders, The Brow, Pruneface, and Flattop. Gameplay focuses on punching and shooting, with weapons including a handgun, tommy gun, tear gas, and grenades with limited ammo. Throughout each level, players collect 12 hidden photograph pieces; solving the puzzle within the time limit rewards bonus lives. The game eschews open-world investigation for a linear action experience.

Game Boy

Released in December 1991, developed by Realtime Associates and published by Bandai. It is a more straightforward platformer than its console predecessor, focusing entirely on side-scrolling combat. The game features a password system to resume progress. While some praised its straightforward action, it was criticized for bland graphics, unresponsive controls, and repetitive level design that stripped the detective of his investigative identity. The sound design also drew negative remarks. Despite flaws, it introduced a unique puzzle mechanic where photo pieces form a puzzle to solve after defeating the boss. This title remains an example of early licensed games that prioritized action over the source material's detective elements.